A tiny plant that can ‘digest’ low density plastic sheets
Context: Researchers from University of Madras and Presidency College, Chennai, have isolated an alga species that shows promise as an agent of biodegradation of plastic sheets. Relevance: Prelims, GS-III: Environment and Ecology (Environmental Pollution and Degradation), GS-III: Science and Technology Dimensions of the Article: About Plastic pollution in India About the discovered alga species that […]
Sea level rise is certain
Context: The recently published Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Assessment Report from Working Group I — ‘Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis’ — is a clarion call for climate action. It provides one of the most expansive scientific reviews on the science and impacts of climate change. Relevance: GS-III: Environment and Ecology (Climate […]
Study on fossil fuel extraction and global warming, Green Hydrogen
Context: A new study conducted by researchers from University College London says that as of now, both planned and operational fossil fuel extraction projects are not conducive to meeting the targets set out by the climate agreement signed in 2015. With the increasing focus on ill-effects of fossil duels, there is a need to implore […]
India must commit to net zero emissions
Context: India may not commit to the ‘net zero’ mid-century emission timeline as is being pushed by the US, UK and EU but the country appears to be amenable to an idea of putting out an enhanced target of climate action by aggregating all the new steps it has already been taking beyond its existing […]
SC lashes out at firecracker manufacturers
Context: The Supreme Court lashed out at firecracker manufacturers for violating the spirit of its 2018 judgment banning toxic ingredients like barium in fireworks, saying the prime focus of the court is the “right to life of innocent people”. The Supreme Court has said that a preliminary enquiry by the CBI into the firecracker industry […]
WMO report on Rising CO2 concentration and SDGs
Context: Recently, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has published a new report on Climate Indicators and Sustainable Development: Demonstrating the Interconnections. Relevance: GS-III: Environment and Ecology (Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Conservation of Environment and Ecology, Sustainable Development) Dimensions of the Article: What is Sustainable Development? The 17 goals under the Sustainable Development Goals Climate Indicators […]
WHO tightens global air quality norms
Context: The World Health Organisation (WHO) in its first-ever update since 2005 has tightened global air pollution standards in a recognition of the emerging science in the last decade that the impact of air pollution on health is much more serious than earlier envisaged. Relevance: GS-III: Environment and Ecology (Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Conservation of […]
Western Ghats offer major additions to new flora
Context: The Botanical Survey of India, in its new publication Plant Discoveries 2020 has added 267 new taxa/ species to the country’s flora. Of these newly discovered plants – 22% of the discoveries were made from the Western Ghats. Relevance: GS-III: Environment and Ecology (Conservation of Ecology, Important Protected regions, Species in news), Prelims Dimensions […]
IISc on substitute for single-use plastics
Context: According to a report by Central Pollution Control Board of India, for the year 2018-2019, 3.3 million metric tonnes of plastic waste are generated by Indians. There has been an exponential surge in the usage of single use plastics. According to a report by Central Pollution Control Board of India, for the year 2018-2019, […]
WMO on Covid-19 barely cutting down carbon emissions
Context: The virus-related economic downturn caused only a temporary downturn in CO2 emissions last year and it was not enough to reverse the rising levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) said. Relevance: GS-III: Environment and Ecology (Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Conservation of Environment) Dimensions of the Article: World Meteorological […]