Nature is, or can be, a route out of poverty. Ecosystems and the goods and services they provide are an important and under-valued aspect of the livelihoods of the poor. Three quarters of the world's poor live in rural areas, and are disproportionately affected by enviromental degradation. But programs to reduce poverty often fail to account for the important link between environment and the livelihoods of the rural poor. As a consequence, the full potential of ecosystems as a wealth-creating asset for the poor -- not just a survival mechanism -- has yet to be effectively tapped.

This resource explores the dimensions of human well-being through a combination of maps, datasets, resources, and short articles on the linkages between poverty and the environment. It is part of the EarthTrends environmental information collection at the World Resources Institute.

August 31, 2005: World Resources Report 2005
The eleventh edition of the World Resource Institute's flagship publication was launched at events in London, Amsterdam, and Washington D.C.