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Subject: Environment

  • What is Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)?

    carbon

    The Indian government will be analyzing how the European Union’s (EU’s) proposed carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) will affect the Indian industry. The CBAM is set to start from October this year.

    Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)

    Proposed by European Union (EU)
    Purpose To reduce carbon emissions from imported goods and prevent competitive disadvantage against countries with weaker environmental regulations
    Objectives Reduce carbon emissions from imported goods

    Promote a level playing field between the EU and its trading partners

    Protect EU companies that have invested in green technologies

     

    How does CBAM work?

    Coverage Applies to imported goods that are carbon-intensive
    Integration Covered by the EU’s Emissions Trading System (ETS), which currently covers industries like power generation, steel, and cement
    Implementation CBAM taxes would be imposed on the carbon content of imported goods at the border, and the tax rates would be based on the carbon price in the EU ETS
    Exemptions Possible exemptions for countries that have implemented comparable carbon pricing systems
    Revenue Use Revenue generated from CBAM taxes could be used to fund the EU’s climate objectives, such as financing climate-friendly investments and supporting developing countries’ climate efforts

     

    Who will be affected by CBAM?

    Details
    Countries Non-EU countries, including India, that export carbon-intensive goods to the EU
    Items Initially covers iron and steel, cement, aluminium, fertilisers, and electric energy production
    Expansion The scope of the CBAM may expand to other sectors in the future

    Advantages of CBAM

    • Encourages non-EU countries to adopt more stringent environmental regulations, reducing global carbon emissions.
    • Prevents carbon leakage by discouraging companies from relocating to countries with weaker environmental regulations.
    • Generates revenue that could be used to support EU climate policies.

    Challenges with CBAM

    • Difficulty in accurately measuring the carbon emissions of imported goods, especially for countries without comprehensive carbon accounting systems.
    • Potential for trade tensions with the EU’s trading partners, especially if other countries implement retaliatory measures.

    Conclusion

    • The CBAM is a proposed policy by the EU to reduce carbon emissions from imported goods and to promote a level playing field between the EU and its trading partners.
    • Although the CBAM has its challenges, it has the potential to incentivize non-EU countries to adopt more stringent environmental regulations and reduce global carbon emissions.

     

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  • First Census of Waterbodies in India

    water

    The Ministry of Jal Shakti has recently released the report of the first census of waterbodies in India.

    Waterbodies Census

    • It is the first ever process of conducting a comprehensive survey of all the waterbodies in a particular region or country.
    • The census aims to identify and classify different types of waterbodies like ponds, tanks, lakes, and reservoirs, among others.
    • The information can help in the development of strategies for their conservation and management.

    Major highlight: Definition of Waterbodies

    • The census defines a waterbody as a unit bounded on all sides that is used for storing water for various purposes.
    • These units can be either natural or man-made and may or may not have masonry work.
    • Waterbodies are used for a variety of purposes, such as irrigation, industrial use, pisciculture, domestic and drinking water supply, recreation, religious purposes, and groundwater recharge.
    • The report states that any structure that accumulates water from ice-melt, streams, springs, rain or drainage of water from residential or other areas or stores water by diversion from a stream, nala or river is also considered a waterbody.

    Key facts: Distribution of Waterbodies

    According to the report, India has 24.24 lakh water bodies like ponds, tanks, and lakes, with West Bengal having the highest number (7.47 lakh) and Sikkim having the least number (134).

    Waterbody Type Percentage of Total Waterbodies Number of Waterbodies
    Ponds 59.5% 14,42,993
    Tanks 15.7% 3,81,805
    Reservoirs 12.1% 2,92,280
    Water Conservation Schemes/Percolation Tanks/Check Dams 9.3% 2,26,217
    Lakes 0.9% 22,361
    Others 2.5% 58,884

     

    State-Wise Distribution of Waterbodies

    • The report highlights that West Bengal has the highest number of ponds and reservoirs, while Andhra Pradesh has the highest number of tanks.
    • Tamil Nadu has the highest number of lakes, and Maharashtra is the leading state with water conservation schemes.
    • South 24 Parganas district in West Bengal has been ranked as the top district having the highest (3.55 lakh) number of waterbodies across the country.

    Issues highlighted: Encroachment of Waterbodies

    • Total 1.6% of waterbodies reported to be encroached
    • 4% of encroached waterbodies in rural areas, 4.6% in urban areas
    • 8% of encroached waterbodies have less than 25% area under encroachment
    • 8% of waterbodies have more than 75% area under encroachment

    Conclusion

    • The census provides a comprehensive overview of the distribution of waterbodies in India, highlighting the states and districts with the highest number of waterbodies.
    • The data on encroachment of waterbodies can help in identifying areas where conservation efforts are needed to protect these valuable resources.

     

     

  • Species in news: Olive Ridley Turtles

    olive

    Millions of baby Olive Ridley Turtles crawled towards the Bay of Bengal after emerging from eggshells along Odisha’s Rushikulyabeach in the Ganjam district.

    Olive Ridley Turtles

    Description
    Scientific name Lepidochelys olivacea
    Habitat Warm and tropical waters
    Found in Pacific and Indian Oceans
    Nesting sites Rushikulya rookery in Odisha
    Largest mass nesting site Coast of Odisha in India
    Conservation status Vulnerable in IUCN Red List
    Listed in Schedule 1 in Wildlife Protection Act, 1972

    Special feature: Mass nesting

    Notable behavior Arribadas
    Nesting habits Synchronized mass nesting and return to the same beach where they hatched
    Nest structure Conical nests about one and a half feet deep, dug with hind flippers
    Incubation period 45 to 60 days, influenced by temperature of the sand and atmosphere

     

     

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  • Oceans absorb 90% of human-induced planet warming: Study

    ocean

    The study published in the journal Earth System Science Data estimates that almost 90% of the warming that has occurred in the last 50 years has been absorbed by the ocean, with the remaining heat absorbed by the land, cryosphere and atmosphere.

    Earth’s energy balance: A quick recap

    ocean

    • It is the balance between the amount of energy that Earth receives from the Sun and the amount of energy that Earth radiates back into space.
    • It is also known as the radiation budget.
    • The energy from the Sun that Earth receives is mainly in the form of visible light and ultraviolet radiation.
    • This energy is absorbed by the Earth’s surface and atmosphere, which then radiate it back into space in the form of infrared radiation.
    • The balance between incoming and outgoing radiation is crucial for maintaining the Earth’s temperature and climate.
    • Any imbalance between the two can lead to global warming and climate change.
    Description
    Total incoming solar radiation Approximately 342 W/m² reaches Earth’s atmosphere
    Albedo About 30% of incoming solar radiation is reflected back to space
    Greenhouse effect Remaining 70% of incoming solar radiation is absorbed by Earth’s surface and atmosphere, creating the greenhouse effect
    Atmospheric heat Atmosphere contains only 0.001% of Earth’s heat energy, but is crucial in regulating heat budget

     

    Key highlights of the Study: Heat Accumulation

    heat

    • The study estimates that approximately 381 zettajoules (ZJ) of heat accumulated on the planet from 1971-2020 due to anthropogenic emissions.
    • This roughly equals a heating rate of approximately 0.48 watts per square metre (Earth Energy Imbalance or EEI). EEI is the difference between incoming and outgoing solar radiation.
    • According to the study, about 89% of the accumulated heat is stored in the ocean, 6% on land, a percent in the atmosphere, and about 4% available for melting the cryosphere.

    Implications

    (1) Land Heat Accumulation

    • Heat accumulated on land drives up ground surface temperatures, which may increase soil respiration, releasing carbon dioxide in the process.
    • Higher soil respiration will likely decrease soil water, depending on climatic and meteorological conditions and factors.

    (2) Inland Water Bodies and Permafrost Thawing

    • Heat storage within inland water bodies has increased to roughly 0.2 ZJ since 1960. For permafrost thawing, it was about 2 ZJ.
    • The accumulation of heat in inland water increases lake water temperatures, making conditions ripe for algal blooms.
    • Permafrost heat content could inject methane and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, the researchers warned.

    (3) Ocean and Troposphere heating

    • The upper ocean (0-300 and 0-700 meters depth) has taken up a major fraction of heat, according to the new estimates.
    • During 2006-2020, ocean warming rates for the 0-2,000 meters depth reached record rates of roughly 1.03 watts per square meter.
    • The troposphere is also warming up due to increased heat accumulation.

    (4) Cryosphere heating

    • The cryosphere – the frozen water part of the Earth system – gained roughly 14 ZJ of heat from 1971-2020.
    • Half of the uptake triggered the melting of grounded ice, while the remaining half is linked to the melting of floating ice.
    • The Antarctic Ice Sheet contributed about 33% to the total cryosphere heat gain, while Arctic sea ice stood second, having contributed 26%.

     

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  • Heatwaves in India: Increasing Frequency Needs Range of Measures to Mitigate

    Heatwave

    Central Idea

    • India is facing an increasing heatwave due to climate change, leading to significant agricultural crop losses, urban unlivability and reduced labour productivity. India need to take range of measures to mitigate the problem, such as expanding green cover, upgrading urban building standards, embracing public transportation, and improving waste segregation and management.

    What is Heat wave?

    • A heatwave is a prolonged period of abnormally hot weather.
    • Heatwaves usually last for several days or weeks and can occur in both dry and humid climates.
    • They are characterized by temperatures that are significantly higher than the average for a particular region during that time of year. This is because climate change is causing a rise in global temperatures. As the planet heats up, it leads to more extreme weather events, such as heat waves. Its geography makes India particularly vulnerable to these events.

    Frequency of Heatwaves in India

    • Increase in frequency and intensity: India has been witnessing an increase in the frequency and intensity of heatwaves in recent years.
    • For instance: In April and May 2022, around 350 million Indians were exposed to strong heat stress. On an average, five-six heat wave events occur every year over the northern parts of the country.
    • Rise in summer temperatures as well as winter temperature: Summer temperatures have risen by an average of 0.5-0.9°C across districts in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Rajasthan between 1990 and 2019. In addition, around 54% of India’s districts have seen a similar rise in winter temperatures.
    • Temperature rise projection: It is expected that between 2021 and 2050, the maximum temperature will rise by 2-3.5°C in 100 districts and by 1.5–2°C in around 455 districts. Winter temperatures will also rise between 1°C and 1.5°C in around 485 districts

    heatwave

    Fact for prelims: Urban Heat Island Effect

    • High temperature in Urabn areas: The urban heat island effect is a phenomenon in which urban areas experience higher temperatures than the surrounding rural areas.
    • For instance: Cities in India are beset with the urban heat island effect, with temperatures 4-12°C higher than rural outlying areas.
    • Human activities are primary reason: This is primarily caused by human activities such as transportation, industrial processes, and energy consumption, which release heat and pollutants into the atmosphere.
    • Urab landscape made up of concrete absorbs more heat: The urban landscape, with its large amounts of concrete and asphalt, also absorbs and retains more heat than natural surfaces such as forests and grasslands.
    • Reduced vegetation is a contributing factor: Additionally, reduced vegetation and tree cover in urban areas contribute to the urban heat island effect, as plants help to cool the environment through evapotranspiration.
    • Negative impact: The urban heat island effect can have negative impacts on human health, as well as on energy consumption, air and water quality, and ecological systems.

    heatwave

    The Socio-economic impact of heat waves

    • Health: Heatwaves can cause heat exhaustion, heat cramps, and heat stroke, leading to hospitalization and death. People working outdoors, such as farmers, construction workers, and street vendors, are particularly vulnerable. The elderly, children, and people with pre-existing health conditions are also at a higher risk of heat-related illnesses.
    • Labor productivity: High temperatures reduce work capacity and productivity, especially for outdoor workers. This can lead to income loss and lower economic growth.
    • For instance: For labourers doing heavy work, heat exposure leads to a loss of 162 hours per year, as per one study. A rise in temperatures directly impacts labour productivity. About 50% of India’s workforce is estimated to be exposed to heat during their working hours. This includes marginal farmers, labourers at construction sites and street vendors parlaying their produce on the streets; increasingly, even gig economy workers are affected.
    • Agriculture: Heatwaves can damage crops and livestock, leading to reduced yields and income loss for farmers. High temperatures and low soil moisture can also lead to drought and water scarcity, which can further exacerbate the agricultural impact.
    • For example: 90% of India’s cumin production is from Gujarat and Rajasthan. The recent weather variability has destroyed the majority of the cumin crop in Rajasthan. From agricultural crop losses, it is a short step towards drought and higher mortality.
    • Energy demand: During heatwaves, the demand for electricity and other forms of cooling increases, leading to power outages and blackouts. This can affect businesses, hospitals, and other critical infrastructure.
    • Migration: Heatwaves can lead to migration as people seek cooler areas or better living conditions. This can strain resources in the destination areas and lead to social tensions.

    Heatwave

    Ways to Mitigate the Problem

    • Greening could help mitigate part of the problem: Ideally, for every urban citizen in India should have at least seven trees in the urban landscape. However, many urban localities even in leafy Delhi fall short. Development plans for Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities can set up a mandate to increase urban surface area that is permeable, while pushing to increase the density and area of urban forests.
    • Expanding and restoring wetlands: Expanding wetlands and restoring dead and decaying ponds/lakes may also help ensure ecological functioning along with reducing urban heat.
    • Reducing the urban heat island effect: This requires a push for greater usage of permeable materials in civic infrastructure and residential construction and enhancing natural landscapes in urban areas. Urban layouts such as brick jalis for ventilation and terracotta tiles to allow hot air to escape, and curbs on anthropogenic heat emissions from vehicles, factories, etc. may be considered.
    • Avoiding usage of heat absorbent material: Urban building standards should be upgraded to avoid usage of heat-absorbent galvanized iron and metal roof sheets.
    • Using cleaner cooking fuels: Using cleaner cooking fuels will reduce indoor air pollution, which may also help reduce urban heat.
    • Increasing natural vegetation: Streets with low ventilation may need further expansion, or an increase in natural vegetation
    • Voluntary and other measures: Other measures can also be considered such as, from embracing public transportation, to reducing personal vehicle usage and, most importantly, reducing the size of landfills. A push for waste segregation, along with solid waste management at source, can help.
    • Improving our forecasting ability: India needs to improve our forecasting ability, including the potential impact of heat on food production.
    • Improving economic models: Current econometric models associated with food inflation primarily look at the variability in the monsoon, minimum support prices and vegetable prices. India needs to add local heat trends to the mix as well, given the impact of heat on food production, storage and sale.
    • Detailed management policies: We need detailed policies and guidelines on weather variability and urban heat management at the State, district, city and municipality ward levels.

    Value addition box: The Chandigarh Model, a template to build climate-responsive architecture

    • Natural green belts: The city was set up by the foothills of the Shivaliks, between two river beds, while natural green belts were incorporated within the city’s master plan.
    • For instance: A large green belt of mango trees was also planted around the city to help reduce urban sprawl and to serve as a buffer between the residential city and the industrial suburbs.
    • Climate responsive architecture: Local architecture such as mud houses within the region was considered as a template to build climate-responsive architecture.
    • City cooling plans: A small rivulet was dammed to create the Sukhna lake, to help cool the city, while small water bodies were developed near large buildings.
    • Increased tree cover: Parks were planned out in every sector, along with tree plantations alongside all the major roads. Large forest areas were also reserved.

    Conclusion

    • With climate change exacerbating local weather patterns, we are likely to see April-May temperatures reaching record highs every three years. Moreover, an El Niño-influenced monsoon bodes ill for marginal farmers and urban migrants. Policymakers must take mitigatory action early, while instituting structural infrastructure measures to help Indians adapt to these conditions.

    Mains Question

    Q. What do you understand by mean urban heat island effect? What measures can be taken to mitigate the impact of rising heatwaves and how can these efforts be integrated with broader climate change adaptation strategies?

  • What is Great Pacific Garbage Patch?

    pacific

    Central idea: The article reports on a recent study which found evidence that coastal life forms have colonized plastic items in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a vast area in the North Pacific Ocean where plastic waste has accumulated due to ocean currents.

    What is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP)?

    Features
    Location North Pacific Subtropical Gyre (NPSG), north of the equator in the Pacific Ocean
    Currents Kuroshio, North Pacific, California, and North Equatorial currents, moving in a clockwise direction
    Sources Any trash that enters one of these currents from any of the 51 Pacific Rim countries
    Size Estimated to be 1.6 million sq. km
    Age More than 50 years old
    Plastic Content Estimated to contain 45,000-129,000 metric tonnes of plastic, predominantly in the form of microplastics
    Visible Objects Heavier, more visible objects that haven’t yet broken down into smaller particles accounted for 92% in 2018

     

    Findings of the new study

    • Researchers from Canada, the Netherlands, and the U.S. have reported that coastal life forms have colonized plastic items in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.
    • From November 2018 to January 2019, they collected 105 pieces of plastic debris, the most heavily plastic-polluted ocean gyre on the globe.
    • Based on studying them, they reported that 98% of the debris items had invertebrate organisms.

    Plastic inflicting into a coastal organism

    • Organisms found on coasts were getting by on small floating islands of garbage out in the Pacific Ocean, which the researchers named the neopelagic community.
    • They found organisms belonging to 46 taxa, and 37 of them were coastal; the rest were pelagic. Among both coastal and pelagic organisms, crustaceans were the most common.
    • Nearly all taxa were of Northwest Pacific origin, including Japan.
    • Eight of the remainder were from East Asia and five specifically from Japan. Four items were from North America.
    • They found that 68% of the coastal taxa and 33% of the pelagic taxa reproduced asexually and that there was evidence of sexual reproduction among the hydroids and the crustaceans, among others.

    Implications of the findings

    • Marine plastic pollution has given rise to a new kind of standing coastal community in the open ocean.
    • The neopelagic community is not misplaced but lives on plastic items in the garbage patch, including reproducing there.
    • The finding recalls other studies that show the chemical bonding of plastic with rocks, sedimentary rocks embedded with plastic earrings in Brazil, and the formation of plastiglomerates in Hawaii.

     

    What is neopelagic community?

    • The neopelagic community refers to the group of organisms that inhabit the open ocean or the pelagic zone beyond the continental shelf.
    • It is characterized by deep waters with very few physical structures or substrate for organisms to attach to.
    • This community includes a wide variety of organisms, including zooplankton, fish, squid, and marine mammals, among others.
    • These organisms have adapted to survive in the open ocean environment, which can be quite challenging due to factors such as temperature fluctuations, limited food availability, and the absence of physical structures for shelter.
    • The neopelagic community is an important part of the global marine ecosystem, playing a key role in nutrient cycling and energy transfer between different levels of the food chain.

     

    GPGP and its impact on marine life

    • The GPGP has significant impacts on marine life due to the ingestion of plastic by marine animals, which can cause harm and even death.
    • Plastic can also entangle and suffocate marine animals, leading to the disruption of ecosystems.
    • The new study sheds light on the neopelagic community, which has adapted to living on plastic in the garbage patch.

    Plastic pollution and its environmental impact

    • Plastic pollution is a major environmental issue that affects land and water ecosystems worldwide.
    • Plastic waste can take hundreds of years to decompose, and even then, it breaks down into microplastics that can persist in the environment indefinitely.
    • The presence of plastic in the environment has negative impacts on biodiversity, ecosystem function, and human health.

    Conclusion

    • There are various solutions to plastic pollution, including reducing the use of single-use plastics, recycling, and promoting alternative materials.
    • Governments and industries can also take steps to reduce plastic waste, such as implementing policies and regulations that reduce plastic use and increase recycling.
    • Individual actions, such as reducing personal plastic consumption and properly disposing of plastic waste, can also make a difference.

     

  • India’s first Mangrove Pitta Birds Census conducted in Odisha

    pitta

    Central idea: The article talks about the first-ever census of mangrove pitta birds conducted in two coastal districts of Odisha, India.

    About Mangrove Pitta

    • The mangrove pitta (Pitta megarhyncha) belongs to the family of pittas, the Pittidae.
    • The mangrove pitta species is distributed in India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia.
    • These pitta species have fragmented distribution and considered ‘Near Threatened’ by IUCN. These pittas are monotypic species.

    Focus of the Census

    • In this census, a total of 179 individual mangrove pitta birds were counted.
    • The census mainly focused on the mangrove patches along the coasts of Kendrapara and Jagatsingpur districts.
    • Information was collected on the distribution, habitat, and breeding of mangrove pittas along the coastal mangroves.
    • The census was carried out by point count method, either by walking in the forest or using country boats in the creeks.

     

  • Bioluminescence observed at Visakhapatnam beach

    bio

    The blooms of Noctiluca Scintillans, commonly known as “sea sparkle or bioluminescence” are being witnessed along the coasts of Visakhapatnam, AP.

    Noctiluca Scintillans

    • Scintillans is a bioluminescent specie that brightens the seawater during the night.
    • It grazes on other micro-organisms such as larvae, fish eggs, and diatoms. But the unicellular phytoplankton that lives inside it can photosynthesize, turning sunlight into energy.
    • They help their host cell survive even when food was scarce.
    • Thus, N. Scintillans acts as both a plant and an animal

    Threats posed

    • According to marine experts, the phenomenon is an indicator of climate change.
    • While smaller blooms may be harmless, slow-moving larger blooms may have an impact on deep-sea fishes.
    • The toxic blooms of N. Scintillans were linked to massive fish and marine invertebrate kills.
    • Though the species does not produce a toxin, it was found to accumulate toxic levels of ammonia, which is then excreted into the surrounding waters, possibly acting as the killing agent in blooms.
    • They have displaced microscopic algae called diatoms, which form the basis of the marine food chain. This has deprived food for the planktivorous fish.

    Back2Basics: Bioluminescence

    • It is the property of a living organism to produce and emit light.
    • Animals, plants, fungi and bacteria show bioluminescence. A remarkable diversity of marine animals and microbes are able to produce their own light.
    • It is found in many marine organisms such as bacteria, algae, jellyfish, worms, crustaceans, sea stars, fish and sharks.
    • Luminescence is generally higher in deep-living and planktonic organisms than in shallow species.

     

  • IMD predicts normal monsoon despite El Nino effect

    nino

    Central idea

    • India’s four-year run of abundant summer monsoon rainfall is likely to end this year, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting a 4% shortfall in the coming season.
    • The monsoon forecast for 2022 is still categorized as “normal” but at 96% of the long-period average (LPA), it is at the lowest end of the range.
    • El Nino, a cyclical phenomenon of warming in the central Pacific, is believed to be the key factor responsible for the below-normal forecast.

    Factors affecting the forecast

    • El Nino: It has been linked to diminished rainfall in six out of 10 years in India, and 2022 is expected to see its development.
    • La Nina: It has been influencing the rainfall in India since 2019 and is expected to end this year.
    • Reduced snow cover in Eurasia: It can have a positive impact on the monsoon forecast, and this year’s snow cover in Eurasia was below normal.
    • Positive phase of the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD): IOD could result in more moisture and rainfall over India during August and September, and therefore, have a reduced impact of the El Nino.
    • IMD’s dynamical monsoon forecast techniques: It involves the simulation of global atmospheric and ocean conditions to forecast climate conditions, which the IMD has started to rely on more heavily in recent years.

    What is El Nino and La Nina?

    • El Nino and La Nina are two opposite phases of the El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle.
    • ENSO is a naturally occurring phenomenon that involves the interaction between the ocean and atmosphere in the equatorial Pacific.

    Here is a detailed comparison of El Nino and La Nina

    El Nino La Nina
    Definition Warmer-than-normal sea surface temperatures Cooler-than-normal sea surface temperatures
    Frequency Every two to seven years Every two to seven years
    Duration Several months to a year or more Several months to a year or more
    Impact on winds Weakens trade winds, leading to changes in patterns Strengthens trade winds, leading to changes in patterns
    Impact on rains Reduces rainfall and can cause droughts Increases rainfall and can cause flooding
    Impact on temp. Warmer-than-average temperatures Colder-than-average temperatures
    Global effects Droughts in Asia and Africa, floods in Americas Floods in Asia and Africa, droughts in South America

     

    Impacts on India

    El Nino La Nina
    Associated with weak monsoons and drought-like conditions in India Associated with above-normal rainfall and floods in India
    Sea surface temperature in the equatorial Pacific Ocean rises above normal levels Sea surface temperature in the equatorial Pacific Ocean drops below normal levels
    Changes in the atmospheric circulation patterns Changes in the atmospheric circulation patterns
    Shift in the location of the jet stream, affecting the strength and direction of the monsoon winds Increase in the strength of the monsoon winds, bringing more moisture and rainfall to India
    Results in reduced rainfall, dry spells, and heatwaves, leading to crop failures and water scarcity Excessive rainfall can also lead to floods and landslides, causing damage to crops and infrastructure

     

    Back2Basics: Long Period Average (LPA) study of Monsoon

    • The IMD predicts a “normal”, “below normal”, or “above normal” monsoon in relation to a benchmark “long period average” (LPA).
    • The LPA of rainfall is the rainfall recorded over a particular region for a given interval (like month or season) average over a long period like 30 years, 50 years, etc.
    • LPA refers to the average rainfall recorded from June to September for the entire country, the amount of rain that falls every year varies from region to region and from month to month.
    • The IMD’s prediction of a normal monsoon is based on the LPA of the 1971-2020 period, during which India received 87 cm of rain for the entire country on average.
    • It has in the past calculated the LPA at 88 cm for the 1961-2010 period, and at 89 cm for the period 1951-2000.

    IMD Rainfall Distribution Categories

    Rainfall Distribution Categories Percentage Departure of Actual Rainfall from LPA
    Normal or Near Normal +/- 10% of LPA (between 96-104% of LPA)
    Below Normal Less than 10% of LPA (90-96% of LPA)
    Above Normal 104-110% of LPA
    Deficient Less than 90% of LPA
    Excess More than 110% of LPA

     

  • TEMPO: NASA device to Monitor Air Pollution from Space

    tempo

    SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket successfully launched carrying a new NASA device named Tropospheric Emissions Monitoring of Pollution (TEMPO) designed to monitor air pollutants and their emission sources across North America from space more comprehensively than ever before.

    What is TEMPO?

    • TEMPO is an instrument developed by NASA, which will enable scientists to monitor air pollutants and their emission sources from space, down to the neighbourhood level.
    • This instrument will measure pollution and air quality across greater North America on an hourly basis during the daytime.

    TEMPO’s special features

    • TEMPO is unique because it will be hosted on an Intelsat communications satellite in geostationary orbit, about 22,236 miles (35,786 km) above the equator.
    • This will allow the instrument to match the rotation of the Earth, meaning it will stay over the same location (North America) at all times.
    • It will be able to measure atmospheric pollution down to a spatial resolution of 4 square miles (10 square km), or neighbourhood level.

    Applications of TEMPO

    • TEMPO will have multiple applications from measuring levels of various pollutants to providing air quality forecasts and helping the development of emission-control strategies.
    • The data will be used by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and other agencies responsible for tackling atmospheric pollution.

    Importance of the mission

    • According to the American Lung Association, more than 40% of the US population, 137 million people, live in places with unhealthy levels of particle pollution or ozone, and air pollution is blamed for some 60,000 premature deaths a year.
    • TEMPO will track pollutants like nitrogen dioxide, produced from the combustion of fossil fuels, formaldehyde, and ozone.