Vital Signs 1999

May 1999
ISBN: 0-393-31893-1
197 pages

Print Version$13.00Add to Cart

The global trends documented in Vital Signs 1999--from a decline in nuclear power generating capacity to the proliferation of genetically modified crops--will play a large part in determining the quality of our lives and our children's lives in the next decade.

This eighth volume in the series from the Worldwatch Institute shows in graphic form the key trends that often escape the attention of the news media and world leaders--and that are often ignored by economic experts as they plan for the future. Written by the staff of the Worldwatch Institute, this book lets readers track key indicators that show social, economic, and environmental progress, or the lack of it. The authoritative data have been distilled from thousands of documents obtained from government, industry, scientists, and international organizations into "vital signs" of our times.

Vital Signs 1999 Table of Contents

PART ONE: Key Indicators


Food Trends

  • Grain Harvest Drops
  • Soybean Harvest Down
  • Meat Production Growth Slows
  • Fisheries Falter
  • Grain Stocks Down Slightly

Agriculture Resource Trends

  • Grain Area Declines
  • Irrigated Area Up

Energy Trends

  • Growth in Fossil Fuel Burning Slows
  • Nuclear Power Declines Slightly
  • Wind Power Blows to New Record
  • Solar Cells Continue Double Digit Growth

Atmospheric Trends

  • Global Temperature Goes Off The Chart
  • Carbon Emmisions Dip

Economic Trends

  • Global Economic Growth Slows
  • Third World Debt Still Rising
  • World Trade Declines
  • World Ad Spending Declines
  • U.N. Finances Decline Further
  • Weather Related Losses Hit New High
  • Roundwood Production Levels Off
  • Paper Production Inches Up

Transportation Trends

  • Automobile Production Dips
  • Bicycle Production Down Again
  • World Air Travel Soaring

Communications Trends

  • Satellite Launches Get a Boost
  • Telephone Network Keeps Growing
  • Internet Continues Rapid Expansion

Social Trends

  • World Population Swells
  • Life Expectancy Extends to New High
  • HIV/AIDS Pandemic Decimates
  • Polio Nearly Eradicated
  • Refugee Numbers Drop Again
  • Cigarette Production Falls

Military Trends

  • Wars Increase Once Again
  • U.N. Peacekeeping Expenditures Drop More
  • Nuclear Arsenals Shrink

PART TWO: Special Features


Environmental Features

  • Transgenic Crops Proliferate
  • Pesticide-Resistant Species Flourish
  • Harmful Algae Blooming Worldwide
  • Urban Air Taking Lives
  • Biomass Energy Use Growing Slowly

Economic Features

  • Transportation Shapes Cities
  • Corporations Driving Globalization
  • Government Corruption Widespread

Social Features

  • Unemployment Plagues Many Nations
  • NGOs Proliferate Worldwide
  • Malnutrition Still Prevalent
  • Sperm Counts Dropping
  • People Everywhere Eating More Fast Food

Military Features

  • Small Arms Found in All Nations