<P> An economic crisis is a sharp transition to a recession . See for example 1994 economic crisis in Mexico, Argentine economic crisis (1999--2002), South American economic crisis of 2002, Economic crisis of Cameroon . Crisis theory is a central achievement in the conclusions of Karl Marx's critique of Capital . </P> <P> A financial crisis may be a banking crisis or currency crisis . </P> <P> Crises pertaining to the environment include: </P> <P> An environmental disaster is a disaster that is due to human activity and should not be confused with natural disasters (see below). In this case, the impact of humans' alteration of the ecosystem has led to widespread and / or long - lasting consequences . It can include the deaths of animals (including humans) and plant systems, or severe disruption of human life, possibly requiring migration . </P>

Why is it important to understand a crisis in terms of its different stages