Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
25,000
20,000
GDP
15,000
GPI
10,000
5000
1950
1955
1960
1965
1970
1975
1980
1985
1990
1995
Figure 9.6
Australia: GDP and GPI, 1950-96 (constant 1990 prices)
consumer-driven one that led to dissatisfaction, disruption and an alienation from
both past and present. The need for change and the need to live equitably on one
planet without destroying its ability to sustain human and other life-forms is now
recognized globally as of the utmost importance. Footprinting, environmental space
methodologies, corporate sustainability indicators, and broader schemes such as the
WWF's One Planet Living are elements of a wide social and cultural movement to
change minds and behaviours. The survey
State of the Future
, produced by the World
Federation of United Nations Associations (Glenn and Gordon, 2007), offers
considerable statistical information: the global economy grew at 5.4 per cent in 2006
to US$66 trillion, although income disparities remain huge, with 2 per cent of the
world's richest people owning more than 50 per cent of the world's wealth, while
the poorest 50 per cent of people own just 1 per cent. Despite many violent clashes,
the vast majority of the world is living in peace, with the number of conflicts falling,
dialogues among differing worldviews growing and the number of refugees decreasing.
Gender equality is growing too, with the legislative, senior official or managerial
positions held by women slowly increasing from 25.6 per cent in 1995 to 28.3 per
cent in 2006. Gender equality in primary education has virtually been achieved,
although 781 million adults (two-thirds women) still lack basic literacy skills, and
violence against women by men continues to cause more casualties than wars. There
are more slaves in the world today than at the highest point of the African slave
trade, with estimates varying from 12.3 million to 27 million (the majority are Asian
