Vital Signs 2003-2004 The Trends That are Shaping Our Future

About this book

Provides latest information on global warming, population growth, military spending, HIVAIDS, economic equity, the trade in drugs and a range of other environmental, developmental, social, political and economic issues.

Contents

Overview - Poverty and Inequality Block Progress: A Growing Economic Divide; Diseases of Poverty and Wealth; Poverty and Armed Conflict; The Inequities of Climate Change; Communication Gaps; Standing Apart - The United States and Africa; Bridging the Divides. Part 1 Key Indicators: Food Trends - Grain Production Drops, Meat Production and Consumption Grow; Energy and Atmosphere Trends - Fossil Fuel Use Up, Nuclear Power Rises, Wind Power's Rapid Growth Continues, Carbon Emissions and Temperature Climb; Economic Trends - Economic Growth Inches Up, Foreign Debt Declines, Advertising Spending Stays Nearly Flat, Tourism Growing But Still Shaky, World Heritage Sites Rising Steadily; Transportation and Communications Trends - Vehicle Production Inches, Bicycle Production Seesaws, Communications Networks Expand, Semiconductor Sales Rebound Slightly; Health and Social Trends - Population Growth Slows, HIV/AIDS Pandemic Spreads Further, Cigarette Production Dips Slightly; Military Trends - Violent Conflicts Continue to Decline, Peacekeeping Expenditures Down Slightly. Part 2 Special Features: Environment Features - Birds in Decline, Small Islands Threatened by Sea Level Rise; Economy Features - Rich-Poor Divide Growing, Gap in CEO-Worker Pay Widens, Severe Weather Events on the Rise; Resource Economics Features - High Farm Subsidies Persist, Harvesting of Illegal Drugs Remains High; Health and Social Features - Number of Refugees Drops, Alternative Medicine Gains Popularity, Maternal Deaths Reflect Inequities, Consumption Patterns Contribute to Mortality, Orphans Increase Due to AIDS Deaths; Military and Governance Features - Corruption Thwarts Development, International Criminal Court Starts Work, Military Expenditures on the Rise, Resource Wars Plague Developing World.

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Biography

Written by the staff of the award-winning Worldwatch Institute including Gary Gardner, Janet Sawin, Brian Halwiel, Ed Ayres and Michael Renner