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] In Tanzania, rising night-time temperatures and drought are forecast to reduce yields significantly, pushing optimum zones upslope by 150-200 m, which threatens biodiversity and farmland. Worth
• [New] By 2050, up to half of the current coffee-growing land may no longer be viable due to a changing climate. Worth
• [New] World Coffee Research surveyed some of the growing body of scientific literature and found conclusions which confirm predictions of 50% reduction in land area suitable for Arabica coffee production by 2050. Worth
• [New] The NLC region has many habitats facing major threats from feral animals, weeds, and saltwater intrusion in wetland ecosystems. Mirage News
• [New] The biodiversity target, which means stopping the decline of British species such as the hedgehog and red squirrel, will almost certainly not be met. The Guardian
• [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] If current trends in decarbonization, desertification, and chemical contamination continue, much of the fertile soil layer essential for food production could be compromised within decades, with repercussions for nutritional quality, supply stability, and global food security. OBSERVER RESEARCH FOUNDATION ( ORF )
• [New] Up to 2.4 million hectares of natural forests, wetlands, and savannas could be affected. The Reformist by Think Policy
• [New] The EU acts at all levels to help fight unsustainable practices that are threatening biodiversity and ecosystems around the world. EEAS
• [New] Similarly, the European Union's Farm to Fork Strategy targets twenty-five% organic land by 2030, which will necessitate scalable biological solutions. Market Data Forecast
• [New] GUANGZHOU, China - As the planet faces unprecedented environmental shifts, traditional methods of measuring biodiversity - simply counting the number of species in an area - are no longer enough to predict which ecosystems will survive and which will collapse. EurekAlert!
• [New] The United States has stated that it will begin conducting land strikes against drug cartels inside Mexico. The DEFCON Warning System Shop
• [New] The displacement of thousands and the destruction of agricultural land risk longer-term economic disruption and may strain interprovincial and cross-border emergency coordination with Chile if fires continue to spread. RileySENTINEL
• [New] Upside potential may be capped by strong exports from land-based suppliers such as Mongolia and Russia. SteelOrbis
• [New] In Greece, where more than 21% of species are under threat, changes in land use are among the biggest pressures on wildlife. BBC
• [New] By 2026, Southeast Asia's sustainable land leases are projected to reach 800,000 acres, up 15% from 2024. Farmonaut
• [New] Pesticide residues in potatoes from regions like Kenya exceed safe limits, and combined stressors elevate risks to ecosystems. MaxxGro Agrology Limited
• [New] Drought poses a significant threat to animals and crops, affecting up to 45% of the world's agricultural land, which is home to 38% of the global population. PubMed Central (PMC)
• [New] The charity Environmental Justice Foundation has described it as one of the largest unregulated squid fisheries in the world, warning that the scale of activities could destabilise an entire ecosystem. The Guardian
• [New] Improper disposal of trees, wreaths, and garlands can introduce invasive insects, weeds, or pathogens that pose a risk to Minnesota ecosystems. The Daily Agenda
• [New] By 2026, brands will move away from the single ambassador model and toward creator ecosystems. House of Marketers

Last updated: 18 January 2026