Congestion pricing, a fee-based system for entering a city's central business area, has proven successful in cities like London, Singapore, and Stockholm. It generates revenue for infrastructure improvements, improves air quality, and facilitates faster commutes. However, India faces challenges due to high private vehicle numbers and depends on traffic patterns, rules, and environmental concerns.
The 2024 UNFCCC climate conference emphasized the need for a new global sustainability forum, requiring developing countries to take responsibility for their own destiny and address climate change. The Global South criticized the G7's approach, suggesting BRICS countries establish a forum focusing on urban energy transitions.
Wall Street banks like Goldman Sachs, Wells Fargo, Citigroup, Bank of America, Morgan Stanley, and JPMorgan Chase & Co. have withdrawn from the Net-Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA) due to political pressure. The alliance, established in April 2021, aims to align financial activities with net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. It has 142 members from 44 countries.
The Supreme Court has criticized the delay in appointing Information Commissioners under the RTI Act 2005, highlighting the need for transparency in governance institutions. The Central Information Commission (CIC) has eight vacant positions and 23,000 appeals pending. Challenges include lack of transparency, poor record management, overburdened appeals, poor information quality, and low public awareness.
The polar vortex is a large, low-pressure system of cold air that spins counterclockwise around Earth's poles. When weakened, it allows Arctic cold air to move south, triggering extreme cold weather. It can cause significant weather disruptions, including arctic blasts, snowfall, and ozone depletion.
Mucuna bracteata is an invasive leguminous vine introduced to rubber plantations for nitrogen fixation. While initially beneficial, it overpowers native vegetation and disrupts ecosystem balance. It is being removed from areas in Kanniyakumari to protect the environment, particularly near the Kalakkad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve.
The Banihal Pass in Jammu & Kashmir is a key four-lane bypass on NH-44, alleviating traffic congestion. It connects Jammu and Srinagar, easing movement for both civilians and defense vehicles. The pass is essential for reducing travel time and boosting regional connectivity.
The Himalayan region experiences frequent earthquakes due to the collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates, creating stress along fault lines. These earthquakes are amplified by the region's young geological structure, unstable terrain, and tectonic activity, with significant consequences like landslides and glacial lake outburst floods.