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The Elves are motivated to 'do something about death'. How can (from their point of view) death be 'natural', when they themselves, the MOST natural beings, closest to nature, with the greatest love of nature, don't truly die. Its WRONG, so it needs putting right. So they make the Rings....
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It's ironic that the creatures who seem to be so close to nature that they practically are nature cannot do what nature does best- naturally die. I heard somewhere that many people believe the Elves are symbols of nature in the Lord of the Rings. But how can this be when the Elves can't do what nature finds necessary? In the winter, a plant dies, not fades. When a "winter" of sorts strikes Middle-Earth the undying-ness (not a word, is it?) of the Elves is brought into greater focus as they
fade and leave while Men die as the world changes.
Also, I think Davem is correct about Galadriel's rejection of the One Ring. She has the chance, right there, to take the power to hold back the future, hold back change, and hold back death, but she does not take it. In a way, I find this to be symbolic of the Elves' resignation to their fate to live and fade with time rather than live and die with time.