Unsustainable development led to the collapse of the ancient Mayans.
A major exhibit at the Musée du Quai Branly in Paris, France titled “Maya: From Dawn to Dusk” showcases the latest archeological findings of the Mayan culture from Guatemala's Mirador Basin. US archaeologist and research lead Dr. Richard Hansen stated that these provide additional evidence of the deforestation and environmental degradation that caused the collapse of the once-flourishing civilization.

With regions of Mexico and Central America that advanced culturally and scientifically for more than 3,000 years, the Mayan Mirador Basin was once a sophisticated urban area with structures that measured larger than the Egyptian pyramids.

During an interview with Inter Press Service, Dr. Hansen spoke of the intense deforestation that contributed to the demise of El Mirador, saying that the historical collapse of all civilizations can be traced to humanity's lack of respect for environmental balance.

Dr. Hansen and colleagues, many thanks for these insights into conditions from the past that also parallel our current situation on Earth. May we all benefit from the lessons offered by their examples by swiftly adopting lifestyles more in harmony with nature.

During a May 2009 videoconference in Togo, Supreme Master Ching Hai spoke of past civilizations as she highlighted the inner qualities needed to secure a stable future for our planet. At least 2 major times that our planet has undergone major destruction due to detrimental human activities.


Extra News
As the remaining US troops begin to depart from Iraq, Moqtada al-Sadr, head of an Iraqi group known as the Mehdi Army, orders his soldiers as of September 10 to halt all attacks on the US military, saying that he wishes to ensure their smooth departure and a complete withdrawal scheduled for the end of
this year.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article
/ALeqM5hPMQxo9kiCPYfVov6BsyxdVoSXKg?docId=24dbbbf635e342538294dbc1a1ae619c
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle-east/officials-say-gunmen-using-silenced-weapons-kill-3-iraqi-
soldiers-in-baghdad/2011/09/10/gIQAnlRLHK_story.html

Bhutan’s agricultural experts and farmers convey their alarm at the increasing crop losses caused by climate change, noting that weather extremes such as erratic rainfall, droughts, flash floods and landslides caused a 22% decrease in maize harvests between 2004 and 2006 and the loss of a full 50% in 2007.  

http://www.scidev.net/en/south-asia/news/bhutan-faces-crop-losses-from-erratic-
climate.html?utm_source=link&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=en_news
http://www.scidev.net/en/news/bhutan-faces-crop-losses-from-erratic-climate.html

In a September 7, 2011 report by the US-based Marine Conservation Biology Institute, leading international marine scientists and experts call for an end to most commercial deep sea fishing, saying that these fish have become vulnerable to extinction.

http://www.upi.com/Science_News/2011/09/07/Report-urges-end-to-deep-sea-fishing/UPI-91111315431906/
http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/311227