Why in news? World Bank Group is planning to give a boost to urban climate resilience in developing and least developed countries .

Background:

• Cities across the globe, particularly those with urban poor communities, face long-term challenges in ensuring the well- being of their inhabitants. These challenges are partly a result of direct and indirect impacts of climate change, and are often compounded by preexisting vulnerability.
• Meanwhile, many of the cities and towns are located along coasts and rivers. Historically, this was to facilitate trade, but in the context of climate change, this leads to heightened exposure of people and their assets and livelihoods to hydro meteorological shocks and stresses.

What Is Urban Climate Change Resilience?

• Urban resilience is the capacity of cities to function, so that the people living and working in cities—particularly the poor and vulnerable—survive and thrive no matter what stresses or shocks they encounter.
• UCCR ( Urban Climate Change Resilience ) embraces climate change adaptation, climate change mitigation, and disaster risk management.

How climate change has impacted urban poor ?

• Increased extreme events : Extreme events like floods, heat waves become cause of morbidity and mortality in cities . Most heat wave related deaths occur in cities like Chicago , as a result of urban heat island effect.
• Socio economic impacts : Climate change leads to damaged infrastructure, scarcity of food and water, which further exacerbate social inequalities including poverty and hunger.
• Inequality : Urban warming can not only damage cities as a whole but also contribute to income inequality. Urban heat stress is projected to cause an increase in labor losses exceeding 0.20% of the total account gross domestic product (GDP) per year by the 2050s
• Vulnerable locations : Urban areas often situated in hazardous locations, along the coast, where residents increasingly find themselves at risk of climate related events. Eg. Bangkok
• Population displacement: Extreme weather changes and disasters have displaced 59.1 million people across the world.
• Urban conflicts : Urban expansion coupled with climate change processes accelerated armed conflict near urban centers. Eg Democratic Republic of Congo.

Impact on urban system due to changes in climatic variables

Impact of climate change on different sectors in urban areas

 Integrated Urban Planning Processes for Climate Resilience and Low Carbon Development 

• Urban planning decisions taken now can shape-the well-being of city inhabitants and direct urban growth. Strategic urban planning directly supports urban resilience as a tool for sustainable development that:
  • directs land use and transportation systems.
  • reduces population vulnerability to climate change by facilitating improved access to resources, services and amenities
  • and generates sensitivity towards the environment whilst incorporating social and economic goals. 

• For Indian cities , it is crucial to bridge the efforts by National Sustainable Habitat Mission (NSHM) and Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), as well as to involve multiple stakeholders to facilitate integrated, city- level planning.
• Decentralised and improved local / urban governance is important for practical implementation of resilience and sustainability strategies.
• Advanced mapping techniques such as LIDAR and GIS are being used in Miami and New York to ensure more efficient resource allocation and address climate change. GIS and other mapping tools can be used to analyse land use, urban forestry and urban agriculture as Important applications.

International Programmes supporting Urban Resilience

 India’s initiatives towards Urban climate resilience

 Nature-based Solutions for Urban climate resilience

• Embrace nature conservation norms (and principles).
• Implemented alone or in an integrated manner with other solutions to societal challenges (e.g. technological and engineering solutions)
• Determined by site-specific natural and cultural contexts that include traditional, local and scientific knowledge.
• Produce societal benefits in a fair and equitable way, in a manner that promotes transparency and broad participation.
• Maintain biological and cultural diversity and the ability of ecosystems to evolve over time
• Recognise and address the trade-offs between the production of a few immediate economic benefits for development, and future options for the production of the full range of ecosystems services.

 Steps to Shield the Urban Poor from Climate Change:

• Insurance Penetration: Insurance penetration in the country is very less i.e 4.21% only. A targeted insurance scheme that covers both house and household assets can boost resilience at the household level. The State may have to intervene to address the needs of those with the lowest purchasing power. Prime Minister Grih Bima Yojna for the poor must be instituted on the lines of Prime Minister Fasal Bima Yojna.
• Minimising Response Time: Reducing the time between exposure to climate risk and the accrual of benefits is necessary whether from the State or insurance firms. The direct benefit transfer architecture can be leveraged, expanding its scope in response to the policy action.
• Integrated approach in Key Areas: Strengthening the resilience of the urban poor will require integrated interventions across six policy areas:
• social protection
• public health
• livelihood
• housing
• community infrastructure
• urban planning
• Pro-poor climate resilience solution: Three enabling factors:
• capable, accountable, and responsive governance
• climate and urban data
• climate and urban finance need to be put in place to ensure that pro-poor climate resilience solutions promote transformational change to address the underlying drivers of vulnerability.
• Data Capturing and Sharing: Satellite imagery could be used to identify flooded areas, and government databases of such localities could be used to identify beneficiaries. Through DBT Insurance claims could be directly transferred without the beneficiary raising a claim. This can be made possible by a new purpose-driven data-sharing agreement between the State and the industry.
• Local Governments Role : Local governments play a vital role in providing basic services which are critical to improving the resilience of the urban poor. City officials can build resilience by mainstreaming risk reduction into urban management. A major challenge for local governments is financial dependence on state and central governments; hence, significant financial support is needed.
• Integration with existing urban Planning: Climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction can be best addressed and sustained over time through integration with existing urban planning and management practices.

Conclusion : 

As extreme events become more frequent, newer mechanisms are needed for shock-proofing the poor. Sufficient response and synergies between the State’s policy imperatives and the insurance industry are necessary for easing the vulnerabilities of the poor. Leveraging technology and partnerships between State and industry can facilitate speedy and timely responses to climate calamities and build the resilience of the urban poor.

Where to use?

Paper I (Geography optional) : Applied climatology and urban climate

Paper II (Geography optional) : Urban development  and climate

Why in news ? Temperatures in Britain will soon “break 30C” as an African plume hits the UK, meteorologists have suggested.

About:

• The United Kingdom is bracing itself for extreme heat wave conditions as meteorologists believe that the country will witness "record-breaking" temperatures with the arrival of the African Plume.
• The weather maps show that this high-pressure system is rapidly approaching the nation and will lead to extreme conditions within the UK by the end of May and temperature would soar to as high as 35 degrees Celsius.
• The meteorological phenomena called African Plume is marked by a mass of hot air coming from the Sahara desert towards Europe. The plume brings an extended period of unusually high temperatures, frequently surpassing 30 degrees Celsius in the UK. The exceedingly high temperatures may even persist for days or weeks. Further, the intensity can vary each year, depending on the atmospheric conditions.
• "During an African plume event, southerly or southeasterly winds carry the hot and dry air across the Mediterranean Sea towards the British Isles. As the air mass moves over the warm waters of the Mediterranean, it absorbs heat and moisture, further intensifying its warmth and humidity.
• Researchers said that the increasing frequency of African plumes is consistent with climate change and warmer Earth despite the fact that many different causes can affect weather patterns.
• This summer, there is "a greater than normal chance" of heatwaves in the UK and is "consistent with our warming climate.
• Scotland and Northern Ireland should anticipate mostly cloudy skies with drops of rain that will gradually move southeast. "The far southeast could experience cooler temperatures due to a brisk breeze.
• With the coming weeks, most regions can expect fine and dry weather, with periods of cloud and rain more likely in the northwest of the UK.

Where to use ?

Paper I (Geography optional) : Global climatic changes, Atmospheric circulation

Why in news ? Scientists discovered a hole in a 600-mile-long fault line in the Pacific ocean , citing fear that the strange leak can trigger an earthquake in the region.

About:

• There lies a hole at the Pacific Ocean’s bottom, and it has been steadily leaking liquid into the ocean. This hole is about 80 km off the Oregon coast, on the 965 km Cascadia Subduction Zone fault line that lies between northern California and Vancouver Island.
• This hole could trigger a huge “megathrust” earthquake. This occurs when a tectonic plate moves below the other.
• Researchers observed a stream of what appeared to be methane bubbles. In this region, methane seeps are common but it wasn’t only methane but a liquid was gushing out of the seabed like a firehose.
• The “water” from the hole has a different composition from that of seawater. It is 9˚C warmer compared to water around the hole and is also more like freshwater rather than saltwater.

A stressful scenario

• This liquid - located about four kilometres below the seabed — serves as a lubricant and pressure regulator between the tectonic plates. As the spring continues leaking, it puts greater stress on the fault line.
• When the fluid pressure is significantly high, the air gets turned on, meaning there is less friction, and the two plates might slip. If the fluid pressure is lower, the two plates will lock. That is when stress can pile up.

What is the name of the hole?

• The giant hole is named Pythias' Oasis, a mineral-rich spring located on the Pacific Northwest seafloor.
• The spring's almost-fresh water prevents the plate on which it sits from shifting in a potentially dangerous way.

Where to use ?

Paper I (Geography Optional) : Physical condition of earth’ s interior, Plate tectonics, Bottom topography of Pacific Oceans

Paper II (Geography optional) : Contemporary issues (Earthquakes)

It is the process of reviving or restoring the natural flow and health of a river that has been damaged due to human activitiessuch as waste dumping, encroachment, and pollution. The process involves removing pollutants, cleaning up riverbeds, and restoring the natural environment around the river.

One example of rejuvenation is the Nile, which was rejuvenated when the Mediterranean Sea dried up in the late Miocene. Its base level dropped from sea level to over 2 miles below sea level. It cut its bed down to several hundred feet below sea level at Aswan and 8000 feet below sea level at Cairo. After the Mediterranean re-flooded, those gorges gradually filled with silt.

Recently, the 7.2 Km Kuttamperoor River in Alappuzha, Kerala has been rejuvenated after over a 6-year effort through public participation and government intervention.

Cellular agriculture involves the production of animal-based products by cell culture instead of animals. In cell culture meat is produced directly from the cells whereas in precise fermentation microorganisms are used to produce milk and egg whites etc. Cellular agriculture is currently being promoted due to the increasing contribution of the food industry to carbon emissions.

Preterm is defined as babies born alive before 37 weeks of pregnancy are completed. There are sub-categories of preterm birth, based on gestational age: extremely preterm (less than 28 weeks), very preterm (28 to less than 32 weeks), moderate to late preterm (32 to 37 weeks). Recently, Indian scientists have identified 19 genetic markers associated with preterm birth.

It refers to the average rainfall recorded from June to September for the entire country, the amount of rain that falls every year varies from region to region and from month to month. This year IMD predicts  “below normal” monsoon in relation to a benchmark “long period average” (LPA).

Volatile organic compounds are chemicals that are lighter than air at room temperature. They are used as paint thinners. Also they are used in perfumes. They are naturally found in petroleum products. They are also produced by plants, animals and micro organisms. Frequent exposure to volatile organic compounds leads to cancer and respiratory irritation. Recently, a Study found that over 5,000 tons of 33 potentially harmful VOCs were emitted in 2020 in the state of California.

• Indore has a ‘robust collection of user fees, high punishment charges, and makes revenue from the sale of fertiliser and dry waste’, which makes it a success win circumstance.
• Indore has decentralised waste processing, for example, in the road food and vegetable market.
• The door-to-door collection accomplish a 100% way to door-to-door trash assortment.
• The waste is produced in segregated structure as wet waste, dry waste, and domestic hazardous waste by the domestic generators. The mass/bulk generators segregate the waste as wet waste and dry waste.
• Besides this, awareness of toilets was significant in the mission ODF (Open Defecation Free)
• Modular toilets have also been built in places where slums have been created on private land, transit, and disputed settlements.

Where to use? Paper II (Geography optional): Problems of urbanisation and remedies, Regional planning

It is a west-flowing river originating in the western ghats and a tributary of both the Pamba and the Achankovil rivers in Kerala. It forms a link between the two rivers. The river has its northern end in the Pamba and the southern end in the Achenkovil river. Recently , it has been rejuvenated after over a 6-year effort through public participation and government intervention.

Dindori district, formerly known as Ramgarh District, is a district of Madhya Pradesh state of central India. The district is part of Jabalpur Division. International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has supported an initiative to revive kodo millet and kutki (little millet) cultivation in Dindori district of Madhya Pradesh. (Approx. Jabalpur)

It is the fifth Tiger Reserve of Tamil Nadu, and 51^th tiger reserve of India. It has a mix of tropical evergreen forests and semi-evergreen forests, dry deciduous forests and moist mixed deciduous forests, grassland. Recently , it was reported that Srivilliputhur-Megamalai Tiger Reserve has rejuvenated  Vaigai river. (Approx. Virudhunagar)

Cumbum Valley or Kambam Valley is a valley in the Theni district of Tamil Nadu. This is the most fertile valley in south India. It is one of the few places in Tamil Nadu producing grapes and the valley produces about 90,000 tonnes of Muscat grapes and 10,000 tonnes of Thomson seedless grapes every year. Recently, Cumbum grapes have  been given the Geographical Indication tag or GI tag. (Approx. Theni)

It is a district of Odisha , lying in the the river delta formed by the Brahmani and Baitarani and branch rivers of Mahanadi.  It is  India’s only district to have all three species of crocodilians. (Approx. Jagatsinghpur)

Question:1

With reference to Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), consider the following statements:

1. SAF are made from biofuels, biomass and waste resources
2. India has established blending targets of 2% for sustainable aviation fuel to reduce GHG emissions .

Which of the above mentioned statements is/ are correct?

1. Only 1
2. Only 2
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Question:2

“Salvaging Procedure“ sometimes mentioned in news is associated with which among the following?

1. Process of generating energy from waves
2. Used in electric cars to make them more eco friendly.
3. Technology for industries to manage solid waste.
4. Used in green architecture to make the expansion of urban centres sustainable.

Question:3

Consider the following statements regarding Eco Sensitive Zones :

1. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), designate land within 10 kilometers of the borders of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries as eco-fragile zones or Eco-Sensitive Zones
2. Commercial use of wood is regulated in Eco sensitive zones

Which of the above mentioned statements is/ are correct ?

1. Only 1
2. Only 2
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Question:4

With reference to Bio Fortification , consider the following statements:

1. It involves improving the nutritional content of food crops during the processing stage.
2. Genetically engineered techniques have been used for bio fortification of crops.

Which of the above mentioned statements is/ are correct ?

1. Only 1
2. Only 2
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Question: 5

As per the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 in India, which one of the following statements is correct ?

1. Waste generator has to segregate waste into five categories .
2. The rules are applicable to notified urban local bodies , notified towns and all industrial townships only.
3. The rules provide for exact and elaborate and criteria for identification of sites for landfills and waste processing facilities.
4. It is mandatory on the part of waste generator that the waste generated in one district cannot be moved to another district.

Question:6

Consider the following

1. Sorghum
2. Barri
3. Kutki
4. Kodo

Which of the above mentioned millets are included in the “ minor crops “ ?

1. 1, 2 and 4
2. 2,3 and 4
3. 1,3 and 4
4. All of the above

Question:7

With reference to State of Global climate report 2022, consider the following statements:

1. The annual increase in methane concentration from 2020 to 2021 was the highest on record.
2. TheEuropean Alps saw record glacier melt due to a lack of winter snow in 2022
3. Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) is suspected to cause the enhanced  flash floods in hilly areas of India.

Which of the above mentioned statements is/ are correct ?

1. Only 1 and 2
2. Only 2 and 3
3. Only 1 and 3
4. All of the above

Question:8

Consider the following statements regarding Horn of Africa : 

1. The Horn of Africa is almost equidistant from the Equator and the Tropic of Cancer.
2. The Horn of Africa isa UNESCO Biodiversity Hotspot .
3. Sudan and Kenya are also included in this region of Africa.

Which of the above mentioned statements is/ are correct ?

1. Only 2
2. Only 1and 2
3. Only 2 and 3
4. Only 3

Question:9

With reference to Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management & Transboundary Movement) Amendment Rules, 2019 , consider the following statements:

1. Solid plastic waste has been prohibited from import into the country including in Special Economic Zones (SEZ) and by Export Oriented Units (EOU)
2. It gives powers to the central government to secure the claims arising out of any usage of Hazardous waste .

Which of the above mentioned statements is/ are correct ?

1. Only 1
2. Only 2
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Question:10

Consider the following statements regarding India's Warming Trend:

1. India is warming higher than the global average because of being located in tropics
2. States like Himachal Pradesh have become less hotter and eastern states such as Jharkhand experienced the highest warming

Which of the above mentioned statements is/ are correct ?

1. Only 1
2. Only 2
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Question: 11

With reference to Black Tiger , consider the following statements:

1. Black Tigers are a variant of the Bengal tiger and are not a distinct species or geographic subspecies.
2. Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR)is the only tiger habitat in the world with such  melanistic tigers

Which of the above mentioned statements is/ are correct ?

1. Only 1
2. Only 2
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Question: 12

 Consider the following: 

1. The park is surrounded by high plateaus and hills, the highest peak being the twin peaks of Khairiburu and Meghashini.
2. At least 12 rivers including Burhabalanga, Palpala Bandan, Salandi, Kahairi cuts across its plain area.
3. The Mugger Management Programme in this park has helped the mugger crocodile to flourish. 

Which of the below given protected area is being described in the statements ?

1. Bhitarkanika National Park
2. Simlipal National Park
3. Pench National Park
4. Kanha National Park

Question: 13

With reference to Debt-for-climate swaps , consider the following statements:

1. Debt-for-climate swaps as a concept encompasses not only nature conservation but also climate mitigation and adaptation
2. Thefirst debt-for-climate swap was implemented in 2006 between Germany and Indonesia

Which of the above mentioned statements is/ are correct ?

1. Only 1
2. Only 2
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2 

Question: 14

Consider the following statements regarding Leopards:

1. Leopards are elusive andnocturnal animals whose size and colour depend on the habitat. 
2. In India , the largest number of leopards have been estimated in Madhya Pradesh 

 Which of the above mentioned statements is/ are incorrect ?

1. Only 1
2. Only 2
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Question:15

Consider the following statements regarding Cyclone Mocha :

1. The name of given cyclone was proposed by Maldives .
2. It has developed over north east of Bay of Bengal.

Which of the above mentioned statements is/ are correct ?

1. Only 1
2. Only 2
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2