Originally published in Danish as: Verdens sande tilstand Includes bibliographical references (pages 435-505), Internet addresses and index LSC 35.01
Contents:
PART I: The litany: Things are getting better Why do we hear so much bad news? PART II: Human welfare: Measuring human welfare Life experience and health Food and hunger Prosperity Conclusion to Part II; Unprecedented human prosperity PART III: Can human prosperity continue? : Are we living on borrowed time? Will we have enough food? Forests: are we losing them? Energy Non-energy resources Water Conclusion to part III; Continued prosperity PART IV: Pollution: does it undercut human prosperity?: Air pollution Acid rain and forest death Indoor air pollution Allergies and asthma Water pollution Waste: running out of space? Conclusion to part IV: The pollution burden has diminished PART V: Tomorrow's problems: Our chemical fears Biodiversity Global warming PART VI: The real state of the world: Predicament or progress?