Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed
People fear the thought of history repeating itself, and the idea that our society may be the next in line to collapse. Smaller societies have been known to vanish in the past, while others have learned from their mistakes and re-built themselves. However, instead of addressing such a small scale, we are now discussing global proportions. Diamond talks of ecocide-ecological suicide-that seems to be a pronounced cause for a society’s collapse. He is quick to mention, though, that ecocide is not the only factor contributing to the collapse of a society. Climate change, hostile neighbours, the dependence of societies on their friendly neighbours, and the responses of a society to address such problems also plays a major role. The fact that not all societies vanish completely, but rather that some have avoided catastrophe and now manage themselves according to the resources available, provides the hope that our planet will not burn itself out. The past mistakes along with present advancements, such as technology and improved health care, must be considered when predicting the outcome of society. Technology has already removed us from some problems and looks as though it may have to do so in the future as well. This poses another issue; the issue of businesses and environmentalists working together to promote longevity of our resources, and decrease the amount of harm brought to the environment on which we depend. Everyone must set aside their misconceptions of where other people stand in society and work together to provide a healthy, sustainable planet for the future.
From the point of view of a biologist, it is easy to observe why Diamond focused first on environmental degradation as the leading cause of a society’s collapse. Biologists often consider the interactions between a species and their environment. However, he showed good insight to mention other factors that also contribute to such outcomes, providing accurate historical events to back them up. For example, through history we have learned about the escapades of the barbarians and the Romans fighting each other in hopes of conquering the continent. Each factor was well explained, and also informed the reader on the consequences of one factor coupled with another in terms of a society’s outcome.
In terms of technology saving us, my feelings are mixed. If advancements are made soon enough, we can create systems that will begin to fix the problems that we have created. It may not return the topsoil that was once part of productive croplands, or return the lakes in oil sand areas to their former condition, but it can reduce the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and reduce the amount of waste that is put into landfills. But, if we don’t act before irreversible changes occur, then there is no hope whatsoever of technology saving us. The United States is one of the most technologically advanced countries in the world today, especially in health care. Yet, they have thousands of people dying as a result of no access to that health care. This, in turn, brings in the knowledge that technology is not evenly distributed. Lesser developed countries have very little technology when compared to countries like Canada and the United States. In many ways one can see the conflict rich versus poor, and the fight for equality within each nation.
There is also the concern of war and hostile relationships between neighbouring countries. Entire communities have been devastated by war, and many continue to feel the effects of present and past events. Whether it is for religious reasons, over resources, or just a result of plain stupidity, fighting is not going to solve the problem. One group of people will easily fill the place of the other in the line for the land, necessary amenities, and title. Also, the energy spent on combat and making weapons could be used instead to provide some of the technological capital to meet the needs of its people. Every person has different thoughts, views, and opinions on how something should be done, so just think how much of this undiscovered knowledge is being wasted on a battle field.
While getting the business world and the environmental world to work together is a great start, it is also necessary to note that government involvement is necessary as well. Governments have the power to enforce changes on their people. They can take what the corporations and scientists have to say and then make decisions that they feel are best for the society as a whole. As it stands, many governments do not seem to be making much progress on environmental issues, but at least they are starting. Ten years ago there was hardly any mention of how human activities were influencing the environment. Now, the media is often filled with stories of shifting weather patterns, water scarcities, and growing amounts of waste. Change is a slow process sometimes, but at least members of the population recognize this and are starting to make small, but mighty leaps to change bad habits and become friendlier to the environment, and thus sustain their society.
Easton T. Classic edition courses: environmental studies. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2009. pp. 213-8.
