Title: State of the world 1995. A Worldwatch Institute report on progress toward a sustainable society.

POPLINE Document Number: 102018

Author(s):

Brown LR
Flavin C
French HF
Starke L
Denniston D
Kane H
Lenssen N
Renner M
Roodman DM
Ryan M

Source citation:

New York, New York, W.W. Norton, 1995. xvi, 255 p.

Abstract:

This edition of "State of the World" opens with a chapter on nature's limits which is concerned with the carrying capacity of the planet. The imminent limits, the economic effects of these limits, the ways in which unsustainability feeds instability, and the "China factor" are all considered. Chapter 2 concentrates on protecting oceanic fisheries and jobs and discusses the roots of overfishing, the sheer number of fishers, issues of food and fairness, the fact that aquaculture is no panacea, overreacting to overcapacity, fencing the oceans, and promoting fishers and healthy fisheries. The third chapter is devoted to a discussion on sustaining mountain peoples and environments. Chapter 4 covers harnessing solar and wind power and the possibility of using this as a replacement for fossil fuels to supply our energy needs. The fifth chapter considers creating a sustainable market economy. Chapter 6 discusses making better buildings through the use of appropriate materials, appropriate designs, and recycling. The machines that we use to enhance life are also discussed in this chapter. Chapter 7 pays special attention to China, an individual country focus which recognizes that the demands of China's 1.2 billion people could alter many global supply/demand balances and have extreme economic repercussions. The eighth chapter covers migration, refugees, urbanization, and poverty. Chapter 9 considers the economic factors associated with disarmament. The tenth and final chapter deals with forging a new global partnership to protect the global environment, meet human needs, revamp international institutions, involve people, and, ultimately, secure the future.

Keywords:

Global
China
Critique
Sustainable Development
Environment
Economic Development
Economic Factors
Political Factors
Environmental Degradation
Environmental Impact
Natural Resources
Food Supply
Ecology
Energy Supply
Migration
Poverty
Forests
War
International Cooperation
Developing Countries
Asia, Eastern
Asia
Population Dynamics
Demographic Factors
Population
Socioeconomic Factors