Now For The Good News:

[AFTiger 282]

Mankind has never been healthier, wealthier or freer. Surprised?

Indur M. Goklany | March 23, 2007

Environmentalists and globalization foes are united in their fear that greater population and consumption of energy, materials, and chemicals accompanying economic growth, technological change and free trade—the mainstays of globalization—degrade human and environmental well-being.

Indeed, the 20th century saw the United States’ population multiply by four, income by seven, carbon dioxide emissions by nine, use of materials by 27, and use of chemicals by more than 100.

Yet life expectancy increased from 47 years to 77 years. Onset of major disease such as cancer, heart, and respiratory disease has been postponed between eight and eleven years in the past century. Heart disease and cancer rates have been in rapid decline over the last two decades, and total cancer deaths have actually declined the last two years, despite increases in population. Among the very young, infant mortality has declined from 100 deaths per 1,000 births in 1913 to just seven per 1,000 today.

These improvements haven’t been restricted to the United States. It’s a global phenomenon. Worldwide, life expectancy has more than doubled, from 31 years in 1900 to 67 years today. India’s and China’s infant mortalities exceeded 190 per 1,000 births in the early 1950s; today they are 62 and 26, respectively. In the developing world, the proportion of the population suffering from chronic hunger declined from 37 percent to 17 percent between 1970 and 2001 despite a 83 percent increase in population. Globally average annual incomes in real dollars have tripled since 1950. Consequently, the proportion of the planet's developing-world population living in absolute poverty has halved since 1981, from 40 percent to 20 percent. Child labor in low income countries declined from 30 percent to 18 percent between 1960 and 2003.

Equally important, the world is more literate and better educated than ever. People are freer politically, economically, and socially to pursue their well-being as they see fit. More people choose their own rulers, and have freedom of expression. They are more likely to live under rule of law, and less likely to be arbitrarily deprived of life, limb, and property.

Read More

[AURaptor 1,126]

And just for those keeping score, it happened right when Bush was in office.

Imagine that!

[TexasTiger 13,026]

And just for those keeping score, it happened right when Bush was in office.

Imagine that!

Thanks, Dubya!!!

[quietfan 233]

And just for those keeping score, it happened right when Bush was in office.

Imagine that!

...Worldwide, life expectancy has more than doubled, from .. 1900. India’s and China’s infant mortalities exceeded 190 per 1,000 births in the early 1950s; ... population suffering from chronic hunger declined ... between 1970 and 2001 ... average annual incomes in real dollars have tripled since 1950. Consequently, the proportion of the planet's developing-world population living in absolute poverty has halved since 1981, ... Child labor .... between 1960 and 2003.

Where have I been? I had no idea Bush had been in office so long. Guess I'll have to join TT in saying "Thanks, Dubya!".

[bigsixfive 328]

Where have I been? I had no idea Bush had been in office so long. Guess I'll have to join TT in saying "Thanks, Dubya!".

You're right. Most of it is the positive residual from Regan's policies.