Global Scans · Environment · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT:? Our natural environment is under ever-increasing threat. Landscape and ocean adaptation plus stabilizing biodiversity strategies will play an important role in maintaining global food productivity as climate changes. Evidence is mounting that any economic strategy that ignores carbon pollution will impose tremendous costs on the global economy and will result in fewer jobs and less economic growth over the long term. The global market for commercial "Earth observation" data is expected to hit $3.5 billion by 2024. Battles over environmental regulation could become particularly pointed in the coming years.

• [New] EPA's pattern of allowing the use of existing stocks has long been a concern for public health and environmental advocates, who have called for the discontinuance of use upon findings of elevated risk factors or illegal uses that do not comply with statutory standards. Beyond Pesticides Daily News Blog
• [New] Pollution is now recognised as a leading threat to planetary and human well-being, yet the global response remains fragmented and uneven. Environment
• [New] Applying circular economy principles across the built environment could reduce embodied carbon emissions by around 13% by 2030 and up to 75% by 2050, compared with a business-as-usual scenario that assumes current construction practices continue unchanged. EnviroSustain
• [New] By leveraging remote sensing technology initially used to detect plastic pollution on land, NASA hopes to enhance its capabilities in monitoring the movement of oceanic litter, a significant environmental challenge. KeepTrack
• [New] With global meat consumption expected to surge 65% by 2050, the environmental impact will only worsen without intervention. EnviroLink Network - The environmental news site since
• [New] We are in the midst of a harrowing extinction crisis with beneficial insects, birds, aquatic life, and mammals dying off in appalling numbers and neonics are a major, reckless threat that the earth does not need. Real Gardens Grow Natives
• [New] Unless major actions are taken, the sixth mass extinction will lead to catastrophic effects on the Earth's biosphere and human health and well-being. PubMed Central (PMC)
• [New] Extreme heat and air pollution are increasingly influential in shaping travel patterns, particularly in cities hosting major events, such as 2026 FIFA World Cup venues, where large crowds can exacerbate health risks. Riskline
• [New] The growing emphasis on environmental regulations, such as the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) 2030 and 2050 decarbonization targets, further drives innovation and adoption of autonomous technologies that can contribute to achieving sustainability goals in the maritime industry. Polaris
• [New] Rare Earth Magnets: Dedicated Rare Earth Corridors will be established in Odisha, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu to promote mining and processing, which are vital for advanced defence electronics. INSIGHTS IAS - Simplifying UPSC IAS Exam Preparation
• [New] WEF's Global Risks Report 2026 elevates geopolitics, misinformation, and security as near-term threats, while extreme weather, biodiversity loss, and Earth-system change remain the most severe long-term risks. Altiorem
• [New] Plastic pollution is a growing global health crisis: 400 million tonnes of plastic waste are generated every year and seep into aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, posing a health risk. Notaspampeanas
• [New] The expansion of mining operations, especially in sensitive regions like California's Salton Sea, carries significant environmental and social risks. Ainvest
• [New] The year 2026 arrives with looming threats of nuclear weapon employment more than ever, as the world is faced with eroding arms control agreements and the global environment seems increasingly fragile. Global Security Review
• [New] The EU Construction Products Regulation update, effective from 2027, mandates digital product passports containing granular environmental data for all structural materials. Sustainability Atlas
• [New] As global logistics and transportation networks seek to decarbonize, fuel cells provide a scalable solution capable of meeting both performance and environmental requirements, reinforcing their long-term growth potential in the mobility sector. openpr
• [New] Half of the global risks we will face will be environmental - three of which top the list: extreme weather events, biodiversity loss/ecosystem collapse, and critical changes to Earth's life-sustaining systems. WEA Mission Commission
• [New] A nationwide shift to zero-emission technologies, like electric cars and trucks, will bring major public health benefits through cleaner air and reduced climate pollution. / USA EVinfo.net
• [New] Environment Agency data estimates 6.3m properties in England are at risk of flooding, rising to 8m by 2050, with Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland hit hard. The Guardian
• [New] Environmental DNA sampling could be adopted during school field study programs run by environment centers within protected areas in Cyprus. SpringerLink
• [New] Illegal activity greatly increased the risk of an environmental catastrophe in the fragile Arctic environment. The Watch
• [New] At the end of last year, more than 230 organizations across America signed a letter calling for a moratorium on the construction of datacenters, claiming the current build boom represents a huge environmental and social threat. The Register
• [New] The global environment remains fragile, with growth projected to soften amid heightened trade tensions, geopolitical risks, and structural constraints such as limited fiscal space in many developing economies. South Africa

Last updated: 07 February 2026