Our Scans · (LF.15) Life on Land · Weekly Summary

In September 2015, 193 world leaders agreed to 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development. If these Goals are completed, it would mean an end to extreme poverty, inequality and climate change by 2030.
Goal 15: Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss,

• [New] The Gulf of Maine is one of the fastest warming places in North America, threatening the future of its coastal forest ecosystems. Senator George J. Mitchell Center for Sustainability So
• [New] Climate change poses a critical threat to forest ecosystems, particularly in biodiversity hotspots such as the Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu. Nature
• [New] The International Union for Conservation of Nature has repeatedly warned about the loss of biodiversity in conflict areas, particularly isolated, insular ecosystems that are especially vulnerable to exploitation during periods of weak governance. Ediciones EL PAIS S.L.
• [New] Fundo Pucheguin will become part of a 4-million-acre swath of conservation land across Chile and Argentina - a victory for nature, people and wildlife. Patagonia Works
• [New] Researchers will now monitor the Iberian Highlands' new inhabitants to see how Europe's last wild bovine could help restore Mediterranean ecosystems. Positive News
• [New] Industries and construction create disruption to fragile ecosystems in coastal Georgia, resulting in flooding in residential areas and home damage. The George-Anne Media Group
• [New] WWF's latest push emphasizes innovative financing to safeguard ecosystems, turning risks into resilient futures. Ecohustler
• [New] Invasive plants threaten native plant health and biodiversity in both agricultural and natural systems in Maryland. Maryland.gov Enterprise Agency Template
• [New] The carbon dioxide removal industry - tied to biodiversity and nature-based solutions - could grow to $1.2 trillion by 2050. Council Fire
• [New] Environmental practices in 2026 prioritize water recycling, tailings stability, and minimal land disruption. Farmonaut
• [New] In the near term, we can expect shifts in southern weather systems and Southern Ocean ecosystems. The Conversation
• [New] Ecosystem degradation or collapse will challenge the UK's food security, pointing to its reliance on global markets for food and fertiliser. BBC News
• [New] While near-70 - degree temperatures have residents questioning if winter is over, the unseasonable heat signals a climate crisis that threatens Southern Nevada's water supply, ecosystems and future habitability. Las Vegas Sun
• [New] Many solutions directly address Europe's structural dependence on imported soy by offering regional, low-carbon protein alternatives with reduced land-use change and deforestation risk. All About Feed
• [New] Concerns piled up: risks of spills in fragile ecosystems, reputational damage amid rising climate activism, high insurance costs, patchy port infrastructure, and an unpredictable regulatory environment shaped by Russian authorities and changing ice regimes. India Shipping News
• [New] Many high-value materials are lost, ending up in landfills or informal recycling sites across the Global South, where cheap recovery exposes communities and ecosystems to serious risks. Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
• [New] The General Directorate of Forestry, operating under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, plans to produce 118 million saplings in 2026 while reinforcing its wildfire-fighting capacity with new land and air vehicles. Daily Sabah
• [New] Companies that strategically invest in digitalization, low-carbon solutions, operational efficiency, and collaborative ecosystems will be best positioned to navigate the energy transition and unlock long-term value in the evolving global oil and gas landscape. Cognitive Market Research
• [New] The Game Warden integration model will likely be replicated by other UK defense-tech startups seeking accelerated government access, potentially establishing Second Front Systems as a critical gatekeeper in the UK sovereign defence software ecosystem. Drone Warfare
• [New] The African Union's Great Green Wall seeks to restore 100 million hectares of degraded land in the Sahel by 2030. OBSERVER RESEARCH FOUNDATION ( ORF )
• [New] Biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse - ranked as the second biggest long-term global risk - undermine forests, fisheries and grasslands, directly affecting the food and incomes of millions of people, especially in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Down To Earth
• [New] The High Seas Treaty or Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdictions Agreement, will govern about two-thirds of the planet's oceans including vast areas beyond any country's borders. Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Last updated: 26 January 2026