Name: Why do societies collapse?
Uploaded: 2008-10-27T01:00:00Z
Duration: 18 min 1 s
Description: Why do societies fail? With lessons from the Norse of Iron Age Greenland, deforested Easter Island and present-day Montana, Jared Diamond talks about the signs that collapse is near, and how -- if we see it in time -- we can prevent it.

Why do societies fail? With lessons from the Norse of Iron Age Greenland, deforested Easter Island and present-day Montana, Jared Diamond talks about the signs that collapse is near, and how -- if we see it in time -- we can prevent it.

Jared Diamond: Why do societies collapse?

Why do societies collapse?

Collapses of societies like the Maya and Norse were often due to environmental mismanagement, hinting at lessons for today.

Montana faces environmental challenges despite its pristine appearance, highlighting the global relevance of sustainability.

Societal collapse often ensues swiftly post-peak success; understanding resource mismatches is crucial for sustainability.