environment

National Clean Air Programme, Key Features and Significane

Context: The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) launched by the Indian government aimed to reduce the concentration of particulate matter (PM) in the air by 20-30% reduction by 2024 from 2017 levels, but this target was later revised to 40%...

Dubai Flood, Factors and Climate Change Implications

The recent heavy rainfall event in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), particularly in Dubai, marked a significant departure from the region's typical arid climate. On April 15, 2024, a severe thunderstorm brought unprecedented levels of rainfall, causing widespread disruption and...

World Heritage Day 2024, Theme, Objective and Significance

World Heritage Day is celebrated on the 18th of April every year to promote the significance and preservation of entire heritage sites across the World.  This day is urged to celebrate all of the world's cultures on World Heritage Day,...

Aviation Emissions, Metrics, Historical Changes

Context: Despite being highly carbon-intensive, aviation contributes to only 2.5% of global CO2 emissions. Drivers of Change in Aviation Emissions The "Kaya identity" framework, which considers population, income, energy efficiency, and carbon intensity, is used to understand aviation emissions. Factors...

CAR -T Cell Therapy, Clinical Trial and Approval for NexCAR19

Context: In India, researchers collaborated to develop NexCAR19, an affordable CAR-T cell therapy. About Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T Cell Therapy CAR T-cell therapy is a form of cancer treatment that modifies T cells, a critical component of the immune...

Microplastics, Types, Efforts to Combat Microplastics

Context: Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have designed a sustainable hydrogel to remove microplastics from water. What is a Hydrogel? Hydrogels are three-dimensional, hydrophilic polymer networks that can retain a large amount of water while maintaining structure...

Right Against Adverse Effects Of Climate Change

Context: The Supreme Court has expanded the scope of Articles 14 and 21 to include the “right against the adverse effects of climate change”. In a landmark judgement passed on April 6, 2024, the Supreme Court of India recognized the...

WMO Confirms 2023 as Warmest Year on Record

Context: The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) declared 2023 as the warmest year on record, with the years from 2014 to 2023 being the warmest decade. WMO Annual State Of Climate Report Highlights Global mean surface temperatures in 2023 were 45...

World Water Day 2024, Date, Theme, History, Significance

March 22nd marks World Water Day, an annual event dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of freshwater resources. This year, the event holds brought importance amidst the continuing water crisis in Bengaluru. The city, famed as India's tech hub,...

Tourism in Wildlife Parks and Supreme Court Ruling on Tiger Safaris

Context: The Supreme Court criticised the Uttarakhand government for allowing around 6,000 trees to be cut down in Jim Corbett National Park, highlighting a misuse of authority that resulted in significant environmental damage. Supreme Court Ruling on Tiger Safaris Establishment...