General Awareness

ENVIRONMENT - December 2018

Dec 2018

Oct 12, 2020

Eight Indian Beaches Get 'Blue Flag' Certification

India received the prestigious 'Blue Flag' certification for all its eight beaches that it recommended.
As per Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar, the certification is a global recognition of India's conservation and sustainable development efforts.
The Blue Flag certification is a globally recognised eco-label accorded by "Foundation for Environment Education, Denmark" based on 33 stringent criteria under four major heads -- environmental education and information, bathing water quality, environment management and conservation, and safety and services at the beaches.
Blue Flag certification was awarded to eight beaches spread across five states and two union territories by an international jury comprising of eminent members of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), Denmark-based NGO Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
The beaches which have been awarded the certification are Shivrajpur in Gujarat, Ghoghla in Diu, Kasarkod and Padubidri in Karnataka, Kappad in Kerala, Rushikonda in Andhra Pradesh, Golden in Odisha and Radhanagar in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Oct 11, 2020

Successful Trial Runs of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Prototype Car

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and KPIT Technologies successfully ran trials of India's first Hydrogen Fuel Cell (HFC) prototype car running on an indigenously developed fuel cell stack.
The HFC technology uses chemical reactions between hydrogen and oxygen (from air) to generate electrical energy, eliminating the use of fossil fuels.
Further, the fuel cell technology emits only water, thus cutting down the emission of harmful greenhouse gases along with other air pollutants.
The fuel cell is a low-temperature PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane) type that operates at 65-75 degrees Celsius, which is suitable for vehicular applications.

Oct 08, 2020

European Union Parliament Votes for 60% Emission Cut by 2030

The European Union Parliament voted updating its climate target to reduce emissions by 60% by 2030 as compared to 1990 levels. Earlier EU had set a goal of reducing 40% emission by 2030.
The World Wildlife Fund and other Non-Governmental Organisations were insisting on at least 65% emission reduction by 2030. The voting was held under the presidency of Germany. Certain countries such as Poland were reluctant towards the set target. Still criticisms prevail over the fact that the target should be 55%. This is because, according to certain countries, a target of 60% might induce employment problems.
European Union Emissions Trading Scheme
It was the first large greenhouse gas emission trading scheme. Till date it remains the biggest. The scheme was launched in 2005. It is considered as a major pillar of EU Energy Policy. Between 2008 and 2016, the scheme helped EU reduce its emissions by 3.8%.

Oct 07, 2020

Amazon at the Risk of Changing from Forest to Savanna

A team of Europe based scientists have recently found that the tropical forests especially the Amazon forest are slowly changing into Savannah like environment.
According to the study around 40% of Amazon forest are at the risk of changing into Savannah like environment. This is mainly because of increased Greenhouse gas emissions and reduced rainfall.
The shrinking forest tend to lose their ability to absorb man-made emissions and thereby adding up to global warming.
Many of the rainforest in the world are also growing into Savana like grasslands. The study has found that apart from Amazon forest, the forests in Congo Basin are also at the risk of changing into Savannah. The rainforests are highly sensitive to global climate change and also lose their ability to adapt very quickly. Once lost, it will take decades for the rain forests to return to their original state according to the report.
Savannah
These forests are characterized by wet summers and dry winters. They have high annual range of temperature. They hold sparsely populated trees with tall grasses. Forest fires are frequent in Savanna.
Savannah type of climate is most common in Sudan and hence it is also called Sudan climate.
Amazon forests
The Amazon is the biggest rainforest in the world. The forest is estimated to hold 15,000 tree species and 390 billion individual trees. Two thirds of the Amazon rainforest is found in Brazil.

Oct 06, 2020

Delhi CM Launches Anti-Pollution Campaign

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal launched a Mega Anti-Pollution Campaign, called "Yudh Prasudushan ke Virudh". The campaign was launched to reduce pollution levels in Delhi. During the campaign, the Delhi Government will focus on technology developed by Pusa Agriculture Institute to control stubble burning.
Under the campaign, thirteen pollution hotspots were identified. A separate plan has been prepared for each hotspot based on their respective cause of pollution. A new policy and a new anti-dust campaign has been introduced. According to the new policy, an agency that cuts down trees in Delhi has to plant 80% of them in a new spot.

Share on

TCY Analytics (View Subscription Plans)

Subscribe to GK Updates

I want to receive

GK Tags

July GK, June GK, May GK, INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS, ENVIRONMENT, BUSINESS AND ECONOMY, SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, SPORTS, NATIONAL AFFAIRS, DEFENCE, PERSONS IN NEWS, DAYS AND EVENTS, AWARDS AND HONOURS, GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND SCHEMES, GENDER/ HEALTH/ EDUCATION, ART AND CULTURE, BOOKS AND AUTHORS, TOURISM AND HOTEL INDUSTRY AWARENESS, ART AND CULTURE, LAW AND CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

Start Discussion

On any topic

Take Tests

Compiled from GK updates

Login

Sign Up

Forgot Password

Download TCY App

Unlock All Services And Enjoy The Premium Benefits

US$ 10

US$ 13

US$ 15

US$ 17

US$ 19

US$ 20

US$ 21

US$ 22

US$ 23

US$ 24

US$ 25

US$ 26