Current Affairs 25 November 2024

CONTENTS

1. Diabetes
2. Air quality index
3. NASA Data Shows Significant Decline in Earth’s Freshwater Levels
4. ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus
5. Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI)
6. Anti-Personnel Landmines Convention

Diabetes

Context:

On International Diabetes Day (November 14), a paper published in The Lancet, based on a global study, recorded over 800 million adults living with diabetes, with more than half not receiving treatment. According to the study, the total number of adults living with either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes in the world has surpassed 800 million — over four times the total number in 1990. Of this, over a quarter (212 million) live in India, with another 148 million in China. The estimate came as a bit of a shock, because the last scientific countrywide estimate by the Indian Council of Medical Research-INDIAB study last year had pegged the number at slightly over 100 million.

Relevance:

GS II: Health

Dimensions of the Article:

1. What is Diabetes?
2. Key Issues & Discrepancies in Diabetes Studies
3. Major Concerns in India’s Diabetes Epidemic
4. Strategies for Mitigating Diabetes Impact
5. Role of Individual Actions
6. Government Interventions
7. Conclusion

What is Diabetes?

• Chronic Disease: Diabetes is a chronic condition characterized by elevated blood sugar levels, resulting from the pancreas’s inability to produce insulin or the body’s ineffective use of the insulin it produces.
• Role of Insulin: Insulin is a hormone responsible for regulating blood glucose levels.
• Consequences of Insufficient Insulin: Inadequate insulin production or utilization leads to hyperglycemia, or high glucose levels in the blood, which can cause long-term damage to various organs and tissues.
• Health Complications: Diabetes is associated with severe health complications, including blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke, and lower limb amputation.

Different Types of Diabetes:

Type 1 Diabetes:

• Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks and destroys cells in the pancreas responsible for insulin production.
• It affects about 10 percent of people with diabetes, and the exact cause of this autoimmune attack is unclear.

Type 2 Diabetes:

• Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body becomes resistant to insulin, leading to the accumulation of sugar in the blood.
• It is influenced by a combination of genetic predisposition and lifestyle factors such as diet and physical activity.

Pre-diabetes:

• Pre-diabetes is a condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough for a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes.
• It serves as a warning sign for the development of diabetes if lifestyle changes are not made.

Gestational Diabetes:

• Gestational diabetes is high blood sugar levels that occur during pregnancy.
• Insulin-blocking hormones produced by the placenta cause this type of diabetes, which usually resolves after childbirth.

Key Issues & Discrepancies in Diabetes Studies

Testing Methodologies

• Lancet Study: Utilized HbA1C (glycated haemoglobin) values, recognized globally for diagnosing diabetes.
• ICMR Study: Employed fasting and post-prandial glucose tests, typically showing lower diabetes prevalence.
• Impact of HbA1C: This method may inflate diabetes statistics due to age and anemia affecting results.

Variability in Data Sources

• Data Collection: Differences stem from varied data sources and methodologies across studies, influencing outcomes and interpretations.

Major Concerns in India’s Diabetes Epidemic

Increasing Prevalence

• Factors: Urbanization, dietary changes, and rising obesity levels contribute to growing diabetes cases.
• Health Risks: Diabetes heightens the risk of severe health issues, including heart disease, kidney failure, and vision loss.

Treatment Inequity

• Access Issues: Diabetes care is disproportionately limited in low- and middle-income areas.
• Healthcare Strain: Without effective intervention, the burden on healthcare systems could overwhelm resources.

Strategies for Mitigating Diabetes Impact

Prevention Initiatives

• Public Awareness: Campaigns to encourage healthier lifestyles and diet choices.
• Regulatory Measures: Legislation to limit sugary drinks and unhealthy foods.
• Targeted Interventions: Tackling abdominal obesity, particularly prevalent in Indian populations.

Support for Vulnerable Populations

• Education for Women: Focus on dietary and lifestyle adjustments post-pregnancy and during menopause.
• Improved Healthcare Access: Enhancing medical facilities in underserved areas.

Role of Individual Actions

Lifestyle Modifications

• Mindful Eating and Activity: Encouraging regular exercise and thoughtful dietary habits.
• Obesity Reduction: Emphasis on balanced diets and portion control.

Dietary Awareness

• Education on Diet Impact: Understanding the role of diet in escalating diabetes prevalence.

Government Interventions

Policy and Infrastructure

• Nutritional Policies: Making healthy foods more accessible and affordable, including subsidizing nutritious options.
• Development of Public Amenities: Building parks, fitness centers, and promoting pedestrian-friendly urban spaces.

Conclusion

• Collaborative Approach: Addressing India’s diabetes challenge requires concerted efforts from all sectors of society.
• Prevention Focus: Emphasizing preventive measures to curb the spread and impact of diabetes is crucial for sustainable health outcomes.

-Source: The Hindu

Air quality index

Context:

Air quality index (AQI), according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), is a measure of the concentration of eight pollutants — particulate matter (PM)10, PM2.5, nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulphur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O3), ammonia (NH3), and lead (Pb) — in the air at a monitoring location. A sub-index is calculated for each of these pollutants (not all may be measured at every station); and the worst among them is the AQI for that location. So, AQI transforms complex air quality data into an index we can understand.

Relevance:

GS III: Environment and Ecology

Dimensions of the Article:

1. About Air Quality Index
2. About National Ambient Air Quality Standards
3. Delhi’s Uninhabitability Due to Air Pollution

About Air Quality Index

• National Air Quality Index was launched by the Prime Minister in April, 2015 starting with 14 cities to disseminate air quality information.
• The AQI has six categories of air quality, viz Good, Satisfactory, Moderately Polluted, Poor, Very Poor and Severe with distinct colour scheme. Each of these categories is associated with likely health impacts.
• AQI considers eight pollutants (PM10, PM 2.5, NO2, SO2, CO, O3, NH3 and Pb) for which (up to 24-hourly averaging period) National Ambient Air Quality Standards are prescribed.

About National Ambient Air Quality Standards:

• The mandate provided to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act empowers it to set standards for the quality of air.
• National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) were notified in the year 1982, duly revised in 1994 based on health criteria and land uses.
• The NAAQS have been revisited and revised in November 2009 for 12 pollutants, which include
  • Sulphur dioxide (SO2),
  • Nitrogen dioxide (NO2),
  • Particulate matter having size less than 10 micron (PM10),
  • Particulate matter having size less than 2.5 micron (PM2.5),
  • Ozone,
  • Lead,
  • Carbon monoxide (CO),
  • Arsenic,
  • Nickel,
  • Benzene,
  • Ammonia,
  • Benzopyrene

Delhi’s Uninhabitability Due to Air Pollution

Overview

• Problem Introduction: Delhi faces severe uninhabitability issues due to extreme air pollution in winter (October-February) and oppressive heat waves in summer (April-June). This analysis focuses on air pollution, specifically PM2.5 particles, which are detrimental as they penetrate deep into the lungs.

Air Quality Analysis

• Data Presentation: Over seven years (2017-2023), Delhi experienced merely two days of “healthy” air annually, with over half the year marked by air quality unfit for breathing.
• Lockdown Observation: Even during the 2020 lockdown, air quality showed only marginal improvement, indicating systemic issues.

Misconceptions and Realities

• Stubble Burning Impact: November data shows that even without stubble burning, Delhi’s air quality would still not meet the “very poor” standards. This points to stubble burning as a scapegoat used by political factions to avoid addressing core issues.

Internal Pollution Sources

• Major Contributors: An extensive 2023 report identifies local sources as half of Delhi’s PM2.5 pollution during winter, with vehicles contributing 58% through exhaust and mechanical wear.

Seasonal Worsening in Winters

• Meteorological Effects: Pollutant concentration is influenced by lower temperatures, reduced wind speed, and lack of rain in winter, trapping pollutants near the ground.

Health Impacts

• WHO Findings: Air pollution impacts nearly every organ, with PM2.5 and PM10 causing systemic inflammation and potential carcinogenic effects.
• Local Death Rates: Studies indicate a higher rate of deaths due to ambient PM pollution in Delhi compared to the national average, highlighting severe health risks.

Socioeconomic Disparities

• Class-Based Impact: The poorer communities, like children from less affluent neighborhoods, are exposed to significantly higher levels of PM2.5, potentially reducing life expectancy compared to their wealthier counterparts.

-Source: The Hindu

NASA Data Shows Significant Decline in Earth’s Freshwater Levels

Context:

Recent observations from NASA and the German Aerospace Center’s GRACE (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment) satellites indicate a concerning trend: a significant decline in Earth’s total freshwater levels since 2014. This decline points to pressing global water security issues, highlighting the impacts of climate change and increased water usage on freshwater resources.

Relevance:

GS I: Geography

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Status of Decline in Freshwater Reserves
2. Causes for the Decline in Freshwater Levels
3. Implications of Freshwater Decline

Status of Decline in Freshwater Reserves

Global Overview:

• Reduction in Freshwater Storage: Between 2015 and 2023, freshwater storage on land, including lakes, rivers, and groundwater, decreased by 1,200 cubic kilometers.
• Degrading Water Systems: Over half of all nations report deteriorating freshwater systems, with more than 400 river basins seeing reduced water flow, notably the Congo Basin.
• Historical Dryness: The year 2023 was recorded as the driest year in over three decades for rivers worldwide by the World Meteorological Organization, intensifying the global freshwater crisis.

India’s Freshwater Challenges:

• Disproportionate Resource Distribution: Despite housing 18% of the world’s population, India controls only 4% of global freshwater resources and 2.4% of the Earth’s surface area.
• River Pollution and Reservoir Depletion: About half of India’s rivers are polluted, and over 150 main reservoirs operate at merely 38% capacity, contributing to a severe national water crisis.
• Water Stress: According to the 2018 Composite Water Management Index by NITI Aayog, around 600 million Indians face high to extreme water stress.
• Groundwater Depletion: Critical water table declines are prevalent in agricultural regions like Punjab and Haryana due to excessive groundwater use for irrigation and household needs.
• Drought Prone Areas: Regions such as Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Gujarat frequently experience droughts, exacerbating the depletion of already strained water reserves.

Causes for the Decline in Freshwater Levels

Global Factors:

• El Niño Impact: The significant 2014-2016 El Niño event disrupted global rainfall patterns, influencing drought conditions.
• Climate Change Effects: Climate change has led to irregular and uneven rainfall, increased evaporation rates, and more intense drought conditions by altering atmospheric water-holding capacities.
• Soil and Ecosystem Degradation: Intense precipitation leading to surface runoff, soil compaction during dry periods, and the destruction of ecosystems like wetlands and forests diminish land’s water retention capacity.
• Deforestation Impact: Forest loss contributes to soil erosion, hindering the land’s ability to absorb rainwater and replenish water bodies.

Regional and Sectoral Strains:

• Agricultural Demand: Agriculture uses 70% of the world’s accessible freshwater, but inefficient irrigation and water-intensive crops exacerbate water wastage.
• Groundwater Over-Extraction: In areas with scant rainfall, the heavy reliance on groundwater for irrigation leads to its rapid depletion as usage outpaces natural replenishment.
• Industrial and Urban Pressure: Industries and urban centers heavily reliant on groundwater further stress water resources.
• Pollution from Wastewater: Industrial waste and untreated wastewater contribute significantly to the pollution of water bodies, affecting both water quality and availability over the long term.

Implications of Freshwater Decline

Biodiversity and Ecosystems:

• Species Decline: According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), there has been an 84% reduction in freshwater species since 1970 due to habitat loss, pollution, and barriers such as dams.
• Ecosystem Instability: These adverse factors disrupt ecosystems, endangering biodiversity and the critical services they provide.

Social and Economic Impact:

• Increased Vulnerability: The 2024 UN report on water stress indicates that diminishing water availability places substantial stress on farmers and communities, potentially leading to famine, conflicts, poverty, and a heightened risk of waterborne diseases.
• Economic Constraints: Industries face operational challenges due to water scarcity, which stunts economic development and constrains job creation. By 2025, it’s projected that 1.8 billion people will face absolute water scarcity, exacerbated by rapid population growth, inefficient water use, and inadequate governance.
• Urban Water Crisis: Major Indian cities like Chennai and Bengaluru have experienced acute water shortages, disrupting daily life and inflating costs related to water transport and management.

Environmental Services:

• Nutrient Cycling and Productivity: Freshwater ecosystems are crucial for nutrient cycling, which enhances agricultural productivity. Wetlands also play a key role in flood mitigation and bolstering climate resilience.
• Service Degradation: The deterioration of these ecosystems compromises vital environmental services, undermining both environmental and community stability.

Geopolitical Tensions:

• International Disputes: Over 60% of the world’s freshwater is shared across international borders, making resource decline a potential catalyst for disputes over water rights and usage.
• Regional Conflicts: Water scarcity has fueled political tensions, such as the Nile River dispute involving Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia, centered around Ethiopia’s Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam which threatens Egypt’s water supply.
• Domestic Disputes: In India, water sharing disputes like those under the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan and conflicts over the Cauvery and Krishna rivers contribute to sustained inter-state tensions.

Technological Strain:

• Impact on AI Infrastructure: The decline in freshwater resources also affects Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems, which require significant amounts of water for cooling data centers. It is estimated that by 2027, AI will consume between 4.2 to 6.6 billion cubic meters of water annually, further straining limited water supplies.

-Source: Business Standards

ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus

Context:

The Union Defence Minister engaged in a series of high-level discussions with counterparts from the United States, Japan, and the Philippines during the 11th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) held in Vientiane, Laos.

Relevance:

GS II: International Relations

Dimensions of the Article:

1. ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus)
2. About Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus)

• ADMM-Plus is a collaborative platform that includes ASEAN and its eight Dialogue Partners: Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Russia, and the United States.
• The forum was established to enhance security and defense cooperation to promote peace, stability, and development within the region.
•  The first ADMM-Plus meeting took place in Ha Noi, Vietnam, on October 12, 2010.

Meeting Frequency and Context:

• Annual Meetings: Since 2017, the ADMM-Plus convenes annually, facilitating ongoing dialogue and cooperation amid an increasingly complex regional security landscape.

Objectives of ADMM-Plus:

• Capacity Building: To assist ASEAN Member States in developing capabilities to address shared security challenges, taking into account the varying capacities across different members.
• Trust and Transparency: To foster mutual trust and confidence among defense establishments through enhanced dialogue and transparency.
• Regional Peace and Stability: To strengthen regional peace and stability by cooperating on defense and security matters, particularly in response to transnational security issues.
• ASEAN Security Community: To contribute toward the realization of an ASEAN Security Community, as envisioned in Bali Concord II, aiming for peace, stability, democracy, and prosperity in the region where ASEAN members coexist peacefully both internally and with the global community.
• Support for the Vientiane Action Programme: To help implement the Vientiane Action Programme which encourages ASEAN to cultivate a peaceful, secure, and prosperous environment and to pursue more extensive external relations with international partners.

About Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a regional intergovernmental organization comprising Ten Countries in Southeast Asia.

Members of ASEAN

1. Indonesia
2. Malaysia
3. Philippines
4. Singapore
5. Thailand
6. Brunei
7. Vietnam
8. Laos
9. Myanmar
10. Cambodia

ASEAN’s Objectives:

1. To promote intergovernmental cooperation and facilitates economic, political, security, military, educational, and sociocultural integration among its members and other countries in Asia.
2. To maintain close and beneficial cooperation with existing international and regional organisations.
3. To promote regional peace and stability through abiding respect for justice and the rule of law and adherence to the principles of the United Nations Charter.
4. To accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development for a prosperous and peaceful community of Southeast Asian Nations.

A major partner of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, ASEAN maintains a global network of alliances and dialogue partners and is considered by many as the central union for cooperation in Asia-Pacific.

• The motto of ASEAN is “One Vision, One Identity, One Community”.
• ASEAN is headquartered in Jakarta, Indonesia.
• 8th August is observed as ASEAN Day.
• In 1967 ASEAN was established with the signing of the ASEAN Declaration (Bangkok Declaration) by its founding fathers: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.
• Chairmanship of ASEAN rotates annually, based on the alphabetical order of the English names of Member States.
• ASEAN is the 3rd largest market in the world – larger than EU and North American markets.

ASEAN Plus Three

ASEAN Plus Three is a forum that functions as a coordinator of co-operation between the ASEAN and the three East Asian nations of China, South Korea, and Japan.

ASEAN Plus Six

• further integration to improve existing ties of Southeast Asia was done by the larger East Asia Summit (EAS), which included ASEAN Plus Three as well as India, Australia, and New Zealand.
• The group became ASEAN Plus Six with Australia, New Zealand, and India, and stands as the linchpin of Asia Pacific’s economic, political, security, socio-cultural architecture, as well as the global economy.
• This group acted as a prerequisite for the planned East Asia Community which was supposedly patterned after the European Community (now transformed into the European Union).

ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA)

• The ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement was signed and entered into force in 2010.
• Under the Agreement, ASEAN Member States and India have agreed to open their respective markets by progressively reducing and eliminating duties on more than 75% coverage of goods.

ASEAN-India Trade in Services Agreement (AITISA)

• The ASEAN-India Trade in Services Agreement was signed in 2014.
• It contains provisions on transparency, domestic regulations, recognition, market access, national treatment and dispute settlement.

ASEAN-India Investment Agreement (AIIA)

• The ASEAN-India Investment Agreement was signed in 2014.
• The Investment Agreement stipulates protection of investment to ensure fair and equitable treatment for investors, non-discriminatory treatment in expropriation or nationalisation as well as fair compensation.

ASEAN-India Free Trade Area (AIFTA)

• The ASEAN–India Free Trade Area (AIFTA) is a free trade area among the ten member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and India.
• The free trade area came into effect in 2010.
• The ASEAN–India Free Area emerged from a mutual interest of both parties to expand their economic ties in the Asia-Pacific region.
• India’s Look East policy was reciprocated by similar interests of many ASEAN countries to expand their interactions westward.
• The signing of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement paves the way for the creation of one of the world’s largest FTAs – a market of almost 1.8 billion people with a combined GDP of US $ 2.8 trillion.
• The AIFTA will see tariff liberalisation of over 90% of products traded between the two dynamic regions, including the so-called “special products,” such as palm oil (crude and refined), coffee, black tea and pepper.

-Source: The Hindu

Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI)

Context:

India’s Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), a major player in the country’s renewable energy sector, is currently facing bribery allegations.

Relevance:

Facts for Prelims

Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) Ltd

Establishment and Control:

• Central Public Sector Undertaking (CPSU): SECI is a premier CPSU focused on the development and expansion of Renewable Energy (RE) capacity in India.
• Foundational Purpose: It was established to facilitate the implementation of the National Solar Mission.
• Administrative Oversight: SECI operates under the administrative control of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
• Incorporation Details: It was incorporated in 2011 as a not-for-profit company under Section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956, and transitioned to a commercial entity in 2015 under Section 3 of the Companies Act, 2013.

Vision and Role:

• Vision: SECI aims to build a ‘Green India’ by harnessing the country’s abundant solar radiation and achieving energy security.
• Unique Position: It is the only CPSU dedicated entirely to the renewable energy sector.
• Project Implementation: SECI acts as an implementing agency for the development of Solar, Wind, and Hybrid Projects, contributing to the fulfillment of India’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under global climate agreements.

Operational Scope and Achievements:

• Project Development: SECI undertakes solar project development on a turnkey basis for various PSUs and government departments.
• Power Trading: The company holds a power trading license and engages in the trading of solar power generated from projects implemented under its schemes.
  • Trading Model: SECI procures energy through competitive bidding from developers and sells it to electricity distribution companies (DISCOMs) via long-term Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) and Power Sale Agreements (PSAs).
• Miniratna Status: SECI has been awarded Miniratna Category-I status, recognizing its autonomy and performance in the renewable sector.

Current Capacity and Future Outlook:

• Total Awarded Capacity: SECI currently oversees an impressive 65.3 GW of awarded generation capacity.
  • Solar Energy: Over 60% of this capacity, amounting to more than 40 GW, is dedicated to solar energy projects.
  • Wind and Hybrid Projects: The remaining capacity includes 16.3 GW of wind energy and approximately 9 GW of hybrid energy projects.

-Source: Economic Times

Anti-Personnel Landmines Convention

Context:

The United States has recently taken significant steps in its military support to Ukraine, including approving the supply of anti-personnel landmines, despite these being banned under the 1997 Anti-Personnel Landmines Convention. This move has raised concerns about the implications for international norms and agreements. Additionally, the U.S. has supplied Ukraine with the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), a long-range missile system capable of striking targets inside Russian territory.

Relevance:

GS II: International Relations

Anti-Personnel Landmines Convention, 1997 Overview

• The Anti-Personnel Landmines Convention, also known as the Ottawa Convention or the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Treaty, is an international treaty aimed at eradicating the use, production, stockpiling, and transfer of anti-personnel landmines.
• This treaty was finalized at the Diplomatic Conference on an International Total Ban on Anti-Personnel Landmines held in Oslo on September 18, 1997, and it officially came into effect on March 1, 1999.

Scope and Limitations:

• The convention specifically bans anti-personnel mines, which are designed to injure or kill people. It does not, however, prohibit anti-vehicle mines, which are intended to disable or destroy vehicles.

Membership and Participation:

• Initially signed by 133 states, the convention now boasts 164 state parties that have ratified or acceded to the treaty.
• Notable countries such as the United States, Russia, and India are not parties to the convention. Ukraine, while a signatory, has not ratified the treaty.

Understanding Anti-Personnel Landmines:

• Landmines are explosive devices concealed under or on the ground, designed to explode from the proximity, contact, or manipulation by enemy forces.
• Types of Mines: Anti-personnel mines target individual soldiers, causing injury or death, whereas anti-tank mines are engineered to destroy or incapacitate armored vehicles.

-Source: Live Mint