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] Throughout late 2027, naval combat in the South China Sea intensified, which led to the entrance of Vietnam, Japan and Laos into the war against China. Future
• [New] The limited rainfall forecast for the next three months will hinder recovery from the impacts of 2025's drought, leaving river flows and groundwater levels in southern and eastern areas of the UK below normal into early 2026. Water Magazine
• [New] Sea surface temperatures are forecast to remain above average in the Australian region. Mirage News
• [New] NWS Weather Prediction Center in a post on X: A slow moving atmospheric river / upper low will bring threats of heavy rainfall to California. Newsweek
• [New] Los Angeles could receive an entire month's worth of rain over a span of three days as a significant atmospheric river floods Southern California later this week. Newsweek
• [New] A fast-moving atmospheric river is heading toward California this week and could pack a punch, threatening periods of heavy rain and possible flooding and debris flows in recently burned areas. Los Angeles Times
• [New] A fast-moving atmospheric river will arrive in California this week, potentially bringing heavy rainfall to Los Angeles and threatening flooding and mudslides. Los Angeles Times
• [New] The emergence of the Northern Sea Route as a feasible shortcut from northern Europe to Asia has demonstrated that, in most cases, the Northwest Passage will never constitute the optimal Arctic route for most international shipping. Canadian Global Affairs Institute
• [New] By 2050, the total weight of plastic in the ocean will exceed the weight of fish. Yahoo Finance
• [New] Beijing and Tokyo's military buildup in the East China Sea, driven by a desire to control valuable energy resources and shipping routes, poses an economic threat to both nations, damaging trade and investment. SpecialEurasia
• [New] The interconnected threats of wildfires, drought, extreme heat, and ocean acidification are multiplying, taking a severe toll on forests, oceans, and species globally, underscoring the compounding nature of the climate crisis. Risk Prevention Mitigation and Management Forum
• [New] Continued high atmospheric CO2 levels are driving accelerated ocean acidification, which severely damages marine ecosystems and contributes to coral bleaching, threatening food security and coastal protection globally. Risk Prevention Mitigation and Management Forum
• [New] Palau, threatened by rising sea levels, floods and more intense storms, is home to nearly 20,000 people, all likely to be made refugees if global heating surpasses 1.5 C for a prolonged period, a likelihood they are desperate to prevent. The Guardian
• [New] Sea level rise has accelerated to 4.5 mm per year versus 1.85 mm historically, and scientists warn of tipping points such as widespread coral die-off, Amazon rainforest dieback and potential weakening of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation. Winssolutions
• [New] Another example of water conflict is the dam that Ethiopia is building on the Nile River, which is causing great concern and reaction from Egypt and Sudan that see a risk for their water supply abilities for the future. The Food Futurist - Anticipate, Adapt, Succeed
• [New] COP 30 2025 in Belem, Brazil, dubbed the COP of Adaptation, will focus on climate adaptation-helping countries adjust to floods, droughts, sea-level rise, and extreme weather-rather than just mitigation. Adda247
• [New] Already, sea creatures have been plagued in 2025 by deadly algae blooms, bacterial illnesses and shifts in food sources, as well as the always-present threats of fishing gear and ship strikes. SeafoodNews
• [New] Using an ultra-high resolution global climate model, researchers discovered that the motion that circulates heat, carbon, and nutrients in the oceans is rising faster than expected. EIN Presswire
• [New] A conservation agreement to the High Seas Treaty signed in 2023 set the goal of designating 30% of open ocean as protected areas by 2030. The Santa Barbara Independent
• [New] More ice loss means higher sea levels, which threaten coastal communities around the world. Live Science
• [New] GCoM, the largest global alliance of cities fighting climate change, will showcase success stories of climate action worldwide, including smart mobility in Shimla (India), floating infrastructure for sea-level rise in Belize City, and waste-to-biogas projects in Basse and Sekondi-Takoradi (Ghana). SCEWC 4 - 6 NOV 2025
• [New] Ongoing negative Indian Ocean Dipole conditions are forecast to continue during November (> 85% chances, according to the IRI forecast), raising the chances that below-average rainfall will continue to impact eastern East Africa during the short rains season. GEOGLAM Crop Monitor

Last updated: 16 November 2025