By Bob McDonald, Quirks & Quarks

The year 2012 is upon us and astronomers are not worried about a looming catastrophe from space. For more than a decade, authors, moviemakers and soothsayers have been predicting the end of the world this year, often based on the ancient Mayan calendar. And while scientists are not forecasting doom, there is a lesson the Mayans can teach us about survival.

At the heart of the 2012 apocalypse predictions is what's known as the Mayan Long Count that is supposed to end at some point in December of this year. 

To get the real story, anthropologist Dr. John Hoopes has published answers to 13 common questions about the Mayan calendar and how the apocalyptic idea came about in the journal Psychology Today. 

From the astronomical point of view, the idea that the Earth will be struck by a planet-sized object from space this year is seen as preposterous by an astronomer whose sole purpose is to look for undiscovered space objects that can threaten the Earth.

Dr. Don Yeomans, Director of NASA's Near Earth Object Program posted a blog called 2012 Reality Check in which he debunks the conspiracy theory point by point. 

But while scientists are not concerned about long-ago predictions, perhaps there are still some lessons about our future we can learn from the ancient Mayans.

The Maya civilization did not disappear. There are about six million Mayans living in Central America today. But they did experience a collapse of giant city states such as Tikal, which thrived during their classic period from AD 200-900.

Some of these cities were the size of Manhattan, adorned with huge pyramids, monuments to power and large populations. Trade routes ran up and down the coastlines, prosperity blossomed.

But as cities grew, resources in the surrounding land were depleted, forcing further travel for fuel and food, battles with other cities, and a long chain of events that lead to their demise. 

Those who survived were the farmers living in the high country.

Sound familiar?

What will our civilization look like by that time if we continue on the current trend of gobbling up resources, depleting fisheries, turning food into biofuel for vehicles, battling for oil abroad, contaminating water to get oil and gas out of the ground at home, and placing short-term economic gains over long-term environmental protection?

I recently had the exquisite privilege of holding a newborn baby, less than a day old in my arms. As I looked into Hysen's wrinkled face I said, "Welcome to planet Earth." 

Then I realized that if he lives to the age of 88 he will see the year 2100.

Hopefully Hysen will be among a new generation with the wisdom and foresight to avoid the fate of the ancient Mayans who showed us how apocalypse can come from within civilization, not rain down from above.