1. Polar Ice Melt Impact on Monsoon Patterns and Economy
Geography
Source: TH
Context: A recent study highlights the influence of decreasing Arctic sea ice on Indian monsoon patterns.
How does Arctic sea ice impact Indian monsoon patterns?
The decrease in Arctic sea ice affects Indian monsoon patterns by altering atmospheric circulation:
- Central Arctic Ice Loss: The reduction of sea ice allows more heat to be transferred from the ocean to the atmosphere, intensifying Rossby waves. This creates high pressure over northwest India and low pressure over the Mediterranean, shifting the Asian jet stream. Consequently, rainfall increases in northern and central India, while western and peninsular regions receive less.
- Barents-Kara Sea Ice Loss: The decrease in ice in this region leads to high pressure over northwest Europe and alters atmospheric stability in Asia. This results in more rainfall in northeastern India and less in central and northwest India, due to shifts in the subtropical easterly jet and elevated surface temperatures in the Arabian Sea.
Regarding Arctic and Antarctic Ice Melt:
The melting of polar ice is a significant marker and driver of climate change, impacting the global climate, ecosystems, and economies in interconnected ways.
Impacts of Arctic and Antarctic Ice Melt
Climate Impacts:
- Rising Sea Levels: Melting polar ice contributes to global sea level rise, threatening coastal regions. The IPCC has projected significant sea level increases in the coming decades.
- Albedo Effect Reduction: As ice melts, less sunlight is reflected, and more solar radiation is absorbed, accelerating global warming.
- Disruption of Ocean Circulation: Freshwater from melting ice affects thermohaline circulation, impacting global climate systems.
- Greenhouse Gas Release: Melting permafrost in the Arctic releases trapped methane, exacerbating global warming.
- Extreme Weather Events: Polar ice melt alters jet streams, increasing the frequency of extreme weather globally.
Marine Life Impacts:
- Habitat Loss: Species like polar bears and penguins lose their habitats due to ice melt, affecting their populations.
- Changes in Marine Ecosystems: Altered ocean temperatures and salinity affect marine biodiversity, particularly plankton, a key food chain component.
- Ocean Acidification: Oceans absorb more CO2, leading to acidification, which harms marine life, especially shell-forming species.
- Disruption of Food Chains: Changing ice conditions affect the availability of essential species like algae and krill.
- Increased Competition and Predation: Migration or decline of ice-dependent species changes ecosystem dynamics, leading to more competition and predation.
Economic Impacts:
- Coastal Infrastructure Risk: Rising sea levels endanger coastal infrastructure, requiring substantial investments in protection.
- Impact on Fisheries: Changes in marine ecosystems affect fish stocks, disrupting economies reliant on fisheries.
- Higher Insurance Costs: Increased weather-related disasters drive up insurance costs for businesses and governments.
- New Shipping Routes: Melting ice opens new Arctic shipping routes, altering global trade.
- Agricultural Impact: Changing weather patterns influence crop yields, affecting food security and prices.
Case Study: Greenland Ice Sheet Melting and its Global Implications
Context and Current Situation:
The Greenland Ice Sheet, covering 80% of Greenland’s surface, is melting at unprecedented rates, according to the IPCC.
Global Climate Impacts:
Greenland’s ice loss accounts for about 25% of global sea level rise, according to NASA.
Weather Pattern Alterations:
The influx of freshwater from Greenland’s melting ice disrupts ocean currents, impacting global weather.
Marine Life Impacts:
Freshwater from melting ice changes ocean salinity, disrupting marine ecosystems in the North Atlantic.
Impact on Fisheries:
Changes in salinity and temperature affect fish populations, impacting the North Atlantic fishing industry.
Economic Impacts:
- Cost of Coastal Adaptation: Sea level rise from Greenland’s ice melt demands significant investments for coastal adaptation worldwide.
- Fishing Industry Impact: Fish migration patterns and stock availability may change due to the impact of Greenland’s ice melt.
Recent Developments and Global Response:
Increased monitoring of Greenland’s ice loss, such as through NASA’s ICESat-2 mission, helps gauge the impact. International climate efforts, such as those under the UNFCCC, focus on addressing climate change driving ice melt.
Suggestions:
Climate Change Mitigation:
- International Agreements: Strengthen commitments under the Paris Agreement, including increased Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to reduce emissions.
- Renewable Energy Initiatives: Germany’s Energiewende transition to renewable energy serves as a model for reducing fossil fuel dependency.
Protecting Marine Ecosystems:
- Marine Protected Areas: Australia’s Great Barrier Reef Marine Park is an example of conserving marine biodiversity.
- Sustainable Fishing Practices: Norway’s fishing quotas and regulations protect fish stocks.
Adapting Coastal Infrastructure:
- Flood Defense Systems: The Netherlands’ Delta Works exemplifies advanced coastal protection.
- Managed Retreat: The relocation of Alaska’s Newtok village due to rising sea levels shows a proactive adaptation strategy.
Promoting Sustainable Economic Practices:
- Circular Economy: Japan’s “Sound Material-Cycle Society” focuses on recycling and waste reduction.
- Green Bonds and Investments: The World Bank’s issuance of green bonds funds environmental initiatives.
Scientific Research and Monitoring:
- Polar Research: The European Space Agency’s CryoSat mission monitors polar ice and sea levels.
- Climate Research Institutes: The Scripps Institution of Oceanography leads in climate change research.
2. Midwives in Bihar
Context: In the 1990s, rural midwives in Bihar were coerced into committing infanticide due to societal preference for sons, particularly due to the dowry system. Social workers encouraged midwives to reflect on their actions, leading some, like Siro Devi, to save newborn girls and send them to orphanages. Despite some progress, the preference for sons remains evident in cases of abandoned baby girls.
Ethical Dilemmas:
- Coercion vs. Moral Responsibility: Midwives faced coercion by families but had a moral duty to protect life.
- Caste and Poverty: Lower-caste midwives were pressured by powerful families, complicating their refusal.
- Gender Discrimination: Son preference devalued female life, forcing midwives to conform or resist.
- Justice vs. Forgiveness: Should midwives be held accountable for past actions, or should their redemption efforts be acknowledged?
- Tradition vs. Law: Dowry customs conflicted with laws prohibiting sex-selective practices.
3. Parliamentary Committee on Official Language (PCOL)
Source: PIB
Context: Union Home Minister Amit Shah was re-elected as Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Official Language, advocating for Hindi to complement, not compete, with regional languages.
Official Languages:
The Constitution’s Eighth Schedule lists 22 languages, originally 14, with amendments adding languages like Sindhi, Konkani, Manipuri, Nepali, Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, and Santhali.
About PCOL:
- Established: 1976, under the Official Languages Act, 1963.
- Membership: 30 members (20 Lok Sabha, 10 Rajya Sabha).
- Function: Reviews Hindi usage for official purposes and submits recommendations to the President.
4. Air Quality Management Exchange Platform (AQMx)
Source: UNEP
Context: The Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) launched AQMx to support global air quality improvement efforts by providing tools to meet WHO air quality targets.
About CCAC:
- Founded: 2012 under UNEP, with over 160 members. India joined in 2019.
- Focus: Reducing short-lived climate pollutants like methane and black carbon.
WHO Air Quality Guidelines:
Set limits for pollutants like PM2.5, O3, NO2, SO2, and CO to ensure safe air quality levels.