Current Affairs – October 10, 2024

{GS1 – Geo – EG – Water Resources} State of Global Water Resources Report **

• Context (DTE): The State of Global Water Resources Report by World Meteorological Organization (WMO) highlighted that 2023 was the driest year for global rivers.

Contributing factors

• Growing water demand: The report showed a growing trend in agricultural and industrial demand further strained river systems, exacerbating low water levels.
• Rising trend in dry areas: The report showed a rising trend in dry areas over time, with 2023 being the driest year in the last three decades, followed by 2021 and 2015. Example: In Argentina, this caused a 3% loss in GDP, and the water levels in the Amazon and Lake Titicaca reached record lows.
• Transition from La Niña to El Niño: The transition from La Niña (2022-2023) to El Niño (2023) appears to have been a key climatic driver in this record-breaking dry and warm situation.
• Glacier Impact: 2023 was the second consecutive year in which “glaciers suffered the largest mass loss ever registered in 50 years.
• Groundwater Levels: In 2023, average groundwater levels were much below average in 19% of monitored wells. Example: Western and Southern Australia were regions where average groundwater levels were below or much below average in many wells.
• Below-average inflows: Rising trends in the construction of dams and reservoirs reduce the average river inflows. For example, the Murray-Darling River in Australia and the Mackenzie River in North America recorded below-average inflows.

Role of Climate Change

• Soil Moisture: Due to excess heat, soil moisture in 2023 was predominantly below or much below average across large areas globally throughout the year. Almost all of North America, South America, North Africa, and West Asia experienced much below-average soil moisture levels.
• Water Scarcity: According to UN Water, 3.6 billion people face inadequate access to water for at least one month every year, which is expected to rise to more than five billion by 2050.
• Glacial Retreat: As glaciers retreat due to rising temperatures, initial increases in river flow can occur, but long-term reductions are likely as glaciers diminish, impacting water supply downstream.
• Altered Precipitation Patterns: Climate change leads to shifts in rainfall distribution, with some regions experiencing increased rainfall and others facing droughts. Example: Erratic Monsoon in India.

Way forward

• Education and Awareness: For example, in California, the “Save Our Water” campaign successfully raised awareness about the importance of water conservation and contributed to a 25% reduction in urban water use during the 2014–2016 drought.
• Efficient Water Use: Cities like Seattle have promoted the adoption of low-flow fixtures, such as toilets and showerheads. The city’s “Water Smart” program offers rebates for these installations.
• Rainwater Harvesting: For Example, Rajasthan has implemented extensive rainwater harvesting systems for residential and commercial buildings, providing water for irrigation and non-potable uses.
• Wastewater Recycling: Singapore has invested heavily in its NEWater program, which treats and reuses wastewater for industrial and potable uses.
• Sustainable Agriculture Practices: Israel is an example where drip irrigation technology has transformed agriculture in arid regions, allowing farmers to optimise water use.
• Conservation Policies: For example, the EU’s Water Framework Directive promotes sustainable water use across member states and encourages integrated water management.
• Community Engagement: For example, the “One Water” initiative in various U.S. cities engages local communities in water conservation efforts, such as tree planting and watershed cleanups.
• Habitat Restoration: For example, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers estimates that restored wetlands can retain up to 3.5 million acre-feet of water, significantly benefiting regional water supply.
• Integrated watershed management: For example, the World Bank’s watershed management projects in Karnataka are leading examples of integrated watershed management in arid zones.

{GS2 – IR – Groupings} India’s Contribution to WHO

• Context (TH): Recently India pledges $250 million for traditional medicine centre; part of $300 million contribution to WHO for 2025-2028.

• India is the biggest contributor in Southeast Asia, and sixth largest global contributor to WHO.
• The majority of India’s financing goes toward the Center of Excellence for Traditional Medicine.

Global Centre on Traditional Medicines

• Traditional medicine is often contrasted with Evidence based medicine. In some Asian and African countries, up to 80% of the population relies on traditional medicine for their primary health care needs.
• The 2018 Declaration of Astana on primary health care acknowledges the need to include traditional medicine knowledge and technologies in the delivery of primary health care.
• In 2023, India signed a five-year agreement to assist WHO’s Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine (TCI) unit. Global Centre on Traditional Medicines in Jamnagar, Gujarat, established by the WHO, is the first and largest traditional medicine outpost in any developing country.

{GS2 – IR – Groupings} Universal Postal Union (UPU)

• Context (PIB): The Department of Posts released Commemorative Stamps Celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the Universal Postal Union.

About Universal Postal Union (UPU)

• It was established by the Treaty of Bern in 1874 and is the second-oldest international organisation in the world. India joined the UPU in 1876.
• It is a specialised agency of the UN that coordinates postal policies among member countries and manages the global postal system.
• Headquarters: Bern, Switzerland.
• Member Countries: 192.
• Any UN member country can become a member of the UPU. Non-UN member countries can join if at least two-thirds approve their request of the UPU member countries.

{GS2 – Vulnerable Sections – Women} Green Glass Ceiling **

• Context (DTE): The International Monetary Fund (IMF) report reveals the underrepresentation of women in sustainable job sectors forcing them to remain in more polluting industries.

• Green glass ceiling refers to the barriers preventing women from accessing jobs in sustainable sectors, such as renewable energy and sustainable agriculture, despite the growing opportunities in these fields.

Key findings of the Report

• Underrepresentation: Women hold only one-third of global green jobs.
• STEM Education Gap limits their access to green roles.
• Geographic Disparities: Countries like Brazil, Colombia, and South Africa exhibit significant gender gaps in STEM education, affecting green job representation.
• Polluting Jobs: Many women remain in less healthy, lower-paying polluting industries, with 10.7% employed in these sectors in low-income countries compared to 8.6% of men.
• Green Premium: Green jobs offer a wage premium of 7% for men and 12% for women, indicating higher demand for skilled workers.
• Narrower Gender Pay Gap: The gender pay gap in green jobs is 30% narrower than in other sectors, highlighting their potential to improve gender pay equality.

Read more > Glass ceiling effect.

{GS3 – Envi – Conservation} New Sedimentary Rock Made from Slag

• Context (TH): A new type of sedimentary rock made from steel slag is highly effective in trapping carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere.

What is Slag?

• Slag is a by-product of metal smelting (e.g. steel production), primarily composed of silicates & oxides.
• Uses: Historically, it has been used in road construction, cement production, and as an aggregate material. However, these uses don’t capitalise on its carbon-trapping properties.

Mineral Carbonation Process

• When exposed to CO2, the slag-based rock undergoes a reaction where the carbon is stored in mineral form, effectively locking it away from the atmosphere.
• Mimicking Natural Rock Formation: Nature’s process of trapping carbon in rocks takes millions of years. This new method accelerates the process of capturing carbon much more efficiently.

{GS3 – Envi – Hazardous Waste} Waste-to-Energy for Sustainable Growth

• Context (IE|SD|TW): India’s urban centres struggle with waste management (only 38% of dumped waste is remediated), highlighted by the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) Urban 2.0.

• Waste-to-Energy (WTE) technologies present a crucial solution for this waste mismanagement.

Advantages of Waste-to-Energy (WTE) technologies

• Sustainable Waste Management: Reduction of Landfill Use Decreases waste volume in landfills, addressing land scarcity and pollution.
• Energy Generation: Renewable Energy Source Transforms waste into electricity and heat. For example, as of May 2023, India’s WTE capacity is 554 MW, highlighting energy potential.
• Alignment with SDGs: Enhancing energy sources and urban waste management supports SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).
• Environmental Benefits: Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions by diverting organic waste from landfills and using technologies like anaerobic digestion to minimise harmful emissions.
• Resource Recovery and Circular Economy: This enables energy recovery from waste and supports recycling. For example, biogas production from organic waste yields energy and nutrient-rich fertiliser.
• Job Creation and Economic Growth: Creates jobs in engineering, construction, and management and Attracts investments, fostering growth in the renewable energy sector.

Challenges of Waste-to-Energy (WTE) technologies

• Administrative and Regulatory Hurdles: Prolonged administrative processes hinder the timely establishment of WTE plants. The proposed Bandhwari plant in Gurugram faced significant opposition and delays in approval, reflecting broader bureaucratic challenges.
• Quality and Heterogeneity of Waste: The presence of mixed and unsegregated waste increases the complexity and cost of processing.
• Limited Installed Capacity: As of May 2023, India’s WTE capacity was only 554 MW, accounting for just 0.1% of the country’s total energy generation.
• Community Resistance: Many proposed WTE projects face local opposition due to health, pollution, and land use concerns.
• Financial Viability: The need for advanced technologies and extensive waste pre-treatment.
• Technological Limitations and infrastructure that may not be readily available in all regions.
• Emissions and Pollution: Although WTE technologies aim to reduce landfill use, concerns about air pollution from incineration and other processes persist.

Government Initiatives for Harnessing Waste-to-Energy in India

• Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM): Launched in 2014 to improve solid waste management.
• National Biofuel Policy (2022): This policy promotes biofuels, including biogas and bio-CNG, from organic waste. By utilising waste sources, it aims to achieve a 20% blending of ethanol in petrol by 2025.
• Solid Waste Management Rules (2016): Guidelines for waste segregation and treatment promote waste-to-energy as a viable method.
• Waste-to-Energy Policy Draft (2023): Aims to create a comprehensive framework for developing waste-to-energy plants nationwide.

Way Forward

• Streamline the existing regulatory framework to simplify the approval processes for WTE projects, minimising administrative delays. For example, Denmark model with clear guidelines and streamlined permissions has accelerated the deployment of WTE facilities.
• Enhancing Waste Segregation at Source, thereby improving the feedstock quality for WTE plants. For example, Japan’s “Zero Waste” initiative aims to boost recycling through community engagement.
• Investing in Technology and Infrastructure: Invest in cutting-edge WTE technologies, such as anaerobic digestion and gasification, to optimise energy recovery from waste.
• Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): Foster PPPs to leverage private investment and expertise in establishing WTE facilities.
• Pilot Projects and Research Initiatives to showcase the viability of WTE technologies and build public trust. E.g. The pilot WTE plant in Pune.
• Addressing Financial Viability to encourage investment in WTE technologies. For example, Germany’s feed-in tariff system, including WTE, has successfully incentivised renewable energy generation.
• Fostering Community Engagement: Encourage local communities to participate in the planning and operating of WTE plants, addressing concerns and building acceptance.

Read more> Delhi’s Solid Waste Management (SWM).

{GS3 – IE – Industry} Textile Industry of India

• Context (TH|IE): The Indian textile industry, targeting $350 billion by 2030, faces challenges like reduced demand and high raw material costs, resulting in significant mill closures and export slumps.

Significance of Textile Industry

• Economic Contribution: The Indian textile and apparel industry was valued at approximately $153 billion in 2021, contributing around 2.3% to GDP and 10.6% to total manufacturing GVA in FY23.
• Employment Generation: The sector employs about 105 million people directly and indirectly.
• Export Performance: India ranked as the third-largest textile exporter globally (5.4% market share).
• Diverse Value Chain: India has a robust manufacturing capability across the entire textile value chain, from raw material production to finished garments.
• Global Positioning: With the second-largest manufacturing capacity, India has the potential to be a leader in the global textile market, enhancing its trade balance.

Challenges of Textile Industry

• Slump in Demand: A significant slowdown in demand began in FY23, leading to a 40% drop in business.
• Mill Closures: Nearly 500 textile mills in Tamil Nadu closed in the last two years due to reduced demand, impacting local economies.
• Geopolitical and Economic Factors: Global geopolitical developments and high raw material prices for cotton and Man-Made Fibres (MMF) have negatively affected exports.
• Import Duty Issues: The 10% import duty on cotton has made Indian cotton more expensive than international prices, hindering competitiveness.
• Market Disruption: The rise of e-commerce and changing consumer preferences toward comfort wear and sustainability have disrupted traditional retail systems.

Government Initiatives

• Amended Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (ATUFS) Provides financial incentives for technology upgrades to enhance production capabilities and create jobs.
• Scheme for Integrated Textile Parks (SITP) Develops world-class infrastructure in textile clusters, improving industry competitiveness and efficiency.
• Power-Tex India Strengthens the power loom sector through technology upgrades and subsidies for modernization and market expansion.
• Silk Samagra Scheme Promotes silk production and quality through support for R&D, seed production, and market promotion.
• PM-MITRA (Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel Parks) Creates integrated textile parks with world-class infrastructure to attract investments and boost exports.

Way Forward

• Policy Interventions: Remove or reduce the import duty on cotton during off-season months to stabilize raw material prices, enhancing cost competitiveness.
• Investment in Technology: Invest in modern technologies to enhance production efficiency and reduce waste. The industry aims for a $100 billion investment by 2030 to modernize infrastructure.
• Skilling and Workforce Development: Upskill the workforce to meet evolving global market demands.

  E.g. Initiatives like the SAMARTH Scheme target training 1 million individuals.

• Sustainability Initiatives: Increased global focus on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria necessitates alignment by Indian manufacturers.
• Market Diversification to reduce dependency on traditional markets.
• Adapt to Market Changes: Respond to changing consumer preferences for comfortable clothing and enhance e-commerce capabilities.
• Collaboration Between Stakeholders: Public-private partnerships can facilitate technology transfer and investment, strengthening the overall textile ecosystem.

Read more > Textile sector towards the Green Path.

{GS3 – Infra – Initiatives} National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC)

• Context (PIB): The Cabinet approved the development of the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) in Lothal, Gujarat.

About National Maritime Heritage Complex

• Objective: To use the latest technology to showcase India’s maritime heritage from ancient to modern times through an edutainment approach.
• Will be developed by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, & Waterways under the Sagarmala Programme.
• Global Significance: Set to become the world’s largest maritime museum complex and a leading international tourist destination.
• Funding: Developed with contributions from public and private institutes, organisations, and corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives.

Features

• A recreation of the historic site of Lothal.
• Four theme parks: Memorial, Maritime and Navy, Climate, and Adventure & Amusement.
• A Coastal States Pavilion will showcase the maritime heritage of India’s coastal states.
• Light House Museum by the Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships (DGLL).

{GS3 – S&T – Space} Europa Clipper mission

• Context (TH): NASA is set to launch the Europa Clipper mission to explore Jupiter’s moon Europa, one of the most promising places to find habitable conditions beyond Earth.

• It involves placing a spacecraft in orbit around Jupiter to conduct a detailed investigation of Europa.
• Europa shows strong evidence of having an ocean of liquid water beneath its icy crust.
• Europa Clipper is the largest spacecraft NASA has ever developed for a planetary mission. The spacecraft will orbit Jupiter and conduct 49 close flybys of Europa to collect data.

{Prelims – Awards} Nobel Prize 2024 Chemistry

• Context (TH): The Nobel Prize in Chemistry for 2024 was awarded, with one half to David Baker “for computational protein design” and the other half jointly to Demis Hassabis and John M. Jumper “for protein structure prediction.”

• Demis Hassabis & John Jumper’s Work: Their collaboration at DeepMind resulted in the development of AlphaFold2, an AI tool that accurately predicts 3D protein structures from amino acid sequences.
• AlphaFold2 is extensively used to address issues such as antibiotic resistance and plastic degradation.

Read More > AlphaFold.

{Prelims – In News} Indian Telecom Services Performance Indicator Report

• Context (PIB): Recently, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) Released quarterly the Indian Telecom Services Performance Indicator Report for April 2024 to June 2024.

• Objective: Provide an in-depth analysis of telecom services performance, which is crucial for policy planning and industry evaluation.

Key Areas Covered

• Comprehensive Data: Covers various aspects like internet, wireline, wireless services, value-added services (VAS), and wireless data usage.
• Subscriber Growth: Analyses growth in subscriber base and teledensity.
• Quality of Service (QoS): Tracks performance metrics of telecom service providers.
• Financial Overview: Provides financial and accounting data, focusing on income and usage patterns.
• Data Source: Compiled based on information provided by telecom service providers.

{Prelims – In News} World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA)

• Context (IE): The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) has suspended Delhi Zoo’s membership due to concerns regarding the welfare of its sole African elephant.

About The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA)

• Established in 1935 and serves as the global umbrella organisation for zoos and aquariums worldwide.
• WAZA aims to guide, encourage, and support zoos, aquariums, and like-minded organisations in animal care and welfare, environmental education, and global conservation.
• Membership: It includes leading zoos and aquariums, regional and national Associations of Zoos and Aquariums, and affiliate organisations like zoo veterinarians and educators worldwide.