State of the world 1998. A Worldwatch Institute report on progress toward a sustainable society.

This state of the world report for 1997 provides an overview of key world conditions in 10 chapters: future population growth sustainable forest management loss of biodiversity promotion of sustainable fishing problems in increasing cropland productivity recycling organic wastes climate change proliferation of small arms private capital flows to developing countries and future changes in the economy. Nine chapters identify the movement toward reaching the Earths natural limits. The global economy is growing at a rate of 3% annually to the detriment of the environment causing soil erosion aquifer depletion rangeland degradation air pollution and climate change. Available technology has not kept pace with the need to increase farm productivity. World demand for grain is expanding at a rate of 80 million people/year. In 1997 Jordan needed more grain imports due to aquifer depletion. Pakistan needed more grain imports but exhausted its line of credit. The transition from a throwaway society to a reuse and recycle economy is underway in the US and Europe. Building a sustainable food economy in the US is related to protecting cropland from soil erosion and from conversion to non-farm uses. Reducing unsustainable demand on aquifers means converting existing water supply systems from no or nominal cost to market costs. Examples of sustainable water systems exist in California and Chile. Increased prices of grain are likely to reduce meat consumption among the wealthy but are also likely to threaten the survival of the urban poor. Sustainability requires a stable population.