World Air Quality Report 2019
Context :
World Air Quality Report 2019 was released by the pollution tracker IQAir and Greenpeace. The ranking is based on a comparison of PM 2.5 levels. Bangladesh emerged as the most polluted country for PM 2.5. Pakistan, Mongolia, Afghanistan and India followed behind respectively.
Background :
PM 2.5 includes pollutants such as sulfate, nitrates and black carbon. Exposure to such particles has been linked to lung and heart disorders and can impair cognitive and immune functions.
Performance of India :
- Twenty-one of the world’s 30 cities with the worst air pollution are in India.
- Six cities from India are in the top ten.
- Ghaziabad, an area close to New Delhiin northern Uttar Pradesh state, is ranked as the world’s most polluted city, with an average PM 2.5 concentration measurement of 110.2 in 2019.
- National air pollution in India decreased by 20% from 2018 to 2019, with 98% of cities experiencing of varying levels of improvement.
- The report points to economic slowdown, favorable weather conditions, and efforts towards cleaning the air as reasons behind the decrease.
- The report also points India’s launch of the country’s first National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) which aims to reduce PM 2.5 and the bigger particulate PM 10 air pollution in 102 cities by 20-30% by 2024 compared to 2017 levels.
Climate crisis and urbanization :
There are clear indications that climate change can directly increase the risk of exposure to air pollution.
- It impacts air quality in many cities through desertification and increased frequency of forest fires and sandstorms.
- Greenhouse gas emissions, with the burning of fossil fuel a key driver of the climate crisis, is also a major cause of dirty air.
- Many countries are still dependent on coal for their energy production, the biggest contributor to PM 2.5 emissions.
- Exacerbating the problem is rapid urbanization in industrializing Southeast Asian cities, which is also a major cause of air pollution and poses severe challenges to managing PM 2.5 levels.
Effects of air pollution :
- According to the World Health Organization, air pollution causes an estimated 7 million premature deaths a year globally, mainly as a result of increased mortality from cardiovascular diseases, cancers and respiratory infections.
- It is estimated that more than 80% living in urban areas which monitor air pollution are exposed to air quality levels that exceed WHO guideline limits, with low- and middle-income countries most at risk.
Annual census reported reduced number of dolphins at Gahirmatha marine sanctuary
Context :
The January 2020 census reported that the number of dolphins at Odisha’s Gahirmatha marine sanctuary has nearly reduced to half over a year. This has pushed down the state’s overall count. The census was released on 24 February 2020.
Census Highlights :
- The January 2020 census spotted only 62 of the marine mammals at Gahirmatha, which is located within Bhitarkanika National Park in Odisha’s Kendrapara district.
- Odisha’s state’s total dolphin count reduced to 233, down from 259 in 2019.
- Dolphin, the sea mammal, was included in Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972. It is included in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species and in Appendix II of the Convention on Migratory Species.
- It has been listed as endangered on the International Union in the Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List.
Note:
The census was first conducted in Gahirmatha in 2015. The census in 2016 and 2017 was cancelled due to bad weather. The census in 2020 was the fourth such dolphin census undertaken in the marine sanctuary. The 2015 census reported 270 dolphins.
National Conference on Coastal Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience
Context :
Recently, the first ‘National Conference on Coastal Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience (CDRR&R) – 2020’ was held in New Delhi.
The one-day conference was organised by the National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM).
Key Takeaways :
- Enhancement of human capacity in terms of a better understanding of coastal disaster risks and effective collaborative actions.
- Dissemination of information related to national and local strategies for coastal disaster risk reduction and resilience as well as to develop a network mode roadmap for addressing the gaps by engaging with the institutions, researchers and experts.
- Implementation of the Prime Minister’s 10-point agenda and Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.
source : pib
H1N1 infection
Context :
Five judges of the Supreme Court of India have been affected by Swine Flu which is caused by the H1N1 virus.
What is Swine flu (H1N1) :
Also called as pig influenza, swine flu, hog flu and pig flu. It is an infection caused by any one of several types of swine influenza viruses. Swine influenza virus is any strain of the influenza family of viruses that is endemic in pigs. Influenza A (H1N1) virus is the subtype of influenza A virus that is the most common cause of human influenza. It is an orthomyxovirus that contains the glycoproteins haemagglutinin and neuraminidase.
- Haemagglutinin causes red blood cells to clump together and binds the virus to the infected cell.
- Neuraminidase is a type of glycoside hydrolase enzyme which helps to move the virus particles through the infected cell and assist in budding from the host cells.
Spread and Effects :
- H1N1 influenza (or swine flu) is a highly contagious acute respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza virus that regularly causes outbreaks of influenza in pigs.
- Swine flu viruses do not normally infect humans. However, sporadic human infections with swine flu have occurred.
- Most commonly, these cases occur in people with direct exposure to pigs (e.g., children near pigs at a fair or workers in the swine industry).
- However, there have been cases of human-to-human spread of swine flu.
Treatment consists of antivirals :
Typical treatment includes rest, pain relievers and fluids. In some cases antiviral medication and IV fluids may be required.
Sources: the Hindu
INCOIS launched 3 technological support and alert systems
Context :
Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) launched three new technological support and alert systems on 25 February. The technology aims to significantly reduce damage and losses to fishermen, offshore oil exploration industries and coastal population during extreme weather and oceanic events.
Highlights :
1) Swell Surge Forecast System :
One of the products was the ‘Swell Surge Forecast System’. It will provide forewarnings for the coastal population of India’s vast shoreline that experiences a slew of damages caused by the swell waves. These waves originate from the distant southern Indian Ocean. This Swell Surge system can predict ‘Kallakkadal’ (meaning swell surge) that occurs along the Indian coast. Now, these Swell Surge can be detected 2-3 days ahead.
Swell surge is the flash-flood events that take place without any apparent signature in the coastal environment or any noticeable advance change in local winds.
2) Small Vessel Advisory and Forecast Services System (SVAS) :
The second product which was launched is the Small Vessel Advisory and Forecast Services System (SVAS). It is an innovative impact-based advisory and forecast service system for small vessels operating in Indian coastal waters. The warning system is developed on the basis of the ‘Boat Safety Index’ (BSI). It was derived from wave models forecast outputs including wave height, steepness of the wave, directional spread and the rapid development of wind at sea.
The SVAS can detect the potential zones where vessel overturning can take place. It provides warning 10 days in advance. It is valid for small vessels of beam width up to 7 m. This system can cover an entire range of beam widths of the fishing vessels used in all the nine coastal states and union territories (UT) of India.
3) Algal Bloom Information Service (ABIS) :
The third product released by INCOI is the Algal Bloom Information Service (ABIS). The system will provide timely information on harmful algal blooms. The developed system will provide service for “Detection and Monitoring of Bloom in the Indian Seas”. It can be used by fishermen, marine fishery, researchers, ecologists, resource managers, and environmentalists.
Algal bloom:
An algal bloom is detrimental to coastal fisheries. It can cause respiratory problems within the coastal population from time to time. It also causes ill effects on the fishery, marine life, and water quality. Four regions that have been identified as bloom hotspots are the North Eastern Arabian Sea, coastal waters of Kerala, Gulf of Mannar and coastal waters of Gopalpur.
INCOIS:
Established on: 1999
Located in: Pragathi Nagar, Hyderabad
The INCOIS is an autonomous organization that functions under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES). The organizations aim to provide a number of free services to users in the marine realm.