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] 2026 will be a consequential year for anyone communicating on climate and environmental solutions. Greenhouse Communications
• [New] Coastal erosion is a complex and multifaceted environmental issue that threatens the stability and resilience of coastal ecosystems and communities worldwide. Omics International
• [New] The organic potato segment is predicted to witness the highest CAGR of 9.3% from 2025 to 2033 owing to the deepening consumer awareness about health, environmental sustainability, and food transparency. Market Data Forecast
• [New] Asia will take the lead on mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence legislation in 2026, with bills in play in Indonesia, South Korea and Thailand. JD Supra
• [New] Businesses around the world have reported significantly higher disruption rates caused by political, environmental, operational, and economic factors. BusinessCraft Nordic
• [New] Leatherbacks are the heaviest reptiles on Earth, and their population is already declining from existing threats such as fishing gear entanglement. Center for Biological Diversity
• [New] Environmental degradation threatens the lives of children worldwide. TRANSCEND Media Service
• [New] Climate resilience becomes a mainstream investment theme in Sussex: The evidence base is unambiguous: CCC highlights increasing flood risk as a result of warmer, wetter winters, and the Environment Agency continues to report on flood and coastal risk management. Sussex Innovation
• [New] Even though temperatures are expected to rise in 2026, corals are already more likely to bleach because of things like pollution, overfishing, and coastal development. ScienceAlert
• [New] The ongoing expansion of rare earth mines in the United States - especially in California, Wyoming, Texas, and Alaska - along with advanced onshore processing and supply chain innovation, will reposition America as a global leader in strategic mineral security. Farmonaut
• [New] Data-Driven Trend: By 2026, over 60% of new U.S. rare earth mining projects are projected to use satellite data and AI for first-phase exploration and ongoing mineral prospectivity mapping. Farmonaut
• [New] The orbital shift is intended to reduce collision risks and make satellite disposal more predictable, reflecting growing concern over congestion in near-Earth space. Swarajyamag
• [New] The deregulatory push is being challenged in court and will almost certainly face more lawsuits, with environmental groups like the Environmental Defense Fund repeatedly suing over weakened protections. N-LAWS
• [New] As more Trump 2.0 energy and environmental policy initiatives and other initiatives intersecting with sustainability matters are implemented, opponents will bring legal challenges. / USA JD Supra
• [New] Given the challenging price and profitability environment for wheat producers in 2025, analysts are expecting to see another yearly decline in winter wheat acreage in 2026. / USA DTN Progressive Farmer
• [New] The macroeconomic environment will remain a headwind for many organizations, which means sustainability investments must demonstrate real value and resilience. Vogue
• [New] In a global environment transformed by economic fragmentation, climate change, demographic shifts and a fast-paced technological revolution, countries need policy frameworks that are capable of reducing vulnerabilities while simultaneously mobilizing resources for a productive transformation. Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean
• [New] BAE Systems is working on Software Defined Radios that might deliver both GNSS and Command and Control (C & C) services from Low Earth Orbit satellites or even high-altitude aircrafts. VynZ Research
• [New] The Galileo satellites will be deployed into Medium Earth Orbit at an altitude of approximately 22,922 kilometers, with spacecraft separation scheduled to occur 3 hours and 55 minutes after lift-off. Defence Industry and Space
• [New] The private industry will have its debut by HAL-L&T launching the first fully indigenously manufactured Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle early 2026, which will carry OceanSat-3A, an Earth observation satellite for oceanography and environmental monitoring. ArabNews
• [New] Using a combination of satellite imagery, weather and ground-level environmental datasets, challenge registrants - who can form teams of up to three members - will develop AI models to forecast water quality based on key parameters (alkalinity, salinity and phosphorous) for rivers in South Africa. Uniwersytet Ekonomiczny w Katowicach
• [New] The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Martian Moons eXploration mission is scheduled to launch in 2026 on a trip to the Martian moon Phobos, where it will collect samples for return to Earth. Scientific American

Last updated: 10 January 2026