The concept of 'environmental carrying capacity' has long been central to ecological studies, yet its application to human societies remains contentious. Unlike non-human populations, which are typically constrained by biological limits, human societies can temporarily exceed their carrying capacity through technological innovation and trade. However, this expansion often leads to the depletion of natural capital, such as soil fertility or freshwater reserves, thereby reducing future capacity. A recent study by Martinez et al. (2022) simulated historical collapses in island civilizations, revealing that societies that invested in sustainable resource management maintained stability far longer than those that prioritized immediate growth. The authors argue that carrying capacity is not a fixed threshold but a dynamic equilibrium, influenced by both environmental conditions and societal choices. This perspective challenges the deterministic view that environmental degradation inevitably leads to societal collapse, suggesting instead that human adaptation and foresight play pivotal roles in shaping long-term sustainability.