NOTE: Please remember that following ‘answers’ are NOT ‘model answers’. They are NOT synopsis too if we go by definition of the term. What we are providing is content that both meets demand of the question and at the same
General Studies – 1
Topic: Salient features of the world’s physical geography.
Difficulty level: Easy
Reference: Down to Earth
Why the question:
Several people in the Greater Horn of Africa are feared dead, property worth millions destroyed and populations displaced due to heavy rainfall in the region.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the El-Nino phenomenon and its impact on the world climate, including the Indian monsoon.
Directive word:
Explain – Clarify the topic by giving a detailed account as to how and why it occurred, or what is the context. You must be defining key terms wherever appropriate and substantiate them with relevant associated facts.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start by providing a brief overview of El Nino and its occurrence.
Body:
In the first part, Explain the El Nino phenomenon – its definition, causes, and the science behind it.
Next, discuss the impact of El-Nino on global climate – changes in temperature, weather patterns, and the occurrence of natural disasters, such as floods and droughts. Cite examples to substantiate.
Next, elaborate on the impact of El Nino on the Indian monsoon season – changes in rainfall patterns, temperatures, and the overall effect on the agricultural sector. Cite examples to substantiate.
Conclusion:
Conclude by Summarising.
Introduction
El Niño is a naturally occurring phenomenon that is linked to a periodic warming in sea surface temperatures across the central and east-central Equatorial Pacific. El Niño is Spanish for “the boy child,” which is often used to refer to Jesus Christ, and the phenomenon earned this name because it typically occurs in December around Christmas. El Niño occurs every 2-7 years, and can last anywhere between nine months and two years.
Body
Mechanism
During El Niño, the trade winds weaken or even reverse: Instead of blowing from east (South America) to west (Indonesia), they could turn into westerlies. As the winds blow from the west to east, they cause the masses of warm water to move into the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean. The rise in SSTs there, thus, produces increased rainfall along western Latin America, the Caribbean and US Gulf Coast, while depriving Southeast Asia, Australia and India of convective currents.
The causes for El Niña are:
The two opposite phases, “El Niño” and “La Niña,” require certain changes in both the ocean and the atmosphere because ENSO is a coupled climate phenomenon. “Neutral” is in the middle of the continuum.
Neutral phase:
- In the neutral state (neither El Niño nor La Niña) trade winds blow east to west across the surface of the tropical Pacific Ocean, bringing warm moist air and warmer surface waters towards the western Pacific and keeping the central Pacific Ocean relatively cool. The thermo cline is deeper in the west than the east.
- This means that under “normal” conditions the western tropical Pacific is 8 to 10°C warmer than the eastern tropical Pacific. This warmer area of ocean is a source for convection and is associated with cloudiness and rainfall.
El Nino:
- The trade winds push warm water on the surface of the ocean from east to west (westerly). This causes the warm water to build up on the western side of the ocean near Asia. Meanwhile, on the eastern side of the ocean, near Central and South America, cold waters are pushed up towards the surface.
- Because of this, there is a difference in temperature across the equatorial pacific, with warm water to the west and cold water to the east. The warm water in the west heats the air, making the warm air rise and leading to drastic weather, including rain and thunderstorms.
- The rising warm air causes a circulation between east and west in the Pacific, with the warm, moist air rising in the west, and cool, dry air descending in the east. All of these natural occurrences lead to a reinforcement of the easterly winds, and cause a self-perpetuating motion in the air in the Pacific.
Impacts
- El-Nino impact on Indian monsoon:
- El Nino, characterized by warming of surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean, is associated with lower-than-normal monsoon rainfall in India.
- El Nino has been found to impact almost half the world triggering droughts in Australia, India, southern Africa and floods in Peru, Ecuador, the United States, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Colorado River basin.
- El Nino affects the flow of moisture-bearing winds from the cooler oceans towards India, negatively impact the summer (south-west) monsoon.
- After all, the south-west monsoon (June-September) accounts for over 70% of the country’s annual rainfall and irrigates over half of the crop land.
- The rain-fed kharif crops are heavily dependent on the monsoon and the quantity of rainfall determines agricultural production.
- El Niño years tend to be drier than average, but one of the strongest El Nino of the century (1997-98) produced a monsoon season with above-average rainfall for India.
- Researchers also believe that even the location of the warming in the Pacific may possibly have an influence on the monsoon.
- Disasters:
- Heatwaves in India leading to deaths of people and fauna.
- Water sources dry up leading to increased distress migration and climate refugees.
- Economic impacts:
- India is the second-biggest grower of wheat, rice, sugar and cotton, and the largest buyer of palm, soybean and sunflower oils.
- The livelihood of millions of farmers in the country of about 1.4 billion people depends on rains brought by the winds from the Indian Ocean.
- The farm sector is the main source of income for 60% of its population and accounts for 18% of the economy.
- The monsoon is critical to India’s farm output and economic growth at a time when the country, where man-made systems like canals and tube wells irrigate only a part of the land, is battling soaring food prices.
- Timely and normal rains are set to boost production outlook for monsoon-sown crops such as rice, soybeans and pulses and help in softening soaring inflation.
- Bountiful rains would also fill reservoirs, which in turn would brighten prospects for winter crops, usually planted during October and November.
- The early arrival of the south-west monsoon comes at a time when parts of Northwest India were experiencing extremely high maximum temperatures.
- Social Impacts:
- A WHO Paper said that El Niño 2015-2016 is affecting more than 60 million people.
- Rising temperatures and more variable rainfall patterns can often reduce crop yields, compromising food security.
- This can lead to social unrest, civil wars, increased inequality between people.
- El Niño conditions can cause a wide range of health problems, including disease outbreaks, malnutrition, heat stress, and respiratory diseases.
- Environmental impacts:
- Effect on aquatic species and sea birds: fish either migrate to other regions or die during an El Niño because they lack adequate food for growth and survival.
Way Forward and conclusion:
- The government must expand the farm insurance cover and advice banks and financial institutions to settle crop insurance claims in the drought-hit areas without delay.
- High quality seeds of alternative crops must be distributed among farmers in the drought-affected areas.
- Technologies like drip and sprinkler irrigation, precision agriculture.
- Monetary Control measures to tackle inflationary trends in country.
- Financial support from global organizations for rehabilitation and rebuilding.
- Disaster Response Forcesto tackle floods and droughts.
- Developing early warning systemsand alerting the people much in advance.
- Global co-operationto tackle the climate change which can further aggravate El- Niño and La- Niña conditions.
Topic: Social empowerment.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Indian Express
Why the question:
The article highlights the link between rural distress and the prevalence of child marriages in India.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the causes of child marriage and measures needed to end it.
Directive word:
Examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we must investigate the topic (content words) in detail, inspect it, investigate it and establish the key facts and issues related to the topic in question. While doing so we should explain why these facts and issues are important and their implications.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by giving a statistic related to incidence of child marriages in India.
Body:
First, write about the various causes leading to Child marriages in India – Poverty, trafficking, lack of education and awareness etc.
Next, mention how tackling rural distress by a combination of Legislation, education and government action can help curb this menace.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a way forward.
Introduction
Rural distress in India refers to the challenging socio-economic conditions prevalent in rural areas, characterized by a combination of factors that adversely affect the livelihoods and well-being of rural communities.
The linkage between rural distress and child marriage in India is multifaceted and interconnected. Various socio-economic factors associated with rural distress often contribute to a higher prevalence of child marriages. Understanding these connections is crucial for developing effective interventions to address both issues.
Body
Rural distress in India
- Economic challenges and poverty in rural areas can lead to financial stress within families. In such circumstances, parents may see child marriage as a way to reduce the economic burden by transferring the responsibility of their child to another family.
- Lack of Access to Education: Rural distress often results in limited access to quality education. Families facing economic hardships may prioritize the marriage of their children over education, particularly for girls. Child marriage can be perceived as a way to secure the future of the child in the absence of educational opportunities.
- Traditional Gender Roles: Societal norms and traditional gender roles prevalent in rural areas may contribute to the perception that girls should be married off early. In such contexts, child marriage may be considered a socially acceptable practice, reinforcing gender inequalities.
- Impact on Generational Poverty:
- Cyclical Nature: Child marriages can perpetuate the cycle of poverty. Girls married off at a young age may have limited opportunities for education and economic independence, leading to continued economic distress in subsequent generations.
Reducing rural distress contributing to reduction of child marriage instances
- Employment generation: By creating job opportunities, these programs empower families economically, making them more capable of supporting their children’s education and delaying their marriages until they are older and better prepared.
- Skill Development Programs: Equipping young individuals with marketable skills enhances their chances of securing stable employment. As a result, they may choose to postpone marriage until they are financially stable, thereby reducing the prevalence of child marriages.
- Example: Introducing skill development programs tailored to rural youth can enhance their employability. This could include vocational training in agriculture, handicrafts, or other locally relevant skills.
- Social Welfare Programs: Financial incentives, such as scholarships or conditional cash transfers, can act as a deterrent to child marriages by promoting education. Families may be more likely to prioritize their children’s education over early marriages if they receive tangible benefits.
- Eg: Implementing targeted social welfare programs that provide financial assistance or incentives to families for keeping their children in school rather than marrying them off early.
- Sukanya Samriddhi yojana: Sukanya Samriddhi Account is a Government of India backed saving scheme targeted at the parents of girl children. The scheme encourages parents to build a fund for the future education of their female child.
- Community Awareness Campaigns: By fostering a deeper understanding of the harms associated with child marriages, communities may become more receptive to interventions aimed at delaying marriage. This can lead to a shift in social norms and attitudes, contributing to a reduction in child marriages.
- Example: Conducting awareness campaigns such as Beti padhao Beti bachao in rural communities to educate them about the negative consequences of child marriages on the health and well-being of young girls
- Legal Support and Advocacy: By providing legal recourse and support, vulnerable individuals, especially young girls, can be safeguarded from forced marriages. Legal measures can act as a deterrent and ensure that child marriage cases are addressed promptly and effectively.
- Example: Strengthening legal frameworks and support systems to address child marriage issues. This could involve establishing helplines, legal aid services, and community-based initiatives to protect the rights of children.
Conclusion
A multi-faceted approach that combines economic empowerment, education, awareness, and legal support is essential to tackling rural distress and reducing the incidence of child marriages in India. By addressing the root causes and providing holistic interventions, communities can work towards creating a more sustainable and equitable future for their youth.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Indian Express
Why the question:
The article discusses the evolving role of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India in the context of the country’s maturing democracy.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the powers, functions and responsibilities of Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) in India.
Directive word:
Examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we must investigate the topic (content words) in detail, inspect it, investigate it and establish the key facts and issues related to the topic in question. While doing so we should explain why these facts and issues are important and their implications.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by stating that the Constitution of India provides for an independent office of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) and relevant articles mentioned in the constitution.
Body:
In the first part, write about the major functions of CAG – responsible for auditing and accounting of all receipts and expenditures of the Government of India and the state governments.
Next, write about its audit functions – performance audits, compliance audits, and financial reviews of various government programs and initiatives. Write about its reports to uphold transparency and accountability – reports prepared by the CAG are presented in the Parliament, and the findings are discussed and debated by the Members of Parliament.
Next, write about the challenges faced by CAG and ways to overcome them.
Conclusion:
Conclude by summarising.
Introduction
The Constitution of India provides for an independent office of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) in chapter V under Part V. The CAG is mentioned in the Constitution of India under Article 148 – 151. He is the head of the Indian Audit and Accounts Department. He is the guardian of the public purse and controls the entire financial system of the country at both the levels- the centre and state. His duty is to uphold the Constitution of India and the laws of Parliament in the field of financial administration.
Body Powers: CAG derives its audit mandate from different sources like:
- Constitution (Articles 148 to 151)
- The Comptroller and Auditor General’s (Duties, Powers and Conditions of Service) Act, 1971
- Important Judgments
- Instructions of Government of India
- Regulations on Audit & Accounts-2007
Duties:
- He audits the accounts related to all expenditure from the Consolidated Fund of India, Consolidated Fund of each state and UT having a legislative assembly.
- He audits all expenditure from the Contingency Fund of India and the Public Account of India as well as the Contingency Fund and Public Account of each state.
- He audits all trading, manufacturing, profit and loss accounts, balance sheets and other subsidiary accounts kept by any department of the Central Government and the state governments.
- He audits the receipts and expenditure of all bodies and authorities substantially financed from the Central or State revenues; government companies; other corporations and bodies, when so required by related laws.
Functions:
- He audits all transactions of the Central and state governments related to debt, sinking funds, deposits, advances, suspense accounts and remittance business.
- He audits the accounts of any other authority when requested by the President or Governor e.g. Local bodies.
- He advises the President with regard to prescription of the form in which the accounts of the Centre and states shall be kept.
- He submits his audit reports relating to the accounts of the Centre to the President, who shall, in turn, place them before both the houses of Parliament.
- He submits his audit reports relating to the accounts of a State to the Governor, who shall, in turn, place them before the state legislature.
- He ascertains and certifies the net proceeds of any tax or duty and his certificate is final on the matter.
- He acts as a guide, friend and philosopher of the Public Accounts Committee of the Parliament.
- He compiles and maintains the accounts of state governments. In 1976, he was relieved of his responsibilities with regard to the compilation and maintenance of accounts of the Central government due to separation of accounts from audit.
- He submits 3 audit reports to the President: audit report on appropriation accounts, audit report on finance accounts and audit report on public undertakings.
Challenges faced by CAG in changing dynamics of governance
- Complexity of Government Programs:
- Diverse Sectors: With the expansion of government programs and policies across various sectors, the complexity of auditing these programs increases. The CAG must adapt to audit a wide range of activities, from infrastructure projects to social welfare programs.
- Technological Advancements:
- Digital Transactions: The shift towards digital governance and increased use of technology in financial transactions pose challenges for traditional audit methodologies. The CAG needs to stay abreast of technological advancements to effectively audit digital transactions and e-governance initiatives.
- Globalization and Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs):
- International Transactions: Globalization and the involvement of private entities in public projects create challenges for auditing, especially when dealing with international transactions and PPPs. Ensuring transparency and accountability in these partnerships is crucial.
- Data Security and Privacy Concerns:
- Sensitive Information: The audit process often involves accessing sensitive government data. Ensuring the security and privacy of this information is a growing concern, particularly in the context of increasing cyber threats.
- Human Resource and Capacity Challenges:
- Skill Set: The changing governance dynamics demand a diverse skill set among auditors, including proficiency in data analytics, IT auditing, and an understanding of complex financial instruments. Ensuring that the CAG’s workforce is equipped with these skills is a constant challenge.
- Timeliness of Audits:
- Rapid Policy Changes: The dynamic nature of governance, with frequent policy changes and program implementations, poses challenges to the timely completion of audits. Keeping pace with the speed of policy changes is essential for effective audit outcomes.
- Coordination with State Auditors:
- Federal Structure: India’s federal structure involves state auditors auditing state government expenditures. Coordinating and harmonizing audit efforts across the center and states can be challenging, particularly when there are variations in audit methodologies and practices.
- Adaptation to International Standards:
- Global Audit Standards: With the push towards adopting international best practices in auditing, the CAG faces the challenge of aligning its processes with global audit standards while ensuring they are tailored to the specific context of India.
- Public Expectations and Perception:
- Communication: Effectively communicating audit findings to the public and policymakers, especially in a rapidly changing information landscape, is essential. Managing public expectations and perception about the role of the CAG is an ongoing challenge.
- Ensuring Independence:
- Political Pressures: Maintaining the independence of the CAG’s office in the face of political pressures is a perennial challenge. The CAG must uphold its constitutional mandate without succumbing to external influences.
Conclusion
Addressing these challenges requires continuous adaptation, capacity building, and the adoption of modern audit techniques. The CAG needs to evolve its strategies and methodologies to effectively audit the changing landscape of governance and ensure accountability and transparency in public expenditures.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Insights on India
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 3 and mentioned as part of Mission-2024 Secure timetable.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the successes and limitations of NGT in upholding its mandate.
Directive word:
Examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we must investigate the topic (content words) in detail, inspect it, investigate it and establish the key facts and issues related to the topic in question. While doing so we should explain why these facts and issues are important and their implications.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by giving a brief introduction on context for introduction of NGT and its mandate
Body:
First, mention some of the landmark environmental reforms brought in through NGT.
Next, list out its shortcomings such as appeals against NGT rulings in High Court and Supreme Court leading to long delays through litigation, lack of overall environmental expertise of the members of tribunal.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a way forward to leverage functional capacity of the NGT and do full justice in its environmental mandate.
Introduction
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) was established in 2010 under the National Green Tribunal Act. It is a specialized environmental court that deals with cases relating to environmental protection and the conservation of forests. It has judicial powers that allow it to exclusively decide civil environmental matters. The tribunal is guided by principles of natural justice and is not bound by the mainstream code of civil procedure. The Supreme Court has declared the National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) position as a “unique” forum endowed with suo motu powers to take up environmental issues across the country.
Body
Performance of NGT
- The NGT has been recognized as one of the most progressive Tribunals in the world.
- This jurisprudential leap has allowed our country to enter a rather exclusive group of nations which have set up such institutions with broad powers.
- In the Almitra H Patel Vs Union of India case, it directed states to implement Solid Waste Management Rules and prohibited open burning of waste on lands.
- Many Projects which were approved in violation of the law such as an Aranmula Airport, Kerala; Lower Demwe Hydro Power Project and Nyamnjangu in Arunachal Pradesh; mining projects in in Goa; and coal mining projects in Chhattisgarh were either cancelled or fresh assessments were directed.
Challenges faced by NGT
- The jurisdiction of NGT is curtailed as Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972and Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006is not under its ambit.
- This restricts the jurisdiction area of NGT and at times hampers its functioning as the crucial forest rights issue is linked directly to the environment.
- The sanctioned strength of 10 each under judicial and expert members are not filled. The lack of human and financial resources has led to high pendency of cases – which undermines NGT’s very objective of disposal of appeals within 6 months.
- The option of appeals has nullified the purpose of reducing burden on the higher courts.
- The justice delivery mechanism is also hindered by a limited number of regional benches.
Way forward and conclusion
- There is an immediate need to set up new regional benches. Further, these should be based in a place that has the highest forest cover or large mineral deposit.
- Appeal may be provided against the order of the NGT before a larger Bench of the Tribunal before the matter reaches to the Supreme Court or High Court.
- Vacancies in NGT, needs to be filled as soon as possible.
- There is a need for the central and state governments to work in collaboration with the NGT for balancing between environment & economy.
- NGT should also identify institutions and experts who can help it to scientifically estimate environmental damages/compensation/fines on a case-to-case basis.
Value addition
Is endowment of Suo-motu powers to NGT a step in the right direction?
- The Supreme Court recently declared that the National Green Tribunal is vested with suo motu powers to take cognizance on the basis of letters, representations and media reports
- This could allow the NGT to play a more effective role in environmental protection.
- However, the need for suo moto powers itself reiterates the idea that a judicial body must ‘swoop in’ to protect constitutional values, if the legislature or the executive is ill equipped to perform their functions.
- The Tribunal would have a direct effect on the functioning of executive bodies, such as the Municipal Corporation in the present case.
- Unlike orders based on petitions, cases taken up suo moto would allow the tribunal itself to decide what issues it should consider and to what extent it can infringe on the executive’s domain.
Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment
5. What is acid rain? Explain the various adverse impacts from acid rain. (250 words)
Difficulty level: Easy
Reference: Environment by Shankar
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 3 and mentioned as part of Mission-2024 Secure timetable.
Key Demand of the question:
To explain the adverse impacts of acid rain.
Directive:
Explain – Clarify the topic by giving a detailed account as to how and why it occurred, or what is the context. You must be defining key terms wherever appropriate and substantiate with relevant associated facts.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin the defining acid rain.
Body:
Frist, in brief explain first the major reasons behind the occurrence of acid rains.
Next, discuss that acid rains are harmful for both biotic and abiotic elements. it corrode the surface and rendered it riddled with hole. Yellowing of marble and lime stone and other such delicate surface gets destroyed. It is also harmful for textile and metals as it reduce their quality and make them weak. Moreover it makes the soil acidic and reduces the fertility.
Next, discuss what needs to be done. Highlight the efforts of the government in this direction
Conclusion:
Write a way forward to mitigate the impact of acid rain.
Introduction
Acid rain, or acid deposition, is a broad term that includes any form of precipitation with acidic components, such as sulfuric or nitric acid that fall to the ground from the atmosphere in wet or dry forms. This can include rain, snow, fog, hail or even dust that is acidic.
Body
Formation of Acid Rain
- Acid rain results when sulphur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOX) are emitted into the atmosphere and transported by wind and air currents.
- The SO2 and NOX react with water, oxygen and other chemicals to form sulfuric and nitric acids.
- These then mix with water and other materials before falling to the ground.
Causes of Acid Rain
The major sources of SO2 and NOX in the atmosphere are:
- Burning of fossil fuels to generate electricity. Two thirds of SO2 and one fourth of NOX in the atmosphere come from electric power generators.
- Vehicles and heavy equipment.
- Manufacturing, oil refineries and other industries.
- Volcanic eruptions.
Impacts of Acid rain
- Forest Ecosystem
- Dead or dying trees are a common sight in areas effected by acid rain. Acid rain leaches aluminum from the soil. That aluminum may be harmful to plants as well as animals.
- At high elevations, acidic fog and clouds might strip nutrients from trees’ foliage, leaving them with brown or dead leaves and needles. The trees are then less able to absorb sunlight, which makes them weak and less able to withstand freezing temperatures.
- Soil
- Acid rain highly impacts on soil chemistry and biology.
- It means soil microbes and biological activity as well as soil chemical compositions such as soil pH are damaged or reversed due to the effects of acid rain.
- Lakes & Rivers
- Without pollution or acid rain, most lakes and streams would have a pH level near 6.5.
- Acid rain, however, has caused many lakes and streams across places to have much lower pH levels.
- In addition, aluminum that is released into the soil eventually ends up in lakes and streams.
- Unfortunately, this increase in acidity and aluminum levels can be deadly to aquatic wildlife, including phytoplankton, mayflies, rainbow trout, small mouth bass, frogs, spotted salamanders, crayfish, and other creatures that are part of the food web.
- Health Problems
- Air pollution like sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides can cause respiratory diseases, or can make these diseases worse.
- Respiratory diseases like asthma or chronic bronchitis make it hard for people to breathe. The pollution that causes acid rain can also create tiny particles.
- Nitrogen oxides cause ground-level ozone. This ground-level ozone causes respiratory problems, like pneumonia and bronchitis, and can even cause permanent lung damage.
- Statues, monuments & buildings
- Statues, buildings, vehicles, pipes and cables can all suffer. The worst affected are things made from limestone or sandstone as these types of rock are particularly susceptible and can be affected by air pollution in gaseous form as well as by acid rain.
- The chemicals found in acid rain can cause paint to peel and stone statues to begin to appear old and worn down, which reduces their value and beauty.
- g.: Taj Mahal, one of the 7 wonders of the world, is largely affected by acid rain. The city of Agra has many industries which emit the oxides of sulphur and nitrogen in the atmosphere. People continue to use low-quality coal and firewood as a domestic fuel, adding to this problem.
- Statue of Liberty in USA which is made of copper has also been damaged by the cumulative action of acid rain and oxidation for over 30 years and is, therefore, becoming green.
Measures needed
- Reduce emissions:
- Burning fossil fuels is still one of the cheapest ways to produce electricity so people are now researching new ways to burn fuel which don’t produce so much pollution.
- Governments need to spend more money on pollution control even if it does mean an increase in the price of electricity.
- Sulphur can also be ‘washed’ out of smoke by spraying a mixture of water and powdered limestone into the smokestack.
- Cars are now fitted with catalytic converters which remove three dangerous chemicals from exhaust gases.
- Alternative sources of energy
- Governments need to invest in researching different ways to produce energy.
- These include wind energy, geothermal energy, solar energy, hydropower, and nuclear power.
- Fuel cells, natural gas, and batteries can also substitute the use of fossil fuel as cleaner energy sources.
- Conserving Resources
- Greater subsidies of public transport by the government to encourage people to use public transport rather than always travelling by car.
- Every individual can make an effort to save energy by switching off lights when they are not being used and using energy-saving appliances – when less electricity is being used, pollution from power plants decreases.
- Walking, cycling and sharing cars all reduce the pollution from vehicles
- Restoring the Damage done by Acid Rain
- Lakes and rivers can have powdered limestone added to them to neutralise the water – this is called “liming”.
Conclusion
Concerted efforts at global and national levels across the globe can help us tide over the harmful effects of Acid Rain.
Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
Difficulty level: Tough
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
The article discusses the challenges and failures faced by the transitional committee responsible for addressing the Loss and Damage (L&D) fund during COP-28 (Conference of Parties – 28)
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the concept of loss and damage and its effectiveness,
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start by defining the concept of Loss and Damage (L&D) fund
Body:
First, explain in detail the concept of Loss and Damage (L&D) fund and how it works in order to ensure that vulnerable countries are compensated by rich countries.
Next, write about whether or not, rich countries have an obligation of compensate the poor countries by taking in to account their historic emissions that have resulted in climate change. Write about the effectiveness of the fund and limitations it faces
Conclusion:
Conclude by stating a balanced opinion.
Introduction
Loss and damage refer to the negative consequences of climate change on human societies and the natural environment. Climate change is affecting the frequency, intensity and geographical distribution of extreme weather events such as storms, floods and heatwaves, and slow-onset events such as sea level rise, ocean acidification, loss of biodiversity and desertification.
Body
About Loss and Damage
- ‘Loss and Damage’ has a distinct but contested meaning in the international climate change policy It is predominately about how to support developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change.
- All of these result in loss and damage, both economic and non-economic. Economic loss and damage may include damage to crops, homes or infrastructure.
- Non-economic loss and damage may include harm to human health and mobility; loss of access to territory, of cultural heritage and of indigenous and local knowledge; and loss of and damage to biodiversity and habitats.
Need for rich nations compensating poor countries for Loss and Damage due to climate change
- Loss and Damage (L&D), which essentially tries to capture inability to cope with the effects of warming. This is distinct from mitigation, or reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and adaptation, or finding ways to live in a warmer world.
- In Warsaw in 2013, all parties agreed to set up a new mechanism on L&D.
- The issue is important because even after GHG emissions are reduced and communities adapt to climate change, there would still be loss and damage to people, livelihoods and infrastructure as a result of their inability to cope with climate change.
- At its heart, the demand for compensation for loss and damage from climate disasters is an extension of the universally acknowledged “Polluter Pays” principle, that makes the polluter liable for paying not just for the cost of remedial action, but also for compensating the victims of environmental damage caused by their actions.
- In the climate change framework, the burden of responsibility falls on those rich countries that have contributed most of the greenhouse gas emissions since 1850, generally considered to be the beginning of the industrial age.
- The United States and the European Union, including the UK, account for over 50 per cent of all emissions during this time.
- If Russia, Canada, Japan, and Australia are included, the combined contribution goes past 65 per cent, or almost two-thirds of all emissions.
- Historical responsibility is important because carbon dioxide remains in the atmosphere for hundreds of years, and it is the cumulative accumulation of this carbon dioxide that causes global warming.
- A country like India, currently the third largest emitter, accounts for only 3 per cent of historical emissions. China, which is the world’s biggest emitter for over 15 years now, has contributed about 11 per cent to total emissions since 1850.
- According to a recent report by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Efforts (UNOCHA) the United States alone is estimated to have “inflicted more than $1.9 trillion in damages to other countries” due to its emissions. Then there are non-economic losses as well, including loss of lives, displacement and migration, health impacts, and damage to cultural heritage.
Warsaw mechanism
- The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the 1994 international agreement that lays down the broad principles of the global effort to fight climate change, acknowledges the differentiated responsibility of nations.
- It makes it clear that rich countries must provide both the finance and the technology to developing nations to help tackle climate change. However, the UNFCCC does not mention loss and damage.
- In 2009, developed countries agreed to provide US$ 100 billion every year from 2020 to help developing nations fight climate change.
- However, they are struggling to fulfill this promise.
- It was after much struggle that developing countries and environment groups managed to establish a separate channel on loss and damages. The Warsaw International Mechanism (WIM) for Loss and Damages, set up in 2013, was the first formal acknowledgment of the need to compensate developing countries struck by climate disasters.
Conclusion
While including loss and damage into the COP’s formal agenda — instead of the WIM — is a good beginning, it is just the first step. It might be several years before money actually begins to flow in to compensate poorer countries. Also, past record suggests that the quantum of money put on the table for climate change purposes is never commensurate to the requirements.
Topic: social influence and persuasion.
Difficulty level: Tough
Reference: Insights on India
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the various types of social influence.
Directive word:
Elaborate – Give a detailed account as to how and why it occurred, or what is the context. You must be defining key terms wherever appropriate and substantiate with relevant associated facts.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by defining social influence.
Body:
First, write about conformity – instances where a person may agree in public with a group of people, but the person privately disagrees with the group’s viewpoint or behaviour.
Next, write about compliance – involves a request that an individual or group complies with the instructions of another.
Next, write about obedience – Obedience is a form of public conformity which occurs when a person modifies their behaviour to obey the directions of another, often in a position of authority.
Cite examples to substantiate.
Conclusion:
Conclude by summarising.
Introduction
Social influence is the change in behaviour that one person causes in another, intentionally or unintentionally. It occurs when a person’s emotions, opinions, or behaviours are affected by others. Persuasion is symbolic process in which communicators try to convince other people through transmission of a message to change their attitudes or behaviours.
Body:
Role of Social influence in shaping behavior of a person:
Social influence is the change in behavior that one person causes in another, intentionally or unintentionally. Social influence takes many forms and can be seen in conformity, socialization, peer pressure, obedience, leadership, persuasion, sales, and marketing. As per Herbert Kelman, there are three broad types of social influence.
- Compliance
- Compliance is when an individual changes his or her behavior in response to an explicit or implicit request made by another person.
- Compliance is often referred to as an active form of social influence in that it is usually intentionally initiated by a person.
- It is also conceptualized as an external form of social influence in that its focus is a change in overt behavior.
- : Tax payment, following traffic rules
- Conformity:
- Conformity refers to when people adjust their behaviours, attitudes, feelings, and/or beliefs to fit to a group norm.
- Conformity is generally regarded as a passive form of influence in that members of the group do not actively attempt to influence others.
- People merely observe the actions of group members and adjust their behaviours and/or views accordingly. The focus of conformity can be either external (overt behaviours) or internal (beliefs and feelings) in nature.
- Main factor that influences conformity is social norms. Social norms are the expected behaviour within a specific culture or society.
- Example:Treating all genders equally; Coming from a poor background, helps sensitive about the concerns of poor more than just studying their problems; If other officers are corrupt, then I it may tempt a honest officer also to be corrupt; leaving footwear outside in religious places, banning of sati.
- Obedience:
- Obedience is a change in behavior as a result of a direct command from an authority figure.
- Obedience is an active form of influence in that it is usually directly initiated by an authority figure and is typically external in that overt behaviours are generally the focus of commands.
- Example:Respecting elders; an employee will follow the orders of his supervisors in order to please them; Orders from Military officer to jawans.
- Growing concerns about the use of coercive and other manipulative psychological techniques underline the need to improve understanding of the ethics of social influence.
Conclusion:
Thus, there are many things that influence behaviour in people, whether that be their own beliefs and opinions or other people being around them at the time. Understanding these shortcuts and employing them in an ethical manner can significantly increase the chances that someone will be social influenced and persuaded by the public policy.
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