[ Day 36 – Synopsis ] 75 Days Mains Revision Plan 2023 – Environment & Ethics

Environment

Q1. Elaborate on India’s plan to in adopting “green hydrogen” technology as part of its clean energy transition? What technological impediments are hindering India in achieving it. (10M)

Introduction

India has formulated plans to adopt “green hydrogen” technology as a crucial component of its clean energy transition. Green hydrogen, produced using renewable energy sources like solar and wind through water electrolysis, has the potential to decarbonize various sectors and provide a sustainable and clean energy solution.

Body:

India’s plan to in adopting “green hydrogen” technology as part of its clean energy transition:

• National Hydrogen Mission which aims to increase production to 5 million metric tonnes (MMT) by 2030 to meet about 40 percent of domestic requirements.
• The centre is considering a proposal to introduce a Rs 15,000-crore Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for electrolysers.
• Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition Programme (SIGHT): It will fund the domestic manufacturing of electrolysers and produce green hydrogen.
• Green Hydrogen Hubs: States and regions capable of supporting large scale production and/or utilization of hydrogen will be identified and developed as Green Hydrogen Hubs.
• Aim: Production of 5 MMT (million metric tonne) per annum with an associated renewable energy capacity addition of about 125 GW (giga watt) by 2030.
• International Collaboration: India is actively engaging in collaborations with other countries, research institutions, and private entities to leverage global expertise and accelerate the development of green hydrogen technologies.
• Integration with Renewable Energy: Given India’s significant potential for renewable energy generation, the country aims to integrate green hydrogen production with its growing renewable energy capacity, enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of both sectors.

Technological impediments:

• Energy inefficient → 30% of renewable energy is lost while producing hydrogen.
• Indirectly contributes to global warming → when it reacts with hydroxyl radicals (responsible for breaking down and eliminating methane – a potent GHG) → could lead to delayed climate action.
• Large-scale production requires vast amounts of land, water and renewable energy, which could lead to human rights violations and energy poverty.
• High Costs and Lack of Supporting Infrastructure: Fuel cells which convert hydrogen fuel to usable energy for cars,are still expensive.
• Economic Sustainability: One of the biggest challenges faced by the industry for using hydrogen commercially is the economic sustainability of extracting green hydrogen.
  • For transportation fuel cells, hydrogen must be cost-competitive with conventional fuels and technologies on a per-mile basis.
• Access to critical minerals such as nickel, platinum group metals and rare earth metals such as lanthanum, yttrium and zirconium could hinder scaling up electrolyser manufacturing capability in India.
  • India also has limited processing capabilities in these minerals.

Way Forward

• Set a national target for green hydrogen and electrolyser capacity: A phased manufacturing programme should be used to build a vibrant hydrogen products export industry in India such as green steel (commercial hydrogen steel plant).
• Implement complementary solutions that create virtuous cycles: For example, hydrogen infrastructure can be set up for refueling, heating and generating electricity at airports.
• Decentralized Production: Decentralized hydrogen production must be promoted through open access of renewable power to an electrolyser (which splits water to form H2 and O2 using electricity).
• Providing Finance: Policymakers must facilitate investments in early-stage piloting and the research and development needed to advance the technology for use in India.

Conclusion

Green hydrogen will be a critical industrial fuel of the 21st century. India is well-positioned to show leadership, which is in India’s and the planet’s collective interest.

Q2. What are the anticipated scientific goals of the upcoming Chandrayaan-3 mission. Discuss the broader technological and geopolitical dimensions of a mission to moon. (15M)

Introduction

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), began the launch of the Chandrayaan-3 lunar mission to explore the Moon on July 14, 2023, by making a soft landing on the natural satellite of Earth. Building upon the success of its predecessors, Chandrayaan-1 and Chandrayaan-2, the third lunar mission is set to push the boundaries of space discovery and innovation.

Body:

Anticipated scientific goals of the upcoming Chandrayaan-3 mission: According to ISRO, the Chandrayaan-3 mission has three major objectives:

• Demonstrate safe and soft landing on the surface of the Moon,
• Conduct rover operations on the Moon, and
• Conduct on-site experiments on the Lunar surface.

Broader technological and geopolitical dimensions of a mission to moon:

• Indigenous Technological Capability: The Chandrayaan 3 have demonstrated India’s indigenous technological capabilities in space exploration.
  • These missions involved the development of advanced technologies in areas such as spacecraft design, propulsion systems, lunar lander, rover, and scientific instruments.
• Low cost space mission: showcased India’s ability to conduct cost-effective space missions. By optimizing resources and relying on domestic technologies, India has achieved significant milestones in space exploration at relatively lower costs compared to other space agencies. E.g. cost 6.1bn rupees ($75m; £58m)
• Learning from mistakes: ISRO has learnt from the weaknesses of Chandrayaan-2 and rectified its mistakes in Chandrayaan-3. After the launch of Chandrayaan-2, Vikram, the moon lander, failed to land.
• Lunar exploration: If the launch and moon landing are a success, the data collected by Chandrayaan-3 will prove to be crucial in the larger scheme of lunar exploration initiatives in future.
• 1^st soft landing on south pole: If all goes well, Chandrayaan-3 will become the world’s first mission to soft-land near the south pole on Moon. Most Moon missions usually land away from the poles, because it’s a lot easier to land a spacecraft near the Moon’s equator.
• Future interplanetary missions: The Chandrayaan-3 mission is a stepping stone towards ISRO’s future interplanetary missions. E.g. Shukrayaan

Geopolitical dimension

• Global Space Player: Although several countries have failed in their lunar missions, the unsuccessful moon landing in 2019 took away India’s chance of joining the small group of countries which have managed to land equipment on the moon.
• Space Diplomacy: India’s space exploration efforts have facilitated space diplomacy and collaboration with other countries. Partnerships with international space agencies have led to sharing data, research, and expertise in space technology and lunar exploration. E.g. India in Artemis accord.
• Commercial Space Market: India’s space missions, including Chandrayaan, have opened opportunities in the commercial space market. India’s space agency, ISRO, has begun to offer commercial launch services for satellites from various countries.
• Competing with Space Superpowers: The successful Chandrayaan missions have positioned India as a competitor to established space superpowers like the USA, Russia, and China in terms of lunar exploration and space technology.
• Boost to the Indian space-tech ecosystem: The successful launch of Chandrayaan-3 could bolster investor confidence and attract more private investment in space technology. This development will promote cost-efficient and highly reliable space-grade hardware provided by the Indian space industry for this mission.

Conclusion

Chandrayaan 3 follows the lunar and planetary exploration agenda for Indian space program, which has also included Chandrayaan 1 and 2 and the Mars Orbiter Mission. Chandrayaan-3’s success has the potential to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and position India as a leader in space technology on the global stage.

Ethics

Syllabus: “Probity in Governance: Concept of public service; Philosophical basis of governance and probity”

Q3. What do you understand by the term “Public service”? How can you as a common citizen contribute towards public service in our country? Discuss (10M)

Introduction:

Public service refers to activities or actions undertaken with the primary intention of benefiting the general public or society at large.

Body

It involves working for the welfare and betterment of others, often through roles within the government, non-profit organizations, or community initiatives.

Public servants are individuals who dedicate their efforts to serving the public and upholding the common good.

Major components of public service, its principle and effects include:

Common citizens like me can contribute in the following ways:

• Volunteering for Social Causes: Volunteering for Social Causes, Teaching underprivileged children to promote equal access to education, supporting local healthcare initiatives to improve community health.
• Civic Engagement and Advocacy– Participatory Democracy: Attending town hall meetings to voice concerns and contribute to policymaking, engaging with elected representatives during initiatives such as ‘Janata Darshan’ to address community issues.
• Promoting Sustainable Practices-Environmental Responsibility: Adopting eco-friendly practices to reduce carbon footprint, such as carpooling to office or cycling often, supporting initiatives that promote renewable energy usage.
• Respecting and Upholding Laws: Abiding by traffic rules and regulations for road safety, adhering to tax laws to contribute to public finances.
• Promoting Inclusivity and Social Harmony: Treating all individuals with respect and empathy, irrespective of their background, challenging discrimination and advocating for equal opportunities for women at workplaces.

As Margaret Chase Smith said “Public service must be more than doing a job efficiently and honestly. It must be a complete dedication to the people and to the nation.”

Conclusion:

As a common citizen, embracing ethical principles like altruism, participatory democracy, environmental responsibility, the rule of law, and social justice enables one to make meaningful contributions towards public service in India.

Case Study

Q4. In your country, three provincial capitals are thriving global IT hubs. Such IT corridors are accompanied by huge consumerist culture and denser populations, with time they put pressure on scare resources including water. The cities host rich, poor and middle class, with varied income status. Their access to water is determined by their status. In recent months, the cities are struck with severe water crisis. While rich and middle class can afford to buy water temporarily, poor suffer from water starvation. Finally, violent protests led by affected slum dwellers erupt. As a long-term measure the Water Secretary of Central Government proposes forcing the IT industries of three states to relocate to other states, regardless of them losing the economies of scale. Otherwise, neither the groundwater table of three states can be improved, nor could present crisis be resolved. This created resentment from corporates, white collared and blue-collared employees of service sector from the three states. The IT MNCs even threaten to exit from your country to other nations. But the protestors want closure of IT industries.

As a Cabinet Secretary, will you approve the proposal of Water Secretary?

(250 words, 20 marks)

Synopsis:

Introduction:

In the face of a severe water crisis, the ethical dilemma emerges – relocate IT industries or protect livelihoods and water resources.

Body:

The stakeholders include:

Factors to be considered:

• Water scarcity and its impact on the three provincial capitals.
• Disparity in water access based on income status.
• Economic consequences of forcing IT industries to relocate.
• Corporate social responsibility and community development efforts.
• Sustainability and environmental responsibility.
• Social and economic implications for affected employees.

Dilemmas in the case:

• Economic Growth vs. People-Oriented Values.
• Economic Prosperity vs. Environmental Responsibility.
• Immediate Relief vs. Long-term Solution.
• Social Unrest vs. Corporate Concerns.
• Ethical Responsibilities vs. Legal Rights
• Weighing the interests of all different stakeholders and finding a sustainable solution.

Option 1: Approving the proposal

Option 2: Not approving the proposal

Decision:

My decision cannot be solely based on the Water Secretary’s proposal. It requires a balanced and thoughtful approach that considers both the immediate water crisis and the long-term consequences for the nation, economy, and affected stakeholders.

I would reject the proposal and follow up that with following recommendations:

• Participatory approach: Convene a comprehensive dialogue involving all stakeholders, including IT industries, employees, communities, and environmental experts.
• Sustainability: identify sustainable water management solutions and best practices for the IT hubs, ensuring responsible water usage and environmental conservation.
• Investments: in water infrastructure. For Instance, Elappully panchayat in Kerala won National Water Award for water conservation project, it introduced rainwater harvesting, well revival, and micro water supply schemes, improving water availability.
• Water: Rationing water to slums ensures equitable distribution, guaranteeing every resident a certain amount, mitigating water scarcity disparities.
  • For instance, during the 2019 drought in Chennai, Southern Railway introduced “water trains” that transported millions of liters of water from Vellore district to Chennai.

Conclusion:

It is essential to strike a balance between economic growth, social equity, and environmental responsibility to achieve a holistic and sustainable solution.

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