Global Scans · Nature · Weekly Summary

WHAT''S NEXT?: Oceans, animals, and land are all under threat from climate change and human activities. The effective and efficient conservation of agricultural biodiversity is vital to meeting the global challenges of food and nutritional security for an expanding world population. But, the signs are of continued degradation of our global natural resources and environment.

• [New] In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized biomass-based diesel Renewable Volume Obligations for 2026-2027 at approximately 5.25 billion gallons, a significant increase from 3.35 billion gallons in 2025, directly mandating higher blending volumes. Persistence Market Research
• [New] The Environment Strategy for Scotland which acts as an overarching framework, uniting environmental, climate and sustainability policies to restore nature by 2045, using a precautionary approach. NatureScot
• [New] More than half of global GDP depends on healthy ecosystems, yet nature continues to decline at a staggering rate, putting economic stability, climate progress and long-term prosperity at risk. Innovation Zero 2025
• [New] Studies from the World Wildlife Fund emphasize that expanding high-altitude tourism infrastructure drives habitat fragmentation and threatens endemic alpine flora and fauna. Market Data Forecast
• [New] Environmental data from the European Environment Agency highlights that alpine climate shifts pose substantial long-term economic risks, threatening winter season lengths and necessitating costly artificial adaptation measures. Market Data Forecast
• [New] An analysis of FDA and EPA fish testing data by the Environmental Working Group non-profit found eating one serving of US freshwater fish contaminated with median PFAS levels could be equivalent to drinking highly contaminated water every day for a month. The Guardian
• [New] The onset of a potentially powerful El Nino weather pattern could boost global heat in the oceans and atmosphere even further in 2026 and into next year. GorakhaPatra
• [New] Alien radio signals may be transformed by plasma from their home stars - and scientists on Earth could be overlooking prime evidence of alien intelligence. Live Science
• [New] The UK's 2025 National Security Strategy makes clear that climate and nature loss are core drivers of global instability, economic disruption and security risk. Electricity Info
• [New] Historically, strong links between environmental and health issues have shaped critical environmental policies (e.g., the Montreal Protocol limiting chemicals that cause both ozone depletion and increase cancer risk). RWJF
• [New] Plastic pollution is a critical environmental issue that threatens biodiversity and undermines global sustainable development goals. AZOM
• [New] The United Nations has launched an AI Environmental Transparency Initiative calling on AI companies to disclose the carbon, water, and land-use impacts of their data centers and transition to renewable energy by 2030. MarketingProfs

Last updated: 11 July 2026