Contents
Acknowledgments
Preface
Energy and Transportation Trends
Wind Power Increase in 2008 Exceeds 10-year Average Growth Rate
Global Auto Industry in Crisis
Solar Power Experiences Strongest Year of Growth Yet
Solar Thermal Heating Up Sharply
Fossil Fuel Production Up Despite Recession
Biofuel Production Up Despite Economic Downturn
Environment and Climate Trends
One Fifth of Coral Reefs Lost, Rest Threatened by Climate Change and Human Activities
Growth in Protected Areas Slows
Devastating Natural Disasters Continue Steady Rise
Water Scarcity Looms
Climate Change Proceeds Down Worrisome Path
Food and Agriculture Trends
Irrigated Area Expands Slowly
Organic Agriculture More than Doubled Since 2000
Grain Production Continues Growth After Mixed Decade
Meat Production Continues to Rise
Fish Production Reaches a Record
Global Economy and Resources Trends
World Metals Production Surges
World Labor Force Growing at Divergent Rates
Growth in World Economic Output Slows
Ad Spending Slumps in 2008, Projected to Decline Significantly in 2009
Population and Society
Despite Significant Increase Since 1990, Access to Sanitation Still Inadequate
Population Growth Steady in Recent Years
Income Poverty Still Falling, But More Slowly
Health Assistance to Developing Countries Soars
Notes
Vital Signs Series