Environment and Ecology - 4 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

The State of the Climate in Asia 2023

Why in News?

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has published a report titled "The State of the Climate in Asia 2023," which reveals the concerning effects of climate change across the continent. The report details the serious repercussions of extreme weather, increasing temperatures, and environmental shifts occurring in Asia.

What are the Key Highlights of the Report?

• Asia as Most Disaster-Prone Region: In 2023, Asia experienced 79 disasters, impacting over nine million individuals and resulting in more than 2,000 fatalities. Floods and storms were the primary causes of both casualties and economic losses.
• Warming Trends: Asia is warming at a pace that is nearly double the global average since the period of 1961-1990. Key indicators of climate change, such as rising surface temperatures, glacier melting, and sea level rise, pose significant threats to the region's economy and ecosystems.

Impacts on India:

• India encountered severe heatwaves, floods caused by rainfall, glacial lake outbursts, and tropical cyclones in 2023.
• In April and June, extreme heatwaves led to around 110 heatstroke-related deaths, with temperatures soaring to 42-43 degrees Celsius in specific areas.
• Prolonged heatwaves also spread across much of Southeast Asia, affecting regions in Bangladesh, eastern India, and parts of China.
• Flooding in August resulted in significant fatalities in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, causing widespread destruction of infrastructure and agriculture.
• Six tropical cyclones emerged in the North Indian Ocean, with four making landfall in India, which is slightly above the average cyclone activity.
• Four of these cyclones—Mocha, Hamoon, Midhili, and Michaung—originated from the Bay of Bengal, while two—Biparjoy and Tej—came from the Arabian Sea.
• The eastern and northern regions of India recorded the highest temperature increases compared to the 1991-2021 averages.
• Sea levels in the Bay of Bengal rose 30% higher than the global average, particularly impacting the Sundarbans area.

Soaring Temperatures and Melting Glaciers:

• The average annual temperature in Asia for 2023 was recorded as the second highest ever.
• The High Mountain Asia region, which holds the largest ice volume outside polar areas, is facing threats due to glacier melting.

Below-Normal Precipitation and Killer Floods:

• Most of Asia experienced below-normal rainfall in 2023, yet over 80% of reported hydrometeorological hazards were related to floods and storms, resulting in fatalities and impacting millions.
• Floods emerged as the leading cause of death in several regions, especially in India, Yemen, and Pakistan.

Need for Robust Climate Finance:

• The report highlights the necessity for robust climate finance mechanisms to enhance adaptation strategies and address losses in developing Asian countries.

What are the Initiatives Related to Climate Change Mitigation?

• National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC).
• State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC).
• National Adaptation Fund on Climate Change (NAFCC).
• Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC).

Global:

• Loss and Damage Fund:
• Global Climate Change Alliance (GCCA): This initiative by the European Union aims to collaborate with developing nations most affected by climate change. It operates through the European Commission and evolved into GCCA+ in 2015 to support the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
• Momentum for Change: Climate Neutral Now: Launched in 2015 by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), this initiative encourages governments, organizations, and businesses to take steps towards achieving climate neutrality.

Sustainable Finance for Tiger Landscapes Conference

Why in News?

The Bhutanese government recently hosted the Earth Day 2024 event with the goal of raising USD 1 billion over the next decade dedicated to the conservation of tigers and their habitats throughout Asia.

What is the Sustainable Finance for Tiger Landscapes Conference?

• The two-day conference was organized by Bhutan under the esteemed patronage of Queen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck.
• It aims to mobilize a total of USD 1 billion over a span of ten years specifically for the preservation of tiger landscapes.
• Conserving these tiger habitats is crucial for maintaining biodiversity, sequestering carbon, providing resources for over 100 million people, and ensuring the overall health of our planet.
• The conference gathered representatives from tiger range countries, visionary private and public sector donors, international development agencies, the Tiger Conservation Coalition, and various other conservation organizations.

Key Highlights from the Conference:

• High-ranking officials from ten different tiger range countries presented their statements regarding the progress and future ambitions for conserving their respective tiger landscapes.
• The conference concluded with the issuance of the Paro Statement by the Royal Government of Bhutan, reaffirming its commitment to the conservation objectives.

Other Sources of Funding:

• Since 2010, the Global Environment Facility has contributed over USD 197 million in funding and has helped mobilize an additional USD 880 million in co-financing for tiger conservation efforts.

What are Global Initiatives for Tiger Conservation?

• Integrated Tiger Habitat Conservation Programme (ITHCP)
• St. Petersburg Declaration on Tiger Conservation
• Global Tiger Forum
• Global Tiger Initiative (GTI)

Tiger Conservation Coalition:

• This coalition is an independent assembly of organizations that have collaborated extensively on significant tiger assessments.
• Member organizations consist of:
  (a) International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
  (b) Trade Related Analysis of Fauna and Flora in Commerce (TRAFFIC)
  (c) United Nations Development Programme
  (d) World Wildlife Fund

Sailfin Armoured Catfish

Why in news?

Recently, scientists from the CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) have found that the invasive sailfin armoured catfish has spread to 60% of the water bodies in the Eastern Ghats. This proliferation is causing damage to fishing nets and disrupting local ecosystems.

What are the Key Facts About Sailfin Catfish?

• About: The sailfin armoured catfish comprises several species within the genus Pterygoplichthys, belonging to the family Loricariidae. Originating from South America, it has been introduced to various tropical and subtropical freshwater environments globally, leading to significant ecological consequences. Initially brought to India for its aesthetic appeal and its ability to control algal growth in aquariums, this species has since proliferated uncontrollably.
• Features: Sailfin catfish are identifiable by their dark, worm-like markings against a dark-golden background. They possess robust pectoral fins with rough textures and a unique disc-like mouth that functions similarly to a suction cup, allowing them to cling to surfaces and feed on algae. Typically, the females are smaller than the males, with individuals exceeding 18 inches in length usually being male.
• Habitat: These catfish thrive in a variety of slow-moving water bodies, commonly residing near shorelines and shallow areas. They are known for constructing spawning burrows along banks, which can sometimes lead to the erosion of canal and lake shorelines.
• Age and Growth: Sailfin catfish can grow to more than 20 inches in length and can weigh up to 3.0 pounds, demonstrating their capacity for significant growth in suitable environments.

Paris Agreement Climate Finance Target for 2022

Why in news?

The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has released a report indicating that developed nations succeeded in delivering and mobilizing over USD 100 billion in climate finance to developing countries in 2022, a commitment that was not fulfilled in prior years.

What are the Key Highlights of the OECD Report?

• Climate Finance Goal: Developed countries mobilized USD 115.9 billion in climate finance directed towards developing nations in 2022. This achievement occurred two years later than the intended target set for 2020.
• Dominance of Public Climate Finance: Public funding from bilateral and multilateral sources constituted nearly 80% of the total climate financing in 2022. Approximately 90% of the contributions from Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) were in the form of loans.
• Financial Contributions: Bilateral sources contributed USD 41 billion, while multilateral sources provided USD 50.6 billion. Private finance mobilized in 2022 amounted to USD 21.9 billion.
• Nature of Financial Instruments: Loans represented 70% of the overall public climate finance, raising concerns regarding the potential debt burden on developing countries. In contrast, grants constituted only 28% of the total public financing.
• Distribution by Income Level: Lower-income countries benefited from 64% of their public climate funding as grants, whereas lower-middle-income countries received only 13% in grant form.
• Funding for Mitigation vs Adaptation: The bulk of the financing was allocated towards mitigation efforts, with adaptation activities receiving USD 32.4 billion in 2022.
• Expert Concerns and Recommendations: Experts have urged for improved transparency in financial accounting and a clear definition of what constitutes climate finance. Critics suggest that the reliance on loans jeopardizes the principles of climate justice. The USD 100 billion target is viewed as insufficient, given the estimated requirement of USD 1 trillion annually by 2030 for developing nations to effectively tackle climate change.

What is the Future of Climate Finance Goal?

• New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG): Ongoing negotiations aim to establish a new, more ambitious NCQG for climate finance, which is anticipated to be adopted at the COP29 summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, scheduled for November 2024.
• Commitment from Developed Countries: Starting from 2025, developed nations are expected to meet the requirements set by the NCQG concerning climate finance contributions to developing countries, which will replace the commitments made under the 2015 Paris Agreement.
• Financial Needs for Climate Action: A 2021 report from UN Climate Change estimated that developing countries will require around USD 6 trillion annually until 2030 to execute their climate action strategies.
• India's Call for Support: India has urged developed countries to deliver at least USD 1 trillion per year in climate finance from 2025 onwards to effectively address global warming challenges.

Flamingos, Himalayan Ibex and Blue Sheep

Why in News?

Recently, around 39 flamingos tragically lost their lives due to a collision with an aircraft while landing at the Mumbai airport. As a result, these flamingos, which are a protected species under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, had their carcasses handed over to the forest department for a necropsy.

What are the Key Facts About the Flamingos?

There are six species of flamingos recognized globally:

• American Flamingo
• Andean Flamingo
• Chilean Flamingo
• Greater Flamingo
• James's Flamingo
• Lesser Flamingo

Greater Flamingo

• The Greater Flamingo is the largest and most widely distributed flamingo species.
• It serves as the state bird of Gujarat.
• This species is classified as "Least Concern (LC)" on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
• They inhabit various regions, including parts of Africa, southeastern Asia, and southern Europe.
• In Asia, they can be found along the coastal areas of India and Pakistan.

Migration:

• Northern populations of Greater Flamingos migrate to warmer regions during winter due to factors such as food shortages, changes in water levels, and intra-colony competition.

Characteristics:

• These birds typically form monogamous pairs, remaining together for life.
• Their distinctive pink coloration is derived from their diet, which includes brine shrimp and algae found in coastal wetlands.
• Flamingos are indicators of a healthy coastal ecosystem.
• As omnivores, they consume a variety of foods, including mollusks, crustaceans, insects, crabs, worms, and small fish, as well as plant materials such as algae, grass, decaying leaves, and shoots.
• They prefer habitats like saltwater lagoons in coastal regions and large alkaline and saline lakes.

Migration Pattern of Flamingo in India:

• Experts estimate that between 100,000 to 150,000 flamingos migrate from Gujarat (including Kutch and Bhavnagar) and other scattered locations to Mumbai in November in search of food.
• Upon their arrival, they settle in the Thane Creek area, which serves as a breeding ground for flamingos.

“The State of the World’s Mangroves 2024” Report released by Global Mangrove Alliance

Why in News?

Report was released on World Mangrove Day (observed annually on 26th July).

Key Highlights of Report

• Southeast Asia holds nearly one-third of all the world's mangroves, with Indonesia accounting for 21% of global mangrove coverage. 
•  Approximately half of the world's mangrove areas are considered to be in danger, as noted by the IUCN Red List of mangrove ecosystems. 
•  The mangroves found in the Lakshadweep archipelago and along the coast of Tamil Nadu are classified as critically endangered. 

About:

• Grow along coasts in salt marshes, tidal creeks, mud flats, and estuaries.
• Salt-tolerant plant communities found in tropical and subtropical intertidal regions characterized by high rainfall (between 1,000-3,000 mm) and temperature (ranging between 26°C-35°C).
• West Bengal has the largest mangrove cover in India. (India State of Forest Report, 2021)

Drivers of Mangrove Loss:

• Climate change (sea-level rise, increased storm intensity).
• Expansion of industrial shrimp aquaculture (Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Gujarat).
• Conversion to oil palm plantations, rice cultivation (43% loss between 2000-2020).

Benefits of Mangroves

•  Supports a wide range of plants and animals. For example, more than 5,700 species of plants and animals have been found in Indian mangroves. 
•  Acts as carbon sinks, meaning they can store an average of 394 tonnes of carbon for every hectare of land. 
•  Provides protection for coastal areas from disasters. They can reduce flood depths by 15-20%, and even over 70% in certain locations. 
•  Fish and seafood from mangrove ecosystems are often rich in important nutrients, such as protein, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins (like vitamins D and B12), and minerals (including iron and zinc). 
•  Improves water quality by filtering out pollutants and trapping sediments. 

Initiatives for Mangroves

India:

• Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes (MISHTI).
• Sustainable Aquaculture in Mangrove Ecosystem (SAIME).

Global:

• Mangrove Breakthrough by GMA.
• Mangrove Alliance for Climate, headed by UAE in partnership with Indonesia.

Powered by Froala Editor