Vital Signs 2002

Fülszöveg

SCIENCE/ENVIRONMENT Vitai Signs 2002 is a unique snapshot of the social, economic, and environmental trends that determine the quality of our lives and the future of our children's lives. The 1 lth volume in the series from the Worldwatch Institute shows in graphic detail the key trends that are too often overlooked by the news média and world leaders. From the seemingly mundane, Üke drinking soda, to the massively concrete, üke the contribution of sprawling cities to global warming, this book helps you chart the future. Vitai Signs 2002 presents emerging trends in clear and compelling charts, tables, and graphs, accompanied by concise, thoughtful analysis. Among the findings in this year's edition: ¦ Global pesticide sales have increased 15-fold since 1950. But farmers are still losing as great a share of their crops to pests as they were 50 years ago. ¦ Average global surface temperatures in 2001 were the second warmest on record, putting additional pressure on nations to adopt... Tovább

Fülszöveg

SCIENCE/ENVIRONMENT Vitai Signs 2002 is a unique snapshot of the social, economic, and environmental trends that determine the quality of our lives and the future of our children's lives. The 1 lth volume in the series from the Worldwatch Institute shows in graphic detail the key trends that are too often overlooked by the news média and world leaders. From the seemingly mundane, Üke drinking soda, to the massively concrete, üke the contribution of sprawling cities to global warming, this book helps you chart the future. Vitai Signs 2002 presents emerging trends in clear and compelling charts, tables, and graphs, accompanied by concise, thoughtful analysis. Among the findings in this year's edition: ¦ Global pesticide sales have increased 15-fold since 1950. But farmers are still losing as great a share of their crops to pests as they were 50 years ago. ¦ Average global surface temperatures in 2001 were the second warmest on record, putting additional pressure on nations to adopt the Kyoto Protocol and cut back on the use of fossil fuels and the release of carbon dioxidé. ¦ Soda is the third most popular commercial beverage in the world, being outpaced only by tea and milk. By rapidly displacing healthier drinks, rising soda consumption contributes to the increase in global obesity rates. ¦ The area of forests certified as weil managed by the Forest Stewardship Council more than doubled between 1998 and 2001, as consumers increased their demand for certified wood products. ¦ Revenues of the U.S. biotech sector, which dominates the world markét, increased fivefold, from under $5 biliion in 1989 to $25 biliion in 2000. This rapid growth is a function of the seamless integration of biotech into many industries, including pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and cosmetics. Whether you read Vitai Signs for a preview of the next decade or to verify a particular current trend, you will get comprehensive and authoritative information you can count on. ON THE COVER: The Earth's cities light up the night, radiating along coastlines and transportation networks. The brightest areas are the most urbanized, but not necessarily the most populated. Revealing where the buik of the world's energy is being consumed, the patterns of iight and darkness alsó hint af the enormous gaps between rich and poor nations. Image by Craig Mayhew and Róbert Simmon, NASA GSFC, based on DMSP data, courtesy Christopher Elvidge. NOAA National Geophysical Data Center. Vissza