Strained resources prompt societal collapse from "summary" of Collapse by Jared M. Diamond
In explaining why societies collapse, I have identified a common thread: the strain placed on resources. When a society's demand for resources exceeds the capacity of the environment to provide them, it sets off a chain reaction that can lead to collapse. This is not a new phenomenon; it has played out repeatedly throughout history, from the Mayan civilization to the Norse colonies in Greenland. One of the key drivers of resource strain is population growth. As a society's population increases, so too does its need for food, water, and other essentials. If these needs cannot be met sustainably, the society will deplete its resources and face collapse. This was the case for the Anasazi people of the American Southwest, who outstripped the carrying capacity of their environment and were forced to abandon their settlements. Another factor that can exacerbate resource strain is environmental degradation. When a society fails to manage its resources respon...
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