Looking at 2025, Climate: Bleak forecast, adaptation way forward

Source: The Indian Express

Syllabus: GS III Environmnet

Global Warming: A Defining Crisis of 2024

Context

In 2024, humanity faced an alarming milestone: global temperatures exceeded the 1.5°C threshold above pre-industrial levels for the first time. This breach underscores the intensifying reality of climate change and the urgent need for comprehensive global action.

Understanding Global Warming

Definition:
Global warming refers to the sustained rise in Earth’s average temperature due to the buildup of greenhouse gases (GHGs) like carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O) in the atmosphere. These emissions, predominantly caused by human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation, disrupt Earth’s natural energy balance.

Mechanism:

1. Solar Radiation Absorption: Sunlight reaches Earth, warming its surface.
2. Infrared Radiation Emission: The heated surface releases energy as infrared radiation.
3. Greenhouse Gas Trapping: GHGs absorb and trap this radiation, preventing it from escaping into space.
4. Enhanced Greenhouse Effect: Elevated GHG levels amplify this natural process, intensifying heat retention.
5. Feedback Loops: Melting ice reduces Earth’s reflectivity (albedo), causing further heat absorption. Warming oceans release stored CO₂, compounding the problem.

The Reality in 2024: Key Data on Global Warming

• Average Global Temperature: 1.55°C above pre-industrial levels, making it the hottest year on record.
• Days Breaching 1.5°C Threshold: 173 days in 2023, with projections for 2024 exceeding 200 days.
• Sea Level Rise: Rapid melting of polar ice caps and glaciers is accelerating sea-level increases.
• Emissions Gap: The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reported only a 2% reduction in global emissions by 2024, far below the 43% reduction target set for 2030.

Government Responses to Combat Global Warming

Global Initiatives:

• Paris Agreement (2015): Aims to cap global warming well below 2°C by enforcing updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
• Green Climate Fund: Provides financial support for climate-resilient projects in developing nations.
• UNFCCC and Kyoto Protocol: Frameworks fostering international collaboration on emissions reductions.

Indian Schemes:

• National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC): Focuses on renewable energy, water conservation, and enhancing energy efficiency.
• Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles (FAME): Promotes e-mobility to reduce fossil fuel dependence.
• National Green Hydrogen Mission: Advances the development of clean hydrogen energy solutions.
• State Action Plans on Climate Change (SAPCCs): Tailored state-level strategies under NAPCC guidelines.
• Perform, Achieve, and Trade (PAT) Scheme: Encourages energy efficiency in industries and power generation.

Consequences of Global Warming

Human Impact:

• Health Risks: Rising heat stress, respiratory ailments, and vector-borne diseases.
• Food Security: Crop failures due to erratic weather, leading to reduced agricultural yields.
• Migration: Displacement from climate-affected regions like coastal areas and drought-prone zones.
• Economic Losses: Infrastructure damage and loss of livelihoods from extreme weather events.
• Social Inequalities: Vulnerable communities face disproportionate impacts.

Environmental Impact:

• Loss of Biodiversity: Habitat destruction leading to species extinction.
• Polar Melting: Accelerated ice loss causing sea-level rise and ecosystem changes.
• Ocean Acidification: Increased CO₂ absorption harms marine life.
• Extreme Weather Events: More frequent and severe cyclones, heatwaves, and droughts.
• Deforestation and Desertification: Land degradation diminishes Earth’s carbon-absorbing capacity.

The Way Ahead

Accelerate Emissions Reductions:
Shift decisively to renewable energy and phase out fossil fuels globally.

Enhance Climate Adaptation:
Invest in resilient infrastructure, early warning systems, and disaster preparedness to mitigate climate impacts.

Leverage Technological Innovation:
Harness advancements in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and carbon capture for clean energy solutions.

Foster Global Cooperation:
Strengthen commitments under the Paris Agreement and provide financial aid to climate-vulnerable nations.

Promote Local Actions:
Encourage sustainable agriculture, reforestation, and eco-friendly urban planning at the community level.

Conclusion

The breach of the 1.5°C threshold in 2024 serves as a stark warning that the window for meaningful action is rapidly closing. While achieving the 1.5°C target may now be out of reach, scaling up adaptation and mitigation efforts can minimize adverse impacts and pave the way for a sustainable future. Collective resolve and innovative solutions are essential to combat the defining challenge of our time.

What is quantum computing?

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus: GS III Science an Technology

Quantum Computing: A New Frontier in Technology

Context

Quantum computing is reshaping the technological landscape with its transformative potential to tackle problems that surpass the capabilities of classical computers.

Understanding Quantum Computing

What It Is
Quantum computing leverages the principles of quantum mechanics to process information. Unlike classical computers, which use bits as binary states (0 or 1), quantum computers use qubits capable of existing in multiple states simultaneously. This enables quantum systems to perform certain calculations exponentially faster than their classical counterparts.

Origins

• Theoretical Foundation: Richard Feynman, in 1982, introduced the concept of quantum computing, envisioning machines capable of simulating quantum systems.
• Practical Milestone: IBM launched the IBM Q System One, the first commercial quantum computer, in 2019, marking a significant leap from theory to application.

How Quantum Computing Works

1. Qubits
   • Classical bits are limited to binary states (0 or 1), while qubits exploit superposition, existing in 0, 1, or both states simultaneously.
   • This allows quantum computers to explore multiple solutions concurrently.
2. Entanglement
   • Qubits can become entangled, meaning the state of one qubit is directly correlated with another, regardless of distance.
   • This property enables instantaneous coordination, enhancing computational efficiency.
3. Quantum Gates
   • Quantum gates manipulate qubits similarly to logic gates in classical computing but operate under quantum mechanics principles, enabling more complex transformations.
4. Parallel Processing
   • By harnessing superposition and entanglement, quantum computers process vast amounts of data in parallel, significantly reducing computation time for specific tasks.

Challenges and Limitations

Despite its revolutionary potential, quantum computing faces significant hurdles:

1. High Costs
   • Building and maintaining quantum computers require cutting-edge materials and highly controlled environments, making them prohibitively expensive.
2. Error Rates
   • Qubits are highly sensitive to decoherence, where interactions with environmental noise disrupt their quantum states, leading to errors.
3. Scaling Challenges
   • Developing quantum computers with millions of stable and error-corrected qubits is a formidable technical challenge.
4. Limited Applications
   • Currently, quantum advantages are most evident in specialized fields such as cryptography, optimization, and quantum simulations, with broader applicability still in development.

Conclusion

Quantum computing stands at the cusp of revolutionizing technology by solving problems that were previously insurmountable. However, its path is marked by substantial technical and practical challenges. As researchers and engineers push the boundaries of this emerging field, quantum computing promises to unlock transformative solutions across industries, redefining what is computationally possible.

Management lessons from Akbar the Great’s handbook

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus: GS I History

Akbar: The Visionary Mughal Emperor

Context
Akbar, the third Mughal emperor, is revered for his exceptional administrative acumen, cultural patronage, and inclusive governance. His progressive policies and leadership continue to serve as a source of inspiration for modern management and statesmanship.

Key Aspects of Akbar’s Reign

Administrative and Management Innovations

1. Mansabdari System
   • A military-administrative framework assigning ranks (mansabs) to officials and nobles, ensuring accountability, meritocracy, and military efficiency.
2. Land Revenue System
   • Zabt System: Introduced standardized methods for land revenue collection.
   • Land Classification: Categorized agricultural land into Polaj (cultivable), Parauti (fallow), Chachar (pasture), and Banjar (wasteland) based on fertility, optimizing revenue and agricultural productivity.
3. Centralized Administration
   • Organized governance structure:
     • Administrative units: Subhas (provinces), Sarkars (districts), Paraganas (sub-districts), and Villages.
     • Officials like Subahdars (provincial governors) and Muqaddams (village heads) oversaw their regions.
   • Specialized councils:
     • Diwan-i-Arz (military), Diwan-i-Kohi (agriculture), and Diwan-i-Khairat (charity and welfare).

Cultural and Architectural Patronage

1. Architecture
   • Fatehpur Sikri: Commissioned iconic landmarks like the Buland Darwaza, Panch Mahal, and Jama Masjid, blending Persian, Islamic, and Indian architectural styles.
   • Agra Fort: Enhanced its grandeur with additions such as the Jahangir Mahal.
2. Mughal Paintings
   • Championed miniature painting traditions emphasizing naturalism and realism, depicting courtly life, historical narratives, and nature in vivid detail.

Religious Tolerance and Policies

Inclusivity in Governance

• Abolition of Jiziya and Pilgrimage Tax: Ensured fair treatment of non-Muslims.
• Reforms against social practices: Actively discouraged Sati and advocated gender equality.

1. Interfaith Dialogues
   • Ibadat Khana: Established at Fatehpur Sikri as a platform for religious and philosophical discussions, fostering interfaith understanding.
   • Din-i-Ilahi: Propagated a syncretic spiritual doctrine promoting harmony and universal brotherhood.
   • Sulh-i-Kul: Adopted a governance philosophy centered on peace, tolerance, and inclusivity.

Literary Contributions and Scholarship

1. Historians and Records
   • Akbarnama and Ain-i-Akbari by Abu’l-Fazl: Comprehensive chronicles detailing Akbar’s administration, policies, and daily life.
   • Hamzanama: Commissioned illustrations of Persian epic tales.
   • Razmnama: Initiated the Persian translation of the Mahabharata, emphasizing cultural exchange.
2. Literary Patronage
   • Promoted translations of significant Hindu and Persian texts, including the Yogavashishtha and the Mahabharata.
   • Supported luminaries such as poet Faizi and musician Tansen, enriching Mughal cultural heritage.

Conclusion

Akbar’s reign epitomized visionary leadership, marked by administrative brilliance, cultural vibrancy, and an enduring commitment to inclusivity. His policies not only solidified the Mughal Empire but also laid a foundation for multicultural harmony, offering timeless lessons in governance and humanism.

Decode Politics: 100 years after Mahatma Gandhi event, why Cong is going all out for Belagavi session

Source: The Indian Express

Syllabus: GS I Modern Indian History

Commemorating Mahatma Gandhi’s Leadership: The 1924 Belgaum Congress Session

Event Overview
The Indian National Congress is organizing a two-day event in Belagavi (formerly Belgaum), Karnataka, on December 26–27, 2024, to mark the centenary of Mahatma Gandhi’s presidency at the historic 1924 Belgaum Congress session. The event will feature an extended session of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) and a rally to honor Gandhi’s leadership and its enduring legacy.

The 1924 Belgaum Session

Historical Context

• Gandhi’s Imprisonment and Release:
  • Mahatma Gandhi was imprisoned in 1922 on charges of sedition for his articles in Young India criticizing British policies during the Non-Cooperation Movement.
  • Sentenced to six years, he served about two years before being released in February 1924 due to health concerns.
• Challenges in the Freedom Struggle:
  • Gandhi’s release came at a time of increasing factionalism within the Congress and diminishing Hindu-Muslim unity, which he sought to address.
  • In September 1924, Gandhi undertook a 21-day fast to promote communal harmony and resolve internal conflicts.

Key Participants
The session witnessed the participation of prominent leaders such as:

• Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, and Sarojini Naidu.
• Khilafat movement leaders Muhammad Ali Jauhar and Shaukat Ali.

Significance of the 1924 Session

• Unique Presidency:
  • This was the only time Mahatma Gandhi served as the Congress president, presiding from December 1924 to April 1925.
  • His leadership shaped the session’s focus on non-violence, communal harmony, and the path to swaraj (self-rule).
• Gandhi’s Vision for India:
  • Articulated his philosophy of non-violence, emphasizing it as a powerful alternative to revolutionary violence.
  • Called for the removal of untouchability and promotion of Hindu-Muslim unity as prerequisites for achieving swaraj.
  • Advocated self-reliance through khadi and reforms such as relocating the final court of appeals from London to Delhi and adopting Hindustani as the official language.

Gandhi’s Key Messages at the 1924 Conclave

1. Non-Violence and the Non-Cooperation Movement:
   • Gandhi reaffirmed his commitment to non-violence despite calling off the Non-Cooperation Movement in 1922 following the Chauri Chaura incident.
   • Highlighted that while the movement’s boycotts (e.g., of foreign cloth and government institutions) were not entirely successful, they significantly reduced British prestige in India.
2. Hindu-Muslim Unity and Social Reforms:
   • Stressed the necessity of communal harmony for India’s independence.
   • Urged Hindus to eliminate untouchability and restore equality for suppressed classes, asserting that social reforms were integral to the freedom struggle.
3. Swaraj and Judicial Reforms:
   • Proposed moving India’s highest appellate court from London to Delhi to establish judicial sovereignty.
   • Advocated adopting Hindustani as the official language in governance and courts to reflect India’s cultural identity.
4. Khadi and Self-Reliance:
   • Called on Indians to embrace spinning and weaving khadi as symbols of self-reliance and grassroots empowerment, essential to achieving true swaraj.

Impact of the 1924 Session

1. Peasant Participation:
   • The session played a pivotal role in promoting peasant consciousness, leading to greater involvement of farmers in Congress-led initiatives.
2. Spread of Khadi:
   • Encouraged the adoption of khadi, fueling the growth of village industries in Karnataka and across India.
3. Strengthened Freedom Movement:
   • The session reinforced the Congress’s commitment to non-violent resistance, self-reliance, and communal harmony, inspiring nationwide efforts in the struggle for independence.

Conclusion

The 1924 Belgaum session marked a defining moment in India’s freedom movement under Mahatma Gandhi’s visionary leadership. As the Congress commemorates its centenary, the values of non-violence, unity, and self-reliance espoused by Gandhi remain as relevant today as they were a century ago, continuing to guide India toward a harmonious and inclusive future.