Environment & Biodiversity Current Affairs MCQs

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India has declined to sign on to a global renewable energy pledge launched at the COP28 climate summit in Dubai. The pledge commits 118 nations to tripling installed renewable energy capacity globally by 2030. However, India opted out, along with China, Saudi Arabia, Russia and Iran.
India remains committed to its own national renewable energy targets but could not agree to the terms of this specific pledge which could potentially hurt development priorities. India aims to have 50% non-fossil fuel installed electric capacity by 2030.

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The United Nations released the latest draft of a global climate agreement which presented three options to tackle fossil fuels which ranged from phasing them out to not talking about it at all.
The first proposes an ‘orderly and just phase out of fossil fuels’ stance and one seen as essential by low-lying island nations at threat from rising seas. The second calls for faster efforts to phase out projects that lack the means to capture and store emissions, and to “rapidly” reduce fossil fuel use to achieve carbon neutrality in global energy production by 2050.The third option contained in the 24-page draft is “no text” at all, a position supported by oil giant Saudi Arabia and China.

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Biocrusts, composed of lichen, bacteria, fungi, moss, and small plants, grow on mineral surfaces, potentially posing risks to the structural integrity of historical sites.
A recent collaborative study by researchers from China, the US, and Spain delves into the debate within the conservation community regarding the impact of biocrusts on historical monuments. The research team conducted a survey of approximately 600 kilometres of the Great Wall, focusing on segments in drier climates to understand the specific conditions under which biocrusts may impact archaeological sites. Contrary to the perception of a single wall, the Great Wall is a complex series of fortifications, towers, and battlements.

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The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change has introduced the Indian Forest & Wood Certification Scheme. This voluntary national certification initiative aims to encourage sustainable forest management and agroforestry practices in India. The scheme encompasses forest management certification, tree outside forest management certification, and chain of custody certification.
The Indian Forest and Wood Certification Council will oversee the scheme, acting as a multistakeholder advisory body. The Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal, will serve as the scheme’s operating agency, managing its overall implementation.

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Recently spotted in Thane after a two-decade absence, the Indian vulture (Gyps indicus) is an Old World scavenger native to Asia. Recognized for their longer beaks, they primarily feed on carcasses of dead animals. Females are smaller than males. With a drastic 97-99% population decline, they face extinction due to poisoning from diclofenac, a veterinary drug. Classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, urgent conservation efforts are crucial to their survival in India, Pakistan, and Nepal.

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Recently, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Punjab released mosquitofish into local water bodies to combat mosquito infestations. Mosquitofish, such as Gambusia affinis and Gambusia holbrooki, were introduced in India in 1928 to control mosquito larvae naturally. This biological approach aimed to avoid the adverse effects of chemical pesticides on human health and ecosystems. However, the well-intentioned strategy backfired, causing severe ecological and environmental problems.

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A recent survey at Parambikulam Tiger Reserve uncovered 11 new species, comprising three birds, four butterflies, and four odonates. It is situated in the Western Ghats Mountains across Palakkad and Thrissur districts in Kerala, this Tiger Reserve spans 643.66 sq km and boasts diverse habitats, including evergreen and deciduous forests. Home to unique species like Nilgiri Tahr and hosting the world’s oldest teak tree, the reserve is a shelter for flora and fauna, featuring leopards, elephants, and the elusive Tarantula.

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Recently, over 160 elephants and numerous other wildlife species perished in Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park due to a climate change-induced drought. The park, part of the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area, faced a severe water crisis as seasonal water sources dried up and boreholes failed. The extended drought, influenced by the El Nino weather phenomenon, forced elephants to migrate in search of water. Despite temporary relief from rains, the park remains at risk, with forecasts predicting further drought and heightened climate change challenges in the southern African region.

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Scientists have identified a shallow “soda lake” in western Canada resembling Darwin’s “warm little ponds,” potentially mirroring primordial Earth conditions. With a pH of 9-11, the lake’s alkalinity results from high carbonate concentration, particularly sodium carbonate. It may be saline due to sodium chloride and other salts. These lakes, common in arid regions, are highly productive ecosystems, driven by dissolved carbon dioxide.

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Four new emperor penguin colonies were recently discovered in Antarctica through satellite imagery. The Emperor Penguin, Aptenodytes forsteri, is the largest penguin species, inhabiting the Antarctic continent and sub-Antarctic islands. During breeding months (April to November), colonies are found between 66° and 78° south latitude along the Antarctic coastline. These ice-adapted birds have distinct black and white coloring with orange and yellow accents, measure around 120 cm, and weigh approximately 40 kg. They exhibit unique behaviors like huddling for warmth and are capable of diving to depths of 550 meters. Conservation status: Near Threatened.