Global Scans · Resources · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: The world is depleting its natural resources at an alarming rate due to population growth and over consumption. Increased competition for ever-diminishing food and water resources may amplify socio-economically motivated armed conflicts and causing quests for more efficient resources on and beyond Planet Earth.

• [New] Resource extraction is still rising: Without new approaches, global extraction could rise steeply by 2060 compared to 2020 levels, magnifying risks to climate, water, and biodiversity, as summarized in the UN's Global Resources Outlook 2024. Intelligent Living
• [New] In 2026, a growing number of countries will commit to Sovereign AI - developing and operating region-specific AI platforms using local data and compute resources. Techstrong.ai
• [New] Governments around the world will increasingly pursue Sovereign AI solutions to ensure control over data and compute resources within their borders, driving the creation of national AI ecosystems and regional data centers. Frontier Enterprise
• [New] There is a potential of 845 million m³ hydrocarbon resources in the North Sea, 780 million m³ in the Norwegian Sea and almost 950 million m³ in the Barents Sea around Russian North and Svalbard. Arctic Portal - The Arctic Gateway
• [New] With Canada's evolving role as a critical partner in securing resources, its role in global markets will only continue to grow. Travel And Tour World
• [New] Equinor's ability to drive down the stubbornly high LCOE of floating wind will validate its long-held technological advantage and unlock vast deep-water resources globally. EnkiAI - Find the right insight
• [New] Amazon's expansion of automation and artificial intelligence threatens to replace hundreds of thousands of workers, while its vast data centers drain energy and water resources, worsening the climate crisis. UNI Global Union
• [New] The California Air Resources Board just announced a new pilot program with Hudson Technologies that will pay HVAC contractors for recovered HFCs and HCFCs sent for reclamation. ACHR News
• [New] As global food demand rises and environmental pressures intensify, AI will play a central role in producing more food with fewer resources. The Data Community
• [New] Transportation and logistics will be a pivotal - but often underappreciated - agriculture issue in 2026, as Congress weighs a rewrite of the Water Resources Development Act and regulators confront a proposed mega-merger in the U.S. railroad industry. Ag Bull Trading
• [New] Power Metal Resources has continued to define opportunities prospective for uranium in Canada and critical metals across the Arabian Gulf. Total Market Solutions
• [New] By 2025, travelers can expect widespread use of recycled materials in transport infrastructure and policies favoring green tech, ensuring that mobility evolves without compromising the planet's resources. HotBot
• [New] 99% of respondents expect reallocating resources from privacy budgets to AI budgets in 2025-2026. Secure Privacy
• [New] As the workforce remains stretched, 2026 will see more companies integrating mental health resources into safety and HR programs. CONEXPO-CON/AGG
• [New] Sustainable initiatives, such as carbon-neutral tours, eco-friendly hotels, and low-impact travel options, will ensure that Scotland continues to attract a global audience while protecting its natural resources and cultural identity. Travel And Tour World
• [New] The risk is that without international support, heavily indebted countries such as Jamaica become trapped, with resources that ought to be directed towards green energy and future-proofing being spent instead on coping with disasters. The Guardian
• [New] By providing a standardized, well-documented library backed by Google's engineering resources, LiteRT could accelerate edge AI deployment similarly to how TensorFlow accelerated general AI development. Educational Technology and Change Journal
• [New] The emergence of specialized maritime infrastructure designed for extreme polar conditions represents a paradigm shift that could redefine how nations access and control energy resources in the world's most challenging environments. Discovery Alert
• [New] Flagship investments include Vulcan's lithium extraction project in Germany, supported by a €250 million European Investment Bank commitment, and Greenland Resources' molybdenum project, which could supply up to 25% of EU demand. New Energy Industrial Strategy (NEIS) Newsletter
• [New] As Carney's large-scale projects continue to unfold, the Canadian Arctic will require more resources to meet civil and military infrastructure needs and effectively project power into the north. Atlantic Council

Last updated: 07 January 2026