Current Affairs News Analysis | Prelims & Mains 2020 | 28th July 2020
“Two roads diverged in a wood and I took the one less traveled by, and that made all the difference.” –Robert Frost
Page Contents:
Knowledge Resource Centre Network (KRCNet)-MoES
HEADLINES:
MoES-Knowledge Resource Centre Network (KRCNet) Launched on the Foundation Day of Ministry of Earth Sciences
WHY IN NEWS:
Hot from PIB !
SYLLABUS COVERED: GS 3: Recent Developments : Science and technology
ISSUE:
KNOWLEDGE RESOURCE CENTRES (KRC)
- Traditional libraries of the MoES system will be upgraded into a top-notch Knowledge Resource Centres (KRC).
- KRCs will be connected with each other and integrated into the KRCNet portal.
- The resources and services of MoES system will be accessible 24X7 through a one point dynamic, updated and integrated KRCNet portal.
SALIENT OBJECTIVES OF THE KRCNET:
- Establish a Total Quality Management (TQM) system by securing ISO certification for documenting MoES knowledge resources, its maintenance, easy retrieval and dissemination.
- Develop and maintain an up-to-date meta-data of the print & digital resources available in MoES headquarter and MoES institutes, including MoES services.
- Provide 24X7 access to the subscribed knowledge contents through the KRCNet portal.
- Application of information analytical tools & techniques like bibliometrics, scientometrics, big-data analytics, social media analytics etc., for policy formulation, report preparation and information dissemination.
IASbhai WINDUP:
KRCNET will also periodically organize training workshops to popularize usage of electronic journals, databases, digital products, data analytics etc.
SOURCES:THE HINDU & PIB | Current Affairs News Analysis | Prelims & Mains 2020
MoES celebrates its Foundation Day
HEADLINES:
Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) celebrates its Foundation Day
WHY IN NEWS:
Hot from PIB !
SYLLABUS COVERED: GS 3: Earth Science
ISSUE:
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- The IMD provides tropical cyclones and storm surge advisories to 13 member countries under the ESCAP Panel.
- India has also developed an Earth System Model for future climate projections for the first time.
- This model capability is at par with other modelling centres in the USA, UK, Australia, Japan and Germany.
- MOES has launched an experiment to understand and document merits and demerits of Artificial Rainmaking – Cloud Seeding.
- Atmospheric Research Testbeds will be setup a unique facility in Tropics will be launched in 2021.
- MoES is installing six new water desalinations plants in Lakshadweep islands, each with a capacity to produce 1.5 lakh litres of water every day.
IASbhai WINDUP:
- Earth science is a combination science that draws upon all other sciences to unlock Earth’s mysteries.
- During the last few months, IMD’s accurate prediction of tropical cyclones Amphan & Nisarga and excellent field work by disaster management agencies helped saving thousands of precious lives
SOURCES:THE HINDU & PIB | Current Affairs News Analysis | Prelims & Mains 2020
Gas flaring
HEADLINES:
Gas flaring: An emission that escapes global attention
WHY IN NEWS:
Gas flaring or burning of natural gas during oil extraction contributes 400 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent every year.
SYLLABUS COVERED: GS 3: Energy
ISSUE:
GAS FLARING
- It is a persistent emission that adds to atmospheric pollution significantly but never gets the required attention.
- In 2019, for which the latest data is available, gas flaring increased to 150 billion cubic metres (BCM).
- To make sense of the latest data, the gas burnt or wasted is equal to Sub-Saharan Africa’s annual gas consumption.
- The US reported an increase of 23 per cent in gas flaring, highest among the three countries that contributed to overall global rise.
- Venezuela and Russia reported increases of 16 and 9 per cent respectively during 2018-19.
- In many countries, local conflicts also contribute to the rise in gas flaring.
- For instance, in Syria, it went up by 35 per cent and in Venezuela by 16 per cent.
MONITORING
- In 2012, a dedicated satellite was deployed to estimate gas flaring from across the word through powerful sensors.
- Partners to the above coalition aim to attain zero flaring by 2030.
IASbhai WINDUP:
- There are some green shoots as well. In the first quarter of 2020 fiscal (Jan-March), flaring has reduced by 10 per cent across 30 top gas flaring countries.
- In fact, barring the top four gas flaring countries — Russia, Iraq, the US and Iran — flaring has reduced by 9 BCM during 2012-2019.
SOURCES:THE HINDU & PIB | Current Affairs News Analysis | Prelims & Mains 2020
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