This tenth edition of "State of the World" is divided into ten sections, each written by a different author, concerning different environment related topics. Section one, titled "A New Era Unfolds," discusses the economic costs of environmental degradation, the slowing of growth in food output, the end of rapid gross national product (GNP) growth, the shape of a new world, and facing change. Section two, "Facing Water Scarcity," discusses signs of unsustainability, water-thrifty food production, industrial recycling, conserving in cities, and water security. Reef ecology is discussed in section three, "Reviving Coral Reefs.""Closing the Gender Gap in Development," section four, discusses the dimensions of gender bias, sustenance from the commons, cash crops versus food security, the loss of forest resources, female poverty and the population trap, and framework for development. Section five, "Supporting Indigenous Peoples," discusses the state of the nations, homelands, stewards, and rising from the frontier. Section six, "Providing Energy in Developing Countries," presents the energy dilemma, the potential revolution of energy efficiency, other energy supply choices, and energy policies for development. Section seven, "Rediscovering Rail," discusses the benefits of rail, the downhill slide of trains, signs of a rail revival, and investing in the future. "Preparing for Peace," is the topic of section eight. Section nine, "Reconciling Trade and the Environment," presents trade and the global resource base, the global factory, a question of scale, environmental trade barriers, and green trade. Section ten, "Shaping the Next Industrial Revolution," discusses a second industrial revolution, global challenges, new roles for government, reforming the corporation, and a green industrial strategy. (Contains 37 tables/figures, extensive notes comprising 57 pages, and an index.) (MCO)