Current Affairs 15-OCT-2023 (The Hindu)

Green Credit Programme

(C,B,T,D-H => Pg-22,16,15,14)

Green Credit Programme

Introduction

• Individuals or entities can earn Green Credits for environmentally positive activities.
• Tradable on a dedicated exchange.
• Incentive provided for specific activities that have a positive impact on the environment.
• Voluntary program.

Activities Covered

• Tree plantation
• Water management
• Sustainable agriculture
• Waste management
• Air pollution reduction
• Mangrove conservation and restoration.

How to Earn Green Credits

• Need to register on a designated website.
• Activities will be verified by a designated agency.
• Green credit certificate based on verification.

Calculation of Green Credits

• Parameters - resource requirements, scale, and environmental outcomes.
• Green Credit Registry and trading platform - to facilitate the trading of Green Credits.

Difference between Green Credits & Carbon Credits

• Green Credit Programme - complements the domestic Carbon Market.
• Domestic carbon market focuses on only CO2 Emissions.
• Green Credit System - aims to meet overall environmental obligations.

LiFE Mission

• 'LiFE' - 'Lifestyle for Environment'.
• Introduced at COP-26, Glasgow.
• India-led global movement
• To inspire people on actions to protect and preserve the environment.

Objectives

• Shift from a use-and-dispose economy to a circular economy.
• Utilizing the power of social networks to influence social norms related to climate action.

Working of LiFE Mission

• Establish a global community of individuals - Pro-Planet People (P3).
• P3 members – commitment to adopting and advocating for eco-friendly lifestyles.
• Creating an ecosystem that encourages and supports sustainable environmental behaviors.

Practice Question – Prelims

Q. What is the purpose of Green Credits program which is recently initiated by the union government?

1. (a) Encouraging low energy consumption in household appliances.
2. (b) Subsidizing renewable energy resource extraction.
3. (c) Mitigating natural disasters through governmental interventions.
4. (d) Incentivizing environmentally positive actions through a market-based approach.

Iron Dome

(C,B,T,D-H => Pg-21,15,14,13)

Iron Dome

About the Dome

• Short-range, ground-to-air, missile defense system.
• Consists of a radar & Tamir interceptor missiles.
• Main aim – track & neutralize any missiles aimed at Israeli targets.
• It can also intercept aircraft, helicopters & unmanned aerial vehicles.

History of Dome

• Dates back to the 2006 Israeli-Lebanon war.
• In 2007, Israel’s Rafael Advance System started developing the Iron Dome.
• It was deployed in 2011.

Working of Dome

• It has three main systems:
1. Radar - function is to detect & track the incoming threats of missile.
2. Weapon Control
• Consists of battle management & weapon control system (BMC).
• Main function - connect the radar & interceptor missile.
3. Missile Fire
• Consists of missile firing unit.
• Function - launch the missiles on incoming targets.

Unique Features of i-DOME

• Used in all weather conditions, including day & night.
• Special feature called “proximity fuse”
• When Missile is passing within a 10-meter radius of the incoming target,
• It will activate and blasts the missile and destroys the target.

Practice Question – Prelims

Q. Consider the following statements about Israel’s “Iron Dome”:

1. 1. Iron Dome is a short-range, ground-to-air, air defense system.
2. 2. It will counter aircraft, helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles fired from distances of up to 70 kilometers.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Neanderthals

(C,B,T,D-H => Pg-21,15,14,13)

Neanderthals

Introduction

• Archaic human species.
• Lived in Europe and parts of Asia.
• Approximately between 400,000 to 40,000 years ago.
• Range extended from Belgium in the north to the Mediterranean Sea in the south.
• Replaced or assimilated by modern human populations.
• Neanderthals are our closest extinct relatives.
• Denisovans also lived in Eastern Asia and Africa.

Physical Characteristics

• Bodies were shorter than modern humans.
• Adapted to living in cold environments.
• Had large brains and long noses.
• Were extremely muscular and strong.
• Used tools, created art, and buried their dead.

Relationship with Modern Humans

• Evidence of interbreeding between Neanderthals and early modern humans.
• Many people of non-African descent have some Neanderthal DNA in their genomes.

Extinction

• Factors contributing to their extinction:
1. Climate change.
2. Competition with modern humans.
3. Other environmental pressures.

Practice Question – Prelims

Q. Neanderthals are species of archaic humans closely related to modern humans. Which region is known to be a significant area of Neanderthal habitation and archaeological discoveries?

1. (a) Nile Valley
2. (b) Indus Valley
3. (c) Iberian Peninsula
4. (d) Levant