Vital Signs 2007-2008: The Trends That Are Shaping Our Future

by The Worldwatch Institute

Overview

This report tracks and analyzes 44 trends that are shaping our future, and includes graphs and charts to provide a visual comparison over time. Categories of trends include: Food, Agricultural Resources, Energy and Climate, Global Economy, Resource Economics, Environment, Conflict and Peace, Communications and Transportation, Population and Society, and Health and Disease.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781610916684
Publisher:	Island Press
Publication date:	03/19/2015
Series:	Vital Signs
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	166
File size:	56 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Founded in 1974 by farmer and economist Lester Brown, Worldwatch was the first independresearch institute devoted to the analysis of global environmental concerns. Worldwatch quickly became recognized by opinion leaders around the world for its accessible, fact-based analysis of critical global issues. Now under the leadership of population expert and author Robert Engelman, Worldwatch develops innovative solutions to intractable problems, emphasizing a blend of governmleadership, private sector enterprise, and citizen action that can make a sustainable future a reality.

Table of Contents

Contents

Acknowledgments

Preface

Part One: Key Indicators

Food and Agriculture Trends

Grain Production Falls and Prices Surge

Soybean Demand Continues to Drive Production

Meat Output and Consumption Grow

Seafood Increasingly Popular and Scarce

Irrigated Area Stays Stable

Energy and Environment Trends

Fossil Fuel Use Up Again

Nuclear Power Virtually Unchanged

Wind Power Still Soaring

Solar Power Shining Bright

Biofuel Flows Surge

Carbon Emissions Continue Unrelenting Rise

Weather-related Disasters Climb

Ozone Layer Stabilizing But Not Recovered

Social and Economic Trends

Population Rise Slows But Continues

World Is Soon Half Urban

Economy and Strain on Environment Both Grow

Steel Production Soars

Aluminum Production Continues Upward

Gold Mining Output Drops Slightly

Roundwood Production Up

Transport and Communications Trends

Vehicle Production Rises Sharply

Bicycle Production Up Slightly

Air Travel Reaches New Heights

Cell Phones Widely Used, Internet Growth Slows

Conflict and Peace Trends

Number of Violent Conflicts Steady

Peacekeeping Expenditures Hit New Record

Nuclear Weapons Treaty Eroding

Part Two: Special Features

Food and Agriculture Features

Agribusinesses Consolidate Power

Egg Production Doubles Since 1990

Avian Flu Spreads

Environment Features

Climate Change Affects Terrestrial Biodiversity

Threats to Species Accelerate

Invasive Species Drive Biodiversity Loss

Ocean Pollution Worsens and Spreads

Bottled Water Consumption Jumps

Sustainable Communities Become More Popular

Social and Economic Features

Progress Toward the MDGs Is Mixed

Literacy Improves Worldwide

Child Labor Harms Many Young Lives

Informal Economy Thrives in Cities

Socially Responsible Investment Grows Rapidly

Health Features

HIV/AIDS Continues Worldwide Climb

Malaria Remains a Threat

Male Reproductive Health Declines

Notes

The Vital Signs Series