Title: State of the world 1993: a Worldwatch Institute report on progress toward a sustainable society.

POPLINE Document Number: 081265

Author(s):

Brown LR
Durning AT
Flavin C
French HF
Jacobson J
Lenssen N
Lowe MD
Postel S
Renner M
Weber P

Source citation:

New York, New York, W.W. Norton, 1993. xix, 268 p.

Abstract:

The Worldwatch Institute has release its 10th State of the World Report which is now translated into 27 languages. It stresses that we have entered a new ear in which reversing environmental degradation is the key to future economic progress. California now produces sufficient electricity from wind power and solar thermal plants for almost 2 million people. Between the late 1970s and the early 1990s, the number of newly constructed, nuclear power plants fell from 20-30 plants/year to almost 1 plant/year. Between 1988 and 1991, world production of chlorofluorocarbons declined by 46%. Between 1985 and 1990, conversion of erodible cropland in the US to grassland or forests reduced soil losses by at least 33%. Environmental awareness has increased greatly in the last 10 years, even among industry and political leaders. Despite these gains, environmental degradation continues. A new study shows that sulfur deposition is adversely affecting forests in every country in Europe and that productivity of Europe's forests has fallen 16%. Grain production per capita has decreased 6% since 1984, thereby threatening food security. Deforestation continues to cause soil erosion, reduction of the ozone layer, and increased flooding. 92 million people are added to this planet each year. Human activities have reduced groundwater tables and brought about other forms of water scarcity. Environmentally related illnesses are increasing worldwide. The report warns that policy decisions made in the 1990s determine the condition of the world left for our children. It notes that we must make revolutionary changes to achieve sustainable development and provides recommendations to do so, e.g., replace fossil fuels with efficient, solar-based energy systems, and the greening of business.

Keywords:

Global
Europe
United States
California
Critique
Environment
Water Supply
Gender Relations
Deforestation
Poverty
Population
Indigenous Population
Energy Supply
Transportation
War
Commerce
Environmental Pollution
Soil Degradation
Animals
Developed Countries
North America
Americas
Natural Resources
Gender Issues
Environmental Degradation
Socioeconomic Factors
Economic Factors
Population Characteristics
Demographic Factors
Political Factors
Macroeconomic Factors