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] The implications for satellite tracking and communications are significant, as enhancements in lunar operations may foster better connectivity and navigation systems that could also benefit Earth-bound services. KeepTrack
• [New] Climate change, asteroid threats, and overpopulation make Earth vulnerable. Earth
• [New] The impacts of a hothouse Earth pathway on human societies would likely be massive, sometimes abrupt, and undoubtedly disruptive. The Guardian
• [New] A new United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report warns that for every US$1 invested in protecting nature, US$30 goes to activities that harm it. United Nations
• [New] With critical growing regions in the Black Sea and South America facing immediate environmental threats, the global community is watching a calm before the storm scenario unfold where any further disruption could trigger a rapid escalation in consumer prices. The Chronicle-Journal
• [New] Environmental standard implementations demand carbon-neutral mining operations by 2035, requiring substantial renewable energy infrastructure investments. Discovery Alert
• [New] Environmental awareness is increasing, making it possible that more stringent regulations will emerge in 2026. TTMS
• [New] Once triggered, Earth system tipping points may lead to irreversible environmental change, bringing long-lasting economic disruption and impacts that cascade across systems. Down To Earth
• [New] Businesses and other key actors can either lead the way towards a more sustainable global economy or ultimately risk extinction ... both of species in nature, but potentially also their own. WIN 98.5 Your Country | WNWN-FM | Battle Creek, MI
• [New] Greater coordination between USDA and public research institutions will be critical for ensuring producers and consumers are able to benefit from the rapidly evolving nature of AI technology. The Desert Review
• [New] Scientists are working towards protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030 and promoting sustainable fishing practices to mitigate the environmental impact of bottom trawling. Yahoo News
• [New] Rare-earth minerals are increasingly vital in a range of technological applications, and supply chain and international trade concerns threaten to bottleneck U.S. supplies. Barchart.com
• [New] Continued adoption of stringent environmental standards, coupled with the deployment of advanced technologies like satellite-based mineral detection, will empower communities and miners, protect fragile ecosystems, and unlock new value across increasingly global supply chains. Farmonaut
• [New] NASA has selected two Earth System Explorers Mission - STRIVE (daily, near-global atmospheric measurements) and EDGE (three-dimensional data on terrestrial ecosystem and glaciers, ice sheets, sea ice) - to be launched by 2030. TerraWatch Space Newsletter
• [New] The phase-out of PFAS forever chemicals is accelerating worldwide due to their environmental persistence and health risks, driving strict regulations in the U.S. and Europe and pushing major producers to halt manufacturing. MaxVal
• [New] M&A activity will remain strong through 2026, with companies targeting assets in copper, lithium, and rare earth elements. Grand Pinnacle Tribune
• [New] The goal for the 2026 Cakes for Apes campaign is to raise £25,000, which will be used to provide food, veterinary care, and medicines for orangutans under the care of International Animal Rescue. BusinessMole
• [New] Earth Sciences NZ expects La Nina's lagged influence, which tends to favour warmer-than-average coastal SSTs, to re-emerge, with coupled ocean-atmosphere models indicating a tendency toward above-average SSTs across the February-April period. Insurance Business
• [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] 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

Last updated: 14 February 2026