e & e (dec 15) (1)

8/20/2019 E & E (Dec 15) (1)

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/e-e-dec-15-1 1/43

Environmental Ecology: Current corner by Dr. Ravi P. Agrahari

Dr. Ravi P. Agrahari (PhD IIT Delhi) working as a scientist in IIT Delhi

with the association of Department of Science & Technology (GOI)

GS-III Module

Environmental Ecology

Prelims-cum-Mains-2016

Current Affairs

VOLUME –

3

(December – 2015)By

Dr. Ravi P. Agrahari(Scientist in IIT Delhi)

8/20/2019 E & E (Dec 15) (1)





1. Analyze the demand of developing countries regarding fund and

technology mechanism to counter climate change. Give your arguments from

both the perspectives of developing and developed countries.

Answer: The developed world argues cuts should be based – in the long term,

at least – on current GHG emissions; this means heavily polluting countries like

China and India will have to make stringent GHG cuts.

Developing countries have a very different viewpoint: they say climate change

results from the cumulative build-up of GHGs in the atmosphere over time, rather

than from emissions in any one year. So, they argue, it should be the developed

world that makes the biggest GHG cuts.

At one extreme, the relative contribution of developed countries as a group is at

80% of the total warming the Earth has experienced so far. However, this figure

falls to 48% when other factors are taken into account.

At the end of the 20th century, with the developed countries the main

contributors to the anthropogenic rise in GHGs, many developing countries

argued that they should not be penalized for the rich world’s historical emissions.

But since then relative contributions to global warming have been changing fast,

mainly because of the rapid rate at which emerging economies are industrializing.

The best way to support adaptation plans in developing countries in the near

future is to ensure that fast-track financing promised by developed countries is

indeed balanced between adaptation and mitigation. Advocating for imposing a

8/20/2019 E & E (Dec 15) (1)





strong price on carbon in developed countries, which will facilitate investments in

research, development and deployment of cleaner energy technologies, and for

making these technologies affordable and available to developing countries.

2. Funds for the climate finance should be recognized as the obligation for

developed nations. Comment.

Answer: Climate finance refers to financing channeled by national, regional

and international entities for climate change mitigation and adaptation projects

and programs. They include climate specific support mechanisms and financial aid

for mitigation and adaptation activities to spur and enable the transition towards

low-carbon, climate-resilient growth and development through capacity building,

R&D and economic development. The term has been used in a narrow sense to

refer to transfers of public resources from developed to developing countries, in

light of their UN Climate Convention obligations to provide "new and additional

financial resources," and in a wider sense to refer to all financial flows relating to

climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Finance is sourced from public, private and public-private sectors and can be

channeled through various intermediaries, notably BFIs, MFIs, development

cooperation agencies, the UNFCCC (various funds including those managed by the

Global Environment Facility), non-governmental organizations and the private

sector. The financials flows can flow from developed to developing countries

8/20/2019 E & E (Dec 15) (1)





(North-South), from developing to developing countries (South-South), from

developed to developed countries (North-North) and domestic climate finance

flows in developed and developing countries.

A number of initiatives are underway to monitor and track flows of international

climate finance. E.g. the Climate & Development Knowledge Network works to

ensure developing nations benefit from climate finance.

3. What should be the solution of funding problem for climate talk’s

conclusion? Discuss.

Answer: Finance, remains a major sticking point. Developing countries want

richer ones to pledge funding to enable them to cut their emissions — for

instance, by funding renewable energy schemes or energy efficiency.

To solve that global predicament, an “ecological partnership” between

industrialized countries can be of great help. The partnership would be charged

with finding creative solutions to environmental problems, creating a funding and

investment strategy and a strategy for monitoring progress. Strong measures to

protect the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting

renewable energy. Adoption and implementation of the Kyoto Protocol, thereby

all nations can together contribute to provide the creativity, commitment and

leadership to address the global challenge.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_%26_Development_Knowledge_Network

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_%26_Development_Knowledge_Network

8/20/2019 E & E (Dec 15) (1)





Some other factors to aid the funding problem can be as follows:

The Adaptation Fund under the Protocol should be launched at an early

date and be accessible to all developing countries.

Operation of the Global Environment Fund should be improved and

financing sources should be expanded.

Advances in science should be applied and technology transfer cooperation

enhanced.

Involvement of private sector in various initiatives wherever possible.

4. Discuss what the final draft is proposed by UNFCCC.

Answer: The overall goal of the Paris agreement, to keep global temperature

rise to a specified quantum compared to pre-industrial levels, is pegged at either

“below 1.5 degrees C”, or, as “well below 2 degrees C.”

Many contentious issues remain to be resolved in the draft, starting with long-

term quantified emissions reduction for a 2050 target, finance for developing

countries, and updated targets for countries based on stocktaking of carbon

dioxide, equitable distribution of the remaining carbon budget for the world, and

making explicit the responsibility of developing countries versus developed

nations.

8/20/2019 E & E (Dec 15) (1)





Options included in the text talk about developed countries and others “in a

position to do so” engaging in economy-wide carbon emissions cuts. There is also

a clear option which says the extent to which developing countries would

effectively implement their commitments would depend on developed countries

living up to their own commitments on financing, technology transfer and

capacity building. This reflects India’s position.

On peaking of greenhouse gas emissions, the discussion is on making it “as soon

as possible” with the caveat that peaking requires deeper cuts of emissions by

developed countries and longer periods for developing countries. Achieving zeroGHG emissions growth by 2060-80 is proposed.

5. The rainstorm in the subsequent years is going to be more intense due to

the climate change. In the light of the statement, discuss the impact of climate

change on Indian monsoon.

Answer: The highest daily rainfall in a century. Freak weather conditions on

one day. The hottest-ever Indian Ocean. The strongest-ever El Niño. The hottest

year on record.

The bad news is that a perfect storm of meteorological conditions combined to

create Chennai’s worst-ever deluge, exacerbated in no small part by civic

infrastructure pushed to its limit and systemic dysfunction. The worse news is,

8/20/2019 E & E (Dec 15) (1)





that could happen again, and soon; 2015’s El Niño is on course to being the

strongest ever recorded.

The Indian summer climate in the coming century looks to be wetter on average,

together with flood and drought conditions occurring more often. The potential

impacts across the nation encompass the range of events, including searingly high

temperatures, droughts and intense rainfall.

A 5-10% change in total rainfall sounds small – does it really matter to life in

India? The Indian monsoon is remarkably stable as a whole, with a mean total of

around 850mm in the months of June to September, and an inter annual (year-to-

year) variation of only around 10% in most cases. Even these relatively small

variations in the Indian monsoon can influence things like agricultural production

and the stocks and commodities market, so a 5-10% change on top could have

significant impacts.

6. What are the steps taken by the country to curb pollution in the capital

city and rest states? While it seems that such efforts are not enough, what

should be strategy of a state to counter pollution?

Answer: Steps taken by country to curb pollution in capital city and rest

states:

1.

Introduction of Compressed Natural Gas-powered vehicles in the city that

are widely accepted as having helped reduce pollution

8/20/2019 E & E (Dec 15) (1)





2.

Closing down of two thermal power plants

3. Pushing the entry time of trucks into the city late into the night

4.

Advancing of the cut-off date for Euro-VI emission norms

5.

Regulating private vehicle use by means of license plate restrictions – Odd-

Even Formula

6. Private four-wheelers and two-wheelers access to Delhi’s roads only on

alternate dates based on even/odd license plate numbers

Strategic measures to counter the pollution at a greater level:

1.

Easing and expanding public transport must be the Delhi government’s

priority or any state’s

2. Good housekeeping - including efficient operation of machinery,

monitoring of raw material flows, segregating waste, and training staff

3.

Materials substitution - such as phasing out CFCs, and switching from

solvent-based paints to water-based alternatives

4.

Manufacturing modifications - including cutting the number of processes or

switching from chemical to mechanical, and introducing closed-loop

processing

5. Resource recovery - for example re-using pollutants in the same process,

and selling waste by-product as raw materials in other industries

6. The removal of direct point-source discharges from waterways

7.

Better management of fertilizer and manure

8.

Replacement of failing septic systems with environmentally safer sewer

systems

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/air-pollution-aap-govt-announces-curbs-on-plying-of-pvt-vehicles/article7949440.ece

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/air-pollution-aap-govt-announces-curbs-on-plying-of-pvt-vehicles/article7949440.ece

8/20/2019 E & E (Dec 15) (1)





9.

Protective agricultural practices such as the planting of vegetative buffer

strips between cropland and waterways

10.

Expanded levels of treatment of residential storm water through the use of

best management practices

7.

What do you mean by carbon space? How it should be regulated?

Comment.

Answer: Carbon space is a key term in the global climate change discussion. It

refers to how much carbon we can still emit into the earth’s atmosphere

without setting in motion dangerous climate change.

Following the 2009 Climate Summit in Copenhagen, almost all countries

(including India, China, Japan, the US and the European countries) have agreed

that the global climate should not warm by more than 2 degrees Celsius.

Climate change is a bigger challenge, and presents an extraordinary situation

and calls for extraordinary solutions, demanding that the developed world

deliver on its promise of providing $100 billion to developing nations as annual

climate finance from 2020.

Carbon space can be regulated by adopting following measures:

1. Automobile companies to make cleaner emissions and setting a unified

standard for emissions

http://unfccc.int/meetings/copenhagen_dec_2009/meeting/6295.php



8/20/2019 E & E (Dec 15) (1)





2.

Proper treatment of waste before disposing it to environment directly

3. Craft regulations under existing legal authority, particularly the Clean Air

Act

4.

Regulation of greenhouse gases should be carried out via a system that

complements other nations’ programs

5. A forum for stakeholders, politicians and the public to contribute to the

design of climate-change policy

6. Afforestation at a large scale and proper maintenance of the planted

trees

8. What are the strategies adopted by china to tackle air pollution? What

should India learn from it?

Answer: The ten “tough measures” to curb China's pollution outlined are:

1. Reduce pollutant emissions through renovation of key industries.

Accelerate the clean transformation of urban dust and fuel quality.

2.

Strictly control high energy consumption of high-pollution and other key

industries’ production capacity.

3. Improve public transport and clean energy production, reducing

atmospheric pollutants emission intensity by 30% or more by 2017.

4. Develop natural gas, coal methane and other clean energy supplies.

8/20/2019 E & E (Dec 15) (1)





5.

Strengthen energy-saving and environmental indicator constraints on

construction, land, power and water supply.

6.

Implement incentives and constraints on new energy saving mechanisms

to increase sewage collection efforts, as well as increase support for air

pollution control. Strengthen international cooperation to cultivate

environmental protection and new energy industries.

7.

Enforce laws and standards for industrial restructuring and upgrading.

Formulate or revise emission standards for key industries, using the

proposed amendments of the Atmospheric Pollution Prevention Act and

other laws. Heavy polluting industries and enterprises must disclose

environmental information, and urban air quality rankings and penalties for

violations will be established.

8.

Densely populated urban areas around the Bohai Sea, including Beijing,

Tianjin, the Yangtze River Delta, Pearl River Delta and other regions, must

establish joint prevention and control mechanisms on atmospheric

environmental targets and assessment systems.

9.

Establish local government emergency management in response to heavily

polluted weather, and limit emissions from polluting enterprises and

vehicles.

10.

Develop a code of conduct that can be applied to the whole society, with

local government taking overall responsibility on local air quality. The main

responsibility for the implementation of corporate pollution lies with the

State Council’s relevant departments who should advocate conservation

and green consumption patterns.

8/20/2019 E & E (Dec 15) (1)





India is still in denial about the alarming pollution levels in the national capital.

Our government still want to compare itself to Beijing but the Chinese city is

already moving ahead. It's pollution levels have reduced, they have put in place a

5-year plan, monitoring systems and an alarm system (to warn of high pollution

levels). India definitely can learn some lessons from its neighbor in bringing down

pollution levels.

As air pollution levels were high, the Beijing administration adopted a multi-

pronged strategy from introducing cleaner fuel to phasing out older vehicles to

putting restrictions on buying new vehicles and incentives for adopting electric

vehicles.

Phasing out a personal car every day, the city capped the number of vehicles at six

million, adding Euro V compliant fuel was introduced in 2013 to reduce toxic

pollutants.

In comparison, there are over seven million vehicles in Delhi and introducing Euro

V will take another eight years, by which time vehicles in Beijing will be running

on Euro 7.

What Beijing achieved should be an inspiration for Delhi as it has dual benefits of

healthier residents and spurring economic growth.

8/20/2019 E & E (Dec 15) (1)





9. What should the future strategies of India be regarding management of

carbon emissions?

Answer: India has announced ambitious Renewable Energy (RE) plans — how

it can meet or even exceed the targets depends on the economics, which goes

beyond simplified Rs./kilowatt hour. RE cannot be stored easily, and it usually

isn’t available when the demand is highest.

Thinking beyond treaties and commitments

Treaties are a step forward, but how does India exceed its commitments or

targets?

Innovate. This isn’t just technology such as batteries or solar energy, but also

business models, regulation, etc. Global help is valuable, but this would

necessarily involve the private sector, and not just governments or those signing

treaties.

Focus on the longer-term and on efficiency. Lots of houses (and even cities) are

yet to be built. We should not rely on “clean energy” to absolve us of over-

consumption or inefficiencies. Fixing this will take a systems approach that spans

jurisdictions or even politics, with much of the effort required at a state or local

level.

Recognize that population growth is an issue. Make it easier for people to want

fewer children (through social security schemes, non-agricultural jobs, etc.). No

8/20/2019 E & E (Dec 15) (1)





one says use coercion or be as strict as China, but imagine where the world would

be if China’s population growth rate was like India’s?

Develop. If you believe the environmental Kuznets curve (where you first developby being dirty and then clean up when you can afford it), India should develop

quickly. If a nation consumes energy but is “coasting along” (not developing

enough), it has squandered energy and carbon resources. There is no inherent

cap on consuming more energy if it gives disproportional and ultimately

sustainable development.

10. The species like butterflies are waging deadly war against impact of

climate change. Discuss the importance of their conservation, highlighting their

role as 'FLAGSHIP SPECIES' in the ecosystem.

Answer: There is something magical about butterflies in different colours

flitting around from one flower to another. India is home to 1,800 species and

subspecies that are increasingly being valued for aesthetic reasons. But what is

overlooked is that these beautiful creatures are flagship species for biodiversity

conservation and indicators of a healthy ecosystem. For generations, butterflies

have been waging a deadly and long-drawn-out war with their natural enemy,

parasitoids, insects, who in their egg and larval stage, live in the tissue of a host

and feed on it. Death of the host, in this case the butterfly, is the only eventuality.

8/20/2019 E & E (Dec 15) (1)





Scientists have found that this war is waged even at the genetic level.

Entomologists at Bengaluru’s ICAR-National Bureau of Agricultural Insect

Resources (NBAIR) have, for the first time, been able to systematically document

how these parasitoids pose a serious threat to the butterfly endangered species

through its different life stages.

There are many factors that are detrimental to the conservation of butterflies,

such as pesticide drifts, industrial pollution, deforestation, encroachment of

natural habitat, lack of appropriate flora and even illegal butterfly trade. But what

is ignored is the role of the natural enemies of butterflies, the parasitoids.

Butterflies contribute to value in fields of intrinsic, aesthetic, educational,

scientific, ecosystem, health and economic value as well. Conserving butterflies

will improve our whole environment for wildlife and enrich the lives of people

now and in the future.

11. Discuss the provisions of 'Draft Paris outcome'. Is the outcome a

successful story in the history of climate talks? Give your opinion.

Answer: The ‘Draft Paris Outcome’ is a 29 page outcome document. The

suggested provision says that this Agreement will be implemented on the basis of

equity and in accordance with the principle of common but differentiated

8/20/2019 E & E (Dec 15) (1)





responsibilities and respective capabilities, in the light of different national

circumstances and on the basis of respect for human rights.

On the long-term temperature goal, the outcome contains three optionalprovisions — to reflect the 1.5°C temperature limit; to reaffirm the below 2°C

limit and to express the goal as well below 2°C; to have below 1.5°C as the

temperature limit. The last option is accompanied by a provision emphasizing use

of the best available science, equity, sustainable development, and the need to

ensure food security.

Under the crucial Finance section, a progression of fund raising beyond the $100

billion to be raised annually from 2020 is proposed.

A situation is created where just about every country in the world has actually put

something down on paper, so it’s brought everybody into the game. “Is it

enough? No, but we only get the ratcheting up if we get a combination of public

concern which drives domestic policies and technologies that lowers the cost of

[implementation]. The fact that most of the nations are now in this process, that’s

a substantial achievement.

12. Discuss the impact of urbanization, particularly reduction in the wetlands

and open spaces highlighting the loss incurred to Chennai by recent flood.

8/20/2019 E & E (Dec 15) (1)





Answer: Chennai’s resilience to the recent deluge has taken a severe beating

as nearly a quarter of its wetlands, open space and flood plains have given way to

concrete structures. Months before the series of depressions and “freak” weather

developments hit the city, researchers at the Centre for Ecological Sciences in the

Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, tabulated the “worrisome” growth

patterns of the coastal city.

The bad planning and destruction of marshy lands have only exasperated the

devastation of the floods. The unprecedented deluge that Chennai has been

subjected to is a reminder of increasing frequency of such freak weather events

across the Indian sub-continent.

The fact is that urban sprawls such as Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, Srinagar

etc. have not paid adequate attention to the natural water bodies that exist in

them. In Chennai, each of its lakes has a natural flood discharge channel which

drains the spillover. But we have built over many of these water bodies, blocking

the smooth flow of water. The art of drainage is forgotten. Land is only seen for

buildings, not for water.

The analysis also shows that the storm water drains constructed to drain flood

waters are clogged and required immediate desiltation. Chennai’s human-made

drainage is no replacement for its natural drainage systems.

8/20/2019 E & E (Dec 15) (1)





Yes Chennai floods and devastation is mostly man made and a consequence of

human's greediness. Of late with access to power and money anything can be

done. Encroachments, no proper sanitation and unplanned multistoried buildings

areas without proper compliance of drainage in the neighboring places are some

of the reasons for the disaster. It is the same in Andhra Pradesh as witnessed in

Floods in Nellore and Chittoor Districts. Unless remedial measures are taken on a

war footing the future of Chennai and other cities as well is at stake.

13. Discuss the conclusions of Paris talks. Are they going to improve the

climatic conditions?

Answer: The text addressed the concerns raised by India in all areas —

mitigation of carbon emissions, adaptation to climate change, financing,

technology development and transfer, capacity building and transparency.

Major features of the text outlined by French Foreign Minister and CoP21

president Laurent Fabius are:

It takes into account the differentiation and responsibility of developing

countries, and their respective capacities in light of national circumstances

Confirms the key objective of containing mean global temperature rise well

below 2 degrees Celsius and to endeavour to limit it to 1.5 degrees

Draft Paris Agreement

http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/archive/02654/CoP21_draft_Paris__2654855a.pdf



8/20/2019 E & E (Dec 15) (1)





There will be five-yearly national contributions on actions taken to address

climate change

There is provision for adaptation to climate change. Cooperation on loss

and damage suffered by countries on a long term basis to provide

necessary means to all countries for durable development.

Provision of 100 billion per year as a floor by 2020 to help developing

nations.

A new figure to be defined for the period between now and 2020

Collective stocktaking every five years of national actions and consideration

of steps if efforts are insufficient for the objective set

The goal of the 2015 Paris Climate Conference, COP21, is to achieve a legally

binding, international agreement to keep average global temperatures no more

than 2°C above pre-industrial temperatures. As most of the nations have come

together to tackle the problem of Climate Change on one table, it marks a

significant achievement and if steps are put forward together, then definitely the

targets can be achieved making the Pact a success.

14. Why should India not accept bindings on emissions? Give your opinion

regarding it.

Answer: In climate negotiations, India’s stance has been clear: Firstly, India

does not accept any binding, external (internationally agreed) emissions caps. This

8/20/2019 E & E (Dec 15) (1)





could imperil the more important goal of development and ending poverty

though industrialization. Secondly, India has very little responsibility for global

climate change. Its per capita emissions are tiny compared with those of the

developed world or even China. If you add a historical share (looking at a “carbon

budget”) the historical responsibility is clearly with Europe, Japan and North

America.

These are good arguments, no doubt. The only problem is this: If the rest of the

world does not accept India’s arguments of fair carbon budgets and fails to

reduce emissions significantly, Indians will suffer disproportionately. AtCopenhagen, India therefore offered a more pro-active negotiating stance, based

on the premise that India will never emit more on a per capita basis than

developed nations. India also made a voluntary pledge to reduce its carbon

intensity of GDP by 20-25% (based on 2005 levels). However, in coalition with

China (and, more tacitly, the US and Japan), it prevented a binding, global

emissions deal.

Facing pressure to accept legally-binding emissions cuts, India should make it

clear that it will not budge from its long-held position on the issue, while insisting

that it has shown flexibility on various other matters like domestic voluntary

reductions.

India, along with most of other developing countries, should stand on the fact

that taking up binding emissions cuts will hamper its growth, including poverty

alleviation efforts.

8/20/2019 E & E (Dec 15) (1)





In the coming years, the clamour from fellow developing countries to take on

legally-binding commitments is expected to grow. As the demands build up, India

needs to demand from a position of sensitivity.

15. While the Paris outcome is a history in itself where all the countries have

accepted and pledged cutting emissions, but even then the total sum of pledges

of 189 countries is unable to stop climate change. Comment.

Answer: The Paris Agreement on climate change marks a milestone in

preserving the earth’s environment and provides a floor on which to build

ambition and action. It is the outcome of a long struggle by millions of citizens

around the world, aided by the weight of scientific evidence linking severe, more

frequent weather events such as cyclones and droughts to man-made greenhouse

gas emissions. The 195 country-parties to the UN Framework Convention on

Climate Change — besides Palestine which joined in Paris — have acknowledged

that global climate action can no longer be postponed. While their adoption of

the Agreement has created history, the sum total of national pledges by 189

nations will be unable to stop climate change that is already happening. As the

UNFCCC acknowledges, these pledges will not be able to keep temperature “well

below 2 degrees C” compared to pre-industrial levels, leave alone the aspirational

target of a 1.5° C limit.


http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/cop-21-historic-paris-climate-pact-adopted/article7981450.ece?ref=relatedNews




http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/cop21-climate-change-conference-in-paris-climate-agreement-proposes-a-binding-2-degrees-c-target/article7980688.ece







8/20/2019 E & E (Dec 15) (1)





It is also important to remember that there is a long window before the promises

on emissions cuts go into effect in 2020, a period during which developed nations

would continue to emit large volumes of greenhouse gases. Given such a

background and its responsibility as a legacy polluter, the richer half of the world,

which secured the support of vulnerable and poor nations in Paris, must use the

Agreement to liberally share its prosperity and technology. It would be perverse if

the climate pact is viewed as a business opportunity to fuel a wave of growth for a

few.

The deal requires countries to set increasingly ambitious targets for cutting their

national emissions and to report on their progress – but, crucially, leaves the

actual targets, which are not legally binding, for countries to decide for

themselves. National pledges to cut emissions, made ahead of the summit, are

likely to leave the world on course for warming of at least 2.7C, according to the

UN. The new goal of limiting warming to 2C, or even 1.5C, will be achieved only if

countries now make good on the processes set out in the deal to implement and

improve their pledges to cut emissions further.

16. Is restricting or banning particular vehicles a right and the only solution to

counter pollution? Give your opinion regarding the recent orders of NGT and

also suggest appropriate solutions thereof.

8/20/2019 E & E (Dec 15) (1)





Answer: License-plate driving bans such as the one implemented in Delhi

during first two weeks of January 2016 or the National Green Tribunal’s decision

to bar the registration of new and old diesel vehicles, are not the solution to

urban air pollution, according to analysis of recent data. In fact, arbitrary

restrictions have been shown to make air pollution worse in the long term.

The National Green Tribunal issued a temporary ban on the registration of new

diesel vehicles in Delhi, along with other directions, in an effort to crack down on

the alarming pollution levels in the national capital. Though these efforts are not

the only solution to encounter pollution, however, these measures mark a

significant improvement in air quality as per the case studies of cities like Beijing,

London, Mexico, Italy and Paris.

Recently, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has ordered to bar the registration of

new and old diesel vehicles in DELHI. This has come after the HC calling the

national capital as a "gas chamber" of the country. This may have the followingimplications:

1) Consumers: People who were see looking to buy a new vehicle will have to wait

for some time. Furthermore, this decision may lead them to switch from diesel to

petrol, hence an advantage to the environment. But the retailers may reduce the

price after the bar is lifted, which would mean more sale = more influence on the

environment.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/ngt-bans-over-10-year-old-diesel-vehicles-in-delhi/article7077509.ece

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/ngt-bans-over-10-year-old-diesel-vehicles-in-delhi/article7077509.ece

8/20/2019 E & E (Dec 15) (1)





2) Car manufacturers: It will be a major push towards R&D if they want to capture

the middle class market. So they may invent and deploy certain devices by which

end consumers and environment is the beneficiary (like Catalytic converters to

control NOx). But there sales are sure going to decrease. However, an

environmentally aware citizen may not buy diesel vehicles which means a

revenue loss, disinterest and reluctance in setting up new manufacturing plants.

3) Environment: Environment will be the ultimate beneficiary until the bar is

lifted. However, if people don't realize and run towards the cheaper mobiles later,

it may backfire. Also, seeing the present condition, a comparatively improved airquality index can be suspected in the coming days.

Adding to the Government’s decision, some other appropriate solutions can be as

follows:

1. Instead of the ban on vehicles being dependent on its age, the proposed

ban to be dependent the condition of the vehicle

2.

Efforts towards BS-V emission standards

3.

Sub-par quality fueling checkpoints

4. Awareness among the people

5. Check on the straw/stubble burning

6. Afforestation- One Person One Year One tree

7. Encourage for CNG and LPG based more cleaner technology

8/20/2019 E & E (Dec 15) (1)





8.

Given stress on NGT the idea of variable working hours for the government

and private sector to reduce vehicular pollution in Delhi during peak hours

(short term goal)

9.

Encourage for public transport

10. Levy heavy "green tax" on diesel fueled private vehicle

17. The outcome of the Paris conference although provided space for greater

energy use, but it will keep scrutinizing India's actions. What should be strategy

of India in future to fulfill its INDCs?

Answer: As the world’s third-largest emitter and a country that’s highly

vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, it is encouraging to witness India

invest in actions to tackle climate change while addressing critical issues such as

poverty, food security and access to healthcare and education.

Here are five major takeaways that can help on India fulfill its INDC:

1.

Setting a clear signal for clear energy

2. Its emissions intensity target could go further

3. Sequester carbon by increasing forest cover

4.

Adaptation to be a key priority

5. Targets to be achieved with the detailed policies

8/20/2019 E & E (Dec 15) (1)





But will this work? First, we should make sure the ratchet mechanism sustains

pressure on developed countries to ramp up their efforts. This will require and

upgrading our ability to analyse other country contributions and actively shaping

the fine print of implementing language for the Paris Agreement in the coming

years.

Second, and perhaps more important, we have to build a robust and ongoing

national process to examine our energy and climate future, to replace India’s

current ad hoc, disconnected, process of energy planning and policy. This requires

a more cogent system of energy information gathering and analysis. It alsorequires exploring actions that bring synergies across development and climate

outcomes (such as energy efficiency and public transport) and those that come

with direct costs to the economy.

India has to put forward a well-balanced climate plan that - alongside its

renewable energy goals - will generate transformational changes. These actions

are also being proposed alongside an aggressive development agenda. Although

implementation challenges remain, the INDC makes clear that India - along with

its peers - is working towards a strong international climate agreement.

18. Discuss the environmental control measures of china. Should India learn

something from the adverse conditions prevailing in china?

Answer: China has many environmental issues, severely affecting its

biophysical environment as well as human health. The water resources of China

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_issues

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environment_%28biophysical%29

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_resources_of_the_People%27s_Republic_of_China

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_resources_of_the_People%27s_Republic_of_China

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environment_%28biophysical%29

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_issues

8/20/2019 E & E (Dec 15) (1)





are affected by both severe water quantity shortages and severe water quality

pollution. An increasing population and rapid economic growth as well as lax

environmental oversight have increased water demand and pollution.

China has responded by measures such as rapidly building out the water

infrastructure and increased regulation as well as exploring a number of further

technological solutions.

When the new environmental protection provisions go into effect in January

2015, the government's environmental agencies will be allowed to enforce strict

penalties and seize property of illegal polluters. Companies that break the law will

be "named and shamed", with company executives subject to prison sentences of

15 days. There will be no upper limit on fines; previously, it was often cheaper for

companies to pay the meager fines provisioned by the law than install anti-

pollution measures. In all, the new law has 70 provisions, compared to the 47 of

the existing law. More than 300 different groups will be able to sue on the behalf

of people harmed by pollution. It remains to be seen whether these changes to

the law will overcome some of the traditional problems with environmental

litigation in China, such as difficulty getting cases accepted by the court, trouble

gathering evidence and interference from local government.

Under the new law, local governments will be subject to discipline for failing to

enforce environmental laws. Regions will no longer be judged solely on their

economic progress, but instead must balance progress with environmental

protection. Additionally, local governments will be required to disclose

8/20/2019 E & E (Dec 15) (1)





environmental information to the public. Individuals are encouraged to "adopt a

low-carbon and frugal lifestyle and perform environmental protection duties"

such as recycling their garbage under the law.

Yet as compelling as the similarities between India and China may be, what is

even more striking are the differences. First, the two countries are at significantly

different stages of economic development. Second, and more important, is the

difference in the two countries’ political systems.

To date, neither India nor China has emerged as a model for environmentalprotection that any other developing country would want to follow. The two

countries push forward, each with a strong leader at the helm, and each with a

new-found appreciation for the importance of environmental protection in

preserving public health and future economic growth potential. They are likely to

provide important insights into not only which policy mechanisms are most

effective but also into how system type may both advance and inhibit effectiveenvironmental protection. In this way, India may indeed learn from China.

19. "Every poison we put out into the environment comes back at us".

Elaborate.

Answer: Every poison we put out into the environment comes right back at

us, in our air, water and food. These poisons slowly seep into our bodies and take

8/20/2019 E & E (Dec 15) (1)





years to show up as cancer or as immune system disorder or as hormonal or

reproductive system disorders — affecting even the foetus.

The Centre for Science and Environment’s (CSE) report, Body Burden: State of

India’s Health (2015) provides, for the first time, a collection of articles

highlighting the tangible link between our environmental degradation and health.

It lays emphasis on contaminated water, polluted air, climate change, sanitation,

pesticides, forest degradation and lifestyle-related issues.

The prognosis doesn’t read well for India. The report pegs air pollution as the fifth

leading cause of death in India leading to 6,20,000 premature deaths annually due

to stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, ischemic heart disease, lower

respiratory infections and cancer of the trachea, bronchus and lungs, among

others.

Water contamination that causes diseases affects 37.7 million Indians annually,including 1.5 million children who die of diarrhoea alone.

Establishing the link between climate change and a rise in vector-borne diseases,

including dengue and malaria, the report notes: “The potential period of spread

of malaria has increased to 10-12 months (almost the whole year), which is up

from four to six months.” The report also warns that deforestation is causing

diseases in animals that were earlier confined to forests but now affect humans,

claiming 2.7 million lives annually. Worse, the World Health Organization says our

8/20/2019 E & E (Dec 15) (1)





indiscriminate use of pesticides will cause 20 times more deaths due to cancer by

2030.

There is now a well-established link between our environment and our health. Infact, environmental degradation’s first assault is on our bodies and this is one of

the biggest reasons why we try to protect the environment.

20. Write a short note on Eel.

Answer: Eels are snake-like fishes with fins and gills, found mostly at bottom

of rivers and seas. Scientists of the Zoological Survey of India ( ZSI) have a

discovered a new species of eel along the coast of Digha in West Bengal’s Purba

Medinipur district.

The species, new to science, named Gymnothorax mishrai, is 32.4 cm long, brown

in colour and the body is without any patterns.

This newly discovered eel is a marine species. The fish is also edible. The specimen

was collected from fishing boats at a fish-landing centre located at Shankarpur,

West Bengal.

Though considered a delicacy in many countries like Japan, the consumption of

eels in India is limited to the coastal areas.

8/20/2019 E & E (Dec 15) (1)





Distinct from other species described in the group Gymnothorax , this species of

moray eel has 134 vertebral bones. Since the number of vertebral bones is less

than 150, this particular species is categorized among short, brown, patterned

moray eels.

21. Discuss how selenium isotopes in the rocks can help study the origin and

evolution of animals.

Answer: It took 100 million years for oxygen in the oceans and atmosphere to

increase to the level that allowed the explosion of animal life on the Earth about

600 million years ago, according to new research.

It is, therefore, likely that early animal evolution was kick-started by increased

amounts of oxygen, rather than a change in animal behaviour leading to

oxygenation.

Researchers tracked what was happening with oxygen levels globally 770-520

million years ago using new tracers in rocks across the US, Canada and China.

Scientists took a new approach by using selenium isotope tracers to analyse

marine shales which gave us more information about the gradual changes in

8/20/2019 E & E (Dec 15) (1)





oxygen levels than is possible using the more conventional techniques used

previously.

By measuring selenium isotopes in the rocks, the team revealed that it took 100million years for the amount of oxygen in the atmosphere to climb from less than

one percent to over 10 percent of today’s current level.

Scientists were surprised to see how long it took Earth to produce oxygen and our

findings dispel theories that it was a quick process caused by a change in animal

behaviour.

This was arguably the most significant oxygenation event in Earth history because

it ushered in an age of animal life that continues to this day.

Till date, it was not known how quickly the Earth’s oceans and atmosphere

became oxygenated and if animal life expanded before or after oxygen levels

rose.

22. Write a short note on Sheshachalam biosphere.

Answer: Taking a cue from the UNESCO's Man and Biosphere program, the

government of India has established the Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve on 20 th

September, 2010. The reserve is the first biosphere reserve in Andhra Pradesh

and the 17th in India. By size, it is the 9th largest in India. The reserve aims to

http://www.unesco.org/new/en/natural-sciences/environment/ecological-sciences/man-and-biosphere-programme

http://www.unesco.org/new/en/natural-sciences/environment/ecological-sciences/man-and-biosphere-programme

8/20/2019 E & E (Dec 15) (1)





support the conservation of species in situ by supporting economic and social

development. It is home to a number of endemic species including the famous

Red Sanders and Slender Loris. Being close to the pilgrim areas of Tirupati, the

reserve also has a number of temples and holy places to visit. The hilly terrain

offers some spectacular trekking opportunities too. Many scientific studies have

been and are being conducted in the reserve.

The area is characterized by hills of various elevations, deep gorges and many

waterfalls. This creates micro-climate conditions in the area and provides

hospitable environment for luxuriant growth of diverse flora including endemic

species. Visitors can have some thrilling views of the waterfalls, natural springs,

valleys, gorges, ridges and hill peaks. Likewise, trekkers can experience the thrill

of trekking through these wonderful areas.

The reserve covers areas of great historical and religious significance. The Sri

Venkateswara Temple, famous as the Tirupati Balaji temple lies within the

reserve. A number of pre-historic paintings and carvings have been found in the

region. In the medieval times, this region was the center of power for many

kingdoms and hence, a rich history exists. In the more modern times, the French

merchant-traveller, Jean-Baptiste Tavernier, visited the area in his fourth voyage

and wrote an account of the forest and animals. This was the first written account

of the forests by a European. This account describes the existence of elephants in

the forest, which have dwindled since then. In the British times, the hunter-writer

Kenneth Anderson hunted in these forests and made a number of accounts on his

experiences. In the book Man Eaters and Jungle Killers, he writes about two tigers

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venkateswara_Temple,_Tirumala


http://www.columbia.edu/itc/mealac/pritchett/00generallinks/tavernier/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenneth_Anderson_%28writer%29

https://archive.org/details/ManEatersAndJungleKillers

https://archive.org/details/ManEatersAndJungleKillers

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenneth_Anderson_%28writer%29

http://www.columbia.edu/itc/mealac/pritchett/00generallinks/tavernier/



8/20/2019 E & E (Dec 15) (1)





- The Striped Terror of Chamala Valley and Mamandur Man Eater, which shows

the presence of tigers which are now extinct in this area. Now, the region is a hub

for pilgrims for its temples, for trekkers for its rugged terrain and stunning

biodiversity and for nature-lovers for its eco-tourist spots.

23. What is the prism of opportunities for India to fulfill its Paris promises?

Discuss how India can achieve the target of reducing carbon emissions.

Answer: India has welcomed the Paris Agreement on climate change, an

important pact concluded by 196 countries to put the world on the track to

sustainable development.

The national imperative is to adopt policies that can speedily remove carbon from

the energy mix, stop the degradation and destruction of forests, conserve water

resources, improve resilience in agriculture, and help communities adapt to the

destructive impacts of climate-related events that will be unavoidable in the

coming years.

Carbon emissions from economic activity continue to rise and India is the third-

largest emitter among individual countries. While it should pursue the legitimate

question of historical responsibility of rich nations led by the United States to

compensate victims of climate change, the domestic agenda announced in the

NDC cannot wait.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nine_Maneaters_And_One_Rogue

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Man_Eaters_and_Jungle_Killers



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Man_Eaters_and_Jungle_Killers

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nine_Maneaters_And_One_Rogue

8/20/2019 E & E (Dec 15) (1)





Arguably, the most prominent is the scaling up of renewable energy capacity to

175 gigawatts (GW) by 2022, of which solar power will form 100 GW (up from the

current level of about 4 GW). Impressive as this goal is, fabrication of solar cells

and production of modules need a dramatic “Make in India” plan in which the

entire citizenry feels invested. This can lead to mass proliferation of solar

photovoltaic rooftop installations on the lines of the mobile phone revolution that

swept the country and, in addition, boost employment.

Considering that India’s NDC talks of unlocking domestic funds along with new

and additional resources from developed countries to meet its objectives, Stateelectricity grids should be required by law to introduce transparent, well-

functioning, feed-in tariffs for rooftop solar installations (which Japan has done in

recent years), and to amend building codes to make it mandatory for all new

constructions.

A second “easy piece” in the energy puzzle is the transport sector which accountsfor about 14 per cent of national emissions. Road transport policy including urban

transport is mainly made by the States and has remained neglected.

Decarbonising this sector and increasing its efficiency needs strong mandates for

State governments, requiring them to comply with standards of minimum

performance. This would raise standards of bus and urban rail travel, encouraging

suitable investments, both public and private, and fast-track sustainable urbandevelopment. Providing a cross-subsidy for capital expenditure and operations

through a dedicated fee on fossil fuels would be the way forward.

8/20/2019 E & E (Dec 15) (1)





Without such measures, carbon emissions from passenger transport are bound to

rise steadily.

On the corporate side, all financial investments and lending should conform to a

sustainability code, to ensure that they do not end up adding to carbon emissions.

This is one area that civil society will influence in the coming years.

The ultimate objective is to ensure that all carbon emissions are turned into “net

zero” at some point beyond 2050, upon which no man-made greenhouse gas

emissions will be a net addition to the atmosphere — they will be captured in

some manner. That transition, with its promise of innovation, will be the great

story of the 21st century.

24. Discuss the challenges in front of domestic textile industries in following

the green environment norms directed by various ministries recently.

Answer: The textile industry has flagged concerns about an Environment

Ministry move to mandate virtually all textile firms to reduce their effluent

discharge to zero.

Following are the challenges in front of domestic textile industries:

8/20/2019 E & E (Dec 15) (1)





1.

Such a stipulation goes beyond what the developed world follows and

would make Indian firms even more uncompetitive at a time when export

orders are shrinking

2.

Industry players would be granted 30 months to construct or augment their

existing effluent treatment plants to comply with this new regulation under

the Environment Protection Act of 1986, according to the ministry which is

a big stone in industries pathway

3. No new or existing units will be allowed to operate their factories, in the

absence of such arrangements which will affect the investment of

industries

4. While mooting an increase in the threshold of 25 kilo litres a day to 100 kilo

litres a day, smaller textile units wouldn’t be able to afford the costly

equipment for treating effluents with a zero liquid discharge approach

5.

Several units after necessary approvals from the environment ministry and

state pollution boards have invested in sea-discharge after treating

effluents. All these investments would stand futile with the implementation

of the proposed policy, thereby increasing the financial stress on these

companies and sheer wastage of national resources.

6. Technologies for such treatment plants is steam and electricity-intensive,

leading to higher greenhouse gas emissions as India largely relies on coal

for power

7.

Allowing very limited ground water extraction by units and then the entire

water to be recovered from the effluent treatment plants to be re-

deployed in the production process is a challenging task

8/20/2019 E & E (Dec 15) (1)





25. What is the concept of green party? Discuss its future prospects.

Answer: The idea of a Green Party is — a political party with ecological

wisdom and participative democracy as its roots.

As far as innovations go, the idea of a Green Party is not exactly a brainwave;

Western countries have seen their share of political parties and alliances that

have been established on a ‘green’ platform. For instance, the German Green

Party (now called Alliance ’90/The Greens), established in 1980, is one of the

oldest and most prominent of these groupings. Many of these parties have made

it to their respective Parliaments and some even to the European Parliament.

Green Party aims to create a just, equitable and sustainable society with focus of

efforts primarily, though not exclusively, through the electoral system.

Following are some of the future prospects of Green Party:

1. To fight genetically modified organisms and Monsanto

2. To fight the takeover of the city by the builders’ lobby, which is cementing

the soil and water bodies

8/20/2019 E & E (Dec 15) (1)





3.

To push the boundaries of democratic space, which is currently being

hemmed in by various forces

With corporates trying to shut out ecological movements, Greenpeace being a

recent example, there is a need for a broad green alliance. It looks like green

parties in India are just a seed of an idea, but an idea that holds a lot of promise.

26. Write a short note on krishna mystus and endangered species.

Answer: Indiscriminate fishing may spell doom for Krishna Mystus

(Hemibagrus maydelli ), the king of riverine fishes in the Krishna. The species

which is called as ‘Ponduga’ locally, was much in demand since it had a high

market value.

The giant fish grows about two metres long and weighs about 70 kg, the biggest

freshwater fish, and fetches Rs. 350 a kg. The researchers came to a conclusion

after three years of observation along 300 km river stretch in Mahabubnagar

district of Telangana state that the fish is found very rarely.

The fishermen from Nagarjunasagar in Nalgonda said that the presence of

‘ponduga’ had been declined largely. A trader from Chinnamunigal village of

Nalgonda district, said that he saw over 10 kg of the fish way back in 2002.

8/20/2019 E & E (Dec 15) (1)





The species is considered one of the best fish which was also earlier found in

Bheema and Tungabadra, the tributaries of Krishna. The researchers have

recommended the State government control fishing during July and August which

are its breeding season to conserve it.

27. Do you think after the Iran nuclear deal, Paris conference and cooperation

for Syrian plan, world has achieved multilateral moments? If not, give reasons.

Answer: Though we see cooperation between various nations on different

platforms, yet it is not just to say that the world has achieved multilateral

moments. Following 2015 incidents imply that the gaps are still to be filled.

The Iran nuclear deal was a moment that followed protracted negotiations on a

multilateral forum involving Iran and the six world powers — the U.S., China,

Russia and three EU nations, Germany, the U.K. and France. The deal materialised

despite domestic pitfalls, both in the U.S. and in Iran, of bringing about a

successful agreement.

The climate agreement in Paris in December 2015 did heap in an additional

responsibility on the shoulders of the developing world. However, its emphasis on

a multilateral arrangement in the mitigation of climate change gave it a

consensual heft missing in the earlier summits.

8/20/2019 E & E (Dec 15) (1)





The Iran nuclear deal and, to a great extent, the climate deal signed in Paris late in

December are certainly symbolic of a burgeoning phase of multilateralism. This

was characterised by the U.S. not acting as a singular fulcrum of power, but as

one among a set of actors, sometimes in concert and sometimes in dissonance.

Coming to Syrian crisis, both Russia and Turkey are deeply involved in the Syrian

conflict, tensions between these two countries would remain unless a sustainable

solution is found to the Syrian crisis, which is the challenge of 2016.

Hence, the year 2015 has underscored the trend of strengthening multipolarity

but has also bolstered the forces of instability.

28. Write a short note on Ashtamudi lake.

Answer: So called because of its 8 arms or channels, Ashtamudi Lake is the

gateway to the backwaters. This 16 km long lake is the second largest in Kerala,

finding its way into the sea through the Neendakara estuary. The District Tourism

Promotion Council (DTPC) Kollam provides boat rides as well as houseboat

cruises. The trip between Kollam and Alappuzha is one of the most popular and

longest backwater cruises in Kerala. The eight-hour journey will give you an

intimate experience of the famed waterways. Catch a glimpse of one of the many

splendours of Ashtamudi backwaters. As the boatman gently dips his paddle,

8/20/2019 E & E (Dec 15) (1)





without disturbing the prevailing calm, the ripples spread out gently in the

shimmering golden hue of the sun.

The following are reported to be the reasons for deterioration of the lakeenvironment:

1. Intense anthropogenic pressure.

2. Oil spills from thousands of fishing boats and from industries in the

surrounding area.

3. Dwindling of the fragile lake zone due to conversion/destruction of natural

habitats for development purposes (reported that the lake which had an

area of 54 km2 [21 mi2] according to old survey reports has shrunk to

34 km2 [13 mi2] due to encroachments)

4. Large quantities of untreated sewage, disposal of human excreta, and the

pollution from paper mills, industries (aluminum, ceramics, seafood), as

well as from coconut husk retting.

5.

Many fish species may have become extinct due to lack of spawning

facilities on the banks of the lake due to canalization of the lake’s banks by

walls built of laterite and granite stones (these walls reportedly cover 80

per cent of the lake's banks)

Even as there is no dearth of official warnings of strong action against

encroachers, encroachments of massive scale continue unabated along the

Ashtamudi Lake in Kerala’s Kollam district. The encroachers often feel that it is

their right to encroach upon the lake, listed as a Ramsar site.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_impact_on_the_environment

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aluminum

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ceramic

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coconut

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coconut

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ceramic

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aluminum

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_impact_on_the_environment

8/20/2019 E & E (Dec 15) (1)



D R i P A h i (PhD IIT D lhi) ki i i i IIT D lhi

This is a peak time to take action on such activities so that the beauty of the lake

is preserved for the future.

NEW BATCH START FROM: 5 APRIL (4:30 pm)

e & e (dec 15) (1)

Documents