Weekly Current Affairs: Quizzes, 25 to 30 December, 2023

EXPLANATION:

Paris Agreement on Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA): COP 28 was guided by Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) agreed upon in Paris Agreement:

1. The GGA is a collective commitment under Article 7.1 of the Paris Agreement aimed at “enhancing the world’s adaptive capacity and reducing vulnerability to climate change.
2. It was proposed by the African Group of Negotiators (AGN) in 2013 and established in 2015.
3. GGA serve as a unifying framework that can drive political action and finance for adaptation on the same scale as mitigation.
4. After years of slow progress, Countries agreed at COP26 in 2021 to establish and launch a 2-year initiative to further define the GGA, called the Glasgow–Sharm el-Sheikh work program (GlaSS). Thus, option B is correct.
5. GGA sets following Targets for countries: 
6. By 2030, all parties shall conduct assessments of climate hazards, climate change impacts and exposure to risks and vulnerabilities.
7. Parties shall use these assessments to inform their formulation of National adaptation plans & policies.
8. By 2027, all the Parties have to establish multi hazard Early warning systems (EWS) for risk reduction and systematic observation to support improved climate related information and services.

EXPLANATION: 

LA NINA: As per State of Global Climate Report 2022 by WMO: Global temperature is 1.2° C above 1850-1900 average and 2023-27 will be the warmest years on record despite "Triple Dip" La Nina. La Nina means the Little Girl in Spanish meaning  "a cold event."

• La Nina events represent periods of below-average Sea surface temperatures (SST) across the east-central Equatorial Pacific: indicated by SST decreased by more than 0.9℉ for at least five successive three-month seasons.
• La Nina event is observed when the water temperature in the Eastern Pacific gets comparatively colder than normal, as a consequence of which, there is a strong high pressure over the eastern equatorial Pacific: This results in decreased cloud production and rainfall in that region. Thus, statement 1 is incorrect.
  • Thus Drier-than-normal conditions are observed along the West coast of tropical South America, the Gulf Coast of the United States, and the pampas region of southern South America.
• However in Western Pacific: There exists a low-pressure zone contributing to increased rainfall.
• IMPACT OF LA NINA ON WORLD: 
  • Europe: In Europe, La Nina tends to lead to milder winters in Northern Europe (especially UK) and colder winters in southern/western Europe leading to snow in the Mediterranean region.
  • North America: Stronger winds along the equatorial region, especially in the Pacific, provide favorable conditions for hurricanes in the Caribbean and central Atlantic area.
  • South America: La Nina causes drought in the South American countries of Peru and Ecuador. However, It usually has a positive impact on the fishing industry of western South America.
  • Western Pacific: In the western Pacific, La Nina increases the potential for cyclone landfall &  also leads to heavy floods in Australia.
• IMPACT OF LA NINA ON INDIA:
  • In the ‘La Nina year’, rainfall associated with the summer monsoon in Southeast Asia tends to be greater than normal, especially in northwest India and Bangladesh: This generally benefits the Indian economy, which depends on the monsoon for agriculture and industry.
  • It usually brings in colder than normal winters in India.
  • La Nina influences the Indian subcontinent by piping in cold air from Siberia and South China, which interacts with the tropical heating to produce a north-south low-pressure system.

• Thus, statement 2, 3 and 4 are correct.

EXPLANATION: 

1. Global Stocktake: As per the Paris Agreement 2015, it was decided that countries would assess their progress for the first time in 2023 and, then, every 5 years.  Thus released Global Stocktake (GST) Report adopted 8 steps to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees C including: 
   1. Tripling renewable energy capacity by 2030 to at least 11,000 GW by 2030
   2. Collectively double the global energy efficiency improvements from around 2% to over 4% every year until 2030.
   3. Phase-down of unabated coal power
   4. Transitioning away from fossil fuels in energy systems, in orderly and equitable manner, so as to achieve Net zero by 2050
   5. Accelerating Zero and low emissions technologies e.g., Nuclear, CCUS, Hydrogen
   6. Reducing non-CO2 emissions e.g., methane emissions globally by 2030
   7. Emissions reductions from road transport
   8. Phasing out of inefficient fossil fuel subsidies
      The text maintains continuity with COP26, balancing global aspirations while recognizing diverse energy needs.
2. Powering Past Coal Alliance (PPCA): PPCA, a coalition involving governments, businesses, and organizations, focuses on transitioning from unabated coal power to clean energy.
   1. NOTE: India is not part of PPCA as it has not committed to phasing out of coal.
   2. India highlights the necessity of using coal for developmental needs and emphasizes adherence to nationally determined contributions (NDCs).
3. Coalition for High Ambition Multilevel Partnership (CHAMP): 65 national governments signed commitments for enhanced cooperation with subnational governments in climate strategies.

•  Thus, option C is correct.

EXPLANATION: 

INITIATIVES TAKEN BY INDIA IN COP 28: 

1. Global River Cities Alliance (GRCA): It was launched at COP 28, led by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India.
   1. The GRCA is a unique alliance covering 275+ global river-cities in 11 countries.
   2. Partner countries include Egypt, Netherlands, Denmark, Ghana, Australia, Bhutan, Cambodia, Japan and river-cities of The Hague (Den Haag) from the Netherlands, Adelaide from Australia, and Szolnok of Hungary.
   3. GRCA highlights India's role in sustainable river-centric development and climate resilience.
2. Green Credit Initiative:
   1. India launched the Green Credit Initiative at COP28, to create a participatory global platform for exchange of innovative environmental programs and instruments.
   2. There are two main priorities of the initiative are water conservation and afforestation.
   3. The main purpose of this initiative is to boost voluntary environmental activities like tree plantation, water conservation, sustainable agriculture, and waste management by incentivizing it for big corporations and private companies, bringing about a change in the climate issues faced by the countr. Thus, option C is correct.

EXPLANATION:

Operation Prosperity Guardian:

• It is an initiative launched by USA to protect Red Sea commerce.
• This follows missile and drone attacks by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis:
• The Houthis are a large clan belonging to the Zaidi Shia sect, with roots in Yemen’s northwestern Saada province.
• The Houthi movement, officially called Ansar Allah (Supporters of God), began in the 1990s against the dictatorship of Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh.
• Today, the Houthis are one faction in a bloody civil war that has raged in Yemen since 2014.
• The Houthis, backed by Iran, are a part of what Iran calls, “The Axis of Resistance” : an informal anti-Israel and anti-West political and military coalition that it leads.
• Other notable groups in the Axis include Hezbollah and Hamas.
• In Yemen, the Houthis are fighting against the Sunni-led internationally recognized Yemeni government, backed by Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
• Countries Involved: The U.K., Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles, and Spain are participating.
• Joint Patrols: These nations will conduct joint patrols in the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden
• Thus, option B is correct.

NOTE: India is NOT a member of alliance. Recently Japanese owned & Liberia flagged merchant Vessel Chem Pluto with 21 crew members (20 Indians & 1 Vietnamese national) sailing from UAE to New Mangalore port (India) faced drone attack by Iran backed Houthi militants in the Red Sea region, just outside Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The attack took place around 217 nautical miles from the Porbandar coast in the Arabian Sea.

EXPLANATION:

• The India and Russia ties have been a longstanding relation since 1971 when Russia supported India in Liberation war of Bangladesh against pressure of Nuclear warfare by USA:
• India-Russia signed the Indo-Soviet Treaty of Friendship & Cooperation on 9th August 1971: It was the first political treaty India made with another nation.
• It acted as a turning point in India’s traditional Non-aligned policy so vigorously enunciated at Bandung in 1955.
• India further signed the  “Declaration on the India-Russia Strategic Partnership” in 2000.
• Political engagement has seen further highs with the current Government. For example: In 2019, President Putin signed the Executive Order on awarding PM Narendra Modi Russia’s highest state decoration – The order of St Andrew the Apostle.
• JOINT PROJECTS BY INDIA & RUSSIA:
• Indian Navy’s first submarine, ‘Foxtrot Class’ came from Russia
• INS Vikramaditya, the sole aircraft carrier operated by India, is also Russian in origin.
• The joint military programmes between India and Russia include: BrahMos cruise missile programme, 5th generation fighter jet programme, Sukhoi Su-30MKI programme, Ilyushin/HAL Tactical Transport Aircraft & KA-226T twin-engine utility helicopters.
• Russia is an important partner for India in the area of peaceful use of nuclear energy:
• Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP) is being built in India .
• Both India and Russia are implementing Rooppur Nuclear Power Project in Bangladesh.
• Thus, option B is correct.

EXPLANATION: 

1. Recently, the Prime Minister (PM) of India attended the 20th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-India Summit and the 18th East Asia Summit (EAS) in Jakarta, Indonesia.
2. ASEAN was established on 8 August 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand, with the signing of Bangkok Declaration by the 5 Founding Fathers of ASEAN: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand (IMPST). 
3. ASEAN currently comprise of 10 countries: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
4. Chairmanship rotates annually, based on the alphabetical order of the English names of Member States.
5. By aligning India’s Act East Policy with the U.S. Pivot to Asia, India seeks to expand its geo-strategic space to contend with China’s growing assertiveness and foster balanced relations.
6. India signed an FTA with ASEAN (its 4th largest trading partner), known as the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA), on 13th August, 2009 followed by an FTA in Services and investments in 2014.
7. Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP): RCEP is the world's largest trading bloc comprising 33% of Global Population & 30% of World's GDP.
   1. The RCEP negotiations began in 2012. It was officially signed in November 2020, marking a major milestone in regional trade.
   2. 15 member countries include ASEAN countries & 5 Associate states: China, Japan, South Korea, Australia & New Zealand. 
   3. The RCEP negotiation includes trade in goods, services, investment, economic and technical cooperation, intellectual property, competition, dispute settlement, e-commerce, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and other issues.
   4. It majorly aims to reduce or eliminate tariffs and non-tariff barriers to trade.
   5. India was a founding member of the RCEP, However In 2019, India decided to withdraw from the RCEP negotiations. Thus, option B is correct.

EXPLANATION: 

1. Recently, The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has ordered a complete stoppage of mining operations in the Son riverbed located in Sonbhadra district, Uttar Pradesh. 
2. The Son River, also known as the Sone River, is a perennial river flowing through 4 states: Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar.
3.  It is the second-largest southern tributary of the Ganges River, following the Yamuna River
4. The river originates near Amarkantak Hill in Chhattisgarh and eventually merges with the Ganges River near Patna in Bihar. 
5. Son forms a series of waterfalls at the edge of Amarkantak plateau. 
6. The Son River is fed by several tributaries, including Ghaghar, Johilla, Chhoti Mahanadi, Banas, Gopad, Rihand, Kanhar, and North Koel River.
7. It is associated with prominent dams and hydroelectric projects, such as the Bansagar Dam located in Madhya Pradesh. 
8. The Rihand Dam near Pipri in Uttar Pradesh is also situated on the Rihand River, a tributary of the Son River. 
9. Additionally, the Koilwar Bridge, constructed in 1862, is India's oldest river bridge, connecting Arrah with Patna and spans across the Son River. 

• Thus, option B is correct.

EXPLANATION: 

1. State List in the 7th Schedule to the Constitution of India mandates the State government to own the minerals located within their boundaries.
2. Similarly, Central List in the 7th Schedule mandates the Central government to own the minerals within the Exclusive Economic zone of India (EEZ).
3. In pursuance to this Mines & Minerals (Development and Regulation) (MMDR) Act of 1957 was framed.
4. Sand mining is classified as a minor mineral under The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulations) Act, 1957 for which the absolute powers for deciding on procedures of seeking applications for and granting mineral concessions, fixing rates of royalty, dead rent, and power to revise orders rest only with the State Government.
   1. Example of other Minor minerals include building stones, gravel, ordinary clay, ordinary sand.
5. For minerals specified in the First Schedule to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 approval of the Central Government is necessary.
   1. First Schedule contains minerals such as coal and lignite, minerals of the “rare earths” group containing Uranium and Thorium.

• Thus, option A is correct.

EXPLANATION: 

NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL (NGT): 

1. NGT is a Statutory body created under the National Green Tribunal Act (2010) for effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental protection and conservation of forests and other natural resources.
2. With the establishment of the NGT, India became the third country in the world to set up a specialized environmental tribunal, only after Australia and New Zealand, and the first developing country to do so.
3. For fast justice delivery: NGT is mandated to make disposal of applications or appeals finally within 6 months of filing of the same.
4. The NGT has 5 places of sittings: New Delhi is the principal place of sitting and Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata and Chennai are the other four.
5. The Tribunal comprises of the Chairperson, the Judicial Members and Expert Members which hold office for term of 3 years or till the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier and are not eligible for reappointment.
   1. There are to be least 10 and maximum 20 full time Judicial members and Expert Members in the tribunal.
6. The Chairperson is appointed by the Central Government in consultation with Chief Justice of India (CJI).
7. Tribunal has jurisdiction over all civil cases involving substantial question relating to environment including enforcement of any legal right relating to environment.
8. In October 2021, the Supreme Court declared the National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) position as a “unique” forum endowed with Suo motu (on its own motion) powers to take up environmental issues across the country.

• Thus, option A is correct.