UPSC Daily Current Affairs – Mains [23rd February 2023]
Heat Dome: Unusual February heat and the “normal abnormal” in global weather
Geography – Important Geophysical phenomena
Source – IE
In News
Most regions of northern and western India have experienced maximum temperatures 5-11 degrees Celsius above normal over the past week.
Reasons for abnormal heat
- One of the primary reasons for the warming on the west coast, as per the IMD, is an anticyclonic formation over south Gujarat.
- The effects of the anticyclone were being exacerbated by a weaker-than-usual sea breeze along the Konkan coast around Maharashtra and Goa.
- The likelihood of higher temperatures this year, compared to the past two years, is widespread due to the projected conclusion of the strongest La Niña event on record.
What are heat domes?
When a high-pressure system ensnares hot air in a particular area, a meteorological phenomenon known as a heat dome occurs, which results in elevated temperatures and the formation of a dome of hot air. Such a hot air dome can last for many days or even weeks, giving rise to prolonged periods of extreme heat and heat waves.
Effects of Heat Dome
- Vulnerable populations, including the elderly, children, and those with preexisting health conditions, are particularly at risk of harm from them.
- They have adverse effects on food production.
- They contribute to the escalation of wildfires.
- They result in droughts and other environmental impacts.
- The augmented use of air conditioning places additional pressure on the power grid and leads to a surge in energy demand.
What can be done?
- Measures such as staying hydrated, refraining from outdoor activities during peak temperatures, and establishing cooling centers for vulnerable populations can be taken to cope with heat domes.
- In addition, governmental bodies and policymakers can curb greenhouse gas emissions and adopt measures to counteract climate change, thereby preventing further amplification in the frequency and intensity of heat domes.
Rooftop solar for poverty alleviation
Syllabus: Energy: Renewable Solar Energy
Source – BS
In News
A recent white paper suggests a program for poverty alleviation through the use of rooftop solar photovoltaics (RTPV).
Significance of RTPV for poverty alleviation in India
- Improved Access to Electricity: Solar energy can provide electricity to people living in poverty in remote areas without access to the power grid, enhancing their quality of life.
- RTPV is among the ten initiatives identified by the Chinese government to alleviate poverty among rural households.
- Cost Reductions: Solar energy can reduce energy expenses and save money for people living in poverty, who spend a significant proportion of their earnings on energy.
- Job Creation: Creation of employment opportunities at the lower and middle levels.
- Enhanced Health: Solar energy can help reduce indoor air pollution, resulting in improved health for people living in poverty.
- Climate Change Mitigation
Limitations
- High Initial Costs: The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy’s rooftop-subsidy initiatives presently require consumers to cover roughly 60% of the costs, posing a financial burden.
- Roof Availability: Having access to roof space is a luxury for many impoverished individuals.
- Dependence on Weather: Solar energy production can be limited in regions with inadequate sunlight or during monsoon season, posing a challenge for those who rely on it for electricity.
- Maintenance: Maintaining solar panels necessitates frequent upkeep, which may be difficult for people living in poverty who lack the resources or expertise.
- Implementation Issues: India had installed only 7.9 GW of rooftop solar capacity by June 2022 (compared to a prior target of 40 GW by 2022), indicating implementation issues.
Government measures
National level
- The government’s target of adding 40,000 MW of rooftop solar (RTS) capacity has been extended until March 2026.
- States like Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Haryana are leading in RTS capacity addition.
- The Grid-Connected Rooftop Solar Scheme is in place to promote the use of solar power.
- The Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) promotes grid-connected renewable energy power plants, solar water pumps, and agriculture pumps.
- The National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy 2018 provides a framework for the promotion of large grid-connected wind-solar PV hybrid systems.
- The Atal Jyoti Yojana (AJAY, 2016) is for installing solar street lighting systems in states with less than 50% of households covered with grid power.
- The National Solar Mission is a part of the National Action Plan on Climate Change, promoting solar power generation across the country.
- The Surya Mitra Skill Development Programme provides skill training to rural youth in handling solar installations.
International Level
- International Solar Alliance:
- One Sun, One World, One Grid (OSOWOG): a framework for facilitating global cooperation, for interconnected renewable energy resources
Proposed scheme for RPTVs
The white paper suggests a scheme for rooftop solar photovoltaics (RTPV) that could be sponsored by the Central government, and named Sooraj Se Rozgaari.
According to the proposed scheme, bulk purchase of RTPV modules will be made by IREDA and transferred to states at a reduced cost. Underprivileged households will not have to pay any share of the costs for RTPV installation and maintenance, while social/institutional/small businesses will bear 80% of the expenses, and households with regular incomes will bear 60%.
Prelims PYQ
Q1. Consider the following statements: (UPSC 2022)
- Gujarat has the largest solar park in India.
- Kerala has a fully solar-powered International Airport.
- Goa has the largest floating solar photovoltaic project in India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 only
(c) land 3
(d) 3 only
Answer: B: 2 only
India can become a biodiversity champion
Syllabus: Environment, Conservation
Source – TH
In News
With 17% of the global human population and 17% of the world’s biodiversity hotspots, India has the potential to lead the world in promoting biodiversity and becoming a biodiversity champion.
Programmes launched in India towards biodiversity conservation
- Among the seven priorities/Saptarishis outlined in the Union Budget 2023, “Green Growth” was specifically mentioned.
- The National Mission for a Green India aims to increase forest cover on degraded lands and protect existing forested lands to promote ecological sustainability.
- The Green Credit Programme incentivizes environmentally sustainable actions by companies, individuals, and local bodies to promote a greener economy.
- The Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes (MISHTI) is significant due to the critical role that mangroves and coastal ecosystems play in mitigating climate change.
- The PM Programme for Restoration, Awareness, Nourishment, and Amelioration of Mother Earth (PM-PRANAM) aims to reduce the use of synthetic fertilisers and pesticides, promoting sustainable agriculture.
- The Amrit Dharohar scheme encourages optimal use of wetlands, enhancing biodiversity, carbon stock, eco-tourism opportunities, and income generation for local communities.
- The Union Ministry of Environment’s intervention to stop the draining of Haiderpur, a Ramsar wetland in UP, to safeguard migratory waterfowl is a positive step towards protecting natural resources.
- Given the significant losses of natural assets such as soils, land, water, and biodiversity that the country is facing, all of the above initiatives are critical.
International initiative
- During the UN Biodiversity Conference held in Montreal, Canada in 2022, representatives from 188 countries came to an agreement called the 30×30 pledge.
- The aim of the pledge is to conserve 30% of the world’s land and 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030 in order to “halt and reverse” the loss of biodiversity.
Challenges faced by India: Climate change → Global warming → Increases pest attack and diseases in crops/higher demands for water → reducing farm yields
Moving forward, it is crucial for these programs to effectively address the current state of biodiversity
- Implementations based on evidence are crucial not only for the success of these efforts but also for documenting lessons learned that can be replicated in the future.
- New programs should effectively incorporate modern concepts of sustainability and ecosystem valuation that consider the ecological, cultural, and sociological aspects of our biological wealth.
- To encourage a reduction in water use in key sectors such as agriculture, changes to less water-intensive crops like millet should be promoted.
- Investments in water recycling using a combination of grey and blue-green infrastructure should be made in urban areas.
- Instead of only planting trees, ecological restoration should be prioritized in the Green India Mission by selecting sites that ensure ecological connectivity in landscapes fragmented by linear infrastructure.
- Local community involvement is essential, and the traditional knowledge and practices of local and nomadic communities should be integrated into the implementation plans.
- Each program should include a significant amount of funding for education and research to appraise and raise awareness of India’s biological wealth.
Conclusion
- Our planet’s future depends on the richness and diversity of its biological wealth/biodiversity.
- Keeping this in mind, the Indian government is gearing up to launch the National Mission on Biodiversity and Human Wellbeing, which will leverage the power of interdisciplinary knowledge to promote sustainable development and a green economy in India.
Prelims PYQ
Consider the following international agreements:
The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification
The world Heritage Convention
Which of the above has/have a bearing on biodiversity?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: D: 1, 2 and 3
Draft of a new policy has been created to assist Indian communities that are displaced by annual river and coastal erosion
Syllabus: Disaster Management
Source – DTE
In News
India’s first national policy for the mitigation and rehabilitation of people affected by river and coastal erosion has been finalized, with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) receiving the last inputs on the draft.
Background
- Based on the 15th Finance Commission’s report (2021), the Union Ministry of Home Affairs instructed NDMA to prepare a policy for the mitigation and rehabilitation of people affected by river and coastal erosion.
- In India, policies have typically focused on displacement caused by sudden-onset disasters like floods and cyclones, and the issue of displacement caused by river and coastal erosion has not been adequately addressed until now.
Highlights of the 15th Finance Commission’s report
- The draft policy proposes introducing mitigation measures to prevent erosion under the National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF), with an allocation of Rs 1,500 crore for 2021-26.
- Additionally, for the resettlement of people affected by erosion, the policy allocates Rs 1,000 crore for the same period under the National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF).
- The total allocation of Rs 2,500 crore, for both structural (construction of sea walls and embankments) and non-structural solutions (rehabilitation), signifies national recognition of the erosion problem.
- State governments must avail resources on a cost-sharing basis, contributing 25% (NE states – 10%) to the costs of mitigation and resettlement for both funds.
- The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) will coordinate the allocations and expenses under NDRF and NDMF at the national level.
- States are required to adhere to timelines for mitigation and rehabilitation projects to avoid delays.
Highlights of the NDMA’s draft policy
- Under the Disaster Management Act 2005, institutional mechanisms have been established to manage displacement.
- Coastal and river erosion impacts are being mapped and a database of challenges faced by affected and vulnerable communities is being developed.
- The District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMA) will be the primary agency responsible for implementing the measures, with support from other district agencies and a dedicated panchayat-level committee.
- The DDMA will prepare mitigation and rehabilitation plans, which will then be reviewed by the State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMA) and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). Finally, the Home Ministry will approve the disbursement of funds.
- Each team must include a qualified disaster management professional.
- Projects under NDRF and NDMF should be approved in a way that ensures their completion within the award period of the Commission.
Concerns
- The policy focuses solely on displacement caused by erosion, but there are cases of displacement resulting from the deposition of eroded materials that need to be addressed.
- The policy does not specify how the financial allocation will be determined, whether it will be based on a first-come, first-serve basis or population density.
Way ahead
- The National Centre for Coast Research and other central agencies should conduct detailed hazard assessments and make them available to the State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs).
- The mapping of fallow areas must be carried out to aid in rehabilitation efforts.
- The NDMA should provide these hazard assessments and mapping data in easily accessible GIS formats.
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