22-November-2023-Daily-Current-Affairs

RECOGNISING THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON HEALTH

GS 2 (ENVIRONMENT): SOURCE – THE HINDU

As India approaches the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28), it becomes imperative to scrutinize the intricate relationship between climate change and public health in the country. India’s vulnerability to the repercussions of climate risks on health is exacerbated by inadequacies in its healthcare infrastructure.

                      

Vulnerability of Health Systems:

• Inadequate health infrastructure heightens susceptibility to climate-induced health impacts.
• Direct consequences include heightened sickness and mortality rates.

Concerns Over Temperature Rise:

• Fears escalate with the failure to cap global temperature rise, potentially rendering regions uninhabitable.
• A 2°C increase poses severe threats, demanding urgent attention.

Challenges:

• Convergence of communicable and non-communicable diseases compounds health challenges.
• Neglect of climate change impact on mental health and non-communicable diseases in India.

Key Phrases and Analysis:

• Urban Heat Island Effect: Unplanned urbanization amplifies the urban heat island effect, straining urban health systems.
• Poorly Managed Health Risks: Inadequate recognition and management of health risks associated with climate-induced factors.

Key Data and Facts:

• Temperature-Related Health Risks: A 1% increase above 29°C corresponds to an 8% surge in hospitalization rates, underscoring direct temperature impact.
• Urbanization Challenges: Unplanned urbanization heightens climate-related health risks, necessitating interventions in urban planning and public health.

Way Forward:

• Holistic Mitigation Strategies: Mitigation efforts entail understanding climate change pathways, modifying health information systems, and implementing upstream interventions.
• Multi-level Action: Coordinated action at global, regional, and local levels, involving researchers, policymakers, and governments is crucial for meaningful change.

Conclusion:

Addressing the intricate interplay between climate change and public health demands a comprehensive, multi-level approach. As India gears up for COP28, strategic interventions and collaborations across sectors are indispensable to safeguard the nation’s health in the face of evolving climate challenges.

INDIA, JAPAN CONVERGE IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

GS 2 (INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS): SOURCE – THE HINDU

The Philippines, reevaluating its Chinese-led infrastructure projects due to sustainability and geopolitical concerns, is now turning to Japan and India for alternative sources of development and security. This strategic shift aligns with Manila’s aim to strengthen economic and security partnerships amid China’s evolving behaviour.

Japan-Philippines Strategic Partnership:

• Historic Ties: Japan is a major investor and the largest source of overseas development assistance (ODA) for the Philippines.
• Security Cooperation: Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s visit marks a turning point, emphasizing security ties with plans for a reciprocal access agreement (RAA).

India-Philippines Bilateral Relations:

• Advancements: Philippines actively includes India in its strategic considerations.
• Milestones: Recent milestones include visits by Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs to New Delhi and an MoU between Philippine and Indian Coast Guards for enhanced cooperation.

Regional Significance:

• Hedging Strategies: Southeast Asian countries, including the Philippines, seek robust ties with regional powers like Japan and India to counterbalance China’s economic clout and power projection.
• Top Choices: According to the 2023 State of Southeast Asian Survey, Japan and India are the preferred alternative Indo-Pacific strategic partners.

India-Japan Strategic Partnership:

• Security Cooperation: Regular military exercises, two-plus-two meetings, and participation in multilateral frameworks like Quad and G20.
• Third-Country Cooperation: Collaboration on initiatives like the Asia Africa Growth Corridor (AAGC) showcases shared developmental goals.

        

Conclusion:

As Southeast Asian countries, including the Philippines, explore alternative sources amidst U.S.-China competition, India and Japan play pivotal roles. Deepening regional ties aligns with their shared vision for the Indo-Pacific, emphasizing the potential for third-country developmental models and cooperation.

A WAKE-UP CALL FOR APSRTC

GS 3 (ECONOMY): SOURCE – THE HINDU

Recent accidents involving Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) buses underscore the challenges plaguing the public sector giant. Financial constraints, staff shortages, and infrastructure inadequacies have hindered the corporation’s growth, allowing illegal operations by private bus companies. The dire financial state requires immediate attention and innovative policies to address revenue losses.

Challenges Faced by APSRTC:

• Financial Woes: APSRTC grapples with a fund crunch, impacting its ability to expand and serve the growing passenger volume.
• Revenue Decline: Despite positive efforts, revenue losses remain a concern, reducing from ₹6,445 crore in 2019 to ₹3,275 crore, necessitating sustainable financial strategies.
• Employee Grievances: The merger of APSRTC employees with the government has led to discontent, with workers facing issues like scrapped benefits, delayed payments, and inadequate staffing.

Employee Concerns and Operational Challenges:

• Staffing Issues: The Employees Union urges recruiting 10,000 staff, emphasizing the need for 4,000 drivers, as reliance on outsourced staff raises concerns.
• Payment Delays: Employees face delays in various payments, including leave encashment, gratuity, night shift, overtime allowances, and DA arrears.
• Health Services: Workers advocate the restoration of the old medical services system, expressing dissatisfaction with the current Employees Health Scheme (EHS).

Current State of Operations:

• Fleet Size: APSRTC operates 10,904 buses, covering 1,423 routes, connecting 14,123 villages, and carrying 40 lakh passengers daily.
• Operational Challenges: Shrinking area-wise operations, from 40 lakh km to 38 lakh km, poses a serious concern.

Conclusion:

The APSRTC’s operational challenges demand urgent attention and policy-level reforms to create a resilient ecosystem. Balancing financial constraints, employee grievances, and the need for infrastructure expansion is crucial for the sustained growth of the State transport sector.

COAL ISN’T EASY TO EXCLUDE FROM SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

GS 3 (ENVRIONMENT): SOURCE – INDIAN EXPRESS

Globally, fossil fuels dominate energy sources, contributing 80%, while renewables like solar and wind only make up 2.4%. India, facing the dual challenge of surging energy demands and sustainable development, grapples with an energy supply per capita below the global average.

Need for Electricity Security:

• Stable and Affordable Power: Ensuring a reliable electricity supply at an affordable cost is imperative.
• Renewables’ Minor Role: Despite India’s renewable potential, it constituted a small fraction in 2022.
• Coal’s Predominance: Coal-fired thermal power plants (TPPs) generated 74.3% of India’s electricity in FY 2022-2023 due to rising demand.

Balancing Emissions and Development:

• India’s Global Emission Share: India’s emissions account for 3.3% of the global total, emphasizing its role in global development.
• Sustainable Development Imperative: Meeting the energy needs of 17% of the world’s population requires ensuring sustainable development.

Challenges and Strategies:

• Dependency on Battery Materials: Limited control over critical battery materials poses energy security risks.
• Efficiency and Nuclear Expansion: Improving TPP efficiency, expanding nuclear energy, and enhancing storage are crucial strategies.
• Coal’s Role in Electricity: Despite projections of increased renewable integration, cost differences with coal pose challenges.

Concerns of Coal Transport:

• High Ash Content: Indian coal’s high ash content leads to erosion and performance issues.
• Transportation Challenges: Long-distance transport strains systems and raises environmental concerns.
• Coal Washing: Mandating washed coal for TPPs over 500 km can reduce emissions and pollution.

Flue-Gas Desulphurisers (FGDs) Dilemma:

• Sulphur Emissions: Despite lower sulphur content, weather conditions lead to sulphur dioxide emissions.
• Climate and Cost Implications: FGD installation increases coal consumption, reduces efficiency, and demands significant investment.

Way Forward:

• Advanced Technologies: Supercritical and Ultra-Supercritical technologies can lower carbon emissions.
• IGCC for Carbon Capture: Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle plants can capture CO2, aiding low-carbon electricity.
• Government Incentives: Promoting IGCC or Advanced Ultra-Supercritical Technology pre-2030 can foster low-carbon initiatives.

Conclusion:

Global warming challenges stem from all fossil fuels, necessitating collective efforts guided by the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities.” India’s pursuit of low-carbon development is pivotal in addressing these challenges.

IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON CONSUMER BEHAVIOR

GS 3 (POLITY AND GOVERNANCE): SOURCE – INDIAN EXPRESS

The “Meta GWI Beauty Report 2023” underscores the profound impact of social media, particularly Facebook and Instagram reels, on consumer behavior, influencing 80% of Indians to purchase beauty products.

How Social Media Influences Consumer Behavior:

• Discovery of New Products: Approximately 47% of consumers discovered new products through social media reels.
• Shift in Consumer Preferences: Post-pandemic, there’s been a 15% surge in online purchases by beauty buyers, reaching 68%.
• Evaluation of Alternatives: Augmented Reality and related technologies enable virtual try-outs.
• Buyer Socialization: Consumer interactions on social media shape psychological, emotional, and behavioral outlooks, impacting purchasing behaviors.
• Electronic Word of Mouth: Customer reviews on social media play a pivotal role in influencing purchasing decisions.
• Associated Concerns: Impulsive buying, targeted advertisements, financial stress, environmental degradation, and privacy violations through consumer profiling.

Way Forward:

Transparency: Social media platforms should offer clear information on content curation, moderation, and algorithms.

Strengthen Anti-trust Rules: Implement robust rules for both platform providers and social media influencers.

Disclosure by Influencers: The Department of Consumer Affairs’ endorsement guidelines released in January 2023 emphasize influencers disclosing material interests, promoting transparency in endorsements.

EKLAVYA MODEL RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL (EMRS)

GS 3 (POLITY AND GOVERNANCE): SOURCE – PIB

• President of India inaugurated an Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) in Odisha.
• EMRS, initiated in 1997-98, aims to provide quality education to Scheduled Tribe (ST) children in remote areas.
• The goal is to empower them for pursuing higher education and securing employment opportunities. Each school accommodates 480 students from Class VI to XII.
• These institutions are established in States/UTs with grants under Article 275(1) of the Constitution, overseen by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
• A minimum of 15 acres of land is mandated for setting up EMRSs, contributing to the holistic development of tribal students.

EXERCISE VAJRA PRAHAR 2023

GS 3 (SECURITY): SOURCE – PIB

• The 14th edition of Exercise Vajra Prahar 2023, a collaborative effort between the Special Forces of India and the United States, concluded in Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh.
• This annual exercise, alternately hosted by the two nations, involves Special Forces dedicated to covert operations, counterterrorism, and specialized military tasks.
• The exercise is crucial for addressing contemporary security challenges faced by both countries, reinforcing their friendship and defense cooperation.
• The 21-day joint exercise focused on enhancing skills in Airborne Operations, Special Operations, and Counter Terrorism under the United Nations Charter.
• Divided into two stages, the initial phase emphasized combat conditioning and tactical special mission training, while the second stage included a 48-hour validation exercise to assess the training’s effectiveness.
• Other joint exercises between India and the USA, such as Yudh Abhyas, Malabar, Cope India, Tiger Triumph, Red Flag, and Spartan Shield, contribute to improving military cooperation and interoperability across various domains.