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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] The World Benchmarking Alliance is currently working on an ocean-specific nature benchmark, in which companies will likely be assessed on risk mitigation or policies focusing on the main drivers of ocean biodiversity loss. FTI Strategic Communications
  • [New] A combination of coastal subsidence and rising sea levels could put an additional 1,006-1,389 km2 of land at risk of flooding by 2050, which could affect up to 171,000 properties. Nature
  • [New] A considerable amount of land in 32 US coastal cities could be at risk of flooding by 2050. Nature
  • [New] The COP 15 Biodiversity Kunming-Montreal agreement (2022) supporting the UN '30 by 30' protection of 30% of global land and water by 2030 demonstrates growing concern and momentum to prevent Biodiversity loss and pursue nature positive policies. Allevents.in
  • [New] It is found with high confidence that in the near-term at 1.5 °C global warming, the increasing frequency of marine heatwaves will increase risks of biodiversity loss in the oceans, including from mass mortality events. Mercator Ocean
  • [New] The Strategic Plan 2024-2028 Environment Pillar stating that in ten years Adelaide will be a leading Green City in a Park showcasing benefits of green infrastructure, increased biodiversity and a community that is adaptive and resilient to climate change. Your Say Adelaide
  • [New] A third of all agricultural land in England is tenanted; it is important that the tenant farming sector is supported to take advantage of the opportunities that nature markets provide. GOV.UK
  • [New] With North Korea already focused on reforestation, carbon credits could be a tool for engaging North Korea on climate change while encouraging sustainable change in North Korea in relation to forest preservation. United States Institute of Peace
  • [New] Indigenous peoples in the U.S. are among the communities most affected by severe climate-related environmental threats, which have already negatively impacted water resources, ecosystems and traditional food sources in Native communities in every corner of the U.S. Voice of America (VOA News)
  • [New] The upcoming Copernicus Radar Observation System for Europe in L-band will provide continuous day-and-night all-weather monitoring of Earth's land, oceans and ice, and offer frequent observations of Earth's surface at a high spatial resolution. phys.org
  • [New] The initiative by the African Development Bank will marginalize smallholders through its one-size-fits-all approach, increase dependency on multinational corporations for seeds and agrochemicals, and lead to the loss of land and biodiversity. Mongabay Environmental News
  • [New] South Asia is modeled to have the greatest extent of land under threat of subsidence (2.2% of its total area experiencing subsidence rates greater than 50 mm / y) as well as the largest number of people to be affected by it (20 million). phys.org
  • [New] Cultivated land constituted the largest expanse under threat, at 2.1 million km2 worldwide (12.2% of global cultivated land), while subtropical highlands and temperate oceanic climates experienced enhanced subsidence rates greater than 50 mm / y. phys.org
  • [New] Soil erosion and land degradation pose a major threat to global food security and to the achievement of the United Nations-mandated Sustainable Development Goals, compromising the well-being of at least 3.2 billion people around the world. Urban Ark Technologies
  • To solidify Malaysia's leading position and strengthen the ecosystem, the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 has set a clear direction for the development of strategic manufacturing sectors in Malaysia, including the semiconductor industry. Bernama
  • The Artemis II flight test will be NASA's first mission with crew aboard the SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft and will pave the way to land the first woman on the Moon on Artemis III. NASA
  • The continuing, albeit weaker, El Nino and predicted above-normal sea-surface temperatures over much of the global oceans are expected to lead to above-normal temperatures over almost all land areas in the next three months, and influence regional rainfall patterns. NDTV
  • The El Nino will continue to influence global climate in the coming months, with above-normal temperatures predicted over almost all land areas between March and May. Times of India
  • Conflicts between communities and government plans to protect vast swaths of land in line with international conservation policies, such as the 30 by 30 goal of preserving 30% of the world's land and ocean area by 2030, are already simmering. Mongabay Environmental News
  • Authors underline the importance of adapting international conservation policy, such as the 30 by 30 pledge, which plans to conserve 30% of Earth's land and sea by 2030, to specific local contexts and needs. Mongabay Environmental News
  • As lawmakers weigh their options, they must balance an array of competing priorities: the need to ensure an open and competitive AI ecosystem, manage safety risks, control the proliferation of potentially harmful AI systems, and stay ahead of China. Time

Last updated: 17 March 2024



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