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Current Affairs 16th April 2024 for UPSC Prelims Exam

Hydrocarbons

Context: Hydrocarbons significantly impact the environment through CO2 emissions. Emissions occur throughout the hydrocarbon lifecycle (production, use, well abandonment)

Fact
A 2018 study estimated oilfields releasing 1.7 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide in one year.

How Hydrocarbons Are Formed and Extracted?

  • Formation: Over millions of years, heat and pressure compress dead organic matter into hydrocarbons trapped in rock formations.
  • Location:
    • Hydrocarbons are found underground in reservoirs formed by layers of rock.
    • Petroleum geologists assess these rocks for porosity (holding capacity) and permeability (ease of flow).
    • The source of hydrocarbons is kerogen (organic matter) from lakes, oceans, or landmasses.
    • Kerogen type determines the kind of hydrocarbon formed (oil, gas, coal).
  • Extraction:
    • Drilling and reservoir engineers aim to extract hydrocarbons efficiently without damaging the reservoir.
    • A production well is drilled to maximise drainage. The well uses a drill bit, drill pipe, and drill collars.
    • Steel casings and cement lining protect the well from collapsing and fluids entering.
    • Drilling fluid cools the drill bit and carries rock cuttings to the surface.
    • Blowout preventers control pressure and prevent uncontrolled eruptions.
    • Mud-logging records rock cuttings by depth to study their properties.
    • Drilling rigs can be used offshore on platforms.
  • Well Completion and Production:
    • Once drilled, the well is completed by removing the drill string and perforating the casing.
    • Ideally, natural pressure pushes hydrocarbons to the surface through a narrower tube.
    • If pressure is low, pump jacks or other methods lift hydrocarbons.
    • Older wells may require workovers to maintain or improve production.
  • Production Phases:
    • Primary phase relies on natural pressure differences and buoyancy.
    • Secondary phase uses injected water or diluents to maintain pressure and flow.
    • Tertiary phase uses enhanced recovery methods like steam injection to extract remaining hydrocarbons.
    • A well might yield around 15% each in primary, secondary, and tertiary phases.
  • Well Abandonment and Decommissioning:
    • Extraction ends before a well is completely depleted, often due to economic reasons.
    • Abandoned wells are plugged to prevent contents from escaping. Plugs can be temporary or permanent.
    • Improperly plugged wells are a major source of methane emissions.
    • Decommissioning a well is expensive and not always commercially viable.

Wholesale Price Index (WPI)

Context: Wholesale price inflation rose to a 3-month high of 0.53% in March 2024, compared to 0.2% in February 2024.

More in News

Food Price Spike: The increase was driven by a rise in the food price index (4.65%), particularly:

  • Cereals (9.04%): Highest 12-month increase
  • Paddy (11.7%)
  • Potato (53%)
  • Onions (57%)

Pulses & Vegetables Remain High: Inflation in pulses (17.2%) and vegetables (19.5%) stayed elevated.

Fuel & Manufactured Goods Still Deflating: Prices of fuel and manufactured products continued to decline, though at a slower rate (around -0.8% each).

First Monthly Increase in 4 Months: Month-on-month, WPI rose 0.4% (first increase since November 2023).

Mixed Picture Within Food:

  • Eggs, meat, and fish prices decreased (1.86%).
  • Milk inflation eased (4.7%) but wheat prices rose sharply (7.43%).

Full Year Deflation: Despite the March rise, wholesale prices remained negative for the entire year (average -0.7%).

Concerns for the Future:

  • Rising international commodity prices
  • Potential increase in crude oil prices
  • Impact of heatwaves on electricity demand
  • Continued vegetable inflation

A&N Islands’ – Strategic importance

Context:

  • India’s Look East policy has shifted to a more proactive Act East policy.
  • Recognition of the importance of naval power and China’s growing navy has led to a focus on developing India’s island territories.
  • The Andaman and Nicobar Islands (A&N Islands) are a strategically vital group of islands due to their location.

Strategic Importance of A&N Islands

  • Location:
    • 700 nautical miles southeast of mainland India.
    • Less than a day’s steaming from the Malacca Strait (key waterway connecting Indian & Pacific Oceans).
    • Close proximity to Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia, and Bangladesh.
    • Potential location for the mouth of a future Kra Canal connecting the Gulf of Thailand with the Andaman Sea.

Current Affairs 16th April 2024 for UPSC Prelims Exam_4.1

  • Role in Maritime Security:
    • A&N Islands offer a vantage point for monitoring the Bay of Bengal.
    • They can be the “first line of offence” against threats from the East.
    • The Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC) is a tri-services military command established in 2001.

Reasons for Slow Development of Strategic Infrastructure

  • Delayed recognition of the islands’ strategic importance.
  • Distance from the mainland and infrastructure challenges.
  • Complexities of environmental clearances and land acquisition.
  • Multi-agency coordination issues for large-scale development projects.
  • Prioritisation of short-term political gains over long-term strategic vision.

Focus Areas for Strategic Infrastructure Development

  • Maritime Security:
    • Surveillance of the vast area around the islands.
    • Securing all islands against occupation or illegal activities.
  • Deterrence: Establish a strong deterrent against potential naval threats from the East.
  • Economic Infrastructure: Develop infrastructure on the southern islands to boost maritime trade with Southeast Asia.
  • Connectivity: Improve ease of travel within and between the islands to facilitate development and tourism.
  • Self-Sufficiency: Reduce dependence on mainland India for supplies and services.

Specific Infrastructure Priorities

  • Airfields: Separate airfields with long runways (suitable for Boeing 737s) in both north and south.
  • Ports and Fuel Storage: Establish ports and fuel storage facilities in both island groups.
  • Military Presence: Increase troop deployment and station the right mix of military assets at the ANC (surveillance aircraft, fighter jets).
  • Galathea Bay (Great Nicobar Island) Transhipment Port: Expedite development for international and Indian shipping services.
  • Transportation: Develop road networks, high-speed ferries, and a seaplane terminal.
  • Faster Development: Utilise foreign materials and expertise for building weather-resistant and earthquake-proof infrastructure.
  • Environmental Clearances: Streamline forest and environmental clearance processes for defence projects.
  • Planned Habitation: Consider planned habitation of uninhabited islands with incentives for eco-friendly development.
  • International Collaboration: Explore partnerships with Quad and Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) for development assistance.

Climate Litigations

Context:

  • The European Court of Human Rights ruled in favour of 2,000 Swiss women over the Swiss government’s inadequate climate change actions.
  • This landmark ruling may set a precedent for European courts and encourage more communities to legally challenge their governments over climate change policies.
  • The ruling coincides with India’s Supreme Court expanding citizens’ rights to include freedom from adverse effects of climate change.

Background

  • A group of over 2,000 Swiss women above 64 (KlimaSeniorinnen Schweiz) sued the Swiss government in 2016.
  • They argued the government’s weak climate policies violated their human rights under the European Convention on Human Rights.
  • Their case focused on vulnerability to extreme heat as elderly women, referencing IPCC reports on health risks.

Court Ruling

  • The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) sided with the women.
  • The court affirmed that Article 8 of the European Convention includes the right to state protection from serious climate change effects on individuals’ lives and well-being.
  • Switzerland’s inadequate policies and failure to meet emission reduction goals breached this right.
  • The ECHR cannot dictate specific policies but requires Switzerland to update its climate action plans.

Significance of the Ruling

  • Sets a precedent for climate litigation in Europe (46 ECHR member states).
  • National courts must consider this ruling in future climate and human rights cases.
  • May encourage similar lawsuits in other ECHR member states.
  • Reinforces the need for stronger climate action by governments.

Rise of Global Climate Litigation

  • The Swiss case reflects a growing trend of climate lawsuits worldwide.
  • As of December 2022, over 2,180 climate cases were filed globally.
  • Diverse groups like youth, women, and indigenous communities are driving this trend.
  • Recent examples include successful lawsuits against governments in Montana (US) and India (rejected).

Overall Impact

  • The ECHR ruling is a major victory for climate activists and could lead to stricter climate policies in Europe.
  • It highlights the increasing use of legal action to hold governments accountable for climate change.

Examples, Data and Case Studies For Value Addition

  • Geography (GS 1): Mumbai’s Worli Koliwada will be the site for India’s second artificial reef installation, following Pondicherry, to enhance marine biodiversity.
  • International Relation (GS 2): The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has approved a plan for India Ports Global Ltd (IPGL) to manage all operations at Sittwe port on Myanmar’s Kaladan River, marking India’s second international port venture following Chabahar Port.

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Current Affairs 16th April 2024 for UPSC Prelims Exam_5.1
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