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class="title">Poll</h2> <div class="content"><form action="/web/20090401232108/http://www.worldwatch.org/node/5979" accept-charset="UTF-8" method="post" id="poll-view-voting"> <div><div class="poll"> <div class="vote-form"> <div class="choices"><div class="form-item"> <label>What opportunities for sustainability may emerge in 2009 because of the current economic crisis?: </label> <div class="form-radios"><div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="choice" value="0" class="form-radio"/> The world could get a respite from surging carbon emissions.</label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="choice" value="1" class="form-radio"/> Significant steps will be made to reengineer the energy system in order to create jobs.</label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="choice" value="2" class="form-radio"/> People will buy less stuff, and generally produce less waste.</label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label class="option"><input type="radio" name="choice" value="3" class="form-radio"/> Opportunities will actually be hindered because bad economic times put the environment low on policymakers’ agendas.</label> </div> </div> </div> </div><input type="hidden" name="nid" id="edit-nid" value="5979"/> <input type="submit" name="op" id="edit-vote" value="Vote" class="form-submit"/> </div><input type="hidden" name="form_id" id="edit-poll-view-voting" value="poll_view_voting"/> </div> </div></form> </div> </div> </td> <td valign="top"> <div id="main"> <div class="breadcrumb"><a href="/web/20090401232108/http://www.worldwatch.org/">Home</a></div> <h1 class="title">State of the World 2008</h1> <div class="tabs"></div> <div class="node">  <div class="horizontalBar"></div> <div class="content"><div style="width:100%"> <div style="margin:5px 10px 5px 0px; border-left:1px solid black; padding:7px; float:right; width:25%; height:100%"> <p>“Publications from Worldwatch bring a perspective to readers that is unmatched in breadth and depth."<br/> <em><font size="-2">—Craig Rose, former Energy Staff Writer, </em>San Diego Union-Tribune</font></p> <p>“Perhaps the most important think tank in the world, Worldwatch has been at the forefront of sustainability policy for more than 30 years.”<br/> <em><font size="-2">—Alex Steffen Executive Editor, Worldchanging.com</font></em></p> <p>“Comprehensive, up-todate, and accessible"<br/> <em><font size="-2">—E.O. Wilson, Putlitzer prize winner</em></font></p> </div> <div style="float:left; width:70%"> <p><img style="border:1px solid black; margin-right:10px; float:left" src="/web/20090401232108im_/http://www.worldwatch.org/files/images/pubs/sow/2008_lg.jpg" height="172" width="130" alt="state of the world cover image"/>Growing evidence suggests that the global economy is now destroying its own ecological base and offering little to billions of impoverished people. In response, pioneering policymakers, business leaders and concerned citizens around the globe are creating the architecture of sustainable economies, one innovation at a time.</p> <p><a href="/web/20090401232108/http://www.worldwatch.org/bookstore/merchant.mvc?Action=ADPR&Store_Code=WIB&Quantity=1&Screen=BASK&Order=1&Product_Code=BSW08P">Order your copy today</a>.</p> <p>“Top-ranked annual book on sustainable development.”<br/> <em><font size="-2">—GlobeScan survey of sustainability experts</font></em></p> <p><br/></p> <p>In <em>State of the World 2008</em>, you can learn about these innovations and trailblazing experiments including:</p> <ul> <li>Zero-waste cities <li>Cars designed for remanufacture <li>Cap-and-trade carbon markets <li>Closed-loop manufacturing <li>Microfinance for the very poor <li>Product take-back laws <li>And much more! </ul> <p><a href="/web/20090401232108/http://www.worldwatch.org/bookstore/merchant.mvc?Action=ADPR&Store_Code=WIB&Quantity=1&Screen=BASK&Order=1&Product_Code=BSW08P">Order now</a>.</p> </div> </div> <div style="clear:both"></div> <div style="border-top:2px solid black"> <h2>Table of Contents</h2> <h3>1. The Need to Remake Economies</h3><p>Gary Gardner and Thomas Prugh, <i>Worldwatch Institute</i><br/>Environmental decline and persistent mass poverty suggest that the dominant model for economies worldwide is in crisis. But alternatives to business-as-usual can steer most economies onto sustainable paths. Underpinned by a handful of key Big Ideas, economic innovations might just remake our world.</p> <h3>2. A New Bottom Line for Progress</h3><p>John Talberth, <i>Redefining Progress</i><br/>GDP tells an important, if one-dimensional, economic story. But it’s not the only story or even the most vital one. Metrics that better measure the things people most value, and don’t count pollution and other “bads” as assets, are explored in this chapter.</p> <h3>3. Rethinking Production</h3><p>Hunter Lovins, <i>Natural Capitalism Solutions</i><br/>Modern production systems specialize in huge volumes, incidentally producing massive wastes and toxic by-products. Futurethinking businesses are inventing ways to meet people’s needs with a fraction of current environmental impacts.</p> <h3>4. Sustainable Lifestyles: Dreams and Realities</h3><p>Tim Jackson, <i>University of Surrey</i><br/>“More is better”—the modern economic mantra—is under attack as the environmental, economic, and personal downsides of consumerism become evident. Harried, overworked, and indebted consumers are increasingly open to a focus on quality of life rather than more stuff.</p> <h3>5. Meat and Seafood: The Most Costly Ingredients in the Global Diet</h3><p>Brian Halweil and Danielle Nierenberg, <i>Worldwatch Institute</i><br/>Consumption of fish and meat is growing fast worldwide, but producing these in huge livestock-raising operations generates enormous health and environmental problems. Alternative ways of meeting demand for meat and fish can protect the environment and small farmers.</p> <h3>6. Building a Low-Carbon Economy</h3><p>Christopher Flavin, <i>Worldwatch Institute</i><br/>To avoid tipping Earth’s climate into a dangerous runaway warming mode, global carbon emissions must be slashed by upwards of 80 percent by 2050. Improved energy productivity, deployment of renewable energy technologies, and enlightened government energy policies are key to achieving this goal.</p> <h3>7. Harnessing Carbon Markets</h3><br/>Zoë Chafe and Hilary French, <i>Worldwatch Institute</i><p>A world choking on carbon increasingly understands that measures for reducing national and personal carbon footprints are critical. But which ones, and how should they be implemented? This chapter sorts fact from fiction for policymakers and consumers.</p> <h3>8. Water in a Sustainable Economy</h3><p>Ger Bergkamp, <i>IUCN</i>, and Claudia Sadoff, <i>IUCN and International Water Management Institute</i><br/>Water may be the critical resource challenge of this century, with farmers, cities, and the natural environment all claiming shares of a shrinking pool. But market mechanisms and enlightened regulations can supply water to all claimants, even as they reduce waste and protect aquatic ecosystems.</p> <h3>9. Using Markets to Conserve Biodiversity</h3><p>Ricardo Bayon, <i>Ecosystem Marketplace</i><br/>Despite the spread of national parks and protected areas, species decline and and ecosystem destruction continue apace. Market mechanisms (such as payment for ecosystem services), when linked to conservation goals, can protect natural capital while providing regulated access to important economic resources.</p> <h3>10. The Parallel Economy of the Commons</h3><p>Jonathan Rowe, <i>Tomales Bay Institute</i><br/>Commons were once a stable and crucial part of many preindustrial economies. As uncontrolled access destroys resources such as fisheries and the atmosphere, the potential of commons regimes to sustainably conserve and allocate scarce resources in a ‘full world’ is more critical than ever.</p> <h3>11. Building Sustainable Communities</h3><p>Erik Assadourian, <i>Worldwatch Institute</i><br/>Citizens disempowered by economic decisions made far away are discovering that building local economies and sustainable communities offers viable alternatives to globalization. Case studies illuminate what’s possible in creating sustainability at the grassroots.</p> <h3>12. Development from the Ground Up</h3><p>Jason Calder, <i>Future Generations</i><br/>Billions in aid have been spent over the decades on developing economies, often with shockingly little effect. A key missing element has been strong input from the grassroots, which allows local people to claim ownership of their development futures. This chapter will examine successful cases of grassroots-led development and their lessons for governments.</p> <h3>13. Investing in Sustainability</h3><p>Bill Baue, <i>Socialfunds.com</i><br/>Finance is a vital leverage point for steering economies in a sustainable direction. Financing activities at all levels—venture capital, socially responsible investing, and microfinance—are being examined for their potential contributions to building sustainable economies. </p> <h3>14. New Approaches to Trade Governance</h3><p>Mark Halle, <i>International Institute for Sustainable Development</i><br/>Free-trade ideology has long mistaken means for ends in trade discussions. The global community’s goal ought to be sustainable and equitable economic development, an end that may not always be served by a blind adherence to free-trade doctrine. Reforms of the WTO and the broader global trading system could help promote sustainable economic activity.</p> <div style="clear:both"></div></div> </div> </div> </td> <td valign="top"> </td> </tr> </table> <div id="footer"> <a href="/web/20090401232108/http://www.worldwatch.org/node/1005">contact us</a> | <a href="/web/20090401232108/http://www.worldwatch.org/email_signup">sign up for e-mail updates</a> | <a href="/web/20090401232108/http://www.worldwatch.org/node/999">join us</a> | <a href="/web/20090401232108/http://www.worldwatch.org/node/4026">sitemap</a> | <a href="/web/20090401232108/http://www.worldwatch.org/node/998">privacy policy</a> | <a href="/web/20090401232108/http://www.worldwatch.org/terms">terms of use</a><br/> © 2008 Worldwatch Institute | 1776 Massachusetts Ave., NW | Washington, DC 20036 | Phone: (202) 452-1999 </div> <script type="text/javascript" src="/web/20090401232108js_/http://www.worldwatch.org/sites/all/modules/google_analytics/googleanalytics.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript">var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? 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