How does La Niña affect India’s climate?
Source: The Hindu
Syllabus: GS I Indian and World Geography – Interlinking of Physical and Human Dimensions
Understanding La Niña and Its Impact on India’s Climate – Enhanced Perspective
La Niña: An Overview
La Niña refers to a climatic phenomenon where sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean are cooler than average. It is one part of the broader El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) system, which also includes El Niño. Both phases influence global atmospheric circulation, causing shifts in weather patterns across different regions.
- La Niña Phase:
- Cooler-than-average sea surface temperatures in the Pacific.
- Associated with wetter-than-normal conditions in some regions (e.g., India during the monsoon season) and drier conditions in others (e.g., parts of Africa).
- Influences patterns of hurricanes in the Atlantic Ocean.
- El Niño Phase:
- Warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures in the Pacific.
- Linked to drier conditions in India and increased rainfall in the southern U.S., among other impacts.
Triple-Dip La Niña: A Rare Phenomenon
A “Triple Dip” La Niña refers to three consecutive La Niña events, which is a rare occurrence. This has happened between 2020 and 2023, disrupting normal climatic patterns and leading to prolonged droughts in several regions, including parts of India.
- Impacts: Increased weather variability, including more intense monsoons and unpredictable weather extremes.
- Long-term Consequences: Rising global temperatures and disrupted ocean-atmosphere balances may increase the frequency and intensity of La Niña and El Niño events.
La Niña and India’s Climate: A Dual Effect
La Niña events have both beneficial and adverse impacts on India’s climate, particularly influencing monsoon patterns, winter conditions, and air quality.
Monsoon Impact:
- Enhanced Rainfall During Monsoon: La Niña often results in normal or above-normal monsoon rainfall, which is crucial for agriculture and water security in India. Historically, La Niña years (like 2020, 2021, and 2022) have contributed to more favorable monsoon outcomes, reducing the risk of drought.
- Increased Precipitation Uncertainty: While La Niña tends to promote wetter conditions, extreme weather patterns can still disrupt normal agricultural cycles, leading to localized flooding or drought in certain regions.
Winter Impact:
- Colder Nights and Higher Daytime Temperatures: During La Niña winters, nights tend to be colder, while daytime temperatures are slightly elevated. This can result in reduced heating demand but also increased biomass burning due to colder nights, contributing to air pollution.
- Air Quality: La Niña can enhance air quality due to higher wind speeds dispersing pollutants, though increased biomass burning could counterbalance this improvement, depending on local practices.
Impact on Summer and Heat Waves:
- Relief from Extreme Heat: La Niña is typically associated with cooler-than-average conditions during summer months, which could reduce the intensity of heat waves, providing relief from the severe heat observed during El Niño phases.
- Reduced Monsoon Impact from El Niño: Historically, El Niño disrupts monsoon patterns, often leading to below-normal rainfall, affecting agricultural production and water availability.
Current Scenario: La Niña in 2024 and Beyond
In 2024, La Niña was expected to emerge, but as of now, it has not fully developed. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts that La Niña could set in by late 2024 or early 2025, leading to a milder winter season due to the delayed onset.
Implications for 2025:
- Monsoon Season (2025): If La Niña develops and persists, it may enhance monsoon rainfall, benefiting agriculture and water resources. However, variability in rainfall patterns might still pose challenges.
- Winter and Summer Seasons: A milder winter is expected due to the delayed onset of La Niña, reducing the severity of cold waves but possibly increasing biomass burning due to colder nights.
- Air Quality: Potential for better air quality due to higher wind speeds dispersing pollutants, but localized burning activities could still contribute to deteriorated air quality in certain regions.
Triple Dip La Niña and Future Climate Trends
- Enhanced Frequency: Climate change is likely to increase the frequency and intensity of both La Niña and El Niño events due to disruptions in the Pacific’s temperature patterns.
- Impact on Global Weather Patterns: As observed, La Niña is linked to wetter conditions in some regions, while drought-prone areas may experience prolonged dry spells, influencing agricultural productivity, water resources, and disaster resilience.
Conclusion:
La Niña events play a crucial role in shaping India’s climate, especially impacting monsoon rainfall, winter temperatures, and air quality. Although the 2024 La Niña event has been delayed, if it were to develop, it could provide some relief from extreme weather conditions, particularly in terms of rainfall and heat waves. However, balancing air quality, agriculture, and water resources amid shifting ENSO phases remains a critical challenge for India. Sustainable management and preparedness will be essential as ENSO-driven climatic variations continue to intensify due to global warming.
Green Hydrogen and the Financing Challenge
Source: The Hindu
Syllabus: GS III Energy Security and Challenges
As India strides toward its net-zero emissions target by 2070, green hydrogen emerges as a critical pillar in the nation’s quest to decarbonize industrial sectors and ensure energy security. With the ambitious goal of producing 5 million metric tonnes (MMT) of green hydrogen annually by 2030, India aims to position itself as a leader in this rapidly evolving sector. However, significant financing challenges pose a threat to achieving these targets. According to BloombergNEF, India is on course to meet only 10% of its stated green hydrogen goal, highlighting the severe gap between production costs of green hydrogen ($5.30 – $6.70 per kg) and conventional grey/blue hydrogen ($1.9 – $2.4 per kg). This cost differential creates a classic market deadlock, where the high initial costs of production cannot be justified without increased investment, but scaling production is necessary to bring down costs.
The Barriers
The financial viability of green hydrogen hinges primarily on two critical factors: the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) and the costs associated with electrolyzers. In India, where perceived high risks lead to elevated borrowing costs, the weighted average cost of capital (WACC) is a significant impediment. A rise in WACC from 10% to 20% could result in a 73% surge in the levelized cost of hydrogen, even when other variables remain constant. Furthermore, electrolyzer costs, which range from $500-$1,400 per kW for alkaline systems and $1,100-$1,800 per kW for proton exchange membrane systems, remain prohibitively high, exacerbating financial constraints. Globally, these challenges are mirrored by low investment decisions — by May 2024, only 27.6% of the 1,572 announced large-scale clean hydrogen projects, valued at $370 billion, had reached financial closure. This suggests that structural barriers, such as high investment risks and uncertain demand, are not limited to India alone but are pervasive in the global context.
Policy and Financing Mechanisms
To overcome these barriers, India must adopt innovative financing frameworks and policy interventions. First, a comprehensive policy framework must be implemented, moving beyond mere production incentives to directly address fundamental financing challenges. This could include long-term hydrogen purchase agreements and partial loan guarantees, which can mitigate investor uncertainty and enhance the financial attractiveness of green hydrogen projects. The introduction of regulatory sandboxes, akin to the success seen in India’s fintech sector, can also expedite experimentation with novel business models, ensuring safety and scalability.
Second, India’s financial sector must develop products tailored to the unique challenges of hydrogen investments, such as long development timelines and complex supply chains. Traditional project financing models, suited for conventional energy infrastructure, fall short in this regard. Modular project financing and anchor-plus financing models — where a creditworthy anchor customer underwrites initial capacity while additional capacity is financed based on growing demand — offer potential pathways. Equipment-leasing structures, successfully employed in solar and wind energy sectors, could convert high upfront electrolyzer costs into more manageable operational expenses.
Third, international collaboration must move beyond aspirational agreements toward addressing practical market-making challenges. Establishing standardised carbon intensity certifications and hydrogen origin certification can help enhance trust in India’s hydrogen supply chain, facilitating exports and fostering partnerships with countries like Australia and Japan. These partnerships have already demonstrated how cross-border cooperation can bolster demand certainty, thereby attracting large-scale investments in hydrogen production.
Way Forward and Strategic Hubs
India’s success in scaling green hydrogen production will depend on leveraging its vast renewable resources, enabling efficient project execution, and ensuring access to low-cost capital. Early projects in industrial hubs like Odisha, Maharashtra, and Gujarat, which demonstrate viable business models, will be pivotal in shaping the trajectory of India’s green hydrogen sector. Strategic investments in these hubs, coupled with sound financial structuring, will help deliver hydrogen at competitive prices, aligning with key industrial needs and driving forward the nation’s decarbonisation goals.
In conclusion, India’s journey toward a green hydrogen economy necessitates a multi-pronged approach — integrating innovative financing models, fostering international collaboration, and adopting robust policy frameworks. Success will require aligning financial structuring with the unique challenges of green hydrogen, ensuring that India meets its ambitious targets and contributes to global climate objectives.
Modi, Dissanayake take up regional security issues
Source: The Hindu
Syllabus: GS II Issues Relating to India and its Neighborhood
India-Sri Lanka Relations: Modi and Dissanayake Discuss Regional Security and Cooperation
Introduction:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Dinesh Dissanayake recently held discussions on regional security and cooperation, addressing critical issues such as maritime security, economic collaboration, and Tamil reconciliation. These discussions reflect the evolving dynamics of India-Sri Lanka relations, highlighting both shared interests and ongoing challenges.
1. Maritime Security and Research Cooperation:
The Indian Ocean’s strategic importance has elevated maritime security to a central focus in bilateral relations.
- Concerns Over Chinese Naval Presence:
- India remains wary of the increasing presence of Chinese naval vessels in Sri Lankan ports, viewing it as a security challenge.
- With Sri Lanka’s moratorium on foreign research vessels ending in January, India has proposed deeper engagement in maritime research and oceanographic studies to safeguard regional security.
- Joint Maritime Research Initiatives:
- India has expressed interest in collaborative research efforts to bolster maritime security and sustainable ocean management.
- The possibility of Indian-led research in Sri Lankan waters highlights India’s commitment to regional security.
2. Economic Cooperation and Adani Group Projects:
Economic collaboration is vital for bilateral ties but has faced recent challenges.
- Adani Group Projects:
- Indian investment, particularly by the Adani Group, in Colombo Port and energy projects (e.g., the 500 MW wind power project in Mannar and Pooneryn) has faced scrutiny.
- Concerns over U.S. investigations and Sri Lanka’s hesitation regarding large-scale projects have cast uncertainty over future investments.
- Strengthening Economic Ties:
- India remains a critical economic partner, but resolving these investment issues will require transparent policies and mutual trust.
3. Fishermen and Marine Resource Management:
The unresolved issue of Indian fishermen trespassing into Sri Lankan waters continues to strain ties.
- Bottom Trawling Concerns:
- Sri Lanka has urged India to curb bottom trawling, which depletes marine resources and impacts local livelihoods.
- While both nations acknowledged the need for sustainable resource management, no concrete resolution was achieved.
- Humanitarian Approach:
- Sri Lanka emphasized the importance of addressing the issue in a humane manner, highlighting the need for enhanced bilateral mechanisms to resolve this contentious matter.
4. Tamil Reconciliation and Political Issues:
India remains steadfast in advocating for Tamil reconciliation and inclusive governance in Sri Lanka.
- Implementation of the 13th Amendment:
- Prime Minister Modi emphasized the need to fulfill Tamil aspirations by implementing the 13th Amendment, which provides for greater provincial autonomy.
- President Dissanayake reiterated his government’s commitment to holding Provincial Council elections, a key step toward Tamil representation.
- India’s Role:
- India’s consistent advocacy for Tamil rights underscores its broader commitment to regional stability and social harmony in Sri Lanka.
5. Regional Integration and Sri Lanka’s Aspirations:
Sri Lanka seeks India’s support to strengthen its global and regional standing.
- BRICS Membership:
- President Dissanayake sought India’s backing for Sri Lanka’s bid to join the expanded BRICS grouping, reflecting Colombo’s interest in deepening regional integration.
- UNCLCS Support:
- Sri Lanka requested India’s assistance at the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (UNCLCS) to extend its continental shelf beyond the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), enhancing its control over resources in the Indian Ocean.
Conclusion:
The Modi-Dissanayake discussions underscore the multifaceted nature of India-Sri Lanka relations, blending shared security and economic interests with contentious issues like Tamil reconciliation, marine resource management, and investment challenges. Strengthening this partnership will require a balanced approach that integrates security imperatives, sustainable development, and regional cooperation in an evolving geopolitical landscape. For India, proactive engagement with Sri Lanka aligns with its broader vision of ensuring stability and prosperity in its neighborhood.
What is the procedure for removing judges?
Source: The Hindu
Syllabus: GS II Polity and Governance, Issues Related to the Judiciary
The firm foundation of integrity and diversity in India was established on January 26, 1950, with the adoption of the longest constitution in the world. This moment marked a commitment to uphold the values enshrined in the Constitution, ensuring that the principle of “no one above the law” remains the cornerstone of governance. The emphasis on equality before the law reinforces the belief that all citizens, irrespective of their position, are subject to the same legal framework. In this context, the intricate process of removing judges from the Supreme Court of India plays a crucial role in maintaining the judiciary’s credibility and independence.
Impeachment of Judges: A Constitutional Safeguard
Under the Indian Constitution, the term “impeachment” is utilized as a mechanism for the removal of judges from the Supreme Court, as prescribed under Article 124(4). Since India gained independence, no Supreme Court judge has been successfully impeached, a testament to the stringent and complex procedures embedded within this constitutional process. The first instance of a judge facing impeachment proceedings involved Justice V. Ramaswamy in the early 1990s, but the motion failed in the lower house, the Lok Sabha.
The Procedure for Removal of Judges
The process of removing a judge of the Supreme Court is outlined in Article 124(4) and the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968. This procedure involves several key steps:
- Notice of Motion:
The removal of a Supreme Court judge requires a motion passed by both Houses of Parliament. A notice of motion must be signed by at least 100 members from the Lok Sabha and 50 members from the Rajya Sabha. If the motion is admitted, it triggers the formation of an inquiry committee. - Inquiry Committee Formation:
The Speaker of the Lok Sabha and the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha are empowered to constitute a three-member inquiry committee. The committee comprises a Supreme Court judge, the Chief Justice of a High Court, and a distinguished jurist, tasked with investigating the charges against the judge. - Submission of Report:
The inquiry committee submits its findings to the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha or the Speaker of the Lok Sabha. If the committee finds the judge guilty of misbehaviour or incapacity, the motion for impeachment is taken up for a vote. For the motion to succeed, it must be approved by a special majority, requiring more than two-thirds of the members present and voting in both Houses. - President’s Role:
Following the approval of the motion by both Houses, the President of India is required to issue the order for the removal of the judge.
Recent Developments: Impeachment of Justice Yadav
In recent years, the removal of Allahabad High Court Judge Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav has been a topic of considerable debate. In 2023, 55 MPs of the Rajya Sabha submitted a motion seeking his removal, citing alleged communally charged remarks made by Justice Yadav during a speech at a Vishwa Hindu Parishad event. The charges centered around his statements that the country would be run according to the wishes of the majority, raising concerns about judicial impartiality. The Vice President of India, who serves as the presiding officer of the Rajya Sabha, ultimately rejected the motion, citing the lack of substantial evidence and declaring that the charges were based on mere suspicion.
Challenges and Constitutional Implications
The complexities surrounding the impeachment process are not merely political but blend judicial and political elements. The judiciary must ensure that judges remain impartial and uphold high ethical standards. However, the stringent requirements of a special majority in both Houses have led to no successful impeachments thus far. The opposition, therefore, often approaches the Supreme Court when Parliament fails to act, emphasizing the judiciary’s role in safeguarding judicial independence and accountability.
Conclusion
The impeachment process, while designed to uphold the integrity of the judiciary, has proven to be a difficult and high-bar procedure. The balance between judicial independence and accountability remains delicate. Future developments, particularly regarding the role of the Supreme Court in overseeing such cases, will continue to be significant in ensuring that judges maintain public trust and uphold constitutional values.
