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 semiconductor industry offers Bangladesh a unique opportunity to graduate into a high-value, high-growth sector and establish itself as a credible player in the global technology ecosystem. BSS
• [New] The success of NASA's X-59 QueSST project could lead to revised noise regulations that allow supersonic flights over land, opening up new markets and expanding the commercial potential of high-speed air travel. Tomorrow Desk
• [New] The world's oceans currently harbour around 200 million tonnes of plastics, posing a severe threat to the ecosystem. Blue Flag
• [New] A new generation of defence suppliers is emerging as countries look to promote the development of national EO ecosystems, with momentum expected to increase in the coming years. SpaceNews
• [New] The accelerated melting of Antarctic ice threatens coastal ecosystems through sea-level rise and disrupts global ocean circulation patterns, impacting weather systems worldwide. Nature
• [New] Rethinking the global food system by promoting sustainable agricultural practices is essential to reduce risks to health and biodiversity, ensuring a more resilient and equitable future. BioMed Central
• [New] Water stress is projected to intensify, most notably in regions like the Middle East and North Africa, parts of South Asia and northern China - posing long-term risks to ecosystems, cultural heritage, and the communities and tourism economies that depend on them. Yahoo News
• [New] Ecosystem Threats in Tunisia's Tunisia, a North African country with a Mediterranean coastline and vast desert hinterlands, is facing a variety of environmental challenges that threaten the health of its ecosystems and the sustainability of its agricultural sectors. Abhijeet Shirke
• [New] TGDeX will leverage Telangana's robust AI ecosystem, including state government departments, private sector players, academic institutions, and open or licensed data providers. https://uniindia.com/~/telangana-to-launch-india-s-1st-
• [New] Goa stands at a pivotal juncture, with significant potential to develop into a vibrant technology hub that capitalises on its unique advantages while forging a distinctive identity within the tech ecosystem. Business Goa | Goa's Only Business Magazine
• [New] Two-thirds of Portugal will be on high alert on Sunday for extreme heat and forest fires as temperatures of up to 42 C are expected in Lisbon. The Guardian
• [New] India became the first country to land near the Moon's south pole, a region with high potential for future space resource extraction. INSIGHTS IAS - Simplifying UPSC IAS Exam Preparation
• [New] Global opportunities offer higher salaries, advanced tech ecosystems, and better living standards, making relocation an attractive option for Indian techies. Nri Globe - One globe. One root. Infinite NRI connectio
• [New] Key themes include a strategic focus on Indonesia's 2045 AI-driven digital economy, scaling it to its 10 x potential, covering all bases with strategic insights 'From Enterprise to Ecosystem', and high-collaboration, high-impact, revolutionary, and thought-provoking ideas within AI advancements. Indonesia Expat
• [New] Widespread destruction and use of heavy weaponry are releasing massive greenhouse gases and pollutants, posing lasting threats to global climate and ecosystems. PMF IAS
• [New] Wildfire risk is increasing in frequency, severity and cost, driven by climate change, land use changes and expanding urban development. Insurance Business
• [New] Existing global forest age and biomass maps do not clearly distinguish regeneration from production forests, nor predict future changes in forest cover. Nature
• Around the world, communities are grappling with increasing risks to water availability, threatening not only ecosystems and livelihoods but also peace. WaterBlog@KTH: Reflect, Rethink, Refill
• As the world rapidly warms, levels of tropospheric ozone are projected to increase in all business-as-usual scenarios, exacerbating the most damaging impacts of climate change and harming health, agriculture and ecosystems. Clean Air Fund
• Reintroducing some recently extinct species to their old habitats might improve biodiversity locally, but government-funded conservation for 11 focal extinct species in New Zealand would sacrifice conservation for nearly three times as many (31) extant species. UQ News
• Positioned as a cornerstone of India's evolving delivery ecosystem, Skye Air's initiatives unlock opportunities and transform lives for millions of Indians. Web3Wire
• In a 2015-2050 scenario of strong land use and climate change mitigation globally, rates of biodiversity loss would decrease but biodiversity would continue to decline. Nature
• Addressing key challenges in improving the quality, accessibility, and availability of risk data for investments in EMDEs will help mobilise greater volumes of private investment to finance the global development, climate, and biodiversity goals. Environmental Finance

Last updated: 06 July 2025