UPSC Daily Current Affairs - 23rd April 2024 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly PDF Download

GS-I

Iran

Subject: Geography

Source: Mint

Why in News?

Iran conducted a series of air strikes on Israel employing drones and ballistic missiles as a retaliatory measure against Israeli war jets attacking an Iranian consulate in Syria. This operation was named "Operation True Promise."

About Iran

• Iran, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran, is located in Western Asia.
• The majority of Iranians practice Islam, particularly the Ithnā ʿAsharī (Twelver) branch of Shi’a Islam, which is the state religion.
• Iran boasts one of the longest land borders in the region, spanning about 3,662 miles.
• Iran shares land borders with seven nations:
  • Iraq to the west
  • Turkmenistan to the north
  • Afghanistan to the east
  • Pakistan to the southeast
  • Turkey to the northwest
  • Armenia to the north
  • Azerbaijan to the north
• Furthermore, Iran has maritime boundaries with several countries, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

Mount Ruang Volcano

Subject: Geography

Source: Times of India

Why in News? 

Indonesia recently experienced a series of eruptions from Mount Ruang.

Background:

• Mount Ruang has been the source of at least 16 eruptions, with the initial eruption dating back to 1808.

About MOUNT RUANG VOLCANO:

• Mount Ruang is positioned in Indonesia's North Sulawesi province.
• It is categorized as a stratovolcano, featuring a tall, steep, cone-shaped structure.
• Stratovolcanoes are recognized for their explosive eruptions caused by the accumulation of gas pressures in their more viscous lavas.
• The volcano is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area susceptible to frequent seismic and volcanic activities due to its location along subduction zones.

Why Does Sea Level Rise Matter?

Subject: Geography

Source: Indian Express

Why in News?

As per a new study published in Science Journal, China’s quarter of the coastal land will sink below sea level within a century due to land subsidence and climate change resulting in rise of sea levels.

• Sea level rise is significant because it causes the submersion of coastal areas, leading to the potential flooding of regions.
• Increased sea levels result in more intense storm surges, exacerbating flooding and causing damage to coastal regions.
• Rising sea levels also contribute to the contamination of freshwater aquifers with saltwater, impacting communities that rely on these sources for agriculture and drinking water.

How Fast is the Global Sea Level Rising?

• Since 1880, the global sea level has risen by approximately 8-9 inches.
• According to a report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the rate of sea level rise has been accelerating since 1993, nearly doubling in speed.
• Between 2022 and 2023, there was a significant increase of around 0.3 inches in sea level due to the effects of El Niño, a weather pattern associated with warmer oceans.
• The current projections suggest that the rate of sea level rise will slow down as El Niño weakens, but the acceleration could double by 2050 compared to the previous century, leading to more frequent flooding events.

Impact of Climate Change on Sea Level Rise

• Global warming has accelerated the melting of glaciers and ice sheets, contributing to the rise in sea levels by adding water to the oceans.
• Warmer ocean temperatures, caused by global warming, lead to thermal expansion, further exacerbating sea level rise.
• A study in 2023 revealed that glaciers in Greenland are melting at a rate five times faster than they were two decades ago.

Examples of Sea Level Rise Effects

• By 2050, parts of Mumbai, Kochi, Mangalore, Chennai, Visakhapatnam, and Thiruvananthapuram are projected to be submerged due to rising sea levels.

GS-II

Rules Around Star Campaigners

Subject: Polity and Governance

Source: The Hindu

Why in News?

Sunita Kejriwal, wife of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, was appointed as a ‘star campaigner’ by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for its campaign in Gujarat.

Definition of Star Campaigners

• Star campaigners are key figures within political parties appointed to campaign for their party during elections.
• They are typically top leaders of a political party but can also include other prominent personalities.
• Requirement: Star campaigners must be members of the political party that appoints them.

Legal Provisions for Star Campaigners

• As per Section 77 of the Representation of the People Act 1951, rules govern the expenditure incurred by leaders of political parties, known as star campaigners.
• Recognized political parties can appoint up to 40 star campaigners, while unrecognised parties can appoint up to 20, as per the RP Act.
• Names of star campaigners must be communicated to the Election Commission and Chief Electoral Officer within seven days of election notification.

Benefits for Star Campaigners

• Expenditure incurred by star campaigners for party campaigning does not count towards the election expenditure limit of individual candidates.
• Star campaigners can attract votes for their party's candidates without affecting the candidate's expenditure limit.
• However, restrictions apply: if star campaigners directly campaign for a specific candidate, expenses may be apportioned to that candidate.

Concerns Regarding Campaigning by Star Campaigners

• Star campaigners from various parties have been criticized for using inappropriate language and appealing to caste or communal sentiments.
• There are concerns about the underestimation of expenses related to star campaigners' rallies, potentially leading to lower allocation of costs to contesting candidates.

Maintaining Decorum and Restraint in Campaigning

• Current laws allow political parties to appoint or revoke star campaigners.
• Proposed Amendment: Empower the Election Commission to revoke star campaigner status in cases of serious Model Code of Conduct violations.
• Enhanced assessment and apportionment of expenses related to star campaigners' activities for specific candidates are recommended for greater transparency.

Possible US Sanctions on Netzah Yehuda Battalion of Israel

Subject: International Relations

Source: Mint

Why in News?

US, for the first time, can impose sanctions on Netzah Yehuda Battalion of Israeli Defence Forces (IDF).

What is the Netzah Yehuda Battalion?

Netzah Yehuda Battalion is a male-only unit of the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) founded in 1999 to cater to ultra-orthodox Jews and other religious nationalist recruits from the west-bank settler movement.

Reasons for US Sanctions on Netzah Yehuda

The United States is considering sanctions on Netzah Yehuda following incidents such as the death of a Palestinian-American man in custody and allegations of violence against Palestinians, particularly during the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Potential Sanctions

If sanctions are imposed, the battalion and its members could be barred from receiving assistance or training from the US Army under the Leahy Law, which restricts aid to foreign military units facing credible allegations of human rights abuses.

Israel's Response

Israel contends that Netzah Yehuda operates within legal boundaries as an active combat unit. The Israeli Prime Minister has strongly criticized the proposed sanctions, arguing that they undermine Israel's security interests and are based on flawed premises.

GS-III

Global Methane Tracker 2024

Subject: Environment and Ecology

Source: Mint

Why in News?

The International Energy Agency's Global Methane Tracker 2024 reveals that methane emissions from fuel usage in 2023 hit near-record levels, showing a slight rise from 2022.

Background:

Methane has contributed to about 30% of the global temperature increase since the preindustrial era. The energy sector, encompassing oil, natural gas, coal, and bioenergy, is a significant source of methane emissions from human activities.

Key Highlights of the Global Methane Tracker 2024:

• In 2023, fossil fuels accounted for nearly 120 million tonnes (Mt) of methane emissions.
• Bioenergy, primarily from biomass use, added another 10 Mt of methane emissions, a level consistent since 2019.
• Notable methane emission events surged by over 50% in 2023 compared to 2022, with more than 5 million metric tons originating from significant fossil fuel leaks globally. For instance, a major well blowout in Kazakhstan lasted over 200 days.
• Approximately 70% of fossil fuel methane emissions come from the top 10 emitting countries. The United States leads in methane emissions from oil and gas operations, closely trailed by Russia. China tops in methane emissions from the coal sector.
• Reducing methane emissions from fossil fuels by 75% by 2030 is crucial to restrict global warming to 1.5 °C. The IEA estimates this endeavor would necessitate around USD 170 billion in expenditure, a fraction of the fossil fuel industry's 2023 earnings. Nearly 40% of 2023's fossil fuel emissions could have been mitigated at no net cost.

Methane:

• Methane, the simplest hydrocarbon, comprises one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms (CH4).
• It serves as the primary component of natural gas.
• As an odourless, colourless, and tasteless gas, it burns with a blue flame in complete combustion, producing carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O) in the presence of oxygen.
• Ranking as the second most significant greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide (CO2), methane boasts a 20-year global warming potential (GWP) of 84, signifying it traps 84 times more heat per mass unit than CO2 over two decades, rendering it a potent greenhouse gas.
• It substantially contributes to global warming, attributing to around 30% of the global temperature rise since the preindustrial era, also aiding in ground-level ozone formation.

Major Sources of Methane Emission:

• Wetlands, whether natural or human-made, are significant methane emission sources due to anaerobic decomposition of organic matter.
• Paddy fields produce methane due to anaerobic conditions in flooded rice paddies.
• Cattle and other livestock excreta undergo enteric fermentation, yielding methane as a byproduct.
• Fossil fuel combustion, including oil and natural gas, releases methane emissions.
• Biomass burning, like wood and agricultural residues, also contributes to methane levels.
• Industrial activities such as landfills and wastewater treatment plants generate methane during organic waste decomposition in anaerobic settings. Additionally, fertilizer factories and other industrial processes can release methane during production and transportation.

Fourth Global Mass Coral Bleaching

Subject: Environment and Ecology

Source: BBC

Why in News?

The fourth global mass coral bleaching event has been triggered by exceptionally high ocean temperatures, as reported by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on April 15.

• This event could have severe implications for ocean ecosystems and the millions of individuals who depend on coral reefs for sustenance, employment, and protection against coastal hazards.

Background:

• Since mid-March 2023, there has been a notable increase in the average sea surface temperature (SST).

Understanding Corals and Coral Reefs:

• Corals are marine animals that attach themselves permanently to the ocean floor and feed by capturing food particles using their tentacle-like structures.
• Each coral animal, known as a polyp, lives in colonies consisting of hundreds to thousands of genetically identical polyps.
• Corals are categorized as hard or soft corals, with hard corals being the primary builders of complex coral reef structures.
• Coral reefs, often termed as the "rainforests of the sea," have existed on Earth for approximately 450 million years, with the Great Barrier Reef in Australia being the largest, spanning 2,028 kilometres.

Significance of Corals:

• Coral reefs play a vital role in marine ecosystems, hosting a diverse array of marine species.
• For example, the Great Barrier Reef houses over 400 coral species, 1,500 fish species, 4,000 mollusc species, and six of the world's seven sea turtle species.
• Research suggests that numerous undiscovered organisms inhabit and surround coral reefs.
• These ecosystems provide economic benefits valued at approximately $375 billion annually and support over 500 million people worldwide for food, livelihoods, and protection against natural disasters.

Understanding Coral Bleaching:

• Most corals contain plant-like algae called zooxanthellae in their tissues, forming a symbiotic relationship with corals.
• Corals are sensitive to changes in light and temperature, and environmental stress can lead to coral bleaching, wherein corals expel zooxanthellae and turn white.
• Coral bleaching can reduce coral reproduction rates, increase vulnerability to diseases, and impact overall coral health, with global mass bleaching events occurring across the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific oceans.

Current Situation:

• The ongoing fourth global bleaching event has been confirmed by NOAA, affecting approximately 54 countries, territories, and local economies.
• The Great Barrier Reef is experiencing severe bleaching, with a significant portion of surveyed reefs showing high levels of bleaching.
• Bleaching has also been observed in the Western Indian Ocean regions, including Tanzania, Kenya, Mauritius, Seychelles, and parts of Indonesia.
• Elevated ocean temperatures, exacerbated by the El Niño weather pattern, are the primary drivers of the current bleaching event. However, the potential onset of a cooler La Niña pattern by year-end may mitigate the event's duration.

Why is World Earth Day Observed?

Subject: Environment and Ecology

Source: The Quint

Why in News?

April 22 is celebrated annually as Earth Day.

• First observed in 1970 in the US, sparked by environmental concerns.
• Triggered by events like the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill.
• In 2009, the United Nations marked it as International Mother Earth Day.
• Now observed in 192 countries, managed by Earthday.org.

What is the Significance of World Earth Day?

• Aims to lead the largest environmental movement for global change.
• Stresses collective efforts to restore ecosystems, fight climate change, and protect biodiversity.
• Resulted in the signing of the Paris Agreement on Earth Day 2016.

Theme of World Earth Day 2024 and its Significance

• Theme: "Planet vs. Plastics."
• Global plastic production exceeds 380 million tons annually.
• Focuses on the dangers of plastic to the environment and human health.
• Demands a 60% reduction in plastic production by 2040 to eliminate plastic waste.