The link between ‘flash droughts’ and climate change

GS Paper 1  Syllabus: Important Geophysical Phenomena   Source: IE    Context: According to a new study, flash droughts are becoming more common and faster to develop around the world, and human-caused climate change is a major reason.     Highlights of the study: Flash droughts occurred more often than slower ones in tropical/humid places …

How can methane released in livestock belches be reduced?

GS Paper 3   Source: DTE Context: Scientists are experimenting with feed supplements that can reduce a potent greenhouse gas belched out by stock animals like cattle, goats and sheep. Ruminants release methane, the second most abundant greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide (CO2), which is seen as the biggest concern as well as the best …

Why does India need a transition strategy away from fossil fuel?

GS Paper 3: Topics Covered: Conservation related issues.   Context: Energy giants like Russia and Saudi Arabia have been looking for a slice of the rising market in India. As per the estimates of the Organisation of the Petroleum-Exporting Countries (Opec), world oil demand will rise from 96.44 million barrels per day (mb/d) in 2021 …

India’s fossil fuel production exceeds Paris Agreement goals:

GS Paper 3 Topics Covered: Conservation related issues.   Context: The United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) latest Production Gap Report has revealed that 15 of the top fossil fuel producing countries, including India, are not prepared to meet the requirements of the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement. Paris Agreement seeks to keep global warming “well below 2 …

The alarming rate of sea level rise can have varied yet devastating effects on the coastal states. Examine the vulnerability of India to global warming induced sea level rise.

Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment. 5. The alarming rate of sea level rise can have varied yet devastating effects on the coastal states. Examine the vulnerability of India to global warming induced sea level rise. (250 words) Difficulty level: Moderate Reference: The Hindu Why the question: Close to 700 million people …

Impact of fossil fuel extraction on global warming: 

GS Paper 3 Topics Covered: Conservation related issues.    Context:  According to a new study (published in the journal Nature), global fossil fuel extraction needs to go down to keep global warming to below 1.5 degrees Celsius, which is the target set by the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement.    Key findings:  The global oil and gas …

Insights into Editorial: Make peace with nature now

    Context: Make peace with nature report: The first UNEP synthesis report is titled: “Making Peace With Nature: A scientific blueprint to tackle the climate, biodiversity and pollution emergencies” and is based on evidence from global environmental assessments. “Our war on nature has left the planet broken,” said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in the foreword of …

Insights Daily Answer Writing Challenge Day – 8

QUESTIONS ASKED – DAY-8 (27/07/2013) 1) In India, despite consistent economic planning and robust economic growth in recent years, there is a consistent increase in economic inequality. Explain why? 2) ”Global warming and a race for resources could spark a new ‘cold war’ in the Arctic”. Critically analyze. RESPONSES: Keerthi Narayan 1. In the the last …