Vital Signs 2000

May 2000
ISBN: 0-393-32022-7
192 pages

Print Version$13.00Add to Cart

The global trends documented in Vital Signs 2000--from the rapid rise in the sales of energy-efficient compact fluorescent lamps to the worldwide overpumping of growndwater--will play a large role in determining the quality of our lives and our children's lives in the next decade.

This ninth 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 award-winning Worldwatch Institute, this book gives readers easy access to key indicators that show social, economic, and environmental progress, or the lack of it.  The carefully selected data have been distilled into "vital signs" from thousands of documents obtained from government, industry, scientists, and international organizations.

Vital Signs 2000 Table of Contents

PART ONE: Key Indicators


Food Trends

  • Grain Harvest Falls
  • Soybean Harvest Drops
  • Meat Production Up Again
  • Fish Harvest Down

Agriculture Resource Trends

  • Grain Area Shrinks Again
  • Fertilizer Use Down
  • Pesticide Trade Nears New High

Energy Trends

  • Fossil Fuel Use in Flux
  • Nuclear Power Rises Slightly
  • Wind Power Booms
  • Solar Power Market Jumps
  • Compact Flourescents Light Up the Globe

Atmospheric Trends

  • Global Temperature Drops
  • Carbon Emissions Fall Again

Economic Trends

  • Economic Growth Speeds Up
  • Developing Country Debt Increases
  • World Trade Stable in Value
  • Weather Damages Drop
  • Paper Piles Up
  • Gold Looses Its Luster
  • Tourism Growth Rebounds

Transportation Trends

  • Vehicle Production Increases
  • Bicycle Production Down Again

Communications Trends

  • Telephone Network Diversifies
  • Internet Use Accelerates

Social Trends

  • World Populatiopn Passes 6 Billion
  • HIV/AIDS Pandemic Hits Africa Hardest
  • Refugee Number Continue Decline
  • Urban Population Continues to Rise
  • Cigarette Death Toll Rising

Military Trends

  • Number of Wars on Upswing
  • Peacekeeping Expenditures Turn Up

PART TWO: Special Features


Environmental Features

  • Transgenic Crop Area Surges
  • Organic Farming Thrives Worldwide
  • Groundwater Depletion Widespread
  • Groundwater Quality Deteriorating
  • Ice Cover Melting Worldwide
  • Stresses on Amphibians Grow
  • Endocrine Disrupters Raise Concern
  • Paper Recycling Remains Strong
  • Environmental Treaties Gain Ground

Economic Features

  • Environmental Tax Shifts Multiplying
  • Satellites Boost Environmental Knowledge
  • Corporate Mergers Skyrocket

Social Features

  • Wind Energy Jobs Rising
  • Tuberculois Resurging Worldwide
  • Prison Populations Exploding
  • Women Slowly Gain Ground in Politics