Vital signs : the trends that are shaping our future. Volume 21 by Renner, Michael, 1957-; Starke, Linda; Rosbotham, Lyle instant download

Vital signs : the trends that are shaping our future. Volume 21 by Renner, Michael, 1957-; Starke, Linda; Rosbotham, Lyle instant download

1 online resource :, Title from PDF title page (viewed on Aug. 11, 2014), Includes bibliographical references, Energy and transportation trends : Growth in global oil market slows ; Global coal and natural gas consumption continue to grow ; China drives global wind growth ; Hydropower and geothermal growth slows ; Smart grid and energy storage installations rise ; Fossil fuel and renewable energy subsidies on the rise ; Continued growth in renewable energy investments ; Auto production roars to new records -- Environment and climate trends : Carbon dioxide emissions and concentrations on the rise as Kyoto era fades ; Carbon capture and storage experiences limited growth in 2011 -- Food and agriculture trends : Global grain production at record high despite extreme climatic events ; Disease and drought curb meat production and consumption ; Farm animal populations continue to grow ; Aquaculture tries to fill world's insatiable appetite for seafood ; Area equipped for irrigation at record levels, but expansion slows ; Organic agriculture contributes to sustainable food security ; Investing in women farmers ; Foreign investment in agricultural land down from 2009 peak -- Global economy and resources trends : Wage gap widens as wages fail to keep pace with productivity ; Metals production recovers ; Municipal solid waste growing ; Losses from natural disasters reach new peak in 2011 ; The looming threat of water scarcity ; Advertising spending continues gradual rebound, driven by growth in internet media -- Population and society trends : Emerging co-operatives ; Climate change migration often short-distance and circular ; Ubanizing the developing world ; U.N. funding increases, but falls short of global tasks