World Air Quality Report 2021: Report presented an overview of the state of global air quality in 2021. Report prepared by IQAir, a Swiss group that measures air quality levels based on the concentration of Particulate Matter (PM) 2.5. Need of World Air Quality Report: Air pollution is now considered to be the world’s largest environmental health threat, accounting for seven …
Context: Environment Ministry published draft regulations on Extended Producer Responsibility. What is Extended Producer Responsibility? EPR requires the manufacturer of a product, or the party that introduces the product into the community, to take responsibility for its life cycle. For Example : It mandates the FMCG company to account for the costs of collection and …
Draft regulations on Extended Producer Responsibility – UPSC GS3 Read More »
How computerization and technology adoption is contributing to climate change? A UN study revealed that the manufacture of one desktop computer took 240 kg of fossil fuels, 22 kg of chemicals and 1,500 kg of water. A University of Massachusetts team calculated that training one model for natural-language processing emits 626,155 pounds of carbon dioxide, what 125 New York–Beijing …
Contribution of Computerisation in Climate Change – UPSC GS3 Read More »
Global Methane Pledge: About 103 countries, took the Global Methane Pledge, which includes a commitment to reduce emissions of this gas by 30% from 2020 levels by the end of this decade. Problem of emissions from animal agriculture and livestock production is central to the global discussion on climate change. Contribution of Livestock to climate change: …
Contribution of Livestock in Climate Change – UPSC GS3 Read More »
Context: During the recent climate summit in Glasgow, India did not ratify “Action Agenda on Sustainable Agriculture”. India stated that it already has a “National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture” as part of its broad “National Action Plan on Climate Change”. However, these initiatives have failed to improve the condition of Indian agriculture. What are the …
Contribution of Agriculture in Green House Gas Emissions – UPSC GS3 Read More »
Why do farmers prefer to burn stubble? Long term causes Policy issues: In 2009 the Punjab government made a law that barred farmers from planting paddy before the dates notified. This was done to time plantings to the arrival of the annual monsoon. This enforced delay in planting pushed the date of harvest to November, …
What are the new threats for the environment? Giant data centres: As the world gets increasingly digitised, data centres and server farms are proliferating, that consume energy and generate heat. Millions of litres of water are often required to keep them cool, particularly if the data centres are not set up in extremely cold regions. …
Summary: With a worsening trajectory of climate change parameters across the world, an increased incidence of zoonotic diseases is also being witnessed. What are the key drivers of the increased incidence of zoonotic viruses? Viruses account for almost 50% of new and emerging diseases. Since the mid-20th century, about 75% of all emerging viruses are …
Context: The rise in oceanic temperature due to global warming is affecting the aerobic capacity of the fish and could impair their physiological performance in the future. The latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report has warned that ocean warming will continue over the 21st century and is likely to continue until at least the year …
Significance of Dairy sector: Harvesting animals for dairy and animal-based products in India is a major source of livelihood for 150 million dairy farmers. The products are a source of nutrition and food security for a significant population as well. The dairy sector accounts for 2 per cent of the national gross domestic product. Besides the holy significance of the cow in …
Dairy Industry and its climatic impact – UPSC GS3 Read More »