UPSC Daily Current Affairs | Prelim Bits 11-06-2024

Ocean Based Carbon Removal

A new study throws light on the limitations of the current approaches of removing carbon dioxide from the ocean.

• Carbon sequestration by Ocean – It has already absorbed 30% of the CO2 and 90% of excess heat caused by human activities.

In total, the ocean holds around 42 times more carbon than the atmosphere.

• Approaches – By enhancing or accelerating natural biological or chemical processes that sequester carbon in the ocean.

• Abiotic approaches – They harness the physical or chemical properties of the ocean to remove CO2 from the air.
  • Alkalinity enhancement, electrochemical CO2 removal and artificial downwelling
• Biotic approaches – They leverage photosynthesizing organisms in seawater to take up CO2 and store as biomass.
  • Seaweed cultivation, Ocean fertilization, artificial upwelling and coastal wetland restoration.

• Challenges – The limited understanding of basic ocean processes is hindering progress in marine CO2 removal.
• Absorbing excess CO2 and heat is causing ocean warming, acidification, oxygen loss; changing currents and nutrient cycling; and imperilling plants and animals essential to marine ecosystems.
• They compromise the ocean’s ability to provide food, support livelihoods and insulate us from the worst effects of climate change.

References

1. The New Indian Express | Concerns in Marine CO2 Removal
2. WRI| Ocean based CO2 Removal

Contributions of Birsa Munda

A tribute was recently paid to revolutionary tribal leader Birsa Munda on his 124^th death anniversary.

• He belongs to Munda tribe, a tribe of nomadic-hunters-turned-farmers who lived in the Chotanagpur region of Jharkhand.
• He is also known as ‘Dharti ka Abba and ‘Bhagwaan Birsa’, as he achieved a God-like status among his followers.
• Social reformer – He fought against superstition, animal sacrifice and alcoholism.
• Unified the tribal community – He started the faith of “Birsait” to challenge the British conversion activities through missionaries.
• It attracted the members of Munda and Oraon tribal communities and thereby unified the tribal community under a single umbrella.
• Mobilized the masses – He had put examples of their ancestors and their burning patriotism to motivate the mass people.
• Fought for Tribal land rights – His organisational skill, motivating the masses to regain freedom from the power grabbers like the Thikadars, Zamindars and money-lenders and restoration of full ownership rights as tillers of the soil.
• He demanded tribal farmers to boycott ‘beth begari system’ (forced labour).
• Spearheaded tribal movement – He led the movement called 'Ulgulan', organising the Adivasis against the land settlement system imposed by the British.

Sardari Ladai (1858-90)

• An agrarian discontent against the imposition of beggars (forced labor) and illegal enhancement of rent by the intermediaries.
• Led by – The “Sardars” of the Munda and Oraon tribes.
• Approaches – Peaceful means like petition, prayers and protest to demand justice from the colonial regime.
• Significance – It prepared the ground for Birsa Munda’s rebellion.

References

1. The New Indian Express | Contribution of Birsa Munda
2. Odisha.Gov| Birsa Munda – The Great Hero of the Tribals

Indian House Crows

The Kenyan government has launched a campaign against Indian House Crows, aiming to eliminate one million of them by the end of 2024.

• Taxonomy – It belongs to the family ‘Corvidae’.
  • Scientific Name – Corvus splendens
• Nativity – Indian subcontinent.
• Distribution – Colonized urban and suburban areas in many parts of Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

The house crow, also known by various names such as the Indian crow, grey-necked crow, Ceylon crow and Colombo crow originated from India and other parts of Asia but has since spread to many parts of the world, aided by shipping activities.

• Features – They are medium-sized birds known for their adaptability and intelligence.
• They have a slightly glossy appearance.
• Challenges in Kenya – Their exponential rise due to their remarkable adaptability and association with human settlements.
• Being invasive they cause problems for tourists, farmers, and local avian species for decades.
• It led to significant decrease in the population of small indigenous birds on the Kenyan coast by destroying their nests and preying on their eggs and chicks.

Reference

Down to Earth| Impacts of Indian House crows in Kenya

COSIS

Recently, the ITLOS issued an advisory opinion on international climate change litigation requested by the COSIS.

International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) is an independent judicial body established by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

• COSIS – Commission of Small Island States on Climate Change and International Law, an international commission that have an international legal personality.
• Formed by – The Island nations of Antigua & Barbuda and Tuvalu on the eve of COP26 at Glasgow in 2021.
• It entered into force upon signature by two or more states.
• Aim – To address the unique challenges faced by small island nations regarding climate change within the framework of international law.
• Recognition – It was registered with the United Nations (UN) in accordance with Article 102 of the Charter of the UN.
• Members – It is open to any member of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS).
  • Antigua & Barbuda, Tuvalu, Palau, Niue, Vanuatu, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, and St. Kitts & Nevis.
• Mandate – To promote and contribute rules and principles of international law concerning climate change, protection and preservation of the marine environment and their responsibility for injuries arising from internationally wrongful acts in respect of the breach of such obligations.
• Activities – It assists Small Island States in promoting its mandate.
• It shall be authorised to request advisory opinions from the ITLOS on any legal question within the svope of 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
• It may appoint experts and advisors as necessary.
• Recent advisory by ITLOS – The Parties to UNCLOS have specific obligations to take all necessary measures to prevent, reduce and control marine pollution from anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions (GHG).

References

1. The Hindu| ITLOS gives advisory to COSIS
2. COSIS| Commission of Small Island States on Climate Change and International Law

Pathogens in Space

Researchers are studying multi-drug resistant pathogens on the International Space Station (ISS), which could have key applications for astronaut's health as well on Earth.

• Organisation involved- Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).
• The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) is a unique collaboration between NASA and Caltech.
• Aim- To study the behaviour, adaptation, and evolution of multi-drug resistant pathogens about 400-km above the earth’s surface at the International Space Station (ISS).
• The International Space Station (ISS) is a large space station assembled and maintained in low Earth orbit by a collaboration of five space agencies and their contractors: NASA (United States), Roscosmos (Russia), JAXA (Japan), ESA (Europe), and CSA (Canada).
• Key features of the research – Studying genomic adaptations of drug-resistant pathogens can improve targeted treatments.
• Insights into pathogen persistence in spaces like spacecraft and hospitals can help manage contamination.
• Integrating genomics, metagenomics, and metabolic modeling can study microbial dynamics in various extreme environments.
• Comprehensive study- To understand the genomic, functional, and metabolic enhancements observed in multidrug-resistant pathogens with a particular focus on Enterobacter bugandensis, a prevalent nosocomial pathogen found on surfaces within the ISS.
• Enterobacter bugandensis is a species of bacteria that belongs to the Enterobacter genus, which is commonly found in various environments including soil, water, and the gastrointestinal tracts of humans and animals.

Reference

Business Standard | Pathogens in Space