Global Scans · Life Below Water · 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 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.

• [New] The US projects its power directly with an explicit military presence in regions of strategic importance (i.e. South China Sea, Middle East, etc.). Cambridge Core
• [New] Since 80% of global trade in goods is transported by sea, freight-handling ports and their road and rail connections, will be at high risk for serious damage from storm surges and floods, particularly in regions with very low elevation above sea level such as the U.S. Gulf Coast. SlideShare
• [New] Since a rise in temperature of at least 4 °C, relative to 1990, is expected by 2100 under a worst case scenario, at least a 10m rise in global sea level is expected within 2 millennia even when no further rise in temperature would occur. SlideShare
• [New] Recent research points to warmer ocean temperatures as a key factor causing more storms to rapidly intensify, while changes in ocean temperatures and currents brought about by climate change will lead to alterations in climate patterns around the world. Climate Cosmos
• [New] At a 1.1 °C increase in temperature today, an estimated 60% of the world's marine ecosystems have already been degraded or are being used unsustainably, while a warming of 1.5 °C threatens to destroy 70 to 90% of coral reefs, and a 2 °C increase means a nearly 100% loss - a point of no return. Climate Cosmos
• [New] Offshore wind has a unique opportunity to not only support the energy transition but also become the first marine industry to make a net-positive contribution to large-scale ecosystem restoration. Utrecht University
• [New] Reconfirm War Risk Coverage: Ensure marine cargo insurance extends to political violence or acts of war - especially for cargo routed via Red Sea or East Africa. TRADLINX Blogs
• [New] Australia and New Zealand need to make it clear that there will be no deepening of their security relationships in the Western Pacific and the South China Sea. The Diplomat
• [New] Geopolitical Risks: With tensions in the Red Sea escalating, the China CPI print plays a secondary role in global sentiment shifts. Moneta | Trade Forex, Indices, Commodities & More
• [New] The catastrophic flooding that ravaged central Texas, particularly around the Guadalupe River, serves as a stark reminder of the power of nature and the increasing threat of extreme weather events. Newsy Today
• [New] Deltas around the world, such as the Rhine, Mekong, Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna, and Nile, are threatened by climate change, facing rising sea levels and increasing frequency of extreme events. Utrecht University
• [New] Any deterioration in Israel-Saudi relations, resurgence of regional conflicts, or maritime insecurity in the Red Sea could derail project timelines. Kashmir Reader
• [New] Coastal regions such as the Northwest Atlantic, North Indian Ocean, Red Sea, South China Sea, and Gulf of Aden are predicted to face significant impacts. EDUREV.IN
• [New] A separate seven-figure agreement with the U.S. Navy will bolster Maritime Domain Awareness in the Pacific Ocean, expanding Planet's role in naval surveillance and ocean monitoring efforts. Space War
• [New] The American Bureau of Shipping, Core Power and Athlos Energy are to collaborate on the evaluation of the potential of deploying floating nuclear power plants to meet the energy demands of islands, ports and coastal communities in the Mediterranean Sea. Eurasia Review
• [New] From the Strait of Hormuz to the South China Sea, the proliferation of sea mines threatens global trade and naval operations alike. The Asia Live
• [New] Taiwanese forces will rehearse a strike chain strategy, including precision attacks from sea and air. NV
• [New] The Celtic Sea has the opportunity to play an integral role in supporting the UK's clean energy transition by hosting three new floating offshore wind farms, capable of generating enough renewable energy to power more than four million homes. Business News Wales
• [New] American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), CORE POWER and Athlos Energy have formed a consortium to evaluate the potential of positioning the floating nuclear power platforms to meet the energy demands of islands, ports and coastal communities in the Mediterranean Sea. MarineLink
• [New] The water level of the Yamuna River in Delhi has risen to 203 meters, inching dangerously close to the danger mark. Dynamite News
• [New] The risk of floods in Delhi has increased once again, similar to last year, as the water level of the Yamuna River continues to rise. Dynamite News
• Within one year, GOSAT-GW will begin distributing high-resolution climate data, including sea surface temperature and precipitation, to global users, including the United States. Guidely
• The world's oceans currently harbour around 200 million tonnes of plastics, posing a severe threat to the ecosystem. Blue Flag

Last updated: 13 July 2025