This book provides a comprehensive and balanced assessment of thestate of the Earth and its inhabitants at the close of thetwentieth century. More than fifty scholars from all over the worldpresent new, concise and accessible accounts of the present stateof humanity and the prospects for its social and naturalenvironment. The subjects range from deforestation, water pollutionand ozone layer depletion to poverty, homelessness, mortality andmurder. Each contributor considers the present situation,historical trends, likely future prospects, and the efficacy orotherwise of current activity and policy. The coverage isworldwide, with a particular emphasis on North America. The State of Humanity is a magnificent and eye-openingsynthesis of cultural, social, economic and environmentalperspectives. It will interest all those - including geographers,economists, sociologists and policy makers - concerned tounderstand some of the most pressing problems of our time.