State of the World 2004 – Richer, Fatter and Not Much Happier

The world is consuming goods and services at an unsustainable pace, with serious consequences for the well-being of people and the planet, reports the Worldwatch Institute in its annual report, State of the World 2004.

"Rising consumption has helped meet basic needs and create jobs," says Worldwatch Institute President Christopher Flavin. "But as we enter a new century, this unprecedented consumer appetite is undermining the natural systems we all depend on, and making it even harder for the world's poor to meet their basic needs."

Higher levels of obesity and personal debt, chronic time shortages, and a degraded environment are all signs that excessive consumption is diminishing the quality of life for many people.

The challenge now is to mobilize governments, businesses, and citizens to shift their focus away from the unrestrained accumulation of goods and toward finding ways to ensure a better life for all."

Consumption is not in itself a bad thing. The almost three billion people worldwide who barely survive on less than $2 per day will need to ramp up their consumption in order to satisfy basic needs for food, clean water, and sanitation. And in China, the rush to meet surging consumer demand is stimulating the economy, creating jobs, and attracting foreign investment.

But rising consumption in the U.S., other rich nations, and many developing ones is more than the planet can bear, reports State of the World 2004

Growing dissatisfaction with current consumption trends has led consumer advocates, economists, policymakers, and environmentalists to develop creative options for meeting people's needs while dampening the environmental and social costs of mass consumption.

State of the World 2004 points to a range of opportunities that are already available to governments, businesses, and consumers to curb and redirect consumption.

The Worldwatch website contains:

• Chapter summaries of State of the World 2004
• Facts and Stories related to global consumption issues
• Monthly discussions online (starting Friday January 9) for every State of the World 2004 Chapter
• Featured chapters from State of the World 2004 each month from February to September 2004
• A web-based companion guide to State of the World to be launched in March 2004, giving a behind-the-scenes understanding of the environmental and social impacts of a wide variety of consumer products and services.

Follow this link to the Worldwatch Institute website for more information on State of the World 2004

For further information

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