Can what we do be harnessed to help, in some small way, save the world?

I always try to eliminate paper processes when I write a system.  I walk around, look at post-it notes, and realize they exist because of some lack of features in software.  Can we eliminate enough paper consumption with software to make a difference?

Can we engineer workflows to gain efficiencies out of software that will ultimately reduce wasted energy and resources?

Can we become software scientists and create ways to help the physical scientists improve our global situation?

Can we challenge ourselves to do more than pull data from databases and show it on screen and collect a paycheck?  I mean God people, there is so much brainpower in this community.  Can we find a way to turn what we do into a measurable platform for making life better? 

Or is it folly to hope you can matter?