Collapse by Jared Diamond

Apparently I am on an environmental jag subconsciously this fall. I picked up Collapse to learn about why the societies of the Maya, Anasazi, Easter Island, and Greenland had collapsed as well as some of the challenges today in Rwanda, Haiti, Montana, China and Papau New Guinea. Jared Diamond is a geography prof at UCLA and a globe trotter.  

Why have societies collapsed? According to Diamond: "The reason is simple: maximum population, wealth, resource consumption and waste production mean maximum environmental impact." p 509  "Our world society is on a non sustainable course." Diamond goes through a list of problems ranging from deforestation, soil erosion, and reduction of biodiversity all thanks to us.  It is pretty depressing really. I had not realized what bad shape Australia is in with its poor soils and many follies such as the introduction of rabbits, foxes and sheep onto its already non productive lands. Is there some hope? 

Occasionally, he mentions some good things Chevron being environmentally sensitive in its oil exploration and the ability of a centralized government such as China to enforce major policies such as one child. But over all the book depressed me. Okay I know I need to ride the bus more, eat locally and stop jetting around on airplanes.  This book is long and parts can be skimmed, but still worth a read if you need a sober dose of reality.