Report: World Economic Growth Carries High Ecological Price Tag

The economic trends highlighted in the report show a healthy global economy with the gross world product reaching a record level of nearly 60 trillion dollars. In 2005, more steel and aluminium were produced than ever before and vehicle production reached a record 45.6 million units. The number of internet users grew to 1 billion in 2005. These economic growth figures are, on the other hand, accompanied by less positive trends as regards sustainability: the average atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration increased by 0.6 per cent in 2004 (the largest increase ever); 2005 was the warmest year ever recorded in history; 1 per cent of global forest area was lost between 2000 and 2005; the "ecological footprint" of the world economy has surpassed the earth's "ecological capacity": "If everyone consumed at the average level of high-income countries, the planet could sustainably support only 1.8 billion people, not today's population of 6.5 billion", says the report. On a positive note, the report highlights the impressive growth of solar, wind and biofuels production. "The world is on the verge of an energy revolution", says Christopher Flavin, President of the Worldwatch Institute in the preface to the report. http://www.euractiv.com/en/sustainability/report-world-economic-growth-carries-high-ecological-price-tag/article-156722 [Proofreader's note: this article was edited for spelling and typos on July 19, 2006]

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