Current Affairs 19 June 2024

CONTENTS

1. Environmental Performance Index 2024
2. US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan Visits India
3. 2024 Kavli Prize Awards
4. Dead Zone
5. Filoboletus Manipularis
6. Matsya 6000
7. Exercise Tarang Shakti

Environmental Performance Index 2024

Context:

The Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy and the Columbia Center for International Earth Science Information Network released the Environmental Performance Index (EPI) for 2024.

Relevance:

GS III: Environment and Ecology

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Overview of the Environmental Performance Index (EPI)
2. Challenges Related to the Environmental Performance Index (EPI)
3. Key Highlights of the Environmental Performance Index (EPI) 2024
4. India’s Response to the EPI

Overview of the Environmental Performance Index (EPI)

• The Environmental Performance Index (EPI), launched by the World Economic Forum in 2002 under the name Environmental Sustainability Index (ESI), is a biennial assessment tool.
• It measures countries’ efforts to achieve international environmental policy targets, including the U.N. sustainability goals, the Paris Climate Agreement (2015), and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
• Structure: The 2024 EPI incorporates 58 performance indicators categorized into 11 issues, focusing on three main policy goals:
  • Environmental Health
  • Ecosystem Vitality
  • Climate Change
• The EPI team converts raw environmental data into scores that rank countries on a 0 to 100 scale, with higher scores indicating better performance.

Importance of the Environmental Performance Index (EPI)

• The EPI promotes global collaboration and knowledge sharing, aiming to achieve a more environmentally secure and equitable world.
• It underscores the need for strong governance frameworks, including transparency, accountability, and effective policymaking, which are essential for implementing and enforcing environmental regulations.
• Adequate financial resources are crucial for initiating and maintaining environmental initiatives, allowing nations to invest in sustainable practices and infrastructure.
• Nations with higher levels of human development, such as education, healthcare, and overall well-being, tend to prioritize environmental sustainability and are more capable of implementing effective measures.
• Well-structured environmental regulations, along with robust enforcement mechanisms, are vital for mitigating environmental degradation and ensuring compliance with sustainability standards.

Challenges Related to the Environmental Performance Index (EPI)

• Measuring biodiversity loss or ecosystem health can be challenging due to complex dynamics and the lack of standardized methodologies across different regions.
• Some developing countries may lack efficient monitoring systems or face challenges in collecting comprehensive environmental data, resulting in incomplete assessments.
• Economic development may sometimes be prioritized over environmental protection, leading to potential conflicts or resistance in adopting EPI recommendations.
• Countries heavily reliant on resource extraction or fossil fuel-based industries may find it difficult to transition to more sustainable practices.
• Developing nations might struggle to allocate sufficient funds or expertise for environmental projects, and developed countries may not provide adequate financial support for mitigation.
• Addressing transboundary issues like air pollution, water management, or wildlife protection often necessitates multilateral agreements and collaborative efforts.

Key Highlights of the Environmental Performance Index (EPI) 2024

• Leading Nation:
  • Estonia leads the index by achieving a 59% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to 1990 levels.
• Top Performers:
  • Only five countries — Estonia, Finland, Greece, Timor-Leste, and the United Kingdom — are on track to reduce GHG emissions to reach net zero by 2050.
• Lowest Performing Regions:
  • Sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Asia rank lowest among the eight regions evaluated.
• Progress and Challenges:
  • Except for the United Kingdom, other countries identified in the 2022 EPI report as being on track to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 have shown either slow progress (e.g., the United States) or increasing emissions (e.g., China, India, Russia).
• India’s Ranking:
  • India ranks 176th out of 180 countries with a score of 27.6 points, ranking higher only than Pakistan, Vietnam, Laos, and Myanmar.
  • India performs poorly in categories such as air quality, emissions, and biodiversity conservation, primarily due to its heavy reliance on coal, contributing significantly to greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution.
  • India is ranked 177th in air quality and 172nd in projected emissions by 2025.
• Transboundary Pollution:
  • In South Asia, India is the largest emitter of transboundary pollution, impacting neighboring Bangladesh and affecting residents’ well-being.
• Renewable Energy Investments:
  • Despite its low overall ranking, India fares better in the climate change category (133rd), attributed to investments in renewable energy and a commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.
  • Achieving these goals will require an additional USD 160 billion annually in climate change mitigation investments.
• New Metrics:
  • The 2024 EPI introduces pilot indicators to measure the effectiveness and stringency of protected areas.

India’s Response to the EPI

• Extended Timeframe:
  • India contends that the calculations should consider a longer period (10 to 20 years) and include renewable energy capacity and usage, additional carbon sinks, and energy efficiency measures implemented by respective countries.
• Rate of Change:
  • The calculation of projected GHG emissions by 2050 is based on the average rate of change in emissions over the last 10 years, which India deems inadequate.
• Carbon Sinks:
  • India’s forests and wetlands, which act as crucial carbon sinks, have not been considered in the projected GHG emissions trajectory up to 2050 in the EPI 2024.
• Ecosystem Condition:
  • While the index measures the extent of ecosystems, it does not evaluate their condition or productivity.
• Exclusion of Critical Indicators:
  • The index does not include indicators such as agro-biodiversity, soil health, food loss, and waste, which are crucial for developing countries with large agrarian populations.

-Source: The Hindu

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan Visits India

Context:

In the first official visit from the US since Prime Minister Narendra Modi was re-elected for a third term, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met National Security Advisor Ajit Doval in Delhi.

Relevance:

GS II: International Relations

Dimensions of the Article:

1. News Summary
2. What is the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET)?
3. National Security Council (NSC) of India

News Summary

• Bilateral Talks:
  • India’s National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval, held a bilateral meeting with the US’ National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan, in New Delhi.
• Agreed Areas of Cooperation:
  • They agreed to enhance cooperation in various domains including Defence technology, Space, Artificial Intelligence, High-Performance Computing, and critical minerals.
• Commitments:
  • Both sides committed to taking concrete steps in the upcoming months to overcome long-standing obstacles in bilateral strategic trade, technology, and industrial cooperation, including commercial and civil space sectors.
• iCET Meeting:
  • They co-chaired the second meeting of the India-U.S. initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET).

What is the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET)?

• Framework:
  • The iCET is a framework agreed upon by India and the U.S. to foster cooperation in critical and emerging technologies.
• Technologies:
  • The initiative focuses on artificial intelligence, quantum computing, semiconductors, and wireless telecommunication.
• Announcement:
  • Prime Minister Modi and President Biden announced the framework during the Quad meeting in Tokyo in May 2022.
• Launch:
  • It was officially launched in 2023 to bolster strategic partnership and promote technology and defence cooperation between the two nations.

Focus Areas of iCET

• Primary Goal:
  • The iCET aims to establish New Delhi and Washington D.C. as “trusted technology partners” to develop supply chains and support the co-production and co-development of technologies.
• Key Focus Areas:
  • Research Partnership: Establishing a research agency partnership to collaborate on Artificial Intelligence.
  • Defence Cooperation: Creating a new defence industrial cooperation roadmap to speed up technological collaboration for joint development and production.
  • Standards Development: Developing common standards in Artificial Intelligence.
  • Defence Technological Cooperation: Formulating a roadmap to enhance defence technological cooperation and an ‘innovation bridge’ to connect defence startups.
  • Semiconductor Ecosystem: Supporting the development of a semiconductor ecosystem.
  • Human Space Flight: Strengthening cooperation on human space flight.
  • 5G and 6G Development: Advancing cooperation on the development of 5G and 6G technologies.
  • OpenRAN Technology: Adopting OpenRAN network technology in India.

National Security Council (NSC) of India

• Primary Role:
  • The NSC is the main advisory body to the Prime Minister on national security and strategic interests.
• Establishment:
  • The council was established in 1998 by then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, with Brajesh Mishra as the first National Security Advisor (NSA).
• Composition of the NSC:
  • Head: Prime Minister
    • Oversees all aspects of national security and strategic policy.
  • National Security Advisor:
    • Acts as the primary advisor to the Prime Minister on national security matters.
    • Coordinates with various ministries, agencies, and departments involved in national security.
  • Members:
    • National Security Advisor (NSA)
    • Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)
    • Deputy National Security Advisors
    • Union Ministers of Defence, External Affairs, Home, Finance
    • Vice Chairman of the NITI Aayog
• Functions of the NSC:
  • Policy Formulation and Coordination
  • Intelligence Assessment
  • Strategic Planning
  • Crisis Management
  • International Security Cooperation
• Historical Note:
  • Before the formation of the NSC, these functions were managed by the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister.

-Source: Indian Express

2024 Kavli Prize Awards

Context:

Recently, eight scientists were awarded the 2024 Kavli Prize for their contributions to astrophysics, neuroscience, and nanoscience. All eight scientists awarded the Prize this year are professors at leading American universities.

Relevance:

Facts for Prelims

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Kavli Prize
2. Kavli Medal

Kavli Prize

• Overview:
  • The Kavli Prize is an international award recognizing outstanding achievements in astrophysics, nanoscience, and neuroscience.
  • It is awarded biennially and was established in 2008 by Norwegian-American businessman and philanthropist Fred Kavli.
  • Administered by the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters, in partnership with the Kavli Foundation and the Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research.
• Comparison with Nobel Prize:
  • The Kavli Prize is similar to the Nobel Prize in the fields of astrophysics, neuroscience, and nanoscience.
  • Unlike the Nobel Prize, which is awarded for achievements made “during the preceding year,” the Kavli Prize recognizes achievements without this restriction.

2024 Winners:

• Astrophysics:
  • Winners: David Charbonneau (Harvard University) and Sara Seager (Massachusetts Institute of Technology).
  • Achievements: Discoveries and characterization of exoplanets and their atmospheres.
  • Contributions: Pioneered methods for detecting atomic species in planetary atmospheres and measuring thermal infrared emissions, crucial for identifying molecular fingerprints in planetary atmospheres.

• Nanoscience:
  • Winners: Robert Langer (MIT), Armand Paul Alivisatos (University of Chicago), and Chad Mirkin (Northwestern University).
  • Contributions:
    • Langer: Nano-engineering for controlled drug delivery systems.
    • Alivisatos: Development of semiconductor quantum dots for bio-imaging.
    • Mirkin: Concept of spherical nucleic acids (SNAs) for applications in gene regulation and immunotherapy.

• Neuroscience:
  • Winners: Nancy Kanwisher (MIT), Winrich Freiwald (Rockefeller University), and Doris Tsao (University of California, Berkeley).
  • Achievements: Mapping brain functions related to facial recognition using neuroimaging and neuronal recording techniques, identifying brain centres and neural architectures involved in face processing.

Kavli Medal

• Description:
  • The Kavli Medal, separate from the Kavli Prize, is awarded annually for excellence in environmental science and engineering.
• Eligibility:
  • Open to UK, Commonwealth, or Irish Republic citizens or residents with at least three years of residency.
  • Targets early career scientists within 15 years of their PhD, excluding career breaks.
• Selection Process:
  • Recipients are chosen by the Royal Society Council based on recommendations from the Joint Physical and Biological Sciences Awards Committee.
  • Nominations are valid for five years; candidates must wait a year before being re-nominated after this period.

-Source: Indian Express

Dead Zone

Context:

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is forecasting an above-average summer “dead zone” in the Gulf of Mexico covering approximately 5,827 square miles.

Relevance:

GS I: Geography

Dimensions of the Article:

1. About Dead Zones
2. How are Dead Zones Formed?

About Dead Zones

• Definition:
  • The term “dead zone” or “hypoxia” refers to low-oxygen areas in the world’s lakes and oceans.
  • Because most organisms need oxygen to live, few organisms can survive in hypoxic conditions, leading to these areas being termed dead zones.
  • Hypoxic zones can occur naturally, but human activities can also lead to the creation of new dead zones or the worsening of existing ones.

How are Dead Zones Formed?

• Eutrophication Process:
  • Dead zones occur due to eutrophication, which happens when a body of water is overloaded with nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen.
  • Normally, cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) feed on these nutrients.
  • Excessive nutrients cause a rapid overgrowth of algae, known as algae blooms.
  • Dead zones form when these algae die, sink to the bottom, and are decomposed by bacteria, a process that depletes dissolved oxygen from the surrounding water.
  • Dense algae blooms block sunlight, preventing underwater grasses from growing, which negatively impacts animals that rely on these grasses for food and shelter.
  • Human activities often cause these nutrient excesses, leading to dead zones frequently being located near populated coastlines.

• Influencing Factors:
  • Wind can mix oxygen from the surface into deeper water, helping to break up dead zones.
  • High temperatures can worsen dead zones by creating a layer of warm surface water that traps colder, oxygen-poor water below.
  • Heavy rainfall can increase the amount of pollution washed into waterways.

• Water Depth and Mixing:
  • Shallow waters are less likely to stratify compared to deep waters, making them less prone to developing hypoxic conditions due to better mixing by winds and tides.
  • Shallow and clear waters that allow light to reach the bottom can support primary producers such as phytoplankton, algae, and seagrasses, which release oxygen during photosynthesis.

-Source: Down To Earth

Filoboletus Manipularis

Context:

Recently, researchers have discovered a rare species of bioluminescent mushrooms in the forests of Kasaragod which are scientifically known as Filoboletus manipularis.

Relevance:

Facts for Prelims

About Filoboletus manipularis:

• Species Characteristics:
  • Filoboletus manipularis is an intriguing species of bioluminescent mushroom.
  • These mushrooms emit a bright green glow at night due to a chemical reaction occurring within their cells.
• Habitat:
  • They thrive in tropical, humid environments, commonly found in dense forests rich in decaying organic matter such as fallen trees and leaves.
  • This moist and nutrient-rich environment is essential for their growth and bioluminescence.
• Biochemical Process:
  • The glowing property of these mushrooms is due to a chemical reaction involving luciferin (a pigment) and luciferase (an enzyme) in the presence of oxygen. This reaction generates light, similar to the bioluminescence seen in fireflies and certain marine organisms.
• Advantage:
  • In fungi, this bioluminescent trait is believed to attract insects, aiding in the dispersion of the mushroom’s spores.

What are Mushrooms?

• Role in Ecosystem:
  • Mushrooms are secondary saprophytic fungi within the forest ecosystem.
  • Secondary saprophytic fungi are crucial for decomposing plant litter.
  • The Western Ghats region in Kerala is abundant in fungi, many of which are endemic to this region.

-Source: The Hindu

Matsya 6000

Context:

India is set to become the sixth country to have its own deep-sea mission. The first stage of the harbour trial, reaching depths of 40-50 meters, is planned by September 2024. This mission has the potential to significantly contribute to the overall growth of the Indian economy.

Relevance:

Facts for Prelims

Matsya 6000:

• A three-person submersible capable of descending to a depth of 6,000 meters.
• Developed by Chennai’s National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT).
• Structure: Constructed with 80mm-thick titanium alloy, it can withstand pressures 600 times that at sea level. The submersible can operate continuously for 12 to 16 hours and has an oxygen supply lasting 96 hours.

National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT):

• Establishment:
  • Founded in November 1993 as an autonomous society under the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
• Objectives:
  • To develop reliable indigenous technologies to address various engineering challenges related to the extraction of non-living and living resources in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), which covers about two-thirds of India’s land area.

Deep Sea Mission:

• Overview:
  • The Deep Ocean Mission (DOM) is a significant Indian initiative aimed at exploring and utilizing oceanic depths.
• Details:
  • A five-year mission approved by the Union Cabinet in 2021, with a budget of approximately ₹4,077 crore.
  • The mission’s goals include developing technologies for deep-sea mining, manned submersibles, and underwater robotics, as well as providing ocean climate change advisory services, and conducting deep-ocean surveys and exploration.

-Source: Indian Express

Exercise Tarang Shakti

Context:

The Indian Air Force will host an air exercise, Tarang Shakti-2024 in August.

Relevance:

Facts for Prelims

About Exercise Tarang Shakti:

• Description: Exercise Tarang Shakti is the inaugural multinational air exercise hosted by the Indian Air Force (IAF).
• Objective: To invite and collaborate with friendly foreign countries with whom the IAF interacts regularly and shares a certain degree of interoperability.
• Phases:
  • Phase 1: Scheduled in southern India during the first two weeks of August.
  • Phase 2: Scheduled in the western sector from the end of August to mid-September.
• Participating Countries: Australia, France, Germany, Japan, Spain, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Germany will deploy fighter jets and an A-400M transport aircraft.
• Aims:
  • To foster professional interactions among the participating forces.
  • To enrich the employment philosophy of the forces.
  • To facilitate the exchange of valuable insights.
• Significance: Provides a unique opportunity for these nations to collaborate and enhance their tactical and operational capabilities.

-Source: The Hindu