The global lower classes have been trapped in perpetual material misery. Slavery exists in all but name in many places around the world. Just because you don't see it in your backyard doesn't mean it doesn't exist.
As to society collapse due to overpopulation, did you not pay attention to the Syrian civil war and its root cause in water shortages or the Arab Spring in general? Destruction of the environment in South America and Africa are pretty catastrophic and populations are only sustained thanks to imports from the developed world:
One ambitious initiative created to reduce desertification in Africa is the Great Green Wall. Once completed, the Great Green Wall will be the largest
borgenproject.org
Many more cities than Cape Town face an uncertain future over water. But there are emerging solutions.
www.nationalgeographic.com
Maybe there is a technological solution to stave things off even more, but nothing is guaranteed.
Just because the US media doesn't talk about it doesn't mean it isn't happening.