1.

1. It is connected to the Somali Sea by the Strait of Bab el Mandeb.

2. It is connected to the Red Sea by the the Guardafui Channel.

3. Its terrain is the Sheba Ridge.

4. It is an extension of the Indian Ocean.

How many of these is/are true w.r.t. Gulf of Aden?

(a) Only 1

(b) Only 2

(c) Only 3

(d) All the four

2.

“Pantoea Tagorei” in news refer to the context of

(a) Women School

(b) Work of Rabindranath Tagore

(c) A tree

(d) A bacteria

3.

1. A tropical cyclone is said to have made landfall when the centre of the storm – or its eye – moves over the coast.

2. It marks the beginning of the end of cyclones.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct w.r.t. the “landfall” of a cyclone?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

4.

Operation Prosperity Guardian recently in news is a

(a) US led operation to safeguard Red Sea

(b) India led operation to help Indians in Israel

(c) India led operation to help Indians in Ukraine

(d) UN led operation to safeguard Red sea

5.

Consider the following statements:

1. Jet streams occur in the Northern Hemisphere only.

2. Only some cyclones develop an eye.

3. The temperature inside the eye of a cyclone is nearly 10ºC lesser than that of the surroundings.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 2 only

(d) 1 and 3 only

6.

Consider the following statements
1. Thickness of Troposphere at the equator. 

2. Thickness of Troposphere at the poles.

Which of the following is / are true?   

(a)  1>2 

(b)  1=2

(c)  1<2

(d)  1 = Four times 2

7.

I. Quartz watches use this principle.

II. It happens because the atoms get unevenly charged when pressure is applied, leading to a small electric current.

Which of the above statements is/are true w.r.t. Piezoelectricity?

(a) Only I

(b) Only II

(c) Both I & II

(d) Neither I nor II

8.

The standard time of the following countries is ahead of or behind Greenwich Mean Time depending on whether they are East or West of the longitude passing through, Greenwich. 

1. Cuba

2. Greece

3. Iraq

4. Costa Rica

5. Japan  

Which one of the following sequential orders gives the correct arrangement of the countries according to their standard time from ahead to behind GMT?    

(a) 5, 3, 2, 1, 4

(b) 2, 4, 1, 3, 5 

(c) 4, 1, 3, 2, 5

(d) 3, 5, 4, 1, 2

9.

Consider the following pairs of Folk arts and their states:

How many of the above are correctly matched pairs?.

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All the three

(d) None of these

10.

Which of the following statements is/are correct about the deposits of ‘methane hydrate’?.

1. Global warming might trigger the release of methane gas from these deposits.

2. Large deposits of ‘methane hydrate’ are found in Arctic Tundra and under the sea floor.

3. Methane in atmosphere oxidizes to carbon dioxide after a decade or two.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

11.

Which of the following is/are incorrect w.r.t. “Indian Nino”?.

1. It is negative when the western side of the Indian Ocean, near the Somalia coast, becomes warmer than the eastern Indian Ocean.

2. It is positive when the western Indian Ocean is cooler.

3. A positive Indian Nino will bring rains to India.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

12.

English Channel

I. separates Britain and France  

II. is a part of Atlantic Ocean.  

Which of the above statements is/are true?

(a) Only I

(b) Only II

(c) Both I & II

(d) Neither I nor II

o  

13.

Why were the rules 373, 374 and 374A of Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha, in news recently?.

(a) In connection with suspension of MPs.

(b) In connection with liberties of MPs.

(c) In connection with decorum within the house.

(d) In connection with quorum of the house.

14.

Kiel canal links

(a) Caspian Sea and Baltic Sea

(b) North Sea and Caspian Sea 

(c)  North Sea and Baltic Sea  

(d) Caspian Sea and Red Sea

15.

Consider the following statements regarding the earthquakes:

1.  The intensity of earthquake is measured on Mercalli Scale.

2.  The magnitude of an earthquake is a measure of energy released.

3.  Earthquake magnitudes are based on direct measurements of the amplitude of seismic waves.

4.  In the Richter Scale, each whole number demonstrates a hundred-fold increase in the amount of energy released.

Which of these statements are correct?

(a) 1, 2 and 3

(b) 2, 3 and 4

(c) 1 and 4

(d) 1 and 3

16.

I. The concept of a climate club was developed by William Nordhaus.

II. Climate is being referred as global common.

Which of the above statements is/are true?

(a) Only I

(b) Only II

(c) Both I & II

(d) Neither I nor II

17.

India’s Social Impact Fund helps

(a) to advance Carbon capture and storage in the Global South

(b) to advance geo engineering

(c) to manage impact of climate change, incentivise social enterprises.

(d) to advance Digital Public Infrastructure in the Global South

18.

Consider the following statements:

1. Winds in a cyclone blow clockwise in Southern Hemisphere.

2. Winds in an anticyclone blow counterclockwise in Southern Hemisphere.

3. In a cyclone air is pushed away from its high-pressure region and replaced by a downward explosion of air from higher altitudes.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 2 only

(d) 1 and 3 only

19.

Khanij Bidesh India Limited is a joint venture company of three Central Public Sector Enterprises whose focus is on

(a) sourcing of Lithium

(b) production of aluminium

(c) shale gas extraction

(d) enrichment of Uranium

20.

Consider the following

1. UV forms only 6% of insolation.

2. IR forms 43% of insolation and is largely absorbed by water vapour that is concentrated in the lower atmosphere.

3. At the same latitude, the insolation is higher over the continent than over the oceans.

Which of these is / are true?
 (a) Only 1 & 2

(b) Only 2 & 3

(c) Only 3

(d) All are true

21.

1. Amphan

2. Mocha

Which of the above is/are Super Cyclone(s)?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

22.

1. Syria has the highest population growth rate in 2023.

2. Cook Islands has the highest population decline rate in 2023.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

23.

The determinants of Stagflation Risk in India is/are

1. spikes in commodity prices

2. tighter financial conditions

3. higher depreciation of Indian Rupee

(a) 2 and 3 only

(b) 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

24.

The primary causes of Arctic amplification include

1. ice-albedo feedback

2. lapse rate feedback

3. water vapor feedback

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3

(c) 1 and 3

(d) 1, 2 and 3

25.

I. The Labrador current is a cold current in the north Atlantic Ocean.

II. The Falkland current is a warm current that flows along the Chile coast of South Pacific Ocean.

Which of the above statements is/are true?

(a) Only I    

(b) Only II       

(c) Both I & II

(d) Neither I nor II

1.

Gulf of Aden

The Gulf of Aden is an extension of the Indian Ocean, situated between the Arabian Peninsula and the African continent.

The gulf derives its name from "Aden," a port city located on the coast of Yemen.

Bounded by: Somalia and the Socotra Islands to the south, Yemen to the north, the Arabian Sea to the east, and Djibouti to the west, the Gulf of Aden holds a strategic position in the region.

Connectivity: The gulf is linked to the Somali Sea in the south through the Guardafui Channel and to the Red Sea in the west through the Strait of Bab el Mandeb.

Coverage: Covering an area of approximately 410,000 square kilometers, the Gulf of Aden spans about 900 km in length and 500 km in width.

Cities Along the Gulf: Aden, Mukalla, Ahnwar, Balhaf, Berbera, Bosaso, and Djibouti City, each contributing to the region''s cultural and economic diversity.

Characteristics: With an average depth of 500 meters and a maximum depth of 2,700 meters, the gulf boasts significant depth variations.

oThe gulf''s terrain is the Sheba Ridge, an extension of the Indian Ocean ridge system that runs along its middle.

Significance: Beyond its geographical significance, the Gulf of Aden serves as a crucial component of the Suez Canal shipping route, linking the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea.

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/indian-navy-responds-to-merchant-vessel-under-drone-attack-in-gulf-of-aden/article67751533.ece

B

2.

https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/pantoea-tagorei-visva-bharati-discovers-new-bacteria-names-it-after-rabindranath-tagore/article67671534.ece

D

3.

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/everyday-explainers/cyclone-biparjoy-landfall-8665032/

C

4.

https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/us-launches-multinational-push-to-safeguard-red-sea-commerce/article67654779.ece

A

5.

https://ndma.gov.in/Natural-Hazards/Cyclone#:~:text=Cyclones%20are%20caused%20by%20atmospheric,violent%20storms%20and%20bad%20weather.

A tropical cyclone is a rapidly rotating storm originating over tropical oceans from where it draws the energy to develop. It has a low-pressure centre and clouds spiralling towards the eyewall surrounding the "eye", the central part of the system where the weather is normally calm and free of clouds. Its diameter is typically around 200 to 500 km but can reach 1000 km.

Indian Ocean cyclones often have a compact structure with a well-defined eye and can vary in intensity from weak to extremely severe cyclonic storms

Formation of cyclones / Cyclogenesis: Tropical cyclones in the Indian Ocean region typically form over warm ocean waters near the equator. They require specific conditions like:

1.    Good source of latent heat: Sustained Sea surface temperature of 26-27 deg Celsius for an areal expanse of 60-70 m.

2.    Presence of Coriolis force: About 65% of cyclogenesis occurs in regions of 5-10 degrees latitude.

3.    Low vertical wind shearing    

Stages of development :

·         Tropical Disturbance: This is the initial stage of development characterized by a cluster of thunderstorms with weak or no closed circulation. 

·         Tropical Depression: If the tropical disturbance becomes more organized with a closed circulation and sustained winds of up to 38 miles per hour (62 kilometres per hour), it is classified as a tropical depression 

·         Tropical Storm: When the sustained winds of a tropical depression reach speeds between 39-73 miles per hour (63-118 kilometres per hour), it is upgraded to a tropical storm.

 Severe Tropical Storm: It represents a stage between a tropical storm and a tropical cyclone, with sustained winds typically ranging from 48-63 miles per hour (78-102 kilometres per hour). 

Characteristics :

 Intense Convection: Indian tropical cyclones are known for their intense convection, characterized by towering thunderstorm clouds that reach high altitudes. This convection leads to heavy rainfall, often resulting in flooding and waterlogging in affected areas. 

1.    Strong Winds: These cyclones are associated with strong winds that can cause extensive damage to infrastructure, uproot trees, and disrupt the power supply. The wind speeds can vary depending on the intensity of the cyclone, ranging from moderate to extremely severe levels. 

1.    Well-Defined Eye: Indian tropical cyclones typically exhibit a well-defined eye at the centre, which is a region of calm and relatively clear skies. This eye is surrounded by a spiral arrangement of thunderstorms known as the eyewall, where the most intense weather conditions occur. 

1.    Cyclone Tracks: Indian tropical cyclones generally follow a predictable track pattern. They often move in a northwest direction, approaching the eastern coast of India and then curving towards the northeast or northwest. However, the exact track can vary, and cyclones can affect different regions along the Indian coastline, including the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea.

 Impacts:
The strong winds associated with cyclones can cause extensive damage to infrastructure, uproot trees, and disrupt power supply.

1.    Loss of life and property: Cyclones can cause widespread damage and destruction, leading to loss of life and property. The strong winds and storm surges can destroy homes, businesses, and infrastructure, and the heavy rains can cause flooding and landslides. Example: Bhola Cyclone – 1970 Bangladesh West Bengal in 1970. It is considered the deadliest cyclone causing around 3-5 lakh deaths.

 Economic disruption: Cyclones can have a devastating impact on the economy of coastal communities. The damage to infrastructure and businesses can lead to job losses and economic hardship. The loss of crops and livestock can also lead to food shortages and price increases. Example: Cyclone Amphan 2020 was the costliest tropical cyclone on record in the North Indian Ocean costing Rs. 1.03 crores in economic loss.

 Environmental damage: Cyclones can cause significant environmental damage. The strong winds and storm surges can erode beaches and coastal wetlands, and the heavy rains can pollute waterways and contaminate drinking water supplies. Example: Cyclone Nivar 2020: Tamil Nadu coast - damaged horticultural crops and mangroves in about 23000 acres.

 Health problems: Cyclones can lead to several health problems, including injuries, respiratory problems, and waterborne diseases. The lack of access to clean water and sanitation can also lead to the spread of diseases. Example: Cyclone Irma (2017): caused malaria outbreaks in Bangladesh.

 To mitigate the harmful impacts of tropical cyclones Indian Ocean littoral states should come together such as IONS 2008 to integrate early warning systems, disaster mitigation, response and recovery for enhancing resilience, and provide support to communities affected by cyclones.

C

6.

The troposphere is the layer of the atmosphere closest to Earth''s surface. It ranges from as little as 20,000 feet thick at the poles to about 60,000 feet thick near the equator. The troposphere is where nearly all weather occurs, hence its Greek root word tropos, meaning "changing".

The thickness of the troposphere is primarily a function of its average temperature, since warmer air occupies more volume. In fact, the thickness of different layers of the atmosphere is one of the primary diagnostic tools used in meteorology. Since the equator is on average the warmest part of the Earth, the same amount of atmospheric mass within a given column occupies a larger volume, which can only expand upward.

A

7.

https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/piezoelectricity-why-quartz-ticks/article67576333.ece#:~:text=Piezoelectricity%20is%20a%20remarkable%20phenomenon,in%20response%20to%20mechanical%20stress.

https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/scientists-spot-piezoelectric-effect-in-liquids-for-the-first-time/article66671337.ece

C

8.

The Greenwich line which passes through London is called Prime Meridian. It is 0° longitude. The countries which lies east of the Prime Meridian has their standard time ahead of the Greenwich Mean Time, and which lies west of the Prime Meridian has their standard time behind the Greenwich Mean Time. Accordingly from East to West, the order of the given countries is Japan, Iraq, Greece, Cuba and Costa Rica.

A

9.

https://iasgoogle.com/editorial/folk-paintings-of-india

10.

Methane hydrate is a crystalline solid that consists of a methane molecule surrounded by a cage of interlocking water molecules. It is an “ice” that only occurs naturally in subsurface deposits where temperature and pressure conditions are favourable for its formation.

Regions with suitable temperature and pressure conditions for the formation and stability of methane hydrate– sediment and sedimentary rock units below the Arctic permafrost; sedimentary deposits along continental margins; deep-water sediments of inland lakes and seas; and, under Antarctic ice. 

Methane hydrates, the sensitive sediments, can rapidly dissociate with an increase in temperature or a decrease in pressure. The dissociation produces free methane and water, which can be triggered by global warming. 

Methane is removed from the atmosphere in about 9 to 12-year period by oxidation reaction where it is converted into Carbon Dioxide. 

D

11.

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-climate/indian-ocean-dipole-what-is-it-how-it-can-limit-el-nino-effects-8689360/

https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/el-nino-likely-to-peak-during-nov-jan-indian-ocean-dipole-strengthens/article67403674.ece

A

12.

https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/uk-not-cooperating-enough-to-curb-migrants-crossing-the-channel-french-report/article67706079.ece

C

13.

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-politics/opposition-parliament-mp-suspended-explained-9074037/

A

14.

C

15.

Mercalli Scale is a seismic intensity scale used for measuring the intensity of shaking produced by an earthquake. The range of intensity is from 1-12 in the Mercalli Scale.

Richter Scale is used to measure the scale of absolute ''Magnitude'' of an earthquake based on the amount of seismic energy released. Richter scale (ML) gives a quantitative measure of an earthquake''s magnitude (size). It was devised in 1935 by the American seismologists Charles F. Richter and Beno Gutenberg. The magnitude is determined using the logarithm of the amplitude (height) of the largest seismic wave calibrated to a scale by a seismograph.

Because of the logarithmic basis of the scale, each whole number increase in magnitude represents a tenfold increase in measured amplitude as measured on a seismogram.

Magnitude is related to the amount of seismic energy released at the hypocenter of the earthquake. It is based on the amplitude of the earthquake waves recorded on instruments which have a common calibration. The magnitude of an earthquake is thus represented by a single, instrumentally determined value.

A

16.

https://www.downtoearth.org.in/blog/climate-change/explaining-climate-clubs-rich-countries-are-turning-to-climate-industrial-deals-with-friendly-countries-90378

https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/what-does-cop-28-mean-for-cities-explained/article67651894.ece#:~:text=This%20was%20an%20important%20COP,both%20mitigation%20and%20adaptation%20strategies.

https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/world/cop28-germany-unveils-climate-club-to-tackle-industrial-emissions-93129

https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/climate-club-g7-action-explained-germany/article65579380.ece

C

17.

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1979113#:~:text=Furthermore%2C%20the%20Prime%20Minister%20Shri,implementation%20in%20the%20global%20south.

D

18.

C

19.

https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/kabil-tapping-into-overseas-market-to-secure-critical-minerals-supplies-pralhad-joshi/article67699152.ece

A

20.

Infrared waves are largely absorbed by water vapor that is concentrated in the lower atmosphere.

The total amount of insolation received at the equator is roughly about 2.5 times of that received at the poles.

Infrared rays constitute roughly one-third of insolation.

Infrared waves are not a part of visible spectrum of electromagnetic waves of solar radiation. Infrared waves are invisible to the human eye.

Insolation:

·         Insolation is the total amount of solar radiation energy received on a given surface area during a given time.

·         Incoming Solar Radiation or the amount of solar radiation received at the Earth’s surface.

·         The sun emits all wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum, called solar radiation.

·         Approximately 50% of the solar radiation received at the Earth’s surface is in the visible light portion of the E.M spectrum.

·         It is also called solar irradiation and expressed as "hourly irradiation" if recorded during an hour or "daily irradiation" if recorded during a day.

·         Earth and its atmosphere absorb about 64% of the insolation.

·         The land and water surfaces of Earth absorb 51%  of this insolation.

·         Ozone, carbon dioxide, and water vapor directly absorb the remaining 13% These gases absorb the insolation at certain wavelengths.

·         Ozone absorbs only a small percentage of the insolation.

·         The most important absorption occurs with carbon dioxide and water vapor, which absorb strongly over a broader wavelength band.

Carbon Dioxide:

• Carbon dioxide is an acidic colorless gas with a density about 53% higher than that of dry air. Carbon dioxide molecules consist of a carbon atom covalently double bonded to two oxygen atoms. It occurs naturally in Earth''s atmosphere as a trace gas.
• The current concentration is about 0.04% (412 ppm) by volume, having risen from pre-industrial levels of 280 ppm. 
• Natural sources include volcanoes, hot springs, and geysers, and it is freed from carbonate rocks by dissolution in water and acids.
• Because carbon dioxide is soluble in water, it occurs naturally in groundwater, rivers and lakes, ice caps, glaciers, and seawater.
• It is present in deposits of petroleum and natural gas. Carbon dioxide has a sharp and acidic odor and generates the taste of soda water in the mouth. However, at normally encountered concentrations it is odorless.

Ozone:

• ​Ozone (O3) is a highly reactive gas composed of three oxygen atoms.
• It is both a natural and a man-made product that occurs in the Earth''s upper atmosphere. (the stratosphere) and lower atmosphere (the troposphere). Depending on where it is in the atmosphere, ozone affects life on Earth in either good or bad ways.

Oxygen:

• Oxygen is a member of the chalcogen group in the periodic table, a highly reactive nonmetal, and an oxidizing agent that readily forms oxides with most elements as well as with other compounds.
• After hydrogen and helium, oxygen is the third-most abundant element in the universe by mass. At standard temperature and pressure, two atoms of the element bind to form dioxygen, a colorless and odorless diatomic gas with the formula O2. 

 D

21.

https://www.business-standard.com/about/what-is-super-cyclone

https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/natural-disasters/cyclone-mocha-is-now-the-second-most-intense-may-cyclone-in-bay-of-bengal-89314

https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/super-cyclone-mocha-pummels-bangladesh-and-myanmar-possibly-the-strongest-in-northern-indian-ocean-since-1982-101684083058917.html

C

22.

World''s Population Trends

       World’s Population:

o        The world’s population reached 8 billion people in mid-November 2022 from an estimated 2.5 billion people in 1950, a milestone in human development. While it took the global population 12 years to grow from 7 to 8 billion.

       India’s Population:

o        According tot he United Nations data, India has surpassed China to become world''s most populous nation with 142.86 crore people in 2023.

•        25% of India''s population is in the age group of 0-14 years, 18% in the 10-19 age group, 26% in the age bracket of 10-24 years, 68% in the 15-64 years age group, and 7% above 65 years.

       Regions with Highest Population Growth:

o        More than half of global population growth between now and 2050 is expected to occur in Africa.

o        Africa has the highest rate of population growth among major areas. The population of sub-Saharan Africa is projected to double by 2050.

o        In Syria, the population grew by about 6.39% compared to the previous year, making it the country with the highest population growth rate in 2023.

       Countries with Populations Declining:

o        Several countries are expected to see their populations decline by more than 15% by 2050, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Serbia, and Ukraine.

o        Cook Islands has the highest population decline rate of 2.31 % in 2023.

23.

https://www.thehindu.com/business/risk-of-stagflation-in-india-lowers-further-say-rbi-officials/article67674206.ece#:~:text=Reserve%20Bank%20of%20India%20(RBI,available%20data%2C%20using%20two%20approaches.

D

24.

Arctic amplification

·         Global warming, the long-term heating of the earth’s surface, expedited due to anthropogenic forces or human activities since pre-industrial times and has increased the planet’s average temperature by 1.1 degrees Celsius. While changes are witnessed across the planet, any change in the surface air temperature and the net radiation balance tend to produce larger changes at the north and south poles. This phenomenon is known as polar amplification; these changes are more pronounced at the northern latitudes and are known as the Arctic amplification.

·         Among the many global warming-driven causes for this amplification, the ice-albedo feedback, lapse rate feedback, water vapour feedback and ocean heat transport are the primary causes. Sea ice and snow have high albedo (measure of reflectivity of the surface), implying that they are capable of reflecting most of the solar radiation as opposed to water and land.

·         In the Arctic’s case, global warming is resulting in diminishing sea ice. As the sea ice melts, the Arctic Ocean will be more capable of absorbing solar radiation, thereby driving the amplification.

·         The lapse rate or the rate at which the temperature drops with elevation decreases with warming. Studies show that the ice-albedo feedback and the lapse rate feedback are responsible for 40% and 15% of polar amplification respectively.

What do the previous studies say?

·         Studies have shown that the Arctic was warming twice the global rate prior to the beginning of the 21st century. With revised figures, the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change released a ‘Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate’ in 2019, which said that the “Arctic surface air temperature has  likely increased by more than double the global average over the last two decades.”

·         In May 2021, the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP) warned that the Arctic has warmed three times quicker than the planet, and the chance of the sea ice completely disappearing in summers is 10 times greater, if the planet is warmer by two degree Celsius above the pre-industrial levels.

What are the consequences of Arctic warming?

·         The causes and consequences of Arctic amplification are cyclical — what might be a cause can be a consequence

·         The Greenland ice sheet is melting at an alarming rate, and the rate of accumulation of sea ice has been remarkably low since 2000, marked by young and thinner ice replacing the old and thicker ice sheets.

·         Greenlandic ice sheet holds the second largest amount of ice, after Antarctica, and therefore it is crucial for maintaining the sea level. In 2019, this was the single biggest cause for the rise in the sea level, about 1.5 metres. If the sheet melts completely, the sea level would rise by seven metres, capable of subsuming island countries and major coastal cities.

·         The warming of the Arctic Ocean and the seas in the region, the acidification of water, changes in the salinity levels, is impacting the biodiversity, including the marine species and the dependent species. The warming is also increasing the incidence of rainfall which is affecting the availability and accessibility of lichens to the reindeer. The Arctic amplification is causing widespread starvation and death among the Arctic fauna.

·         The permafrost in the Arctic is thawing and in turn releasing carbon and methane which are among the major greenhouse gases responsible for global warming. Experts fear that the thaw and the melt will also release the long-dormant bacteria and viruses that were trapped in the permafrost and can potentially give rise to diseases. The best-known example of this is the permafrost thaw leading to an anthrax outbreak in Siberia in 2016, where nearly 2,00,000 reindeer succumbed.

What is the impact on India?

·         A study titled ‘A possible relation between Arctic sea ice and late season Indian Summer Monsoon Rainfall extremes’ published in 2021 by a group of Indian and Norwegian scientists found that the reduced sea ice in the Barents-Kara sea region can lead to extreme rainfall events in the latter half of the monsoons — in September and October.

·         The changes in the atmospheric circulation due to diminishing sea ice combined with the warm temperatures in the Arabian Sea contribute to enhanced moisture and drive extreme rainfall

·         In 2014, India deployed IndARC, India’s first moored-underwater observatory in the Kongsfjorden fjord, Svalbard, to monitor the impact of the changes in the Arctic Ocean on the tropical processes such as the monsoons.

·         According to the WorldMeteorological Organization’s report, ‘State of Global Climate in 2021’, sea level along the Indian coast is rising faster than the global average rate. One of the primary reasons for this rise is the melting of sea ice in the polar regions, especially the Arctic.

Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP)

·         The Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme is one of six Working Groups of the Arctic Council.

AMAP is mandated:

·         To monitor and assess the status of the Arctic region with respect to pollution and climate change issues.

·         To document levels and trends, pathways and processes, and effects on ecosystems and humans, and propose actions to reduce associated threats for consideration by governments.

·         To produce sound science-based, policy-relevant assessments and public outreach products to inform policy and decision-making processes.

·         AMAP’s work is directed by the Ministers of the Arctic Council and their Senior Arctic Officials, who have requested AMAP to also support international processes that work to reduce the global threats from contaminants and climate change. These include the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, UNEP’s Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants and Minamata Convention on mercury, and the United Nation’s Economic Commission for Europe (UN ECE) Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution.

Arctic Council

·         The Arctic Council is a high-level intergovernmental body set up in 1996 by the Ottawa declaration to promote cooperation, coordination and interaction among the Arctic States together with the indigenous communities and other Arctic inhabitants.

·         Arctic Council Secretariat: The standing Arctic Council Secretariat formally became operational in 2013 in Tromsø, Norway.

·         Members of the Arctic Council: Ottawa Declaration declares Canada, the Kingdom of Denmark(Greenland and the Faroe Islands), Finland, Iceland, Norway, the Russian Federation, Sweden and the United States of America as a member of the Arctic Council.

·         The Arctic Council does not prohibit the commercial exploitation of resources in the Arctic. It only seeks to ensure that it is done in a sustainable manner without harming the interests of local populations and in conformity with the local environment.

·         India launched its first scientific expedition to the Arctic Ocean in 2007 and opened a research base named “Himadri” at the International Arctic Research Base at Ny-Alesund, Svalbard, Norway in July 2008 for carrying out studies in disciplines like Glaciology, Atmospheric sciences & Biological sciences.

·         In March 2022, the Ministry of Earth Science has unveiled India’s Arctic Policy, titled ‘India and the Arctic: building a partnership for sustainable development’.

·         India holds one of the 13 positions as the Observer in the Arctic Council.

25.

https://iasgoogle.com/editorial/all-about-ocean-currents

A