...is owned by 2% of the worlds population. To off-set this with a marked, striking difference... a little under half of the poorest people in the world have only what amounts to 1% of all personal wealth.

This is based upon a United Nations study that accrued data (circa 2000). It was reported on BBC's website. Full article can be read here. The article notates that under-developed nations need the financial resources to help in small business creation.

Can't help but wonder if any of the 2% of the world's richest people appreciate how many people starve, struggle to survive or work atrociously long hours for little pay. Or may be their appreciation coming from how large their profit margins increase.

I should think some do. like paris hilton

Really this is a discusting statistic, but not really surprising. Most of the worlds media is controlled by just a few people aswell. well mostly murdoch. which Highlights the importance of the internet in todays society. but thats another topic..

Yes, some are congnizant of what in the world is truly happening. I admire someone like an Angela Jolie who is exposed to it and then takes an active interest. Not to mention, I think she adopted an orphan from an under-priviledged region.

They also touched on how those with the wealth that also have large land holdings fail to put it to use for farming/ranching. Arable land is less than half of one percent in many parts of the world, yet those with numerous estates prefer to turn them into golf courses, polo fields or steeple-chases, strip malls with large parking lots or apartment complexes.

Veritably rich farm land that becomes parking lots seems a tragedy in itself... almost as bad as when large amounts of rain fall hit the blacktop or concrete.