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[Newsbits] 30.06.2023

Santhosh Kumar 30/06/2023
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newsbits mindmap notes

Just Energy Transition Partnership (JET-P) deal

Just Energy Transition Partnership (JET-P) deal upsc notes Senegal signs JET-P Fourth country Others: South Africa, Indonesia, Vietnam Announced June 22, 2023 Mobilizes 2.5 billion euros Financing period: 3-5 years About JET-P Accelerate phasing out of coal Reduce emissions Sector: Energy Launch: 2021 Announced at 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP 26) Supported by: United Kingdom (UK) United States (US) France Germany European Union (EU) G7 partnership Countries: India, Indonesia, Senegal, Vietnam Funding for developing countries Existing Deals COP 26(2021) South Africa finance: $8.5 billion Aim: To meet Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) goals COP 27 (2022) South Africa's JETP Implementation Plan (JETP IP) G20 leaders’ summit in Bali Indonesia’s JETP deal Challenges Developed countries' emphasis on coal phase-down Ignores country context Ignores energy transition differences Between industrialized and emerging economies India’s Stand Refuses coal phase-out negotiation Wants its own transition plan JETP talks stalled Differences in coal approaches US push for coal phase-out India's push for climate funds For renewable energy For technology transfer For green jobs

Rwanda policy

Rwanda policy upsc notes Context UK Court of Appeal ruling against government’s plan Blow to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s administration Part of strategy to deter migrants from English Channel crossing Involves relocating asylum seekers to Rwanda during application process Rwanda Landlocked country in Central Africa's Great Rift Valley Where African Great Lakes region and Southeast Africa converge Bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Sea Lions and Algae Bloom

Sea lions and algae bloom upsc notes Context Recent outbreak of algae bloom Effect on sea lions and dolphins in California, US Sea lions (IUCN Status – Endangered) Pinnipeds with external ear flaps, long fore flippers Can walk on all fours Short, thick hair Large chest and belly Range extends from subarctic to tropical global ocean Except northern Atlantic Ocean Algal bloom/red tides Excessive growth of algae causing water discolouration Human causes: climate change, excess nitrates Red tide: presence of dinoflagellate Gonyaulax Impact Production of neurotoxin (domoic acid) Death of fish and other aquatic organisms Toxin passed up food chain (humans can be affected via infected shellfish)

American bald eagle

American bald eagle upsc notes Context Removal from endangered species list (2007) Population increase Quadrupled since 2009 (according to 2021 report) Past challenges Hunting Habitat destruction Pesticide DDT Survival measures Ban on DDT Endangered Species Act About the American bald eagle Habitat Covers most of North America Only sea eagle endemic to North America Characteristics Life span 20-30 years Builds nests at top of tall trees Female eagles bigger than males Feeding Pattern Prey includes fish, birds, small mammals, snakes, turtles, crabs Eat carrion (decaying flesh) Protection Status IUCN Status: Least Concern

Responsible antibiotic production Certificate

Responsible antibiotic production Certificate upsc notes Context New certification scheme in India First of its kind About the Scheme Developed by: BSI and AMR Industry Alliance Aim: Address environmental concerns of AMR (limit release of antibiotic residues into waterways through industrial waste) Process Third-party validation Environmental management and wastewater treatment systems required Concentration of antibiotics in waste streams must be below specified threshold Certification is valid for three years (annual surveillance for ongoing compliance)

Aspartame

Aspartame upsc notes Context IARC to list aspartame as possibly carcinogenic About Aspartame Artificial sweetener Used in food and beverage products (diet soft drinks, chewing gum, breakfast cereals) IARC’s assessment does not consider safe consumption levels (JECFA and national regulators responsible for that) Other artificial sweeteners: Sucralose, Saccharin, Stevia, Neotame

Short-lived halogens

Short-lived halogens upsc notes Context New study on oceans' role in cooling the planet Short-lived halogens include chlorine, bromine, and iodine Contribute 8-10% of cooling (expected to increase to 18-31% by 2100) About Short-lived halogens Chlorine, bromine, and iodine compounds Lifespan less than six months in the atmosphere Role in Earth’s climate system (cooling and warming effects)

Schemes to promote the judicious use of fertilisers

Schemes to promote the judicious use of fertilisers upsc notes Context Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approval Unique package of innovative schemes for farmers Schemes PM Programme for Restoration, Awareness Generation, Nourishment and Amelioration of Mother – Earth (PMPRANAM) Incentivise States/ UTs to promote alternate fertilisers Balanced use of chemical fertilisers Market Development Assistance (MDA) scheme Promoting Organic Fertilisers from Gobardhan Plants Sulphur coated Urea (Urea Gold) Address the sulphur deficiency of soil Save input costs for farmers Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samruddhi Kendras (PMKSKs) One-stop solution for all needs of farmers About one lakh PMKSKs in the country Significance Judicious use of chemical fertilisers Reducing input cost of cultivation for farmers Boost farmers’ income Strengthen natural/organic farming Rejuvenate soil productivity Ensure food security

PEN Pinter Prize

PEN Pinter Prize upsc notes Context Michael Rosen British children’s writer Performance poet PEN Pinter Prize 2023 winner Works Over 140 books published Themes often social, political, and ethical issues Style reflects children’s everyday worlds Validates imaginative thinking About PEN Pinter Prize Named after Harold Pinter Established 2009 Winners Michael Rosen (2023) Hanif Kureishi (2010) Salman Rushdie (2014) Lemn Sissay (2019) Criteria A writer from the UK, Ireland, and the Commonwealth Committed to fearless exposition of truth Reflects fierce intellectual determination to define real truth of lives and societies

India’s Bioeconomy Challenges

India's Bioeconomy Challenges upsc notes Context Bioeconomy growth lack of funding and policy support Bioeconomy Definition Economic activity Biotechnology and biomass use Production of goods, services, energy India's Bioeconomy DBT's Bioeconomy Report 2022 2.6% contribution to GDP Prediction of 5% of GDP by 2030 Concerns Funding for DBT 0.0001% of India's GDP Lack of risk-taking policies Lack of biotechnology policy alignment Case Study Genetically Engineered (GE) Insects Guidelines Uncertainty of purpose GE insect applications Human and livestock health Crop management Standard of living improvement Disease burden reduction Food security enablement Environment conservation Absence of approved GE insect purposes Uncertainty for researchers Guidelines applicable to research only Trials approval from Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee GE insects can't be recalled post-deployment Uncertainty of ambit Standard operating procedures for GE mosquitoes, crop pests, beneficial insects Lack of clarity on beneficial GE insects Way Forward Private funding attraction for biotechnology R&D Biotechnology policy revision for economic significance Importance of biotechnology for pandemic preparedness

Climate Effects on Social Issues

Climate Effects on Social Issues upsc notes Context Climate effects on domestic violence Study shows rising temperatures increase domestic violence Findings Vulnerabilities and inequalities Women experiencing IPV in low-middle income countries Ambient temperature and IPV 1°C increase in temperature 4.49% increase in IPV prevalence Violence prevalence Highest physical violence Followed by emotional and sexual violence Global Warming and IPV Temperature increase effects Working hours decrease Impact on daily wage earners Increased home time Increased workload for women Increased comfort requirements Unaffordable for economically weaker sections Direct impact on mental health Contribution to domestic violence Challenges IPV increase 21% by end of 21st century Case of India Heat-related deaths Temperatures up to 45 degrees Celsius Highest IPV increase predicted for India Solutions Climate action essential Strict emissions-cut scenarios Moderate increase in IPV Women's involvement in climate action Gender mainstreaming in policymaking UNICEF's Gender Action Plan Lima work programme on Gender Conclusion Violence against women issue Connection to Sustainable Development Goals

Indian Ocean Dipole & Effects on Monsoon

Indian Ocean Dipole upsc notes Context IMD predicts normal monsoon El Nino event possibility Monsoon and El Nino Monsoon Seasonal wind reversal Brings heavy rainfall Affects 25 countries Covers 18000 km east to west Covers 6000 km south to north El Nino Climate pattern Warmer-than-average sea temperatures In central and eastern Pacific Ocean Has global weather impacts Factors Impacting Monsoon Rains El Nino/La Nina El Nino weakens monsoons La Nina enhances monsoons Dateline El Nino/Central Pacific El Nino Negative impact on monsoon 2005 El Nino an exception Atlantic Nino East-west anomaly pattern Influences the monsoon Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) Positive IOD enhances monsoon Negative IOD weakens monsoon Sea Surface Temperatures Warmer enhances monsoon Cooler weakens monsoon Atmospheric Pressure Change affects circulation and rainfall Land-Sea Temperature Contrast Greater contrast influences monsoon strength Himalayan Mountain Range Influences winds and rainfall patterns Topography Shapes local wind patterns Affects rainfall distribution Tropical Cyclones Influence monsoon rainfall Global Climate Patterns Madden-Julian Oscillation affects monsoon dynamics Local Factors Vegetation, soil moisture, land use Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) Climate phenomenon Sea surface temperature fluctuation Atmospheric pressure fluctuation Similar to El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) Effects of IOD on Monsoon Positive IOD Enhances monsoon rainfall 1997: Offset El Nino, above-normal rainfall Negative IOD Weakens monsoon rainfall 2019: Contributed to deficient rainfall Neutral IOD Minimal impact on monsoon Monsoon Forecast Conditions (ESSO & IMD) North Atlantic and North Pacific SST gradient Equatorial south Indian Ocean SST East Asia Mean Sea Level pressure Northwest Europe surface air temperature Equatorial Pacific Ocean warm water volume Limitations in Forecasting IOD and Atlantic Nino Forecasting models lack reliability Specific role in monsoon patterns uncertain El Nino Challenges in predicting location and intensity

Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS)

Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS) upsc notes Food Corporation of India's (FCI) imposed restrictions Refusal to allow states' grain procurement About OMSS Operationalised for foodgrains sale Predetermined prices For bulk consumers and private traders During lean season Nodal Agency: Food Corporation of India (FCI) Selling Mode: Weekly auctions by FCI Platform: National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange Limited (NCDEX) Purpose: Improve domestic grain availability Cool down open market prices Especially in deficit regions Features of OMSS Weekly e-auctions by FCI Reserve price for wheat and rice sale Fixed by Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD) Kept uniform throughout the country Sale throughout the year Non-procuring states Non-procurement period in procuring states Quantity for sale decided by DFPD Based on availability and demand Surplus procuring states can't participate in e-auction for rice purchase Significances of OMSS Enhance supply of food grains Especially during lean season Moderates open market prices Prevent wastage and deterioration of food grains In FCI godowns Due to lack of storage space Due to improper maintenance Provides alternative source of food grains For bulk consumers, state governments, UTs For private parties participating in various schemes Generates revenue for the FCI Reduces its subsidy burden on central government Challenges faced by OMSS Impact on farmers Potential lowering of food grain prices Quality control Potential spoilage and wastage Administrative issues Complex and time-consuming e-auctions Does not address structural problems Of food grain management Procurement, distribution, buffer stocking policies Way Forward Careful implementation to ensure benefits outweigh drawbacks

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