Vital Signs 2007-2008

Vital Signs 2007 - 2008 Media Kit

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 Climate 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

Transportation 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 Weeapons 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