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] Quantum technologies have the potential to reduce the environmental footprint of data centers, which consume vast amounts of energy globally. Vivatechnology
• [New] Most companies are implementing or plan to implement technology solutions to internally monitor sustainability data, while 53% will adopt technology to monitor supply chain environmental performance. Corporate Disclosures
• [New] Antimicrobial resistance is a growing global health issue that poses social, environmental, and financial risks to businesses and society. PubMed Central (PMC)
• [New] The missions envisioned for future smallsat constellations span four strategic domains: communications, navigation, Earth observation, and defence. International Defense Security & Technology
• [New] The rare earth export controls could incentivize significant investment in mining and processing capabilities outside China, impacting companies like Lynas Rare Earths or MP Materials. FinancialContent
• [New] US defence contractors, aerospace companies like Boeing, and semiconductor manufacturers such as Nvidia and Intel are particularly vulnerable to disruptions in the supply of rare earth components, which are crucial for everything from F-35 avionics to advanced chip production. FinancialContent
• [New] Air pollution linked to climate change was responsible for more than eight million premature deaths globally in a single year, making it the second-leading risk factor for death globally. Climate Week
• [New] If U.S.-China trade tensions persist or escalate into a full-blown trade war, global GDP could erode significantly, and industries reliant on critical rare earth minerals could face a COVID-like shock. The Chronicle-Journal
• [New] Semiconductor giants like Qualcomm, NVIDIA, Advanced Micro Devices, Micron Technology, Intel, and Broadcom are at significant risk due to their reliance on Chinese tech products and rare earth elements. The Chronicle-Journal
• [New] Global supply chains for solar PV and rare earth elements used in wind turbines remain heavily concentrated in China, underscoring ongoing risks to supply chain security. IEA
• [New] Sentiment improved after signs the White House is moving toward dialog with Beijing, despite lingering strains over rare earth export controls, with further talks expected around this week's IMF and World Bank meetings in Washington. CNBC
• [New] 50% of British shoppers believe that environmental issues are a critical threat to humanity, with the potential to shape the way they shop. Yahoo Finance
• [New] Preventable Deaths: About half of global disease burden could be reduced by addressing modifiable risk factors-high blood pressure, obesity, smoking, air pollution, and high blood sugar. Medbound Times
• [New] Freeland emphasizes that the geopolitics of Earth are increasingly being transported to space, which threatens the cooperative environment that is necessary if humanity is to continue to benefit from all that space technology can provide. The Journal of Space Commerce
• [New] GalaxEye will launch Mission Drishti, the world's first multi-sensor Earth observation satellite, in early 2026. Economic Times
• [New] The satellite, carrying synthetic aperture radar and high-resolution optical payloads, will make available Earth observation data through any weather and at any time of the day. The Hindu
• [New] The geomagnetic storm will begin when Earth enters a high-speed stream of solar wind. Forbes
• [New] About 100 species of wild bees in Europe are facing the risk of extinction due to the increasing environmental threats affecting wild pollinators. TESAA
• [New] The Earth will experience higher temperatures in the next five years, which will affect the health of millions of people and is also likely to lead to the spread of new pandemics and infections resulting from severe shortages of food and water. Sada News Agency
• [New] The Arctic's potential opportunities for strategic trade, energy exploration and exploitation of rare earth minerals - which are expected to increase as climate change melts vast swaths of ice - have made the region the unlikely center of Russia-China-US rivalry. Al Jazeera
• [New] Direct-to-device mobile technology is currently being developed which will enable calls to Triple Zero that are connected through Low Earth Orbit satellites. The Conversation
• As the global plastics consumption is expected to double by 2060 according to the OECD, policy and industry actions are necessary to reduce the negative environmental impacts from plastics, notably from plastic waste. The Joint Research Centre: EU Science Hub

Last updated: 18 October 2025