What is meant by “societal collapse”?

Our civilisation was formed in a more or less stable climate, and has become very complex. It is very hard to know how resilient it is to the kinds of disruption that climate change promises. Events such as sea level rise encroaching on our habitat, unexpected movements and mutations of diseases, changing weather patterns reducing crop yields and disappearing glaciers drying rivers, will all have multiple and far-reaching consequences on our  global society. Combined with things like peak oil, a financial system on the edge of collapse, authoritarian and belligerent governments, growing antibiotic resistance, and the above additional issues related to oppression and exploitation, it is easy to predict the end of industrial consumer societies. With the term “societal collapse” we mean an uneven ending of so-called Western modes of sustenance (like shelter, food, water, health), security, pleasure, identity, meaning, and hope. For some people these needs may be met in new ways. For others, needs may be met in ways that reflect their culture’s traditional values. Rather than environmental, economic or political, the word “societal” is important as these uneven endings will pervade society, and challenge our place within it.