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] 40,000 acres of powered land - nearly 2 billion square feet - will be needed globally over the next five years. Hines
• [New] The coming decade is decisive: without rapid, coordinated global action, ocean health will continue to decline, threatening climate stability, biodiversity resilience, food security, livelihoods and the wellbeing of billions. The United Nations Office at Geneva
• [New] AI-related water consumption could equal the basic annual domestic needs of 1.3 billion people by the end of the decade, while its land footprint may exceed 14,500 square kilometers - roughly twice the size of the Jakarta metropolitan area. UN News
• [New] Mangrove forests, long considered among the world's most threatened ecosystems, are now showing signs of global rebound, a new study reports. Live Science
• [New] A new study finds mangrove forests are no longer shrinking worldwide, offering hope for coastal protection and climate resilience. Live Science
• [New] With global biodiversity in crisis, and climate change threatening nearly every city in the world, designing cities with nature is critical to advance resilience, adaptation, and more livable urban environments. New York Botanical Garden
• [New] SMAP 5.0 will expand Singapore's MICE ecosystem through strategic partnerships. Singapore Tourism Board
• [New] A feasibility study is underway to examine whether Gaza's war debris could be recycled to reclaim coastal land and build artificial islands, as part of reconstruction efforts. UN News
• [New] Redeveloping underutilized postal land, ranging from surplus parcels to operational facilities suitable for vertical expansion, could produce hundreds of thousands of new housing units nationwide while generating hundreds of millions of dollars in recurring annual revenue for USPS. Brookings
• [New] The federal government has articulated a more ambitious vision for how public land, including Canada Post properties, could be mobilized at scale to support housing delivery. Brookings
• [New] Ottawa could consider reforming its immigration strategy to attract and retain professors and graduate students in computer and materials science, mechanical and chemical engineering, and AI and machine learning, deepening the ecosystem of competitively priced tech talent. RBC
• [New] Societies will need to rethink how land, water, energy, and raw materials are used if future generations are to live safely and sustainably. ScienceDaily
• [New] Among the risks linked to exceeding Earth's biocapacity are worsening climate impacts, biodiversity loss, declining food and water security, and increasing inequality. ScienceDaily
• [New] Continued population growth combined with current levels of resource use will place even greater strain on ecosystems and societies around the world. ScienceDaily
• [New] More than 6,500 nonindigenous species are now established in the United States, posing risks to native species, valued ecosystems, and human and wildlife health. Federal Register
• [New] Review the risk of wildfires on land, as the number of high-risk days for wildfires are likely to double by 2050. Strutt & Parker - Rural Hub
• [New] A landmark Science paper finds that shifting away from animal products could sharply cut food-related emissions and reduce global agricultural land use by about 75%. Maui Vegan Life
• [New] There is an annual biodiversity funding gap of US$700bn and all sources, from private to public sectors, are being called upon via the KMGBF to mobilise US$200bn annually by 2030. Bizclik Media Ltd

Last updated: 14 June 2026