According to highly reliable sources, the Neo-Apocalypse was caused by an unending series of bureaucratic mismanagement, petty squabbles, and an over-reliance on departmental inefficiencies.
The final straw was when the Department of Red Tape was created, effectively gumming up the works of all other departments, causing the entire system to grind to a halt.
As a result, society crumbled, governments collapsed, and the once-blue skies turned a deep shade of gray. But hey, at least the Bureaucratic Bon Bonsai still exist.
Disclaimer: The Neo-Apocalypse was actually caused by a combination of factors, but let's be real, who needs facts when you have good storytelling?