2023 06 21

Table of Contents:

GS Paper 1:

ICIMOD Report: Water, ice, society, and Ecosystems in the Hindu Kush Himalaya

GS Paper 3:

Global Startup Ecosystem Report 2023 (GSER 2023)
The Bonn climate change conference
New Global Financing Pact

Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)

Digital Drudgery
Yoga Mats made by Tribal Artisans

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC)
India outperforms the US and China in LEED net zero certifications
Omicron-specific mRNA vaccine
Link between surges of cosmic radiation from space and earthquakes
State of the Climate in Europe 2022 Report

Sports

Bhavani Devi: Fencing
Padel
BWF Super 1000 title

Mapping

Kareri Lake
Bihar’s East Champaran district

ICIMOD Report: Water, ice, society, and Ecosystems in the Hindu Kush Himalaya

GS Paper 1/3

Syllabus: Climate/ Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation

Source: DTE

Context: The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) released the Water, Ice, Society, and Ecosystems in the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HI-WISE) report.

The Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region:

It is a vast area, encompassing mountain ranges stretching from
- the Hindu Kush range in northern Afghanistan to the Arakan range in Myanmar,
- with the Himalayan range as its spine, and also includes the Tibetan Plateau.
The region harbours the highest mountain ranges in the world and contains the largest volume of ice on earth outside of the polar areas and is called “Asia’s water tower”.
Ice and snow in the HKH are important sources of water for 12 rivers that flow through 16 countries in Asia.
These rivers provide freshwater and other vital ecosystem services to 240 million people in the mountains and a further 1.65 billion downstream.
The region is undergoing “unprecedented and largely irreversible” changes triggered by global warming.

ICIMOD:

It is a regional intergovernmental learning and knowledge-sharing centre serving the 8 regional member countries (RMCs) of the HKH region – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan.
It was established in 1983 and is headquartered at Lalitpur, which is located in the Kathmandu valley of
ICIMOD promotes and fosters partnerships amongst the RMCs to secure a better future for the people and environment of the HKH region.

Findings of the report:

Many areas around the world have passed “peak water” and communities are dealing with less glacier meltwater.
For the HKH, the peak point has not been reached yet, but it is coming soon.
As Himalayan glaciers melt due to climate change, water availability in the Indus, Ganges, and Brahmaputra is set to increase (through 2050) in the short term and decrease in the long term (~80% by 2100).
The Eastern/ lesser Himalayas have fewer glaciers compared to their western counterparts. Hence, rivers in the region get less contribution from glaciers and are less likely to be affected overall.
Climate change is severely affecting biodiversity in HKH. For example, the habitat of Himalayan ibex is likely to reduce by 33 to 64%.

Concerns:

The glaciers act as a savings bank account/ buffer in the hydrological cycle. However, the HKH has seen a 65% faster loss of glacier mass.
There is a chance for more floods and landslides and a loss of savings during the dry years.
Decreasing snow cover could dry up springs, which is bad for agriculture and will jeopardise the livelihoods of 129 million farmers in the Indus, Ganges and Brahmaputra basins.
This will make adaptation even harder, as people and ecosystems need to adapt not only to decreasing snow cover but also to decreasing meltwater.
Institutions aren’t equipped to handle the new dangers and fail to take climate change threats into account.
Governments have played a limited role in helping mountain communities of the HKH adapt to climate change.

Way ahead:

Generalised reports need to be replaced by specific ones: It would have been great if the report could have told which areas of the Himalayas are expected to be affected and how much.
Mountain-specific adaptation practices: As adaptation in one place might end up being maladaptation in another, the RMCs need to develop/ share a database on adaptation practices.

Conclusion: As the mountain population and biodiversity of the region (40% of which is under protected areas) are dependent on the cryosphere (the frozen water part of the Earth system), urgent adaptation measures need to be adopted.

Insta Links:

MELTING OF HIMALAYAN GLACIERS

Mains Links:

How does the cryosphere affect global climate? (UPSC 2017)

June 21, 2023 /21 June 2023, 21 June CA, Cryosphere., GS 1/3, HI-WISE report, Hindu Kush Himalaya, ICIMOD, Today's Article, Today’s article

Global Startup Ecosystem Report 2023 (GSER 2023)

GS Paper 3

Syllabus: Economy

Source: Startupgenome

Context: The report has been released by Startup Genome, a policy advisory and research organization.

About the report:

The Global Startup Ecosystem Report 2023 (GSER 2023) is an in-depth analysis of startup ecosystems worldwide. It provides insights into leading ecosystems, emerging trends, and challenges faced by entrepreneurs. GSER 2023 offers actionable recommendations for entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and stakeholders.

Key insights from the report include:

Silicon Valley, New York City, and London maintain their top positions in the global startup ecosystem rankings.
Chinese ecosystems have experienced a decline in rankings, with Shenzhen, Beijing, and Shanghai dropping in the overall standings.
Indian ecosystems, particularly Mumbai, Bengaluru-Karnataka, and Delhi, have shown positive growth in the rankings.
Mumbai move 5 places up while Bengaluru was ranked 20th in terms of Startups.

What are Startups?

Startups are companies in their early stages of operation, founded by entrepreneurs aiming to meet demand with innovative products or services.

Status of Startups in India:

India has become the 3rd largest start-up ecosystemin the world after the US and China.
India is home to as many as 75,000 Startups.
Global Innovation Index: India has moved up from 81st (2015) to 46th in 2021 among 130 economies of the world.
Publications: Globally ranked 3rd (2021) from 6th in 2013 based on the National Science Foundation database.
Patents: Globally ranked 9th (2021) in terms of resident patent filing.

Growth Drivers in Startups in India:


	Impact on Startups and Unicorns
Government Support	Increased Gross Expenditure on R&D (GERD); Growth in the number of R&D personnel; Doubled women’s participation in extramural R&D
Adoption of Digital Services	Accelerated tech-focused businesses for startups; Increased customer base through online services
Online Services and Work-from-Home Culture	Expedites business expansion plans; Attracts investors
Digital Payments	Facilitates the growth of startups in the fintech sector
Buyouts from Major Public Corporations	Provides growth opportunities through acquisitions; Allows startups to benefit from the resources of corporations

Outlining some common challenges faced by startups in India:


Challenge	Description
Lack of funding	Limited access to venture capital, angel investors, and institutional funding can hinder their growth potential.
Regulatory hurdles	Navigating complex regulatory frameworks, compliance requirements, and bureaucratic processes can be challenging for startups.
Talent acquisition and retention	Startups must find creative ways to attract top talent and provide an environment that fosters growth and offers equity-based incentives.
Market competition	Established companies and foreign competitors often have larger resources and market presence, making it difficult for startups to establish their brands, acquire customers, and differentiate themselves from competitors.
Infrastructure limitations	Issues such as unreliable power supply, limited internet connectivity, and inadequate transportation systems can disrupt operations and impact productivity.
Limited access to mentorship and networking	The lack of established support systems can hinder their ability to navigate challenges, learn from others’ experiences, and seize opportunities.

Government’s Initiatives for Startups: National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI); Startup India Action Plan (SIAP); Ranking of States on Support to Startup Ecosystems (RSSSE); Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS); National Startup Awards; SCO Startup Forum; Prarambh

Conclusion:

Overall, the GSER 2023 provides a comprehensive overview of the global startup landscape, highlighting the success stories and challenges faced by different ecosystems around the world.

Insta Links:

Startup India

Prelims Links:

What does venture capital mean? ( UPSC 2014)

(a) A short-term capital provided to industries
(b) A long-term start-up capital provided to new entrepreneurs
(c) Funds provided to industries at times of incurring losses
(d) Funds provided for the replacement and renovation of industries

Ans: B

June 21, 2023 /21 June 2023, Startups Ecosystem, Today's Article

New Global Financing Pact

GS Paper 3

Syllabus: Environment Conservation: Climate Finance

Source: TH, DTE

Context: The New Global Financing Pact is an international agreement or framework set to take place in Paris, France.

India, the president of the G20 this year, is co-chairing the steering committee of the summit with France

Aim of the proposed Pact:

It is aimed at addressing the financing needs of sustainable development and climate action.
It focuses on mobilizing funds from various sources, including public and private sectors, to support initiatives that promote economic growth, poverty eradication, and environmental sustainability.

Need of the Pact:

According to One Planet Lab’s white papers released for the Summit, the scale of investment needed to meet the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals, climate COP21 and Biodiversity COP15 objectives set at the global and national levels is to the tune of an additional $4 trillion every year.
Only 25% of global climate investment goes to South Asia, Latin America, and Africa, which house some of the most vulnerable regions.
Global funds clamp down on the fiscal independence of less developed countries by posing several conditions before the money comes in.

Proposals for increasing Climate financing:

Rich Tax: A group of over 140 economists has written an open letter urging world leaders to impose a special tax on the wealth of the super-rich to raise funds for the Global South to address climate change impacts. They propose a 2% tax on extreme wealth, which could generate over $2 trillion annually.
The summit should include three components:
- A pact for global finance flows at the domestic and international levels
- A platform to de-risk finance and attract private investment in sustainable infrastructure
- A political pathway with time-bound deliverables on climate finance.
Other suggestions include:
- Cancelling illegitimate debts
- Withdrawing support for fossil fuel projects
- Making polluting industries pay for damages

Conclusion:

The pact aims to bridge the gap between the funding required to achieve global goals, such as the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement on climate change, and the actual funding available. It may involve innovative financial mechanisms, tax reforms, and international cooperation to ensure adequate and predictable financing for development priorities.

Insta Links

Editorial: Behind the smokescreen around private climate finance

Mains Links:

Discuss the significance of climate finance for developing countries and the key challenges they face in accessing climate finance. (15M)

June 21, 2023 /21 June 2023, Climate Finance., New Global Financing Pact, Today's Article

The Bonn climate change conference

GS Paper 2/3

Syllabus: International agreements/ Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation

Source: DTE

Context: Diplomats from around the world met once again in the German city of Bonn for climate negotiations before the UNFCCC’s COP28 in Dubai, UAE.

The objective of the conference: To chart out a massive and immediate climate action plan to keep alive any realistic chance of meeting the 1.5-degree or 2-degree Celsius targets.

The key issue at Bonn – Global Stocktake (GST):

Mandated by the 2015 Paris Agreement, GST is an exercise aimed at assessing the progress in the fight against climate change, and deciding ways and means to enhance global action to bridge the adequacy gap.
The Paris Agreement says GST must be conducted every five years, starting in 2023.

Outcome: The Bonn conference produced a short framework on the elements to be included in the stocktake exercise.

The bone of contention between the developed and developing countries: Provisions related to finance and historical responsibility of the rich countries.

Historical responsibility:

A bulk of the accumulated GHGs, the reason for global warming, have come from a group of about 40 rich and industrialised countries, usually referred to as Annex I countries in the 1992 UNFCCC.
This historical responsibility has been the basis for the differentiated burden-sharing between developed and developing countries in the climate change framework.

The argument of Annex I countries:

Historical emissions happened at a time when there were –
- No alternative to fossil fuel-based energy sources
- Little understanding or consensus on the harm caused by GHGs.
Since 1992,
- ~57% of the CO2 emissions had come from non-Annex I countries.
- ~70% of the incremental warming due to emissions from CO2, methane and sulphur dioxide had come from non-Annex I countries.
Hence, bridging the adequacy gap was not the sole responsibility of the developed nations.

Finance and technology transfers:

Mitigation Work Programme (MWP) – a temporary emergency exercise focused only on increasing emission cuts, was set up at COP26 in Glasgow in 2021 for climate action.
Discussions at the MWP ran into trouble after developing countries complained that developed countries were yet to offer the enabling finance and technology transfers.
- Developed countries are under an obligation to support the implementation of climate action plans of developing countries through money and tech transfers.

Challenges ahead:

Global emissions have to come down by 43% from 2019 levels by 2030 to keep alive hopes of meeting the 1.5-degree target (IPCC).
Developing countries need as much as US$ 6 trillion between now and 2030 just to implement their climate action plans.
- The loss and damage needs of developing countries are assessed to be about US$ 400 billion every year.
- Against this, even a minuscule US$ 100 billion per year that the developed countries had committed to raising from 2020 is not fully available.

Conclusion: The Summit for a New Global Financial Pact is an attempt at redirecting global financial flows and raising new money to fight climate change, and dealing with associated problems like biodiversity loss and poverty.

Insta Links:

COP-28 (Dubai) must focus on adaptation instead of mitigation, says India

Mains Links:

Describe the major outcomes of the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). What are the commitments made by India in this conference? (UPSC 2021)

June 21, 2023 /21 June 2023, 21 June CA, COP 28, Global stocktake, GS 2/3, Summit for a New Global Financial Pact, The Bonn climate change conference, Today's Article, Today’s article, UNFCCC

Digital Drudgery

Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)

Source: TH

Digital drudgery refers to the repetitive, mundane, and time-consuming tasks performed in digital environments. It often involves manual data entry, data processing, and other repetitive activities that can be automated.

Generative AI has the potential to eliminate digital drudgery. However, the focus should be on deploying trustworthy and ethical AI. Transparency, explainability, robustness, privacy, and fairness are identified as critical properties for AI deployments. As businesses transition to an AI-first approach, ensuring robustness becomes crucial for staying secure from external threats and preventing false information or bias.

Usage: The term can be used in Essay/ Ethics/ Science and Technology/Governance questions.

June 21, 2023 /21 June 2023, digital drudgery, Today's Article

Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC)

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: IE

Context: The Punjab Assembly has amended the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925 to allow the broadcast of Gurbani (sacred hymns) from Sri Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) to be accessible to all media outlets free of cost.

This move aims to break the alleged monopoly of PTC, a television channel associated with the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) party.

The decision has sparked controversy, with the opposition party questioning the Punjab Assembly’s authority to amend the Gurdwaras Act without the consent of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC).

About SGPC:

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (est. 1920; HQ: Amritsar) is an organization in India responsible for the management of Gurdwaras, Sikh places of worship in the states of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh and the union territory of Chandigarh. SGPC also administers Darbar Sahib in Amritsar.

About Golden Temple

The Golden Temple (completed 1589) is a gurdwara located in the city of Amritsar, Punjab. It is the preeminent spiritual site of Sikhism. It is one of the holiest sites in Sikhism, alongside the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur in Kartarpur, and Gurdwara Janam Asthan in Nankana Sahib.

The man-made poolon the site of the temple was completed by the fourth Sikh Guru, Guru Ram Das, in 1577.
In 1604, Guru Arjan Dev, the fifth Sikh Guru, placed a copy of the Adi Granth in Harmandir Sahib and is the prominent figure in the development of gurudwara who built it in the 16th Century
Maharaja Ranjit Singh, after founding the Sikh Empire, rebuilt it in marble and copperin 1809, and overlaid the sanctum with gold leaf in 1830.
It became a centre of the Singh Sabha Movementbetween 1883 and 1920s, and the Punjabi Suba movement between 1947 and 1966.

June 21, 2023 /21 June 2023, SGPC, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Today's Article

India outperforms the US and China in LEED net zero certifications

Source: Hindustan Times

Context: India has emerged as a top country with LEED Zero green building projects, outperforming the United States of America and China.

Key Findings:

Out of 150 LEED Zero-certified projects, India has 73 projects, accounting for 45% of the total. Haryana and Tamil Nadu are the top states in terms of certifications.
The United States and China follow with 47 (30%) and 15 (10%) certifications respectively.

About LEED Zero Green Building Projects:

LEED Zero recognizes projects that have achieved net zero or net positive status in carbon, energy, water, or waste categories. India’s strong position in LEED Zero projects reflects its commitment to sustainability and aligns with its ambitious target of achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2070.
The building and construction sector in India accounts for nearly one-third of the country’s carbon emissions. The LEED Zero projects in India include various types of buildings such as offices, hospitality facilities, retail malls, manufacturing facilities, and data centres.
LEED Zero has four categories that recognize net-zero status in carbon, energy, water, and waste over a 12-month period.

June 21, 2023 /21 June 2023, economy, GS3, LEED net zero certifications, Today's Article

Omicron-specific mRNA vaccine

Source: TH

Context: India’s first indigenous mRNA vaccine for the Omicron variant, GEMCOVAC-OM, has been granted emergency use approval by the Drug Controller General of India.

GEMCOVAC-OM has the advantage of being stable at ordinary refrigeration temperatures, and it can be administered using a needle-free Pharma Jet system.
Clinical trial data submitted to the regulatory authorities indicated that the vaccine has a strong safety profile and generates more neutralizing antibodies compared to Covishield.


Aspect	mRNA Vaccines	Traditional Vaccines
Mechanism	Tricks the body into producing viral proteins	Introduces small or inactivated doses of the whole disease-causing organism or its proteins into the body
Composition	Uses messenger RNA (mRNA)	Contains small or inactivated doses of the whole disease-causing organism or its proteins
Action	mRNA instructs cells to produce viral proteins	Provokes the immune system into mounting a response
Protein Production	The body produces viral proteins itself	Introduction of pre-formed viral proteins
DNA Involvement	Utilizes mRNA, which puts DNA instructions into action	Does not involve DNA
Immune Response	Stimulates an immune response	Provokes the immune system to mount a response
Development Process	Utilizes mRNA technology	Relies on traditional vaccine development methods
Manufacturing Flexibility	Can be developed and produced relatively quickly	May require longer development and production times
Potential Applications	Versatile platform for various vaccines	Used for a wide range of vaccines
Storage and Administration	May require special storage conditions and specific administration methods	Can be stored under ordinary conditions and administered using conventional methods

June 21, 2023 /21 June 2023, GS3, mRNA vaccine, Omicron-specific mRNA vaccine, SCIENCE, Today's Article

The link between surges of cosmic radiation from space and earthquakes

Source: DTE

Context: A recent study revealed that scientists have identified a striking link between earthquakes and changes in the intensity of cosmic radiation measured on Earth’s surface.

What is Cosmic Radiation?

Cosmic radiation refers to high-energy particles, mainly protons and atomic nuclei, that originate from outer space and travel through the universe. These particles are produced by various celestial phenomena, such as supernovae, black holes, and active galactic nuclei.

Key Findings:

Researchers discovered that by shifting cosmic ray data 15 days ahead of seismic data, earthquakes could potentially be predicted up to two weeks in advance.
The researchers conducted their study through the Cosmic Ray Extremely Distributed Observatory (CREDO) project, an international virtual observatory that collects and processes data from various detectors, including smartphone sensors converted into cosmic ray detectors using a simple app.
The research suggests that changes in Earth’s magnetic field, caused by disturbances in the planet’s dynamo flows during significant earthquakes, can impact the path of primary cosmic radiation, leading to observable changes in secondary cosmic ray particle counts.

Notably, the correlation between cosmic ray intensity and earthquakes is apparent on a global scale, rather than specific locations, raising questions about the potential influence of phenomena such as dark matter streams.

June 21, 2023 /21 June 2023, Cosmic radiation, GS3, SCIENCE, space, Today's Article

State of the Climate in Europe 2022 Report

Source: WMO

Context: The State of the Climate in Europe 2022 report, produced by the World Meteorological Organization and the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service, reveals that Europe has been warming twice as fast as the global average since the 1980s.

In 2022, Europe’s average temperature was approximately 2.3 °C above the pre-industrial baseline.
Rates of surface ocean warming, particularly in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, the Baltic and Black Seas, and the southern Arctic were more than three times the global average.

Other findings:

Wind and solar power generated over 22% of European Union (EU) electricity in 2022, overtaking fossil gas (20%).
The record-breaking heat stress that Europeans experienced in 2022 was one of the main drivers of weather-related excess deaths in Europe

June 21, 2023 /21 June 2023, State of the Climate in Europe 2022 report, Today's Article

Bhavani Devi: Fencing

Sports

Source: TH

Bhavani Devi, an Indian fencer, made history by winning India’s first-ever medal at the Asian fencing championships held in Wuxi, China. She secured a bronze medal in the women’s sabre event.

About Fencing:

Fencing is a competitive sport where two opponents face each other and try to score points by touching each other with a special sword called a foil, épée, or sabre. The objective is to strike your opponent while avoiding being hit yourself. Fencing requires quick reflexes, agility, and strategy. It’s a game of skill, speed, and precision.

June 21, 2023 /21 June 2023, Fencing, sports, Today's Article

Padel

Source: TH

Context: Pade, a racket sport played in over 90 countries, is gaining attention around the world.

It originated in Mexico in the 1960s and is played in a two-on-two format with underhand serves. Padel utilizes a turf court and glass walls, allowing players to use them strategically. It is similar to tennis but played on a smaller court with glass walls. The objective is to hit the ball over the net, using an underhand serve, and make it bounce off the walls before the opponents can return it. The game combines elements of tennis and squash.

June 21, 2023 /21 June 2023, Padel, sports, Today's Article

BWF Super 1000 title

Source: ESPN

Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty made history by winning India’s first-ever BWF Super 1000 title at the Indonesia Open. They defeated the reigning world champions from Malaysia in the final, marking their biggest career win to date. This victory adds to their successful year, including titles at the Swiss Open and Asian Championship, and holds significance for their Olympic qualification campaign.

About the title:

The BWF Super 1000 title is a prestigious badminton championship organized by the Badminton World Federation (BWF). It is one of the highest-level tournaments in the BWF World Tour, featuring top-ranked players from around the world. Super 1000 consists of four tournaments:

All England Open Badminton Championship
China Open
Indonesia Open
Malaysia Open

June 21, 2023 /21 June 2023, Badminton, BWF Super 1000 title, Today's Article

Kareri Lake

Mapping

Kareri Lake (also known as Kumarwah Lake) is a high altitude, shallow, freshwater lake south of the Dhauladhar range, near Dharamsala in Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh. It is best known for being a trekking destination.

Dhauladhar is a mountain range which is part of a lesser Himalayan chain of mountains. It rises from the Shivalik hills to the north of Kangra and Mandi. Dharamsala, the headquarters of Kangra district and the winter capital of Himachal Pradesh lies on its southern spur in the Kangra Valley.

June 21, 2023 /21 June 2023, Dhauladhar, Kareri Lake, Today's Article

Bihar’s East Champaran district

Source: TH

Context: Construction has begun on the “world’s largest Ramayan temple” in Bihar’s East Champaran district. The Viraat Ramayan temple will be a three-storeyed structure completed by the end of 2025. The design of the temple draws inspiration from the Angkor Wat complex, as well as temples in Ramanathaswami temple in Rameshwaram and the Meenakshi Sundareshwarar temple in Madurai.

East Champaran is an administrative district in the state of Bihar in India. It is also believed that Champaran used to be a major part of King Janak’s empire. Mahatma Gandhi started his famous Satyagraha movement from here.

June 21, 2023 /21 June 2023, Bihar's East Champaran district, Today's Article, Viraat Ramayan temple