Global Scans · 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] Proposed changes in the water rights system in the American West, as well as other longstanding resource allocation mechanisms could qualify as transformative, although associated land uses might change very little at first. PubMed Central (PMC)
• [New] Climate change, pollution, deforestation, and habitat destruction are threatening ecosystems across the globe at an alarming rate. observanceguide.com
• [New] Desertification threatens vulnerable areas around the world, particularly in Africa, Asia, and parts of Latin America. Beyond Borders
• [New] A recent study by Aviva found that one in nine new homes in England are being built on land at risk of flooding - often entirely within planning rules. The Guardian
• [New] Significantly lighter than a traditional tractor and spray rig at 800 lbs vs 10-15,000 lbs, Saga's electric 'bots represent a shift away from heavy, disruptive machinery toward precision systems that protect soil health and the local ecosystem. AgFunderNews
• [New] More than 80% of responding bankers expect farmland values to remain unchanged in the second quarter of 2026; 9% forecast land values to decline while 8% forecast them to rise. Pro Farmer
• [New] Groups including Stop Offshore Wind oppose wind turbines off the U.S. coast, saying they are visible from land and will prompt tourists to steer clear and home property values to fall. Spectrum News
• [New] Share learning, motivate others to take action, and help show how Dorset is contributing to the 30 by 30 target to have 30% of the UK's land as nature-rich areas by 2030. Dorset Council
• [New] Further resourcing will be required to fulfil the crucial goal of fully protecting 30% of Australian land and seas by 2030. Greenpeace Australia Pacific
• [New] Forests in parts of eastern and central Germany show increased tree mortality and pest sensitivity, with consequences for landscape aesthetics, wildfire potential, and regional economies. The Traveler
• [New] The growth of the global economy has come at the cost of a massive loss of biodiversity, with a million species of plants and animals at risk of extinction. Vattenfall
• [New] The decade between 2020 and 2030 has been designated by the United Nations as the Decade of Ecosystem Restoration - an era in which humanity has committed, at least in principle, to reversing the degradation of hundreds of millions of hectares of land and ocean. ClockZone
• [New] By 2030, enhanced regional and catchment-scale water planning will involve more land managers and planning authorities to tackle water pollution, reduce flooding and water supply risks, and support growth. GOV.UK
• [New] A well-resourced, well-enforced protected area will safeguard vital ecosystems and help secure the livelihoods and food security of millions of Ghanaians. Positive News
• [New] Growing numbers of visitors bring risks including disease, invasive species and pollution to the delicate ecosystems of Antarctica and the remote sub-Antarctic islands that teem with bird life, sea lions and whales. gCaptain
• [New] While biodiversity exists everywhere - from urban parks to polar tundra - certain regions are recognized as biodiversity hotspots: areas with exceptionally high concentrations of endemic species (found nowhere else on Earth) that are also under significant threat. ClockZone
• [New] Policy-based models, such as the EU's Green Deal, which aims to have 25% of agricultural land under organic farming by 2030, have accelerated the adoption of organic agriculture. PubMed Central (PMC)
• [New] Taiwan's semiconductor ecosystem previously faced drought-related concerns that threatened chip production, highlighting how water security increasingly affects technology supply chains. Kalkine

Last updated: 24 May 2026