This annual volume distills the "vital signs" of our times, which often escape the attention of the media, world leaders, and economic experts, from thousands of government, industrial, and scientific documents. It tracks the major indicators that show social, economic, and environmental progress, or the lack thereof. Vital Signs 2005 presents up-to-the-minute information on environmental and sustainable development topics, such as climate change, world population, energy, transgenic crops, HIV/AIDS, trade, and Internet use. Each trend is presented in text and graphics, providing a thorough, well-documented, and accessible overview. Vital Signs is an excellent companion to Worldwatch's acclaimed State of the World series.