Global Scans · Environment · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT:? Our natural environment is under ever-increasing threat. Landscape and ocean adaptation plus stabilizing biodiversity strategies will play an important role in maintaining global food productivity as climate changes. Evidence is mounting that any economic strategy that ignores carbon pollution will impose tremendous costs on the global economy and will result in fewer jobs and less economic growth over the long term. The global market for commercial "Earth observation" data is expected to hit $3.5 billion by 2024. Battles over environmental regulation could become particularly pointed in the coming years.

• China will remove or suspend all non-tariff retaliatory measures, such as export control on some rare earth-related mineral items, as well as anti-monopoly and anti-dumping investigations on some U.S. companies. J.P. MORGAN
• The current expense of removing and destroying PFAS released annually into the environment is expected to exceed the global GDP of 106 trillion dollars. Precedence Research
• With a 2 ° increase the risks of extreme heat waves, droughts, water stress and extreme weather would be far greater for a larger portion of the Earth than with a 1.5 ° increase. MIT Climate Portal
• The Environmental Protection Agency has proposed rescinding the endangerment finding, a determination that greenhouse gases harm public health and welfare, indicating the lengths it will go to in order to prop up fossil fuels at the expense of solar and wind. Energy News, Top Headlines, Commentaries, Features & Ev
• In 2025, we can expect an uptick in AI-powered predictive analytics that will help urban planners forecast population growth, traffic patterns, energy consumption, and environmental impact. Arizton Advisory & Intelligence
• Over 60% of new lithium mines in 2025 will implement closed-loop water recycling to minimize environmental impact. Farmonaut
• NASA plans to build a nuclear reactor on the Moon by 2030, aiming to create a reliable energy source for future lunar bases, enabling extended human habitation and supporting advanced research far from Earth. India Today
• In 2025, over 70% of British Columbia copper mines will use advanced sustainable technologies for reduced environmental impact. Farmonaut
• Plastic pollution is expected to triple by 2060. Impakter
• The world cannot afford further delays - the costs of inaction on plastic pollution will far outweigh the challenges of forging agreement. INSIGHTS IAS - Simplifying UPSC IAS Exam Preparation
• A global agreement to end plastic pollution will help drive investment in innovation and infrastructure in the U.S. and worldwide. Newsweek
• Poor air quality is the largest environmental risk factor for early deaths leading to an estimated 8 million deaths per year globally. ScienceDaily
• Mars colonization offers the potential for humanity to expand beyond Earth, creating opportunities for scientific discovery, technological innovation, and even the possibility of interplanetary tourism. Travel And Tour World
• Just as space tourism is revolutionizing travel on Earth, the colonization of Mars could create new industries and opportunities for travel on a planetary scale. Travel And Tour World
• The Namami Gange Program, with a budget outlay of Rs22,500 crore for 2023-26, continues its mission to rejuvenate the Ganga River through pollution abatement and conservation efforts. Precedence Research
• Action to provide clean cooking solutions and tackle other emissions will have major benefits for air quality: 15 of the 25 most polluted cities in the world are in emerging and developing economies, and air pollution is a major cause of premature death. IEA
• The economic, health, and environmental benefits of a circular economy for food alone would be worth $2.7 trillion a year by 2050. Morgan Stanley Investment Management
• From an environmental perspective, Tesla's Robotaxis could help reduce emissions by replacing gas-powered rides and encouraging more shared trips. The Cool Down
• China plans to launch multiple satellites into low Earth orbit to demonstrate quantum communication and data encryption technology. AST Networks
• For the first time in 40 years, the Environmental Protection Agency has taken emergency action to stop the use of a pesticide linked to serious health risks for fetuses. Coming Clean Inc.

Last updated: 30 August 2025