Moody's Sovereign Ratings [163-3]

Moody's Investor Service as well as Standard and Poor rate not only corporations but sovereigns, i.e. countries, as well. Most institutional investment firms have rules prohibiting them from buying government bonds issued by countries with a low, speculation-grade rating. Only blue-chip (Aaa=light color) and high to medium grade countries (Aa-Baa3=dark) are considered investment grades, all other countries (Ba1 to C) therefore did not even show up on these investors' radar screens in 2005.

Forest Fires [159]

In spring 1998 uncontrolled forest fires raged in the equatorial regions. Airplanes crashed in Indonesia, Smoke plumes reached across national borders into other countries and even continents. One day the loss of forest the size of Belgium in Brazil was reported. El Nino was generally blamed for the lack of rain.

AIDS Impact on Regions 1997 [152]

UNAIDS/WHO estimated a 7% decrease in North American cases and an estimated 18% increase in Sub-Saharan Africa in comparison with figures recorded in 1996. Africa already suffers by far the greatest impact of AIDS with 25 - 28 million affected.

Earthquakes and Tectonic Plates [121]

There are eight major and many minor tectonic plates. These plates move in relation to one another at one of three types of plate boundaries: convergent, or collisional boundaries; divergent boundaries, also called spreading centers; and transform boundaries. Earthquakes, volcanic activity, mountain-building, and oceanic trench formation occur along plate boundaries. The lateral movement of the plates is typically at speeds of 50–100 mm annually.

Nuclear Non-Proliferation [178]

Checkmarks indicate signatories to the treaty. India, Pakistan and Israel did not sign the treaty. North Korea withdrew.