02 May 2024 CNA
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
A. GS 1 Related B. GS 2 Related C. GS 3 Related ECONOMY 1. Analysing labour on a warming planet D. GS 4 Related E. Editorials ECONOMY 1. The wrong way to fight inequality ENVIRONMENT 1. An animal protection Bill that must be moved in June GEOGRAPHY 1. Sea also rises F. Prelims Facts 1. ISRO finds proof of enhanced possibility of water ice in polar craters of the moon 2. Particles called quarks hold the key to the final fate of some stars 3. Plastic treaty talks conclude in Ottawa with little progress G. Tidbits H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
A. GS 1 Related
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B. GS 2 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
C. GS 3 Related
Category: ECONOMY
1. Analysing labour on a warming planet
Syllabus: Employment
Mains: The relationship between labour productivity, human health, and climate change
Context: The relationship between labour productivity, human health, and climate change has been overlooked in discussions, with more emphasis placed on economic and infrastructure resilience. However, the latest report from the International Labour Organization (ILO) underscores the urgency of climate-proofing labor to address the evolving challenges posed by a warming planet.
Issues
- The ILO identifies six primary impacts of climate change on labour: excessive heat, solar ultraviolet radiation, extreme weather events, workplace air pollution, vector-borne diseases, and exposure to agrochemicals.
- These hazards contribute to various health issues such as stress, stroke, and exhaustion, particularly affecting workers in sectors like agriculture, construction, transportation, and tourism.
Significance
- The vulnerability of different sectors to climate change varies, with agriculture being the most susceptible globally, followed by India’s Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sector and the construction industry.
- The informal nature of many jobs within these sectors exacerbates workers’ vulnerability to heat-related hazards.
Solutions
- While India has legislation addressing workplace safety across various sectors, such as the Factories Act, 1948, and the Building and Other Construction Workers Act, 1996, enforcement and coverage remain significant challenges.
- Amendments are necessary to update existing regulations to reflect technological advancements and evolving production processes.
- Moreover, there is a need to address issues such as effluent disposal and silica exposure in industries like mining and manufacturing.
Nut Graf: The ILO report emphasizes the importance of establishing a universally accepted regulatory framework to climate-proof work and protect workers’ health and safety. It calls for a comprehensive approach that integrates climate considerations into labor policies and practices to ensure resilience in the face of a warming planet. Addressing these challenges requires collaboration between governments, industries, and labour organizations to prioritize the well-being of workers while adapting to the impacts of climate change.
D. GS 4 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
E. Editorials
Category: ECONOMY
1. The wrong way to fight inequality
Syllabus: GS-3, Inclusive growth
Mains: Economic inequality trends in India
Context: French economist Thomas Piketty’s recent findings on economic inequality trends in India underscore the gravity of the issue. While the data reveals alarming levels of inequality, the proposed solution of wealth redistribution through taxation warrants scrutiny.
Issues
- Income and Wealth Inequality: Piketty’s research highlights a significant disparity in income and wealth distribution in India, with the top 1% holding a disproportionate share of total wealth and income compared to the bottom 50%.
- Regressive Tax System: The analysis critiques India’s tax system, primarily based on income, as regressive, calling for a wealth tax targeting the affluent. However, this approach overlooks crucial aspects of economic dynamics and may have unintended consequences.
Significance
- Economic Growth Trends: Income and wealth inequality escalated notably from the 1980s onward, coinciding with India’s shift towards market-oriented policies. Despite the widening gap, overall economic growth has surged since the 1990s, leading to an expansion of the economic pie.
- Economic Freedom Disparity: The stark contrast in income levels between different segments of society underscores the limited economic freedom for the bottom 50%. Barriers such as access to capital and high costs of education hinder their ability to compete in the market.
Solutions
- Promoting Economic Freedom: Rather than imposing higher taxes on the wealthy, fostering economic freedom for the disadvantaged is proposed. Liberalizing sectors like finance and education can enable individuals to pursue high-paying opportunities, thus narrowing the income gap organically.
- Addressing Special Privileges: Concentrated wealth is often attributed to government-endorsed privileges that shield the affluent from market competition. Eliminating such advantages and fostering a competitive environment would naturally reduce wealth disparities.
Nut Graf: While the idea of wealth redistribution through taxation appears appealing, its efficacy and repercussions merit closer examination. A wealth tax, far from alleviating inequality, may inadvertently stifle economic growth and adversely impact the living standards of lower-income groups.
Category: ENVIRONMENT
1. An animal protection Bill that must be moved in June
Syllabus: GS-3, Conservation and biodiversity
Mains: Significance of animal protection bills
Context: Countries worldwide are revising their animal cruelty laws, exemplified by Croatia’s recent enforcement of stricter penalties. In India, a tragic incident involving the killing of a community dog has ignited calls for stronger legal measures against animal cruelty.
Issues
- Inadequacies of Existing Laws: The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act of 1960, the primary legislation governing animal cruelty in India, is criticized for its poor enforcement and minimal penalties.
- Shortcomings in Punishment: The PCA Act fails to align with punishment theories, lacking provisions for effective retribution, deterrence, and rehabilitation. Offences are often bailable and carry insignificant fines, offering little deterrent against cruelty.
Significance
- Public Outcry and Demand for Reform: The outcry following incidents like the killing of Jai reflects public sentiment and underscores the urgent need for legal reform to address animal cruelty effectively.
- Draft PCA (Amendment) Bill: The proposed amendments seek to address key deficiencies in the current law by enhancing penalties, introducing new offences, and incorporating fundamental freedoms for animals.
Solutions
- Strengthening Legal Framework: The Draft PCA (Amendment) Bill presents a significant opportunity to overhaul existing legislation and establish more stringent penalties for perpetrators of animal cruelty.
- Balancing Punishment and Rehabilitation: While imposing stricter penalties is essential, provisions for rehabilitation and community service should also be integrated into the legal framework to promote behavioural change among offenders.
Nut Graf: The forthcoming government in June must prioritize the enactment of the Draft PCA (Amendment) Bill to modernize India’s animal cruelty laws. By addressing the inadequacies of the current legislation and aligning punishments with the gravity of the offenses, India can set a progressive example in animal welfare and uphold its principles of ahimsa.
Category: GEOGRAPHY
Syllabus: GS-1, Indian climate and weather patterns
Mains: Implications of Indian Ocean’s temperature rise
Context: As India grapples with heat waves, the prospect of a promising monsoon offers temporary relief. However, a recent study by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology warns of alarming trends in the Indian Ocean’s temperature rise and its profound implications.
Issues
- Rising Ocean Temperatures: The Indian Ocean has warmed by 1.2°C and is projected to increase by 1.7°C to 3.8°C from 2020 to 2100, leading to more frequent and intense marine heatwaves.
- Impact on Cyclones and Monsoon: Elevated ocean temperatures are linked to a surge in cyclones and erratic monsoon patterns, exacerbating droughts, floods, and cyclonic activity along India’s coastline.
Significance
- Marine Ecosystem and Fisheries: Increased ocean heatwaves threaten marine biodiversity, coral reefs, and fisheries, impacting livelihoods and food security for coastal communities.
- Mainland India Vulnerability: The consequences extend to mainland India, with heightened cyclone frequency and unpredictable monsoons affecting agriculture, infrastructure, and public safety.
Solutions
- Collaborative Data Gathering: India must collaborate with Indian Ocean countries to enhance data collection and monitoring efforts, enabling accurate projections and informed decision-making.
- Infrastructure and Adaptation: Investments in infrastructure and adaptation strategies are crucial to mitigate the impact of rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and oceanic changes.
Nut Graf: Addressing the challenges posed by a warming Indian Ocean requires concerted international cooperation and proactive measures. By bolstering data-sharing initiatives and implementing adaptive strategies, India can better prepare for the escalating impacts of climate change on its coastal regions and beyond.
F. Prelims Facts
1. ISRO finds proof of enhanced possibility of water ice in polar craters of the moon
Context: A recent study conducted by Indian space scientists, in collaboration with various institutions including ISRO’s Space Applications Centre (SAC), IIT Kanpur, University of Southern California, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, has provided compelling evidence of an enhanced possibility of water ice occurrence in the polar craters of the moon.
Issues
- The study reveals that the amount of sub-surface ice within the first couple of meters of the lunar surface is significantly higher, estimated to be about five to eight times larger than the ice present on the surface.
- Furthermore, the investigation indicates that the extent of water ice in the northern polar region of the moon is approximately double that found in the southern polar region.
Significance
- The findings of this study have profound implications for future lunar exploration missions and the establishment of long-term human presence on the moon.
- Understanding the distribution and depth of water ice in lunar polar craters is essential for identifying potential landing and sampling sites for future missions aimed at exploring and characterizing lunar volatiles.
Solutions
- The study confirms the hypothesis that the primary source of sub-surface water ice in the lunar poles is out-gassing during volcanism in the Imbrian period.
- Additionally, the distribution of water ice appears to be influenced by mare volcanism and preferential impact cratering.
- Moving forward, accurate knowledge of the distribution and depth of water ice occurrence will be crucial for guiding ISRO’s future in-situ volatile exploration plans on the moon.
2. Particles called quarks hold the key to the final fate of some stars
Context: Particles known as quarks hold the key to understanding the final fate of some stars, particularly neutron stars, which are dense remnants of stellar explosions. The study of quarks and their behaviour in extreme conditions sheds light on fundamental aspects of nuclear physics and astrophysics.
Issues
- Quarks, the building blocks of protons and neutrons, exist in groups called hadrons, such as protons and neutrons.
- Recent studies have provided insights into the behaviour of quarks, including the formation of three-quark clumps over two-quark clumps under specific conditions.
- Additionally, observations have been made of clumps composed entirely of heavier quarks, challenging conventional particle-physics models.
Significance
- Understanding quarks is crucial for comprehending phenomena like nuclear fusion and the fate of stars.
- In neutron stars, immense pressure forces neutrons into a dense state of matter, possibly composed of quarks.
- The presence of quark matter within neutron stars has implications for their structure and behaviour, impacting our understanding of stellar evolution and the formation of exotic celestial objects like quark stars.
Solutions
- Researchers have combined astrophysical observations with theoretical calculations to explore the presence of quark matter within neutron stars.
- Supercomputing simulations have been employed to develop models predicting the likelihood of quark matter in massive neutron stars.
- However, further observational data is needed to validate these models and enhance our understanding of quark behaviour under extreme conditions.
3. Plastic treaty talks conclude in Ottawa with little progress
Context: The Global Plastics Treaty negotiations in Ottawa aimed to address the pressing issue of plastic pollution, but concluded with limited progress. Despite efforts to draft a legally binding agreement to eliminate plastic pollution, challenges remain due to the deep-rooted connection between plastics and global economies.
Issues
- The negotiations faced significant hurdles, including the economic dependence on plastics in oil economies, the extensive manufacturing industry associated with plastics, and the lack of affordable alternatives.
- Plastics, notorious for their non-biodegradability, pose severe environmental threats by polluting marine and terrestrial ecosystems.
Significance
- The failure to address unsustainable plastic production hampers progress towards mitigating plastic pollution.
- While the talks did not yield a timeline for halting primary plastic production, countries agreed to delve into detailed assessments of various aspects, including emissions, product design, waste management, and financing.
Solutions
- Inter-sessional expert meetings are scheduled to facilitate discussions on crucial issues between official negotiation sessions.
- The upcoming meeting in Busan, South Korea, in November 2024 is expected to be pivotal in advancing the treaty. However, challenges persist, particularly concerning the opposition from certain countries like India to restrictions on primary plastic production.
G. Tidbits
Nothing here for today!!!
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
Q1. Consider the following statements with respect to the lunar south pole:
- The lunar south pole is the southernmost point on the moon.
- The lunar south pole region has a higher quantity of sheltered craters than the north pole region.
- The primary source of sub-surface water ice is outgassing during volcanism.
How many of these statements is/are correct?
- One only
- Two only
- All three
- None of the above
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: c
Explanation: All statements are correct.
Q2. Which of the statements with respect to Quarks is/are correct?
- Quarks are elementary particles that come in six flavours: up, down, top, bottom, strange and charm.
- They usually combine together in groups of twos and threes to form hadrons such as the protons and neutrons that make up atomic nuclei.
Choose the correct answer using the code given below:
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: c
Explanation: Both statements are correct.
Q3. With reference to Indian laws about wildlife protection, consider the following statements:
- Wild animals are the sole property of the government.
- When a wild animal is declared protected, such animal is entitled to equal protection whether it is found in protected areas or outside.
- Apprehension of a protected wild animal becoming a danger to human life is sufficient ground for its capture or killing.
How many of these statements is/are correct?
- One only
- Two only
- All three
- None of the above
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: b
Explanation: Only if the wild animal becomes a danger to human life or is diseased or disabled beyond recovery can it be allowed to be captured or killed by the competent authority i.e., the Chief Wildlife Warden of the State.
Q4. Which of the following statements are correct with respect to the impact of the increased heating of the Indian Ocean are correct:
- In the Indian Ocean, thermal expansion alone accounts for more than half of the sea-level rise.
- Projections suggest a 66% rise in extreme dipole events which can lead to deficient Indian Monsoon.
Choose the correct answer using the code given below:
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: c
Explanation: Both the statements are correct.
Q5. With reference to the Prevention to Cruelty Act, 1960, consider the following statements:
- The legislative intent of the act is to “prevent the infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering on animals”.
- The Animal Welfare Board of India was established in 1962 under Section 4 of the Act.
- The act provides for a limitation period of 3 months beyond which no prosecution shall lie for offenses under this act.
How many of these statements is/are correct?
- One only
- Two only
- All three
- None of the above
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: c
Explanation: All statements are correct.
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
- According to recent findings by Thomas Piketty, economic inequality in India has reached unprecedented levels, surpassing even those during the British colonial period. Evaluate the causes of rising economic inequality since the liberalization of the Indian economy in the 1980s. (15 marks, 250 words) [GS-3, Economy]
- Climate change is increasingly affecting occupational safety and health, necessitating adjustments in labour regulations and practices. Discuss the impacts of climate change on the workforce. Also, evaluate the adequacy of India’s existing legal frameworks in addressing these challenges and suggest measures for improvement. (15 marks, 250 words) [GS-3, Environment]
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