Current Affairs for Competitive Examinations: November 11, 2022
The evaluation of the candidate’s understanding of current affairs is one of the most important factors of RRB, SSC, UPSC, and other similar government exams. This part assesses the candidates’ knowledge of current events and is considered the scoring section of the exam. Follow Embibe daily current affairs series to keep yourself updated with the latest news and enhance your preparation.
Current Affairs: Environment and Ecology
Carbon Billionaires
An Oxfam report titled, “Carbon Billionaires:The investment emissions of the world’s richest people”, has said the world’s richest people emit “unsustainable amounts of carbon” as compared with an ordinary person.
This report is based on the fact that every human on Earth has a carbon footprint, which can be divided into “personal consumption emissions, emissions through government spending and emissions linked to investments”.
Key Highlights of the Report:
This report is based on the fact that every human on Earth has a carbon footprint, which can be divided into –
Personal consumption emissions
Emissions through government spending
Emissions linked to investments
It demonstrated that on average, billionaires are responsible for emitting “3 million tonnes” of carbon a year.
Why is this report important?
It critically examines the relationship between economic inequality and the climate crisis.
The report comes at a time when discussions to meet the globally agreed target of limiting the world’s temperature to below 1.5℃ is underway at COP 27 in Egypt.
It has significant implications for climate policymaking.
What is Oxfam?
Oxfam is an international non-governmental organisation.
It was founded in 1995.
The name “Oxfam” comes from the Oxford Committee for Famine Relief, founded in Britain in 1942.
The Oxfam International Secretariat is based in Nairobi, Kenya.
It works with others to challenge inequality, overcome poverty and work with people to thrive, not just survive.
There are 21 member organisations of the Oxfam International confederation.
Question:
A report titled, “Carbon Billionaires: The investment emissions of the world’s richest people” was recently published by which of the following organisations?
A. Green Peace
B. Oxfam
C. WWF
D. UNFCCC
Answer: B
Current Affairs: Economy
Kerala Becomes the First State to Introduce Uniform Gold Price Based on Bank Rate
Kerala becomes the first state in India to launch uniform gold prices based on the bank rate.
The decision to introduce a uniform price on 916 purity 22-carat gold has been taken at a meeting between officials of Malabar Gold and Diamonds, one of the largest gold and diamond retail chains in the country and key members of All Kerala Gold and Silver Merchants Association which sets the board rate for gold.
What Does It Mean?
There should be a system to determine the price of gold based on the bank rate on a specific day in the country.
For example, on 4 November 2022, the bank spot rate of 916 (22 carats) of gold was ₹1,640 per ounce, the bank premium was ₹3.50, the import duty was ₹6,67,467 per kg, and the bank cost per gram of gold was ₹5,008. Adding all these, the bank rate of 4 November 2022 amounts to ₹4610 per gram of 916 gold.
One India One Gold Rate:
The gold rate should be uniform across the country based on the bank rate.
However, in most states, gold is priced at ₹150-300 per gram extra over the bank rate.
In Kerala, gold used to be sold at different prices on a particular day.
Uniform gold price based on bank rate offers an opportunity to the consumers to purchase gold at a reasonable and transparent price.
Question:
Recently which state became the first state to introduce uniform gold prices based on the bank rate?
A. Karnataka
B. Tamil Nadu
C. Kerala
D. Maharashtra
Answer: C
Current Affairs: International
UN Resident Coordinator
An Indian military officer who fought for the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) in Sri Lanka and battled insurgencies in Nagaland now finds himself helming a different kind of mission: leading the United Nations and its 26 agencies in China.
Siddharth Chatterjee’s rise to becoming the U.N. Resident Coordinator for China—one of the agency’s key global positions given Beijing’s rising importance in the U.N. system—leaves a former Indian soldier in an unlikely position—the equivalent of a former PLA soldier guiding the U.N.’s agencies in India.
What Is His Job Now?
In his job, Mr Chatterjee engages every day with senior Chinese Communist Party officials and assists China in achieving its development targets.
Mr. Chatterjee said his role is to help China achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In his two years in the country, he has marvelled at its socio-economic progress.
What Is the UN Resident Coordinator?
The UN Resident Coordinator (RC) is the highest-ranking representative of the UN Development System at the country level. RCs lead UN Country Teams and coordinate UN support to countries in implementing the 2030 Agenda.
The Resident Coordinator is the designated representative of – and reports to – the UN Secretary-General.
What Do Resident Coordinators Do?
Representing the United Nations
Coordinating operational activities
Promoting and advocating for the fundamental values, standards and principles of the UN Charter
Leading the UN country team (UNCT) in consultations with the host Government
Facilitating the integration of the UNCT’s work with UN peacekeeping or political missions
Managing and providing strategic guidance
Question:
Who has recently become the UN Resident Coordinator for China?
A. Siddharth Chatterjee
B. Justine Coulson
C. Shombi Sharp
D. Ruchira Kamboj
Answer: A
Current Affairs: Days and Events
World Science Day for Peace and Development 2022
World Science Day for Peace and Development was proclaimed by the UN Educational, Scientific and UNESCO in 2001 under the UNESCO 31 C/Resolution 20.
It is celebrated every year on November 10, around the globe, marking the significance of science in society.
It also highlights the need for people around the world to engage in gaining knowledge about science and its relevance in their daily lives.
Theme:
This year’s theme for World Science Day for Peace and Development is – “Basic Sciences for Sustainable Development”.
History:
In 1999, UNESCO and the International Council for Science organised the first-ever World Scientific Conference in Budapest.
At the event, several delegations agreed that there is a need to educate society about science.
Here, by unanimous decision, a special day or week was to be dedicated to science.
A year later, the UNESCO Executive Body adopted World Science Day for Peace and Development.
It was to be commemorated on 10 November worldwide.
In 2001, World Science Day for Peace and Development generated many projects, programmes and funding for science around the world.
It has also aimed to develop cooperation between scientists living in regions affected by conflict, such as the UNESCO-supported creation of the Israeli-Palestinian Science Organization (IPSO).
Significance:
World Science Day for Peace and Development is celebrated to raise awareness and make scientific literacy accessible to all.
It is a day when scientists, researchers, and teachers alike can come together and help people understand the benefit of science and how it plays a key role in improving their lives.
The day is also commemorated to raise awareness about how we can make our planet more sustainable.
It is a means of maintaining sustainable development and promoting world peace. A day where people from all walks of life can come together and be educated about the latest discoveries in the field.
Question:
On which day is World Science Day celebrated around the world?
A. 18 January
B. 27 April
C. 19 September
D. 10 November
Answer: D
Current Affairs: Environment and Ecology
Mangrove Alliance for Climate
Dubbing mangrove forests the “most productive ecosystems” of the world, India recently joined the Mangrove Alliance for Climate (MAC) at the 27th Summit of the Conference of Parties (COP27) at Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt. UAE, Indonesia, Australia, Japan, Spain and Sri Lanka are the other MAC supporters.
What Are Mangrove Forests?
A mangrove is a shrub or a small tree that grows along the coastlines and has roots in salty sediments, often underwater.
They also grow in swamps. Mangrove forests can survive extreme weather conditions and require low oxygen levels to survive.
The mangroves cannot survivezing temperatures and thus are found mainly in tropical and subtropical latitudes. Sundarbans in West Bengal in India is the largest mangrove forest in the world.
UNESCO celebrates 26 July as the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem to raise awareness about mangrove ecosystems and to promote their conservation.
What Is the Mangrove Alliance for Climate (MAC)?
Spearheaded by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in partnership with Indonesia, MAC was launched at the COP27 summit in Egypt to scale up and accelerate the conservation and restoration of the mangrove forests.
The alliance will raise awareness about the role of mangroves as a “nature-based solution to climate change”.
The alliance will be amplified at the G20 Summit that will be held between November 15 and 16 in Bali under the presidency of Indonesia.
“The MAC seeks to scale up, accelerate conservation, restoration and growing plantation efforts of mangrove ecosystems for the benefit of communities globally, and recognise the importance of these ecosystems for climate change mitigation and adaptation.
How Are the Mangroves Beneficial?
According to MAC, Mangrove forests can store ten times more carbon per hectare than terrestrial forests. Also, they can store carbon up to 400 per cent faster than land-based tropical rainforests.
According to Global Mangrove Alliance (GMA), when the mangroves are cut, the carbon stored in these plants gets released into the air. So, preserving them to keep the carbon emissions levels low is necessary.
Once the plants die, they take the stored carbon into the soil. This is called “Blue Carbon”.
Moreover, Mangrove forests act as natural barriers against rising tides and storms. Each year, they prevent property damages of over $65 billion.
“They also provide breeding grounds for marine biodiversity, and 80% of global fish populations depend on healthy mangrove ecosystems”, says MAC.
What Is the Relationship between India and Mangroves?
India contributes to nearly half of the total mangrove cover in South Asia. According to the Forest Survey report 2021 released in January, mangroves cover in the country is 4,992 square km, which is 0.15 per cent of the country’s total geographical area. Since 2019, the cover has risen by only 17 sq km.
West Bengal has the highest percentage of mangrove cover in India, mainly because it has Sundarbans, the largest mangrove forest in the world. It is followed by Gujarat and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Other states that have mangrove cover are Maharashtra, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Goa and Kerala.
Question:
India recently joined the Mangrove Alliance for Climate (MAC) at which of the following summits of the Conference of Parties?
A. COP20
B. COP23
C. COP25
D. COP27
Answer: D
Current Affairs: Awards and Honours
Dr Subhash Babu, First Indian Scientist to Be Awarded Bailey K. Ashford Medal
For his outstanding research and contributions to tropical medicine, prominent Indian physician and scientist Dr Subhash Babu was awarded the prestigious Bailey K. Ashford Medal for 2022 and the Fellow of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (FASTMH) award for 2022.
In its 82-year history, the award has never been given to an Indian scientist or an Indian institution for work.
About the Award:
The medal is presented annually to one or more mid-career researchers for distinguished work in tropical medicine by the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH), the largest scientific organisation in tropical medicine in the world.
What Is the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene?
The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH), the largest scientific organisation in tropical medicine in the world, presents the medal annually to one or more mid-career researchers for distinguished work in tropical medicine.
About Dr Subhash Babu:
He is the Scientific Director of the ICER (International Centre for Excellence in Research)-India Programme.
He is a pioneer in research on helminth infections and tuberculosis.
Question:
Recently, who was the first Indian scientist to be awarded the Bailey K. Ashford Medal?
A. Prafulla Chandra Ray
B. Subhash Babu
C. Meghnad Saha
D. Kiruthakshana. V.B
Answer: B
Current Affairs: Environment and Ecology
International Drought Resilience Alliance
Spain and Senegal led 30 countries and 20 organisations recently launched the International Drought Resilience Alliance (IDRA) at the 27th Conference of Parties (COP27) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) at Sharm El-Sheikh.
About the Alliance:
The alliance will help each other to be better prepared for future droughts.
The group also pledged to drive change in how the world tackles the growing drought risks: Moving from emergency response to building long-term resilience.
Draught:
Drought represents the most serious hazard to livestock and crops in nearly every part of the world.
It ranks among the greatest threats to sustainable development, especially in developing countries, but increasingly so in developed nations too.
Facts:
Drought-prone districts in India comprise nearly 1/6th of this country in terms of area. These areas receive an annual rainfall of around 60 cm or less.
The 2022 droughts in Europe, the United States, Australia, Chile, the Horn and southern Africa showed that no country or region is immune to their impacts.
Question:
Which two countries recently led 30 countries and 20 organisations and launched the International Drought Resilience Alliance (IDRA)?
A. Egypt and Australia
B. Spain and Senegal
C. Australia and Chile
D. Spain and Chile
Answer: B
Current Affairs: Environment and Ecology
Nicobar Project
The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has granted an in-principle (Stage 1) clearance for the diversion of 130.75 sq km of forest in Great Nicobar Island for the mega ₹72,000-crore project that includes a transhipment port, an airport, a power plant and a greenfield township.
The project implementation agency is the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation (ANIIDCO).
What Are the Concerns:
8.5 lakh trees will have to be cut in Great Nicobar for this project.
The area is nearly 15% of the thickly forested Great Nicobar Island, spread over 900 sq km.
Endemic species such as the Nicobar shrew, the Nicobar long-tailed macaque, the Great Nicobar crested serpent eagle, the Nicobar paradise flycatcher and the Nicobar megapode may be impacted.
Compensatory Afforestation:
A key condition for the clearance is the submission of a detailed scheme for compensatory afforestation, which is to be done on “non-notified forest land” in Haryana.
It also states that an amount of ₹3,672 crores needs to be earmarked for the environment management plan (EMP) for the construction and operation phase of the project.
About Great Nicobar Island:
Great Nicobar is the southernmost island of the Nicobar Islands Archipelago. It has the Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve.
The Mongoloid Shompen Tribe, about 200 in number, lives in the forests of the biosphere reserve, particularly along the rivers and streams.
Question:
Recently Nicobar project got assent for the diversion of 130 sq km of forest to get compensatory afforestation in which of the following states/UT?
A. Punjab
B. Kerala
C. Madhya Pradesh
D. Haryana
Answer: D
Current Affairs: Environment and Ecology
Greenwashing
There will be zero tolerance for net zero greenwashing, or falsification of carbon emissions reports, by companies, financial institutions, cities, regions, and other non-state actors, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned all the corporates recently.
What Is Greenwashing?
Greenwashing presents a false picture of the progress being made on the climate change front, thereby pushing the world towards disaster while at the same time rewarding entities for irresponsible behaviour.
What Are the Problems With Greenwashing?
There is a growing tendency among firms and governments to mark all kinds of activities as climate-friendly, as something that would lead to emissions reduction or avoidance of emissions.
Many of these claims are unverifiable, misleading, or dubious.
Developed countries, for example, are often accused of greenwashing their normal business investments in developing countries, or their bilateral aid, by highlighting climate co-benefits of the financial flows, sometimes with very little justification.
How Can It Be Resolved?
Last year, an expert group formed by the UN Secretary-General to suggest remedial actions on this front submitted its report.
It recommended that corporations pursuing net zero targets must not be allowed to make fresh investments in fossil fuels, must be asked to present short-term emission reduction goals on the path to achieving net zero, and must bring an end to all activities that lead to deforestation.
In addition, corporations have been advised not to use offset mechanisms at the start of their journey to net-zero status.
The expert group has also recommended the creation of regulatory structures and standards as soon as possible.
Current Affairs: Awards and Recognitions
Writers Madhu Kankariya, Madhav Hada Awarded the Bihari Puraskar
Noted writers Madhu Kankariya and Dr Madhav Hada were recently awarded the 31st and 32nd Bihari Puraskar, respectively.
What Is Bihari Puraskar?
The Bihari Puraskar is one of the three literary awards instituted by the KK Birla Foundation in 1991. Named after the famous poet Bihari, the award for Rajasthani authors carries a cash prize of ₹2.5 lakh, a plaque and a citation.
The Bihari Puraskar is given every year for an outstanding work published in the last 10 years by a Rajasthani author in Hindi or Rajasthani. The recipient is chosen by a selection committee headed by chairman Hemant Shesh.
In 1991, the awards were started, and in the last 32 years, many prominent people have been awarded. The awards are recognised in and outside the state.
About the Authors:
Kankariya was awarded the Puraskar for her 2018 novel ‘Hum Yahan The’ while Hada was awarded for his 2015 literary criticism book ‘Pachrang Chola Pahar Sakhi Ri’.
Question:
The authors of which of the following states recently received the 31st and 32nd Bihari Puraskar awards?
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