UPSC Quiz – 2021 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz 6th November 2021

Solution (c)

Methane is more short-lived in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide but 80 times more potent in warming the earth. Cutting emissions of the gas, which is estimated to have accounted for 30% of global warming since pre-industrial times, is one of the most effective ways of slowing climate change.

World leaders pledge to save forests, cut methane emissions

90 countries join U.S.-EU plan at COP26; India, China, Russia yet to sign up

Among the signatories is Brazil — one of the five biggest emitters of methane, which is generated in cows’ digestive systems, in landfill waste and in oil and gas production. Three others — China, Russia and India — have not signed up, while Australia has said it will not back the pledge.

COP26 aims to keep alive a receding target of capping global warming at 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels to avert still greater damage from heat waves, droughts, floods and coastal damage that climate change is already causing.

Article Link:

https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/world-leaders-pledge-to-save-forests-cut-methane-emissions/article37315717.ece

Solution (c)

The Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 deals with cases of drug offenses. The law restricts the use of narcotics and psychotropic chemicals. The NDPS Act, or the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Act, 1985, is the law that governs these compounds or drugs. The Drugs and Drugs Act of 1985 is another name for this law. Manufacturing, producing, developing, owning, buying, storing, transporting, consuming narcotics is illegal under this law, which was approved by Parliament in 1985. 

The Act extends to the whole of India and it applies also to all Indian citizens outside India and to all persons on ships and aircraft registered in India.

Cannabis and its derivatives (marijuana, hashish/charas and bhang) were legally sold in India until 1985

Article Link:

https://krishijagran.com/agripedia/ganja-cultivation-know-who-how-when-one-can-cultivate-it/

https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tribals-resist-destruction-of-ganja-crop/article37315713.ece

Solution (b)

Green Crackers are not “completely free but are significantly less pollutive”, as compared to regular firecrackers.

Their efficacies are determined by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and as of today, green crackers can only reduce emissions by up to 30% in comparison to regular ones. They are not a dependable and safer replacement to regular firecrackers, but they are only a low-emission and less harmful alternative. Green crackers use alternative, yet harmful chemicals like potassium nitrate and aluminium instead of magnesium and barium, and carbon instead of arsenic and other harmful pollutants,

Regular crackers emit anywhere between 160 decibels to even 200 decibels while green crackers are restricted to about 100-130 decibels,

Green crackers don’t solve any purpose because they too emit fine particle matter in the air.

Green crackers are branded differently with a ‘Green fireworks’ logo along with a QR code.

The logo will carry a ‘CSIR NEERI INDIA’ certificate and a certificate number.

Article Link:

https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/the-curious-case-of-green-crackers/article37332230.ece

Solution (a)

India launches Infrastructure for the Resilient Island States (IRIS)

The new initiative is the result of cooperation between India, the U.K. and Australia and included the participation of leaders of small island nations such as Fiji, Jamaica and Mauritius.

India launched an ambitious initiative for developing the infrastructure of small island nations, which will give a new hope, a new confidence and satisfaction of doing something for the most vulnerable countries facing the biggest threat from climate change.

The Small Island Developing States or SIDS faces the biggest threat from climate change.

To mitigate this, India’s space agency ISRO will build a special data window for them to provide them timely information about cyclones, coral-reef monitoring, coast-line monitoring etc. through satellite.

IRIS will be a part of the India-UK Coalition for Disaster Resilient infrastructure (CDRI).

The IRIS initiative is a part of the CDRI that would focus on building capacity, having pilot projects, especially in small island developing states.

Article Link:

https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/india-to-help-countries-prone-to-climate-change/article37315653.ece

Solution (c)

What is Green Grids Initiative – One Sun One World One Grid (GGI-OSOWOG) Initiative?

With sustainable development and climate change mitigation at the heart of the Green Grids Initiative – One Sun One World One Grid (GGI-OSOWOG) initiative, the (GGI-OSOWOG) initiative can aid in developing a common and strong global grid. The GGI-OSOWOG initiative is being developed by India, UK jointly in collaboration with the World Bank and India’s International Solar Alliance (ISA).

The launch was followed by the One Sun declaration which has been endorsed by 83 ISA member countries. India is a member of the CGI-OSOWOG Steering Committee along with four countries namely the UK, the US, France, and Australia.

‘One Sun One World One Grid’ will aid in developing a worldwide grid through which clean energy can be transmitted anywhere, anytime.

‘One Sun One World One Grid’ will help in reducing storage needs and also enhancing the viability of solar projects. The OSOWOG initiative will aid in reducing carbon footprints and energy costs. It will launch new avenues for cooperation between different countries and regions.

Article Link:

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/renewables/worlds-first-partnership-for-transnational-solar-power-grid-launched-in-glasgow/articleshow/87493863.cms?from=mdr

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/modi-boris-johnson-launch-global-solar-grid-initiative/article37312605.ece