Global Scans · Nature · Weekly Summary

WHAT''S NEXT?: Oceans, animals, and land are all under threat from climate change and human activities. The effective and efficient conservation of agricultural biodiversity is vital to meeting the global challenges of food and nutritional security for an expanding world population. But, the signs are of continued degradation of our global natural resources and environment.

• [New] A weakening Atlantic current could supercharge California's atmospheric rivers while leaving Greenland with fewer snow-producing storms. ScienceDaily
• [New] In rare earth refining, new projects in the United States and production increases in Malaysia reduced the share of the top supplier from over 90% in 2023 to 85% in 2025, and if planned projects come online as scheduled, it is projected to fall to 70% by 2035. IEA
• [New] In Uganda, the poultry sector is anticipated to grow to approximately 175 million birds by 2050, with consumption expected to increase by 320% and 240% for chicken meat and eggs, respectively. PubMed Central (PMC)
• [New] The demand for animal-derived protein is projected to rise by 74% to 114% by 2050, fueled by global population growth. PubMed Central (PMC)
• [New] Environmental Considerations Asteroid mining presents an opportunity to reduce the environmental impact of terrestrial mining by sourcing materials from space, thereby preserving Earth's ecosystems. ReAnIn
• [New] Forecasters warn that rivers - including the San Antonio, Medina, Nueces and Frio - could continue rising as runoff moves downstream. Houston Public Media
• [New] The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has $73 million available for 2027 to support concepts that strengthen against, prevent, detect, and mitigate invasive plant pests and diseases. North Central Integrated Pest Management Center
• [New] Economic systems centered on continuous growth are accelerating global biodiversity loss, with roughly one million of the planet's estimated eight million plant and animal species facing extinction risks. DataDrivenInvestor
• [New] Situational awareness: Sensor fusion will integrate more sensor data beyond the current existing ADS-B (such as lidar, radar, enhanced ADS-B, voice communications, and ground sensors) into a real-time 3D airspace model tracking vehicles, birds, and obstacles. Oliver Wyman Forum
• [New] Establish Continuous Environmental Scanning and Early Warning Systems: Continuous environmental scanning is more effective than episodic foresight, as many disruptions show early signals. UN DESA Publications
• [New] An international agreement commits nations to conserve and effectively manage at least 30% of land, inland waters, coastal areas and oceans by 2030. Religion Media Centre
• [New] Beyond GM has joined 42 animal welfare, environmental, farming and food organizations in warning the European Commission against weakening safeguards for gene-edited animals as industry groups seek to extend the EU's new approach to gene-edited plants into livestock and aquaculture. Beyond GM
• [New] In Tajikistan, the Ministry of Transport warned of heavy rains, mudslides, and dust storms due to high temps and glacier melt across Sughd and Khatlon provinces, with the Panj, Vakhsh, Varzob, and Zeravshan rivers running high through early July. ISCIENCES
• [New] By factoring solar storms into climate models, researchers may ultimately sharpen long-term projections and deepen the understanding of how space weather could impact what is experienced on Earth. EurekAlert!
• [New] Growing orbital congestion is increasing collision risks, transforming weather and Earth observation satellites into critical infrastructure that requires robust legal protection. Bird & Bird
• [New] Sweden could become an important source of rare earth elements needed for magnets and green technologies. ScienceDaily
• [New] MEO (Medium Earth Orbit) is expected to be the fastest-growing orbit segment through 2033, supported by increasing demand for navigation, satellite telephony, and aviation connectivity applications. Persistence Market Research
• [New] Widespread dietary shifts toward plant-based foods could play a key role in reducing the environmental footprint of the global food system. EurekAlert!
• [New] The commercial satellite sector's rapid transition toward large-scale Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) constellation deployment, supported by programs such as Starlink, Project Kuiper, and OneWeb, is creating a significant demand opportunity for hermetically sealed RF, power, and signal-processing modules. Persistence Market Research
• [New] As with many other insect species, butterflies and moths in the U.S. are experiencing significant declines: 19% are at risk of extinction - including species with special habitat needs and generalist species that were once widespread. Xerces Society
• [New] Oxygen is disappearing from oceans, lakes, rivers, and coastal waters at an alarming rate, threatening aquatic life and weakening the natural processes that help regulate Earth's climate. ScienceDaily
• [New] The worst case scenario for space debris is called Kessler Syndrome, in which a hypothetical cascade of collisions set off by a single collision could trigger many more collisions and trash and destroy low Earth orbital altitudes. Digital Journal
• [New] Cobalt and copper already have relatively established recycling streams, with rates expected to increase further to 2040, while rare earth magnet recycling could benefit from growing end-of-life volumes from early generations of EVs and wind turbines. IEA

Last updated: 01 August 2026