2005: Approximately 60 percent of the ecosystem services that support life on Earth -- such as fresh water, capture fisheries, air and water regulation, as well as the regulation of regional climates, natural hazards and pests -- are being degraded or used unsustainably, according to a Bank-supported study conducted by 1,300 experts from 95 countries titled "Millennium Ecosystem Assessment Synthesis Report."

The authors warn that consequences of this degradation could grow significantly worse in the next 50 years and are a road block to achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, agreed to by the world leaders at the United Nations in 2000. More ...