Ocean Anoxic Event 1a (OAE 1a), occurring 119.5 million years ago during the Cretaceous period, saw Earth's oceans depleted of oxygen due to massive volcanic COâ‚‚ emissions. This triggered global warming, marine extinctions, and black shale formation. Recent studies highlight parallels with modern climate change and its impact on marine ecosystems.
India’s 7,500 km coastline faces threats from sea level rise (SLR) caused by global warming, ice melting, and thermal expansion. SLR endangers urban areas, livelihoods, and biodiversity. Mitigation includes restoring mangroves, resilient infrastructure, and global cooperation. Urgent action is essential to protect India’s coasts, ecosystems, and communities for sustainable development
The Solid Waste Management Rules, 2024, mandate the segregation of waste into biodegradable and non-biodegradable categories, enforce penalties for non-compliance, and promote circular economy practices. It requires residential complexes and institutions to sort and process waste on-site. Additionally, it includes measures for managing agricultural waste and preventing open burning.
Nearly 20% of species in 21 of 51 UNESCO World Heritage marine sites have reached or exceeded their thermal limits due to rising ocean temperatures. Affected species include fish, mammals, and sharks. Ocean warming disrupts reproduction, food chains, and oxygen cycles, posing significant risks to marine ecosystems and biodiversity.
The common murre (Uria aalge) is a seabird found in the cold waters of the North Atlantic and North Pacific Oceans. With black-and-white plumage and strong underwater flight capabilities, it primarily feeds on small fish. A marine heatwave linked to climate change devastated its population, causing a significant loss in numbers.
China has approved the construction of the world's largest hydropower dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) River in Tibet, aiming to produce 300 billion kWh of electricity annually. The $137 billion project raises concerns over downstream impacts, including reduced silt for agriculture, water flow control, ecological threats, and seismological risks.
The Indian government and the Asian Development Bank have signed a $350 million loan to fund the Strengthening Multimodal and Integrated Logistics Ecosystem (SMILE) program to improve the logistics sector by making it more efficient, resilient, and sustainable. The program aims to reduce logistics costs, increase operational efficiency, and generate job opportunities, while prioritizing gender inclusion.
French economist Thomas Piketty proposed a wealth tax in India in 1957 to fund health and education. It was abolished in 2015 due to low revenue, compliance costs, double taxation concerns, and potential investment discouragement. Critics argue reintroducing the tax would require careful consideration.
India's fish production has increased by 83% since 2013-14, providing livelihood opportunities for three crore fishers and farmers. To improve last-mile fisheries and aquaculture extension services, the government should integrate services into existing networks, expand digital platforms, promote public-private partnerships, and develop climate resilience strategies, addressing challenges like the digital divide and climate change.
The Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill, 2024, was passed in Australia to prevent children under 16 from creating accounts on social media platforms. Age-Restricted Social Media Platforms (ARSMPs) must comply, with failure to do so potentially leading to a $49.5 million civil penalty.