DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 14th November 2024

• Syllabus:
  • • Mains – GS 3

   

Context: Wind energy generators has obtained a stay from the Madras High Court against “Tamil Nadu Repowering, Refurbishment and Life Extension Policy for Wind Power Projects” released by Tamil Nadu government.

Background: –

• Tamil Nadu, which is a pioneer in wind mill installations, has wind turbines that are over 30 years old. 

Key takeaways

• India has a wind power potential of 1,163.86 GW at 150m above ground level (National Institute of Wind Energy – NIWE).
• At 120m, typical turbine height today, potential is 695.51 GW, with 68.75 GW in Tamil Nadu. Only about 6.5% of this wind potential is used at the national level and nearly 15% in Tamil Nadu.

Installed Capacity:

• India is ranked 4th globally in installed wind capacity.
• Key states: Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Andhra Pradesh, providing 93.37% of the country’s wind installations.
• Tamil Nadu has 10,603.5 MW of installed capacity, the second-highest in India.

How are wind turbines maintained?

• Wind turbines that are more than 15 years old or have less than 2 MW capacity, can be completely replaced with new turbines, which is known as repowering. 
• They can also be refurbished by increasing the height of the turbine, changing the blades, installing a higher capacity gear box, etc., to improve the energy generated.
• When wind energy generators take up safety measures in the old turbines and extend its life, its called life extension.
• The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) released the “National Repowering & Life Extension Policy for Wind Power Projects -2023”. The NIWE estimates the repowering potential to be 25.4 GW if wind turbines of less than 2 MW capacity are taken into consideration.

What does repowering and refurbishing entail?

• Wind energy generators say that when turbines were installed in the 1980s, potential wind sites were mapped and the mandatory gap required between two wind mills were determined based on the technology available then.
• Sources in the industry point out that a 2 MW wind turbine is usually 120 metres high and requires 3.5 acres of land. It can generate upto 65 lakh units of power. A 2.5 MW turbine, which is available now, is 140 metres high and can generate 80 lakh units. It requires five acres. So, when an existing wind turbine is to be repowered by replacing it with a high capacity turbine, more land is required.
• In Tamil Nadu, wind mills installed after 2018 do not have banking facility. When a turbine is repowered, it will be treated as a new installation and the generator cannot bank the energy generated. This impacts the financial viability of the project.

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus:

• Prelims & Mains – CURRENT EVENT

Context: The Union Environment Ministry notified new rules for holding inquiry and imposing penalties for violations of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act.

Background: –

• The new Rules – Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) (Manner of Holding Inquiry and Imposition of Penalty) rules, 2024, will come into effect immediately.

Key takeaways

• The Rules come in the backdrop of the amendments made to the Water Act earlier this year, wherein offences and violations of the Act were decriminalised, replacing them with penalties instead.
• The amendments had also allowed the Centre to appoint officers to adjudicate offences, and violations and determine penalties.
• According to the Rules, the adjudication officer then has powers to issue notice to persons against whom complaints have been filed, detailing the nature of contravention alleged or committed. 
• The adjudication office then considers the explanation provided and if needed, holds an inquiry into the complaint.
• The alleged violator could defend themselves or through a legal representative. The whole process has to be completed within six months from issuance of notice to the opposite party, the Rules state.

Source: Indian Express

Syllabus:

• Prelims & Mains – CURRENT EVENT

Context: The 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) kicked off on November 11 in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan.

Background:

• In the midst of the expectations and demands surrounding various agendas at the ongoing conference, understanding the history of climate governance is crucial. 

Key takeaways

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

• UNFCCC is an international treaty, signed in 1992, that has provided a basis for climate negotiations. 
• UNFCCC was opened for signature on 19 June 1992 at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), also known as the Rio Earth Summit. The Framework Convention entered into force on 21 March 1994. 
• The most remarkable feature of the UNFCCC is that it was a framework convention that provided a base upon which the infrastructure of climate governance has been built.
• It allowed and accommodated an extensive system of rules, mechanisms, processes, multiple actors and systems within it. 
• The ultimate objective of the UNFCCC is to ‘stabilise greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic (human-caused) interference with the climate system’.
• The UNFCCC established foundational principles that guide international climate action. Chief among these principles is “common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities” (CBDR-RC).

Conference of Parties or COP

• Over time, the Framework Convention paved the way for the development of institutions, processes and structures, aimed at enhancing global cooperation, such as the establishment of the Conference of the Parties (COP), which serves as the convention’s governing body. 
• Conference of the Parties or COP is the world’s only multilateral decision-making forum that brings together almost every country on the planet to formulate and implement policy responses to climate change collectively. Currently, there are 198 parties (197 countries plus the European Union) to the UNFCCC. 
• The first COP, held in Berlin, Germany, in 1995, is notable for the Berlin Mandate, which marked a significant step forward. During this meeting, the need for legally binding commitments for developed nations was agreed upon. 

Kyoto Protocol 

• The Berlin Mandate set the groundwork for the adoption of the Kyoto Protocol at the COP3 which took place in Kyoto, Japan, in 1997. 
• The Kyoto Protocol introduced legally binding targets specifically for developed countries, known as Annex I Parties under the UNFCCC, which were given emission target that is the maximum amount of greenhouse gas emissions that a Party may emit over a specified commitment period. 
• The move reinforced the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities (CBDR) that had been introduced in the 1992 UNFCCC.
• In addition, the Kyoto Protocol introduced three mechanisms to facilitate emissions trading between developed and developing countries: International Emissions Trading, the Clean Development Mechanism and the Joint Implementation. 
• The Kyoto Protocol officially came into force on 16 February 2005 after it was ratified by a sufficient number of countries. Any meeting that discusses or builds upon the Kyoto Protocol at the annual COP meetings is known as the Conference of the Parties for the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (CMP). 
• This CMP designation signifies that it specifically pertains to negotiations and agreements under the Kyoto framework rather than the broader UNFCCC.

Source: Indian Express

Syllabus:

• Prelims – CURRENT EVENT

Context: The Indian Navy is set to conduct the the fourth edition of the pan-India Coastal Defence Exercise ‘Sea Vigil-24’ on Nov 20- 21. 

Background: –

• While coastal security exercises are conducted by individual coastal states and maritime security agencies regularly, Exercise Sea Vigil coordinated by the Indian Navy stands out as a national level initiative that provides a holistic appraisal of India’s maritime defence and security capabilities.

Key takeaways

• The exercise was first conceptualized in 2018 in response to the need for enhanced coastal defence following the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.
• Sea Vigil was designed to validate and enhance measures adopted to bolster Coastal Defence
• Encompassing the entire 11,098 km coastline and vast Exclusive Economic Zone of 2.4 million square kilometres, this comprehensive exercise will engage complete coastal security infrastructure and all maritime stakeholders, including the fishing community and coastal populace.
• One of the aims of the exercise is to raise awareness amongst coastal communities about maritime security.

‘Sea Vigil-24’ Overview

• Scheduled for 20 & 21 November 2024 across India’s coastline.
• Scale and Participation: Largest edition yet, covering extensive geographical reach with 06 Ministries and 21 agencies/organizations participating.
• The exercise will focus on strengthening the security of coastal assets like ports, oil rigs, Single Point Moorings, Cable Landing Points and critical coastal infrastructure including the coastal population.

Source: PIB

Syllabus:

• Prelims – SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Context: In recent weeks, doctors have reported cases of “walking pneumonia,” a mild yet persistent lung infection that can mimic symptoms of a common cold.

Background: –

• Unlike typical pneumonia, which can lead to severe lung inflammation and difficulty breathing, walking pneumonia is often less intense.

Key takeaways

• Walking pneumonia is a milder form of pneumonia caused by bacteria, primarily Mycoplasma pneumoniae. It is termed “walking” because patients are often able to carry on with daily activities despite the infection.

Symptoms:

•  It often presents symptoms similar to those of a common cold or mild respiratory infection, including cough, sore throat, low-grade fever, and fatigue.
• Symptoms develop gradually and may last for weeks, making it hard to diagnose immediately.

Cause:

• The primary causative agent is the bacterium Mycoplasma pneumoniae, which lacks a cell wall, making it resistant to antibiotics that target cell wall synthesis (e.g., penicillin).

Transmission:

• Spread via respiratory droplets (coughing or sneezing) and can spread easily in crowded spaces like schools and dormitories.
• Diagnosis: Diagnosed through physical examination, chest X-rays, and sometimes serological tests or PCR to detect the bacteria.
• Treatment: Treated with antibiotics such as macrolides (e.g., azithromycin), doxycycline, or fluoroquinolones.
• Since symptoms are mild, bed rest, hydration, and over-the-counter medications are often recommended to manage symptoms.
• Although typically not life-threatening, walking pneumonia can lead to complications in the immunocompromised or elderly if untreated.

Source: India Today

Q1.) Consider the following statements regarding Walking Pneumonia:

1. Walking pneumonia is typically a severe respiratory infection caused by viruses.
2. The primary causative agent is Mycoplasma pneumoniae, which is resistant to antibiotics that target cell wall synthesis.
3. Walking pneumonia spreads through respiratory droplets and can spread easily in  crowded places like schools and dormitories.
4. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2, and 3

Q2.) With reference to Exercise Sea Vigil, consider the following statements:

1. Exercise Sea Vigil is a coastal defence exercise conducted by each individual coastal state in India.
2. Sea Vigil was conceptualized in response to the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks and provides a holistic appraisal of India’s maritime security capabilities.
3. The upcoming Sea Vigil-24 exercise includes participation from multiple ministries, agencies, and organizations across India.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2, and 3

Q3.) Consider the following statements regarding the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC):

1. The UNFCCC entered into force on 21 March 1994. 
2. The ultimate objective of the UNFCCC is to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations at levels that prevent dangerous human-caused interference with the climate system.
3. The Kyoto Protocol, which established legally binding emission targets for both developed and developing nations, was adopted at COP4.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2, and 3

Comment the answers to the above questions in the comment section below!!

ANSWERS FOR ’  Today’s – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs

Q.1) – b

Q.2) – c

Q.3) – b