Vital Signs Volume 22: The Trends That Are Shaping Our Future

Synopsis

Introduction : Consumption Choices Matter / Michael Renner -- Energy Trends : Global Coal Consumption Keeps Rising, But Growth Is Slowing ; Wind Power Growth Still Surging Where Strongly Supported ; Solar Power Installations Jump To A New Annual Total ; Wind. Solar Generation Capacity Catching Up With Nuclear Power ; Smart Grid Investment Grows With Widespread Smart Meter Installations ; Global Energy And Carbon Intensity Continue To Decline ; Effects And Sustainability Of The U.s. Shale Gas Boom -- Environment And Climate Trends : Greenhouse Gas Increases Are Leading To A Faster Rate Of Global Warming : Global Coastal Populations At Risk As Sea Level Continues To Rise -- Transportation Trends : Auto Production Sets New Record, Fleet Surpasses 1 Billion Mark ; Passenger And Freight Rail Trends Mixed, High-speed Rail Growing -- Food And Agriculture Trends : Aquaculture Continues To Gain On Wild Fish Capture ; Peak Meat Production Strains Land And Water Resources ; Coffee Production Near Record Levels, Prices Remain Volatile ; Volatile Cotton Sector Struggles To Balance Cost And Benefits ; Genetically Modified Crop Industry Continues To Expand ; Food Trade And Self-sufficiency -- Global Economy And Resources Trends : Global Economy Remained A Mixed Bag In 2013 ; Commodity Prices Kept Slowing In 2013 But Still Strong Overall ; Paper Production Levels Off ; Global Plastic Production Rises, Recycling Lags -- Population And Society Trends : Will Population Growth End In This Century? ; Jobs In Renewable Energy Expand In Turbulent Process ; Chronic Hunger Falling, But One In Nine People Still Affected. Worldwatch Institute ; Michael Renner, Project Director ; Linda Starke, Editor ; Lyle Rosbotham, Designer. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 109-132).