Introduction : Consumption choices matter / Michael Renner -- Energy trends : Global coal consumption keeps rising, but growth is slowing ; Wind power growth still surging where strongly supported ; Solar power installations jump to a new annual total ; Wind. solar generation capacity catching up with nuclear power ; Smart grid investment grows with widespread smart meter installations ; Global energy and carbon intensity continue to decline ; Effects and sustainability of the U.S. shale gas boom -- Environment and climate trends : Greenhouse gas increases are leading to a faster rate of global warming : Global coastal populations at risk as sea level continues to rise -- Transportation trends : Auto production sets new record, fleet surpasses 1 billion mark ; Passenger and freight rail trends mixed, high-speed rail growing -- Food and agriculture trends : Aquaculture continues to gain on wild fish capture ; Peak meat production strains land and water resources ; Coffee production near record levels, prices remain volatile ; Volatile cotton sector struggles to balance cost and benefits ; Genetically modified crop industry continues to expand ; Food trade and self-sufficiency -- Global economy and resources trends : Global economy remained a mixed bag in 2013 ; Commodity prices kept slowing in 2013 but still strong overall ; Paper production levels off ; Global plastic production rises, recycling lags -- Population and society trends : Will population growth end in this century? ; Jobs in renewable energy expand in turbulent process ; Chronic hunger falling, but one in nine people still affected.