Collapse

How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed

This environmental history investigates past human societies that suffered catastrophic ecological collapse, including the inhabitants of Easter Island, the Anasazi, and the Maya. The author examines five key factors that contribute to societal decline, including environmental damage, climate change, and hostile neighbors. By comparing historical outcomes with modern global challenges, the work explores lessons for contemporary sustainability.

by Jared Diamond

Viking · First published 2005 · 592 pages