Current Affairs News Analysis | Prelims & Mains 2020 | 16th July 2020
“Don’t raise your voice, improve your argument.” –Anonymous
ORANGE COLOUR: Important for Prelims.
RED COLOUR: Important for Mains.
BLACK COLOUR: Must Read !
BLUE COLOUR : Important Links/Survey.
PINK COLOUR: Reports/Themes/Summits.
Today's Must Read Articles :Page Contents:
Carbon pricing
HEADLINES:
Carbon pricing works to reduce emissions, says study
WHY IN NEWS:
Carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel combustion in countries that have carbon pricing are two percentage points lower than those that do not have such systems in place
SYLLABUS COVERED: GS 1 : 3 : Climate Change : Global Warming
LEARNING:
For PRELIMS go through the definitions of Carbon Pricing .
For MAINS compare the countries and note down the steps initiated by the countries for Carbon Pricing.
ISSUE:
- A recent study that examined 142 countries from the beginning of such pricing systems in the 1990s.
CARBON PRICING
- The aim is to put a price on carbon emissions—an actual monetary value—so that the costs of climate impacts.
- This sets the opportunities for low-carbon energy options are better reflected in our production and consumption choices.
RESEARCH ANALYSIS
- Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from fossil fuel combustion in countries that had carbon pricing were 2 percentage points lower than those that did not have such systems in place.
- CO2 emissions fell 2 per cent between 2007 and 2017 in countries with a carbon price.
- While they increased by 3 per cent in countries that did not have such pricing.
FACTORS INFLUENCING
- Countries were more or less focused on improved technologies, renewable energy policies and differences in fuel tax rates.
- There are, however, technical and capacity limitations in several countries over monitoring carbon prices.
IASbhai WINDUP:
Pricing carbon should reduce emissions because relative prices are changed in favour of clean energy options.
- Carbon pricing, however, must be done keeping equity in mind.
- Not all socio-economic classes have contributed equally to climate change and carbon pricing cannot become an imposition on those who are most vulnerable to the crisis.
SOURCES: DownToEarth | Current Affairs News Analysis | Prelims & Mains 2020
India Energy Modeling Forum
HEADLINES:
India–US Strategic Energy Partnership
WHY IN NEWS:
Sustainable Growth Pillar India Energy Modeling Forum Launch on July 2, 2020
SYLLABUS COVERED: GS 3 : Energy
LEARNING:
For PRELIMS understand the purpose of energy modelling forums in Indian context , Partners and governance .
ISSUE:
India Energy Modeling Forum
- In the joint working group meeting of the Sustainable Growth Pillar on July 2, 2020, an India Energy Modeling Forum was launched.
- There exist energy modelling forums in different parts of the World.
- The Energy Modelling Forum (EMF) in USA was established in 1976 at Stanford University .
- In India, there was no formalized and systematic process of having a modeling forum.
INDIA ENERGY MODELLING FORUM
- AIM : Provide a platform to examine important energy and environmental related issues.
- COOPERATION : Improve cooperation between modelling teams, government, and knowledge partners, funders.
- FORUM : Facilitate exchange of ideas, ensure production of high-quality studies.
- IDENTIFYING GAPS : Identify knowledge gaps at different levels and across different areas.
- GOVERNING STRUCTURE : NITI Aayog will initially coordinate the activities of the forum and finalizing its governing structure.
- MEMBERS : The forum would include knowledge partners, data agencies and concerned government ministries.
IASbhai WINDUP:
This initiative will build capacity of Indian institutions.
SOURCES:THE HINDU & PIB | Current Affairs News Analysis | Prelims & Mains 2020
Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Conjugate Vaccine
HEADLINES:
Market approval for Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Conjugate Vaccine given by DCGI
WHY IN NEWS:
Hot from PIB !
SYLLABUS COVERED: GS 3:Health:Diseases
LEARNING:
For PRELIMS go through the vaccine’s name and disease it cures . Do not forget the developers .
ISSUE:
DEVELOPED BY
- This vaccine has been developed by M/s. Serum Institute of India Pvt. Ltd, Pune.
TRIALS
- Serum Institute first obtained the approval of DCGI to conduct Phase I, Phase II and Phase III clinical trials of Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Conjugate Vaccine in India.
- These trials have since been concluded within the country.
- The said Company has also conducted these clinical trials in another country i.e. Gambia.
- This is the first indigenously developed vaccine in the field of pneumonia.
IASbhai WINDUP:
Company applied for approval and permission to manufacture this vaccine.
SOURCES:THE HINDU & PIB | Current Affairs News Analysis | Prelims & Mains 2020
Diagnostic Kit Corosure
HEADLINES:
Union HRD Minister Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ Launches World’s Most Affordable COVID-19 Diagnostic Kit Corosure Developed by IIT Delhi
WHY IN NEWS:
Corosure Kit is a step towards Prime Minister’s vision and exhortations to innovative youth to ensure a healthier and self-reliant India – Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’
SYLLABUS COVERED: GS 3:Health:Diseases
ISSUE:
COROSURE COVID-19 DIAGNOSTIC KIT
- Country requires cheap and reliable testing for the country which can help to control the pandemic.
- The Corosure Kit has been developed indigenously and is much cheaper than other kits.
- The kit has received ICMR approval with the highest score and DCGI approved with a very high sensitivity and specificity.
- Even after adding the RNA isolation and laboratory charges, the cost per test will be considerably cheaper compared to currently available kits in the market.
- It was also the first probe-free as say for COVID-19 approved by the ICMR.
IASbhai WINDUP:
IIT Delhi has given license to 10 companies to manufacture COVID-19 diagnostic kit using the technology developed by its researchers.
SOURCES:THE HINDU & PIB | Current Affairs News Analysis | Prelims & Mains 2020
India’s population may peak by 2047
HEADLINES:
India’s population may peak by 2047
WHY IN NEWS:
Country’s numbers unlikely to top a billion by turn of century, says Lancet study
SYLLABUS COVERED: GS 3: Demography
ISSUE:
PUBLISHERS
Lancet
KEY POINTS
- At the current rate of growth, India’s population is likely to peak by 2047 at about 1.61 billion and then decline to 1.03 billion by 2100.
- However, were it to meet UN Sustainable Goal Development targets, the peak would be earlier and see a population decline to 929 million.
- Conventional wisdom is that though a decline in population is expected, it is expected to begin only around 2046 .
ACCESS TO CONTRACEPTION
- The sharper fall is due to the assumption that all women globally will have have much higher access to contraception and education.
- This scenario will lead to a sharper reduction in the Total Fertility Rate.
- TFRs are converging towards a level of approximately 1·75 in North America,Europe and South East Asia.- UNDP
IASbhai WINDUP:
NIGERIA TO GROW
- India will, however, remain the most populous country.
- Nigeria is forecast to have continued population growth through 2100 and was expected to be the second most populous country by then.
SOURCES:THE HINDU & PIB | Current Affairs News Analysis | Prelims & Mains 2020
Let us ‘Discuss’
IASbhai WINDUP:
Let us know what you think about this in the comment section.
SOURCES:THE HINDU | Current Affairs News Analysis | Prelims & Mains 2020
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