Current Affairs 24-FEB-2024 (The Hindu)

Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs)

C => (Pg-29)

Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs)

• Large-scale eruptions: Charged particles (plasma) & magnetic fields are ejected from the solar atmosphere into space.
• Materials Released During CMEs: The Sun releases various materials like electrons, protons, heavy ions, as well as magnetic fields. This ejected material travels at high speeds into space.
• Impact on Technologies: CMEs disrupt a range of ground- and space-based technologies and satellites on Earth.

Causes of CMEs

• Destabilization of Sun's Magnetic Fields: Primarily caused by the destabilization of the Sun's magnetic fields, often due to the disruption of magnetic loops on the Sun's surface.

Impacts of CMEs

• Creation of Geomagnetic Storms: Interaction of CME's magnetic fields & Earth's magnetosphere disrupts satellite communications, navigation systems, and power grids.
• Creation of Auroras: Energizes particles in the Earth’s atmosphere, creating spectacular displays of the Northern and Southern Lights or auroras.
• Radiation Hazards in Space: CMEs can lead to radiation hazards in space, exposing astronauts in space or passengers on high-altitude flights to higher levels of radiation.

Practice Question – Prelims

The terms ‘Event Horizon’, ‘Singularity’, ‘String Theory’ and ‘Standard Model’ are sometimes seen in the news in the context of (2017)

(a) Observation and understanding of the Universe

(b) Study of the solar and the lunar eclipses

(c) Placing satellites in the orbit of the Earth

(d) Origin and evolution of living organisms on the Earth

Economic growth

D => (Pg-22)

Practice Question – Mains GS – III

There is a need for India to shift its economic growth paradigm from the current focus on increasing GDP to a more inclusive and environmentally sustainable model. Comment.

Economic growth

Introduction:

• Current Growth focus – increase in GDP
• India - World’s fifth largest economy in the world & will overtake by 2030 according to IMF.
• Global Hunger Index 2023: India ranks 111th out of 125 countries.
• Importance of Environment sustainability and Inclusivity.

• Need to Shift to Inclusive calculations:
• Rising GDP doesn't necessarily mean rise in citizen welfare.
• GDP concentration in few hands: India's top 10% and top 1% holding 57% and 22% of national income respectively (World Inequality Report 2022).
• Jobless Growth: India's unemployment rate exceeded 7%, reaching 7.9% in December 2022 (Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy - CMIE).
• Exclusion of crucial non-monetary exchanges: Unpaid domestic services, voluntary work, and social service not accounted for in GDP.
• Neglects intangibles like gender-inequality, happiness, clean environment, etc.

Conclusion:

• Balancing the GDP model with various alternatives is necessary.
• Including environmental costs through metrics like Green GDP.
• Aligning with SDGs: Aim for economic growth alongside improving per-capita income, rural income, reducing gender disparities, and enhancing quality of life.

Nordic-Baltic Eight (NB-8)

D => (Pg-22)

Nordic-Baltic Eight (NB-8)

Evolution:

• Evolution from 5+3 to NB8.

Member Countries:

• 5 Nordic countries:
• Denmark
• Sweden
• Norway
• Finland
• Iceland
• 3 Baltic countries:
• Latvia
• Lithuania
• Estonia

Raisina Dialogue Participation:

• NB8 emphasized global cooperation and trust, advocating for peace and a rules-based world order.

Cooperation with India:

• Focus on development, health, green transition, digitalization, and stability.