Collapse of Easter Island

Abstract

The collapse of Easter Island is one of the world's major archeological and anthropological mysteries. Small islands are closed systems, and they represent a microcosm of the planet Earth, which is also a closed system on a planetary scale. Observing and comprehending interconnected economic, social and ecological changes taking place in small islands is relatively straightforward. This article contends that we have been witnessing ‘Easter Island Syndrome’ signals; yet, we continue to ignore them at our peril. Under the dynamics of globalization, we have been liquidating finite natural capital at an unprecedented rate. If the current trends continue unchecked, many countries, particularly small islands, are likely to get caught in ‘Easter Island traps’.