🔆 Cooking Oils Help Extract Silver from E-Waste
📍 Scientists found that fatty acids in cooking oils (like sunflower or groundnut oil) can recover silver from e-waste like old phones and computer parts.
✅ A mobile phone contains up to 200 mg of silver; laptops even more.
✅ This eco-friendly method avoids toxic chemicals and helps recycle precious metals from discarded electronics.
📍 Scientists found that fatty acids in cooking oils (like sunflower or groundnut oil) can recover silver from e-waste like old phones and computer parts.
✅ A mobile phone contains up to 200 mg of silver; laptops even more.
✅ This eco-friendly method avoids toxic chemicals and helps recycle precious metals from discarded electronics.
🔆 MV Wan Hai 503 Fire: Ship Towed Away from Coast
📍 The Singapore-flagged ship Wan Hai 503, which caught fire off the Kerala coast, is now stable and being towed away by the Indian Navy and Coast Guard.
✅ Ship still tilted, smoke continues.
✅ Containers may reach Kerala shores (Ernakulam, Alappuzha, Kollam) between Monday and Wednesday.
✅ Public warned to maintain 200m distance from debris.
📍 The Singapore-flagged ship Wan Hai 503, which caught fire off the Kerala coast, is now stable and being towed away by the Indian Navy and Coast Guard.
✅ Ship still tilted, smoke continues.
✅ Containers may reach Kerala shores (Ernakulam, Alappuzha, Kollam) between Monday and Wednesday.
✅ Public warned to maintain 200m distance from debris.
🔆 New AC Temperature Norms Proposed to Save Energy
📍 Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar proposed limiting AC temperature range to 20–28°C, building on BEE’s 2018 guidelines.
✅ Aim: Energy conservation through optimal temperature use in public and commercial buildings.
✅ India’s AC power demand could reach 200 GW by 2030.
✅ Default AC setting is already 24°C in government guidelines.
📍 Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar proposed limiting AC temperature range to 20–28°C, building on BEE’s 2018 guidelines.
✅ Aim: Energy conservation through optimal temperature use in public and commercial buildings.
✅ India’s AC power demand could reach 200 GW by 2030.
✅ Default AC setting is already 24°C in government guidelines.
🔆 Who’s Responsible When a Ship Sinks?
📍 Recent Kerala coast incidents: MV Wan Hai 503 (June 9) and MSC ELSA (May 25).
✅ IMO regulates global shipping rules via conventions like SOLAS and HNS, covering safety, pollution, and compensation.
✅ Shipowners are liable for cargo loss and environmental damage.
✅ India may ratify more conventions as shipping accidents rise.
📍 Recent Kerala coast incidents: MV Wan Hai 503 (June 9) and MSC ELSA (May 25).
✅ IMO regulates global shipping rules via conventions like SOLAS and HNS, covering safety, pollution, and compensation.
✅ Shipowners are liable for cargo loss and environmental damage.
✅ India may ratify more conventions as shipping accidents rise.
🔆 Ocean Pollution: A Global Environmental Threat
📍 What is Ocean Pollution?
Ocean pollution refers to the introduction of plastics, toxic metals, chemicals, and agricultural runoff into marine ecosystems, leading to ecological imbalance and human health risks.
📍 Key Impacts
✅ Microplastics Menace
• Account for 80% of ocean debris
• Ingested by marine animals, reaching humans via seafood
• Detected at 100m depth, disrupting the carbon cycle
📖 Source: Nature (2023)
✅ Harmed Marine Life
• Ingestion leads to reduced feeding and poor health
• Pollutants destroy habitats, threaten biodiversity
✅ Oxygen Depletion
• Decomposing waste consumes oxygen, suffocating marine life
✅ Risks to Human Health
• Contaminated seafood
• Toxic aerosols from sea spray may affect coastal populations
📍 Mitigation Measures
✅ Climate Change Action
• Cut greenhouse gas emissions to ease ocean stress
✅ Enhanced Monitoring
• Invest in data, satellite tech to track oxygen levels & pollution sources
✅ Awareness & Behaviour Change
• Public education to reduce plastic use & marine dumping
📍 Global Action & Treaties
✅ MARPOL – Regulates pollution from ships
✅ UNCLOS – Ensures sustainable ocean governance
✅ High Seas Treaty (BBNJ Agreement, 2023)
• Adopted under UNCLOS
• Focus: Conserve marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction
• Targets: Reduce pollution, support sustainable use of high seas resources
📍 Fact Sheet
✅ Plastic = 80% of all marine pollution
✅ 8–10 million metric tons/year plastic enters oceans
✅ By 2050, plastic could outweigh all fish
📖 Source: UNESCO, Environmental Studies
#environment
📍 What is Ocean Pollution?
Ocean pollution refers to the introduction of plastics, toxic metals, chemicals, and agricultural runoff into marine ecosystems, leading to ecological imbalance and human health risks.
📍 Key Impacts
✅ Microplastics Menace
• Account for 80% of ocean debris
• Ingested by marine animals, reaching humans via seafood
• Detected at 100m depth, disrupting the carbon cycle
📖 Source: Nature (2023)
✅ Harmed Marine Life
• Ingestion leads to reduced feeding and poor health
• Pollutants destroy habitats, threaten biodiversity
✅ Oxygen Depletion
• Decomposing waste consumes oxygen, suffocating marine life
✅ Risks to Human Health
• Contaminated seafood
• Toxic aerosols from sea spray may affect coastal populations
📍 Mitigation Measures
✅ Climate Change Action
• Cut greenhouse gas emissions to ease ocean stress
✅ Enhanced Monitoring
• Invest in data, satellite tech to track oxygen levels & pollution sources
✅ Awareness & Behaviour Change
• Public education to reduce plastic use & marine dumping
📍 Global Action & Treaties
✅ MARPOL – Regulates pollution from ships
✅ UNCLOS – Ensures sustainable ocean governance
✅ High Seas Treaty (BBNJ Agreement, 2023)
• Adopted under UNCLOS
• Focus: Conserve marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction
• Targets: Reduce pollution, support sustainable use of high seas resources
📍 Fact Sheet
✅ Plastic = 80% of all marine pollution
✅ 8–10 million metric tons/year plastic enters oceans
✅ By 2050, plastic could outweigh all fish
📖 Source: UNESCO, Environmental Studies
#environment
🔆The International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)
✅The IBCA was established through the nodal organisation viz. National Tiger Conservation Authority, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change 2024.
✅The IBCA became a legal entity after five countries—Nicaragua, Eswatini, India, Somalia, and Liberia—had signed the Framework Agreement to formally become members of the IBCA.
✅It is a coalition of 95 range countries.
✅The IBCA primarily aims for conservation of seven big cats namely Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar and Puma.
Objectives:
✅Facilitation of collaboration and synergy amongst the concerned stakeholders,
🔸consolidation of successful conservation practices;
🔸and expertise to achieve conservation of big cats around the globe.
✅The initiative seeks to foster international collaboration for the sustainable future of big cats, as well as underscores India’s leadership and commitment to global wildlife conservation
📍2025 Summit Outcome:
✅First General Assembly Held: The inaugural Assembly of IBCA convened in New Delhi on June 16, 2025, marking a global milestone in big cat diplomacy.
✅Nine Nations Participated: Countries like Bhutan, Cambodia, Eswatini, and Kazakhstan joined India to discuss collaborative conservation goals.
✅India Designated as HQ: The Headquarters Agreement was ratified, formally establishing India as the permanent secretariat of IBCA.
✅Bhupender Yadav Elected President: India’s Environment Minister was unanimously endorsed as the first President of the Alliance, reflecting India’s leadership.
✅Funding Commitment by India: India allocated ₹150 crore (2023–28) to support IBCA’s initial setup, coordination, and capacity building efforts globally.
✅The IBCA was established through the nodal organisation viz. National Tiger Conservation Authority, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change 2024.
✅The IBCA became a legal entity after five countries—Nicaragua, Eswatini, India, Somalia, and Liberia—had signed the Framework Agreement to formally become members of the IBCA.
✅It is a coalition of 95 range countries.
✅The IBCA primarily aims for conservation of seven big cats namely Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar and Puma.
Objectives:
✅Facilitation of collaboration and synergy amongst the concerned stakeholders,
🔸consolidation of successful conservation practices;
🔸and expertise to achieve conservation of big cats around the globe.
✅The initiative seeks to foster international collaboration for the sustainable future of big cats, as well as underscores India’s leadership and commitment to global wildlife conservation
📍2025 Summit Outcome:
✅First General Assembly Held: The inaugural Assembly of IBCA convened in New Delhi on June 16, 2025, marking a global milestone in big cat diplomacy.
✅Nine Nations Participated: Countries like Bhutan, Cambodia, Eswatini, and Kazakhstan joined India to discuss collaborative conservation goals.
✅India Designated as HQ: The Headquarters Agreement was ratified, formally establishing India as the permanent secretariat of IBCA.
✅Bhupender Yadav Elected President: India’s Environment Minister was unanimously endorsed as the first President of the Alliance, reflecting India’s leadership.
✅Funding Commitment by India: India allocated ₹150 crore (2023–28) to support IBCA’s initial setup, coordination, and capacity building efforts globally.
🔆 Key Takeaways: Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) Units in India
📍 🧪 What Are FGD Units?
✅ FGD units remove SO₂ from flue gas—SO₂ is acidic, and FGDs neutralise it using basic compounds.
✅ Three main types:
• Dry sorbent injection – powdered limestone reacts with SO₂; residue filtered.
• Wet limestone treatment – limestone slurry used; highly efficient and widely used.
• Seawater scrubbing – used in coastal plants, seawater absorbs SO₂, treated before discharge.
📍 🇮🇳 India’s Current Status
✅ 2015: Environment Ministry mandated FGDs in all 537 coal-fired TPPs.
✅ As of August 2024, only 39 units had FGDs installed.
✅ By April 2025, India’s coal-based power capacity was 2,19,338 MW—46% of total electricity capacity.
📍 💰 Cost & Policy Implications
✅ Installation cost: approx. ₹1.2 crore/MW.
✅ Estimated cost for 97,000 MW: ₹97,000 crore.
✅ Tariffs may increase by ₹0.72/kWh, largely due to fixed costs (over 80%).
✅ Variable cost rise remains under ₹0.1/kWh.
📍 🌱 Environmental & Health Impact
✅ SO₂ contributes to global warming and respiratory issues.
✅ Leads to secondary particulate matter (PM) formation—80% of PM linked to SO₂ from coal burning.
📍 ⚠️ No Viable Alternatives
✅ Experts affirm: no substitute for FGDs to remove SO₂ from coal emissions.
✅ Urgent compliance needed to avoid further delays and health costs.
#environment
📍 🧪 What Are FGD Units?
✅ FGD units remove SO₂ from flue gas—SO₂ is acidic, and FGDs neutralise it using basic compounds.
✅ Three main types:
• Dry sorbent injection – powdered limestone reacts with SO₂; residue filtered.
• Wet limestone treatment – limestone slurry used; highly efficient and widely used.
• Seawater scrubbing – used in coastal plants, seawater absorbs SO₂, treated before discharge.
📍 🇮🇳 India’s Current Status
✅ 2015: Environment Ministry mandated FGDs in all 537 coal-fired TPPs.
✅ As of August 2024, only 39 units had FGDs installed.
✅ By April 2025, India’s coal-based power capacity was 2,19,338 MW—46% of total electricity capacity.
📍 💰 Cost & Policy Implications
✅ Installation cost: approx. ₹1.2 crore/MW.
✅ Estimated cost for 97,000 MW: ₹97,000 crore.
✅ Tariffs may increase by ₹0.72/kWh, largely due to fixed costs (over 80%).
✅ Variable cost rise remains under ₹0.1/kWh.
📍 🌱 Environmental & Health Impact
✅ SO₂ contributes to global warming and respiratory issues.
✅ Leads to secondary particulate matter (PM) formation—80% of PM linked to SO₂ from coal burning.
📍 ⚠️ No Viable Alternatives
✅ Experts affirm: no substitute for FGDs to remove SO₂ from coal emissions.
✅ Urgent compliance needed to avoid further delays and health costs.
#environment
🔆 New Jumping Spider Found in Southern India
📍 A new spider species, Spartaeus karigiri, was discovered in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
✅ Belongs to the Spartaeinae subfamily, known for intelligent hunting and web invasion.
✅ First time Spartaeus and Sonoita genera, seen only in Africa & Southeast Asia, are recorded in India.
✅ Found at Karigiri (Elephant Hill) and Villupuram district.
📍 A new spider species, Spartaeus karigiri, was discovered in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
✅ Belongs to the Spartaeinae subfamily, known for intelligent hunting and web invasion.
✅ First time Spartaeus and Sonoita genera, seen only in Africa & Southeast Asia, are recorded in India.
✅ Found at Karigiri (Elephant Hill) and Villupuram district.
🔆 Delhi boosts anti-air pollution efforts with tech-driven machines
✅ CM Rekha Gupta launched 460 water sprinklers, 70 road sweepers, and anti-smog guns.
✅ Aim: Mechanised cleaning before winter air worsens.
✅ CM called it a “technology-driven sanitation mindset.”
✅ Earlier ₹2,388 crore plan failed; new approval in May 2024 includes waste and road management.
✅ CM Rekha Gupta launched 460 water sprinklers, 70 road sweepers, and anti-smog guns.
✅ Aim: Mechanised cleaning before winter air worsens.
✅ CM called it a “technology-driven sanitation mindset.”
✅ Earlier ₹2,388 crore plan failed; new approval in May 2024 includes waste and road management.
🔆 New flowering plant discovered in Aravalis
✅ A new plant species, Portulaca bharat, was found in the Aravali hills near Jaipur.
✅ It is endemic to India and currently classified as “data deficient” by IUCN.
✅ Known for surviving extreme conditions, these plants have water-storing tissues.
✅ The discovery highlights hidden biodiversity and growing climate threats to such species.
#species
#prelims
Join @CSE_EXAM
@Upsc_4_environment
✅ A new plant species, Portulaca bharat, was found in the Aravali hills near Jaipur.
✅ It is endemic to India and currently classified as “data deficient” by IUCN.
✅ Known for surviving extreme conditions, these plants have water-storing tissues.
✅ The discovery highlights hidden biodiversity and growing climate threats to such species.
#species
#prelims
Join @CSE_EXAM
@Upsc_4_environment
Forwarded from CSE EXAM ( UPSC prelims mains) CAPF
🔆 Assessment of Climate Change Over the Indian Region
📝 Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Government of India
📍 Rising Temperatures:
✅ India’s average temperature ↑ by 0.7°C since 1901; projected rise of 4.4°C by century end.
📍 Warming Oceans:
✅ Indian Ocean’s sea surface temperature ↑ by 1°C (1951–2015), exceeding global average.
📍 Shifting Rainfall Patterns:
✅ 6% decline in summer monsoon rainfall (1951–2015), especially in Indo-Gangetic Plains & Western Ghats.
📍 Increased Droughts:
✅ Decrease in monsoon rainfall → more frequent and widespread droughts since 1951.
📍 Rising Sea Levels:
✅ 3.3 mm/year sea level rise in the North Indian Ocean (1993–2017); matches global trend.
📍 Cyclone Activity:
✅ Significant decline in cyclone frequency in North Indian Ocean since mid-20th century.
📍 Warming Himalayas:
✅ 1.3°C rise in the Hindu Kush Himalayan region (1951–2014) with declining snowfall.
📝 Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Government of India
📍 Rising Temperatures:
✅ India’s average temperature ↑ by 0.7°C since 1901; projected rise of 4.4°C by century end.
📍 Warming Oceans:
✅ Indian Ocean’s sea surface temperature ↑ by 1°C (1951–2015), exceeding global average.
📍 Shifting Rainfall Patterns:
✅ 6% decline in summer monsoon rainfall (1951–2015), especially in Indo-Gangetic Plains & Western Ghats.
📍 Increased Droughts:
✅ Decrease in monsoon rainfall → more frequent and widespread droughts since 1951.
📍 Rising Sea Levels:
✅ 3.3 mm/year sea level rise in the North Indian Ocean (1993–2017); matches global trend.
📍 Cyclone Activity:
✅ Significant decline in cyclone frequency in North Indian Ocean since mid-20th century.
📍 Warming Himalayas:
✅ 1.3°C rise in the Hindu Kush Himalayan region (1951–2014) with declining snowfall.
🔆 UNOC 2025: A Tidal Push for Ocean Protection
📍What is UNOC?
✅ The 3rd UN Oceans Conference held in France
✅ Goal: Speed up action on protecting high seas, curbing overfishing, and regulating deep-sea mining
📍The BBNJ Treaty (High Seas Treaty)
✅ Core treaty to protect oceans beyond national jurisdiction
✅ Needs 60 ratifications to become law — 56 countries onboard, India “in process”, U.S. still absent
✅ Aims to protect 30% of marine/coastal areas by 2030
📍Key Treaty Tools
✅ Create marine protected areas beyond national borders
✅ Enforce environmental impact assessments
✅ Share marine genetic resources fairly
✅ Build capacity in developing countries
📍The Big Challenge
✅ Who gets the commercial benefits from marine genetic resources?
✅ No clear equity mechanism yet in place
📍Who’s Paying to Protect the Oceans?
✅ EU: €1 billion for conservation and sustainable fishing
✅ New Zealand: $52 million for Pacific ocean governance
✅ Germany: €100 million to clean up underwater munitions
✅ Italy: €6.5 million for marine surveillance
✅ Canada: $9 million to fight ocean risks + launched coalition on noise pollution
✅ Spain: New MPAs covering 25% of its waters
✅ French Polynesia: Plans world’s largest MPA
📍What’s Next?
✅ A Conference of Parties (COP) for BBNJ is expected by late 2026
✅ Target: 70 ratifications by Sept 2025 to activate the treaty.
📍What is UNOC?
✅ The 3rd UN Oceans Conference held in France
✅ Goal: Speed up action on protecting high seas, curbing overfishing, and regulating deep-sea mining
📍The BBNJ Treaty (High Seas Treaty)
✅ Core treaty to protect oceans beyond national jurisdiction
✅ Needs 60 ratifications to become law — 56 countries onboard, India “in process”, U.S. still absent
✅ Aims to protect 30% of marine/coastal areas by 2030
📍Key Treaty Tools
✅ Create marine protected areas beyond national borders
✅ Enforce environmental impact assessments
✅ Share marine genetic resources fairly
✅ Build capacity in developing countries
📍The Big Challenge
✅ Who gets the commercial benefits from marine genetic resources?
✅ No clear equity mechanism yet in place
📍Who’s Paying to Protect the Oceans?
✅ EU: €1 billion for conservation and sustainable fishing
✅ New Zealand: $52 million for Pacific ocean governance
✅ Germany: €100 million to clean up underwater munitions
✅ Italy: €6.5 million for marine surveillance
✅ Canada: $9 million to fight ocean risks + launched coalition on noise pollution
✅ Spain: New MPAs covering 25% of its waters
✅ French Polynesia: Plans world’s largest MPA
📍What’s Next?
✅ A Conference of Parties (COP) for BBNJ is expected by late 2026
✅ Target: 70 ratifications by Sept 2025 to activate the treaty.
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