"Special focus: The consumer society"-- Cover

Includes bibliographical references (p. 181-234) and index

State of the world : a year in review / Lori Brown -- The state of consumption today / Gary Gardner, Erik Assadourian, and Radhika Sarin -- Behind the scenes: Plastic bags -- Making better energy choices / Janet L. Sawin -- Behind the scenes: Computers -- Boosting water productivity / Sandra Postel and Amy Vickers -- Behind the scenes: Antibacterial soap -- Watching what we eat / Brian Halweil and Danielle Nierenberg -- Behind the scenes: Bottled water, chicken, chocolate, shrimp, soda -- Moving toward a less consumptive economy / Michael Renner -- Behind the scenes: Cell phones --Purchasing for people and the planet / Lisa Mastny -- Behind the scenes: Paper -- Linking globalization, consumption and governance / Hilary French -- Behind the scenes : Cotton T-shirts -- Rethinking the good life / Gary Gardner and Erik Assadourian

IN STATE OF THE WORLD 2004, the Worldwatch Institute's award-winning research team focuses on consumption, pointing to the many ways in which our consumption habits drive ecological and social deterioration, as well as how these habits can be redirected to reinforce environmental and social goals. As always, State of the World 2004 provides government officials, journalists, professors, students, and concerned citizens with a comprehensive analysis of the global environmental problems we face along with detailed descriptions of practical, innovative solutions--like charting the most environmentally sound path to a hydrogen-fueled economy, or accelerating the rapidly growing conversion of farmers worldwide to organic farming and sustainable agriculture. Written in clear and concise language, with easy-to-read charts and tables, State of the World 2004 presents a view of our changing world that we, and our leaders, cannot afford to ignore.