Table Of ContentState of the World 2013
is
SuStainability
Still Possible?
th e Wor ldWatch i n Stitute
Advance Praise for
State of the World 2013: Is Sustainability Still Possible?
“S tate of the World 2013 cuts through the rhetoric surrounding
sustainability, providing a broad and realistic look at how close
we are to achieving it and outlining practices and policies that can
steer us in the right direction. . . . A must-read for those seeking
authentic sustainability.”
— Hunter Lovins, President, Natural Capital Solutions
and Author of Climate Capitalism
“ This is a book of hope for a world in profound crisis. It gives honest
assessments of the enormous challenges we face and points us
toward institutional and cultural changes that are proportional to
our dire situation. State of the World 2013 reaffirms that we are not
helpless but that we have real choices—and that transformation is
both possible and desirable.”
— Reverend Peter S. Sawtell, Executive Director,
Eco-Justice Ministries
“ State of the World 2013 cuts through ‘sustainababble’ with crisp
coverage that puts the news of the year in context and provides an
expert survey of today’s and tomorrow’s big issues. It’s a perennial
resource for everyone concerned about our common future.”
— Karen Christensen, publisher of the 10-volume Berkshire
Encyclopedia of Sustainability
“ Every elected official in the world needs to read this book. Mass
denial is no longer an option. An ‘all hands on deck’ approach to
transforming our culture and economy is the only path to a safe,
resilient future. This book is the blueprint for that safe path forward.”
— Betsy Taylor, President, Breakthrough Strategies & Solutions
and Founder, Center for a New American Dream
State of the World 2013
Is Sustainability
Still Possible?
Other Worldwatch Books
State of the World 1984 through 2012
(an annual report on progress toward a sustainable society)
Vital Signs 1992 through 2003 and 2005 through 2012
(a report on the trends that are shaping our future)
Saving the Planet Power Surge Beyond Malthus
Lester R. Brown Christopher Flavin Lester R. Brown
Christopher Flavin Nicholas Lenssen Gary Gardner
Sandra Postel Who Will Feed China? Brian Halweil
How Much Is Enough? Lester R. Brown Pillar of Sand
Alan Thein Durning Tough Choices Sandra Postel
Last Oasis Lester R. Brown Vanishing Borders
Sandra Postel Fighting for Survival Hilary French
Full House Michael Renner Eat Here
Lester R. Brown The Natural Wealth of Nations Brian Halweil
Hal Kane David Malin Roodman
Inspiring Progress
Life Out of Bounds Gary Gardner
Chris Bright
State of the World 2013
Is Sustainability
Still Possible?
Erik Assadourian and Tom Prugh, Project Directors
Rebecca Adamson Ida Kubiszewski Danielle Nierenberg
Gar Alperovitz Melissa Leach Alexander Ochs
Olivia Arnow Annie Leonard David W. Orr
David Christian Shakuntala Makhijani Sandra Postel
Dwight E. Collins Michael Maniates Thomas Princen
Robert Costanza Jack P. Manno Kate Raworth
Larry Crowder Brian Martin William E. Rees
Herman Daly Pamela Martin Michael Renner
Robert Engelman Laurie Mazur Kim Stanley Robinson
Joshua Farley Jennie Moore Phillip Saieg
Carl Folke Kathleen Dean Moore Juliet Schor
Carol Franco Faith Morgan Antonia Sohns
Gary Gardner Pat Murphy Pavan Sukhdev
Russell M. Genet T. W. Murphy, Jr. Bron Taylor
Paula Green Melissa Nelson Peter Victor
Jeff Hohensee Michael P. Nelson Eric Zencey
Tim Jackson Simon Nicholson
Linda Starke, Editor
Washington | Covelo | London
Copyright © 2013 by Worldwatch Institute
1400 16th Street, N.W.
Suite 430
Washington, DC 20036
www.worldwatch.org
The State of the World and Worldwatch Institute trademarks are reg is tered in the U.S. Patent and
Trademark Office.
The views expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of the Worldwatch
Institute; of its directors, officers, or staff; or of its funders.
All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this book
may be reproduced in any form or by any means without permission in writing from the publisher: Island
Press, 2000 M Street, N.W., Suite 650, Washington, DC 20036.
Island Press is a trademark of the Center for Resource Economics.
ISBN 13: 978-1-61091-449-9
ISBN 10: 1-61091-449-X
The text of this book is composed in Minion, with the display set in Myriad Pro. Book design and
composition by Lyle Rosbotham.
Printed on recycled, acid-free paper
Manufactured in the United States of America
Worldwatch Institute Board of Directors
Ed Groark Mike Biddle Izaak van Melle
Chairman united states the netherlands
united states
Cathy Crain David W. Orr
Robert Charles Friese united states united states
Vice Chairman
Tom Crain John Robbins
united states
united states united states
L. Russell Bennett
James Dehlsen Richard Swanson
Treasurer
united states united states
united states
Christopher Flavin
Nancy Hitz
united states Emeritus:
Secretary
united states Satu Hassi Øystein Dahle
finland norway
Robert Engelman
President Ping He Abderrahman Khene
united states united states algeria
Geeta B. Aiyer Jerre Hitz
united states united states
Worldwatch Institute Staff
Andrew Alesbury Matt Lucky Tom Prugh
Customer Relations Assistant Research Associate, Climate and Codirector, State of the World
Energy Program
Katie Auth Laura Reynolds
Research Associate, Climate Haibing Ma Staff Researcher, Food and
and Energy Program China Program Manager Agriculture Program
Adam Dolezal Shakuntala Makhijani Mary C. Redfern
Research Associate and Central Research Associate and India Director of Institutional Relations,
America Project Manager, Project Manager, Climate and Development
Climate and Energy Program Energy Program
Michael Renner
Courtney Dotson Lisa Mastny Senior Researcher
Development Associate Senior Editor
Reese Rogers
Robert Engelman Evan Musolino MAP Sustainable Energy Fellow,
President Research Associate and Renewable Climate and Energy Program
Energy Indicators Project Manager,
Barbara Fallin Cameron Scherer
Climate and Energy Program
Director of Finance and Marketing and Communications
Administration Alexander Ochs Associate
Director, Climate and Energy
Mark Konold Michael Weber
Program
Research Associate and Research Coordinator, Climate
Caribbean Program Manager, Ramon Palencia and Energy Program
Climate and Energy Program Central America Fellow, Climate
Sophie Wenzlau
and Energy Program
Supriya Kumar Staff Researcher, Food and
Communications Manager Grant Potter Agriculture Program
Development Associate and
Assistant to the President
Worldwatch Institute Fellows, Advisors, and Consultants
Erik Assadourian Bo Normander Lyle Rosbotham
Senior Fellow Director, Worldwatch Institute Art and Design Consultant
Europe
Christopher Flavin Janet Sawin
President Emeritus Corey Perkins Senior Fellow
Information Technology
Gary Gardner Linda Starke
Manager
Senior Fellow State of the World Editor
Mia MacDonald Sandra Postel
Senior Fellow Senior Fellow
Acknowledgments
Each year State of the World comes together due to the efforts of scores of
individuals and organizations that contribute directly or indirectly to the vol-
ume’s theme, direction, support, content, shaping, or publication. Any book
is a collaborative miracle of sorts, but State of the World 2013 reflects the labor
of more contributors than ever appeared in a previous edition, as well as that
of a wide variety of donors, partners, and advisors from around the globe.
None of this would have happened without the support of the Town
Creek Foundation, the V. Kann Rasmussen Foundation, the Victoria and
Roger Sant Founders Fund of the Summit Fund of Washington, and Peter
Seidel—all of whom gave generously to underwrite this edition of State of
the World and the associated outreach work. A special note of thanks goes to
Stuart Clarke and his team at Town Creek, as well as to numerous other sus-
tainability organizations in Maryland, for their help in conducting outreach
events around that state.
In addition, we gratefully recognize the continued support of the Ray
C. Anderson Foundation. Ray, who passed away in 2011, was a sustainable-
business visionary, an active member of the Worldwatch board of directors,
and a steadfast believer in our work. His voice and ideas are sorely missed.
We hope State of the World 2013 will be taken as an expression of the honor
we feel he is due.
We are also deeply appreciative to our many institutional and foundation
supporters, including the Barilla Center for Food & Nutrition; Caribbean
Community; Climate and Development Knowledge Network; Compton
Foundation, Inc.; The David B. Gold Foundation; Del Mar Global Trust;
Elion Group; Energy and Environment Partnership with Central America;
Ford Foundation and the Institute of International Education, Inc.; Green
Accord International Secretariat; Hitz Foundation; Inter-American De-
velopment Bank; International Climate Initiative of the German Federal
Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety;
International Renewable Energy Association; MAP Sustainable Energy Fel-
lowship Program; Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland; Renewable En-
