Many of us here and in the Ecosophian community at large would probably agree that things don't end but change. Either by evolution or devolution, organisms, solar systems and of course civilizations move thru cycles of greater or lesser complexity, diversity and harmony alternately rising from simple functionality up through harmonic complexity and descending (sometimes chaotically) toward rest. The rubble thens gets recycled into new forms and functions ad infinititum. As unpleasant as it can be, there are times when its "our" chair that gets removed when the music pauses and it appears that chair might belong to modern Faustian civilization this time around.
Every living organism moves through this cycle. My mother moved gracefully and powerfully through while my father is enraged and indignant as he descends toward stasis. How dare death come knocking! It must be someone's fault and they must see justice for this travesty!
Dad is a pure, true-blue,colonies on Mars faustian and epitomises the civilization that bore him and that is now, itself, in orbital decay. None of this worries the myriad poor and homeless immigrants crossing into the southwest and so current events look desperate for the one but joyously hopefull for the other. Disaster for some but paradise for others.
So I agree that apocalypse is unlikely, at least in a universal sense. I would, however, like to introduce a more classical use of the term that I find most appropriate and frankly no less terrifying for many. That word is apokaluptine, from the ancient Greek meaning to uncover, to reveal.
Could it be that revelation is that the ship bearing the faustian west is and has been taking on water? Unknown to many unfortunates in stowage decks below, life boats launching chaotically, band playing on to preserve the dignity of the solemn occasion, all might imply it's time to grab your loved ones and something that floats!
A most fruitful solstice to all.
Gawain