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Environment and Science

2010 In The Top Three Warmest Years: WMO

The year 2010 is almost certain to rank in the top three warmest years since the beginning of instrumental climate records in 1850, according to data compiled by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

Synopsis

·   January-October 2010 temperatures are near record levels

·   Surface air temperatures over land were above normal across most parts of the world

Temperature Variations

·   A WMO statement said the global combined sea surface and land surface air temperature for 2010 (January–October) is now estimated at 0.55 degrees Celsius plus or minus 0.11 degrees Celsius above the 1961–1990 annual average of 14 degrees Celsius.

·   At present, 2010's nominal value is the highest on record, just ahead of 1998 and 2005.

·   The data also indicates that the January-October 2010 temperatures are near record levels. The final ranking of 2010 will not become clear until November and December data are analysed in early 2011. Preliminary operational data from November 1 to 25 indicate that global temperatures from November 2010 are similar to those observed in November 2005, indicating that global temperatures for 2010 are continuing to track near record levels.

·   From 2001 to 2010, global temperatures have averaged 0.46 degrees Celsius above the 1961-1990 average, 0.03 degrees Celsius above the 2000-09 average and the highest value ever recorded for a 10-year period.

·   Recent warming has been especially strong in Africa, parts of Asia, and parts of the Arctic, the Saharan/Arabian, East African, Central Asian and Greenland/Arctic. Canada sub-regions have all had 2001-10 temperatures 1.2 to 1.4 degrees Celsius above the long-term average, and 0.7 degrees Celsius to 0.9 degrees Celsius warmer than any previous decade.

·   Surface air temperatures over land were above normal across most parts of the world.

Impact of Rise in Temperature on Various Regions

·   Pakistan experienced its worst flooding owing to exceptionally heavy monsoon rain. The event principally responsible for the floods occurred from July 26 to 29, when four-day rainfall totals exceeded 300 mm over a large area of northern Pakistan. There were additional heavy rains further south, from August 2 to 8, which reinforced the flooding. More than 1500 lives were lost and over 20 million people displaced as large parts of Pakistan's agricultural land were inundated. In terms of the number of people affected, the United Nations rated the floods as the greatest humanitarian crisis in recent history. The total monsoon season rainfall for Pakistan was the fourth-highest on record and the highest since 1994.

·   Summer rainfall was above normal in western India and China experienced its most significant monsoon flooding since 1998, with south-eastern China and parts of the northeast most severely affected. The latter floods extended to the Korean Peninsula too. These floods, directly as well as through landslips in China, claimed more than 1400 lives in Gansu Province in China.

·   However, monsoon season rainfall averaged over India was only 2 per cent above normal, and it was well below normal in north-eastern India and Bangladesh, which had its driest monsoon season since 1994.

·   Only limited land areas had below-normal temperatures in 2010, the most notable being parts of western and central Siberia in Russia, parts of southern South America, interior Australia, parts of northern and western Europe, eastern China and the southeast United States. It was the coldest year since 1996 for the northern European region, and since 1998 for northern Asia, mainly due to below-normal temperatures during winter.

·   A number of northern European countries are also likely to have their coldest year since 1996, including the United Kingdom, Germany, France and Norway.

NASA Finds Bacteria Thriving On Arsenic In lake

·   Lurking in the depths of a California lake, researchers found a bacterium that can thrive on arsenic, an explosive discovery that could expand the search for other life on Earth and beyond.

·   The NASA-funded study released redefines what science considers the necessary elements for life, currently viewed as carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorous and sulphur.

·   Not only does the bacterium survive on arsenic, it also grows by incorporating the element into its DNA and cell membranes.

·   The discovery was made by Felisa Wolfe-Simon, a former postdoctoral scientist in Anbar's research group at Arizona State University's School of Earth and Space Exploration.

WORLD'S FIRST METHANOL FACTORY USING CO₂ FROM STEAM

·   The world's first methanol factory using carbon dioxide extracted from steam is expected to be completed next March in Iceland.

·   The first stage of the factory, located in the Southwest Reykjanes peninsula at the HS Orka geothermal power plant, will be completed in March 2011.

·   With a production capacity of 1.7 million litres per year, the methanol, an alternative fuel, will be made from carbon dioxide extracted from steam emitted by the power plant, making it the first of its kind in the world.

·   Once the next two stages are completed in 2011 and 2012, it can touch a peak capacity of 5.1 million litres per year.

·   Methanol can be used for internal combustion engines in vehicles in the same way as gasoline and diesel oil.

·   But Iceland will begin to use methanol by mixing it with 30 per cent gasoline and gradually dropping to 10 per cent gasoline.

·   It is also expected that the mixture fuel will be less expensive than pure gasoline.

·   Iceland is rich in geothermal energy which provides steam and CO₂ as natural resources.

Chinese Research Ship Embarks On Year-Long Global Voyage

·   The Chinese scientific research ship Dayang Yihao, or "Ocean One", set sail from Guangzhou on December 8, starting a 376-day global trip that will take it across the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Oceans.

·   It is to conduct research on hot liquid sulfides and deep-sea biological diversity,

·   Hot liquid sulfides, commonly known as "black chimneys" by researchers, can provide clues about the origins of life.

·   This will be China's 22nd deep-sea scientific research mission and the ship's third global voyage.

·   A total of 431 scientists are expected to join in during different phases of the voyage.

·   The 104.5 m long and 5,500t ship carries advanced scientific instruments including the "Sea Dragon 2," a remotely-operated underwater vehicle (ROV), as well as a powerful, newly developed deep sea drilling machine.

·   The ship is expected to return home on December 18, 2011 after covering 45,000 nautical miles (83,340 km).

·   It will make stops in South Africa, Brazil, Panama and Ecuador.

Asian Development (ADS) Lends Green Loan

·   The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved to provide $19million to Cambodia for conserving threatened forests in the Cardamom Mountains and north-eastern provinces.

·   ADB's board of directors approved a total package of $69m of which $30m is a loan to Vietnam, and $19m and $20m are grants to Cambodia and Laos respectively, for the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Biodiversity Conservation Corridors Project.

·   For Cambodia, the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries will be the executing agencies for the project, which is due for completion in September 2019.

·   The mountains are thought to shelter at least 62 globally threatened animal species and 17 globally threatened trees. The highest elevation is Phnom Aural at 1,813 m (5,948 ft) high. This is also Cambodia's highest peak.

·   The place forms one of the largest and still mostly unexplored forest areas in SE Asia. Many areas were the refuge of the Khymer Rouge. The area also contains Neolithic "jar sites" scattered around the mountains.

·   The press release said that the whole project covers more than 1.9 million hectares of threatened forest land, home to over 1,70,000 mostly poor, ethnic minority people in Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos.

Lets Not Forget Resources are Finite: Prisident

·   Stressing the need for prudent management of the planet's resources, President Pratibha Patil warned that rapacious hunger could fast diminish them, and reduce space for nature and various life forms it supports.

·   "The manner in which we are consuming we seem to have forgotten that many resources are finite. Are we striking at the very roots of our sustenance? Our unrelenting withdrawal of the earth's resources has adverse impacts on the earth itself. If not, such a study should be undertaken. Our generational responsibility also demands that we do not consume in a manner that we leave a depleted legacy for our children and grandchildren. We should use resources economically and optimally by consciously adopting practices that are environmental friendly and avoid wastage."

·   Referring to the Roshni programme she has undertaken on the Presidential Estate, Ms. Patil said it was meant to foster a sustainable habitat. "The initiative has waste management, energy efficiency and usage of new and renewable energy as essential components.

·   The effort was to create awareness and a sense of involvement in each individual living in the Estate in managing our environs in a responsible manner. We must create awareness of environment in both urban and rural areas. It should be discussed in Panchayati Raj institutions, municipal bodies and the NGOs."

·   Pointing out that India needed international backing in its endeavour for ecological sustainable development, Ms. Patil said the international community should collectively support the efforts of developing countries through financial resources and technology transfer.

·   The President was speaking at the presentation of NDTV environment awards, "The Greenies".

·   Minister of State for Environment Jairam Ramesh, speaking from Cancun, asserted that India was a problem solver and bridge to narrow differences between contending parties. The Minister was given an award for his commendable work on the environmental front.

·   Making it clear that he did not have much hope from the Cancun climate change summit, Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah said India should save energy and take green initiatives on its own. "People want to make a difference. We have got to make solar energy cheaper so that we can have it in all our homes. It is a big task but we have to fulfil it."

·   The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Veer Bhadra Mishra for creating awareness of the threats posed to the Ganga.

·   The Best Green celebrity award was presented to Bollywood actor John Abraham.

·   RTI activist Amit Jethwa was posthumously given a special jury award for exposing illegal mining in the Gir forest in Gujarat.

Hydrogen is Fuel of The Future: Madhavan Nair

Challenges

·   Lot of research needed before it is put to mass use.

Prospects

·   'Hydrogen will cause no pollution at all'

·   It is an alternative energy resources

·   The future of aerospace, automobile and energy sectors will revolve around hydrogen fuel, as concerns of environmental pollution will put curbs on emissions and replenishment of fossil fuels is not possible.

·   High-efficient combustion of fuels available now and development of new-age fuels were necessary to take up missions to Mars and Moon successfully.

·   Development of alternative energy resources like Hydrogen fuel cell, solar (photovoltaic), wind and bio-waste were the need of the hour to plug the demand-supply gap of energy.

Centre Issues Wetland Conservation Guidelines

·   The Union government notified rules for conservation and management of wetlands that restrict harmful activities such as construction, dumping of untreated waste, and industrialisation, to prevent damage to these sensitive ecosystems with high biodiversity values.

Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010

·   The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010, are aimed at ensuring better conservation and preventing degradation of wetlands.

·   Under the rules, wetlands have been classified for better management and easier identification.

·   Wetland regulatory authorities and appraisal committees were set up at the central, State and district levels to ensure proper implementation of the rules.

·   Apart from necessary government representatives, each of these bodies has experts.

·   The rules specify activities that are harmful to wetlands and prohibit them.

·   Other activities such as harvesting and dredging could be carried out with prior permission from the authorities concerned.

Why this legislation was awaited and important?

·   This is the first time that legally enforceable rules are being notified for such eco-sensitive areas in our country.

·   Over one-third of the country's wetlands had been wiped out or badly damaged.

·   Wetlands are critical for human development and well-being, especially in India, where a large number of people are dependant on them for drinking water, food and livelihood.

·   Despite their immense importance, wetlands are one of the most degraded ecosystems globally.

·   Over-exploitation of fish resources, discharge of industrial effluents, fertilizers and pesticides and uncontrolled siltation and weed infestation, among other reasons, have taken the toll on these important water bodies.

·   It will supplement the ISRO [Indian Space Research Organisation] and other institutions that have been approached to undertake a comprehensive mapping exercise delineating all the wetlands in the country.

·   This legal framework for the preservation and management of wetlands was in keeping with the suggestions from the public.

·   India is a signatory to the Ramsar Convention for the conservation and wise use of wetlands, which includes in its ambit a wide variety of habitats such as rivers and lakes, coastal lagoons, mangroves, coral reefs, and numerous man-made wetlands like ponds, farm ponds, irrigated agricultural lands, sacred groves, salt pans, reservoirs, gravels, pits, sewage, farms and canals.

·   The Union government had identified 25 wetlands for conservation and management under its conservation programme and provides financial and technical assistance to the State governments and Union Territory administrations for this purpose.

Clearance For Field Trial Of Genetically Modified Rubber

·   In the face of opposition from the Kerala government to all genetically modified (GM) crops, the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) is learnt to have approved a proposal from the Rubber Board for conducting field trials of GM rubber.

·   Kerala has the highest cropped area under rubber among Indian States, and it accounts for 90 per cent of the aggregate production of natural rubber in the country.

·   The proposed field trial comes at a time when natural rubber production has virtually stagnated.

·   Rubber Research Institute of India based in Kottayam said that after laboratory trials proved successful, an application was submitted to the Union government for field trials.

Kerala Opposition

·   The reported approval from the GEAC comes in the background of the government making it clear that it would not allow GM crops in the State.

·   Kerala has been declared a GM-free State and organisations opposed to GM crops have expressed concern over the possible approval by the GEAC.

·   Kerala recalled that the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests had recognised the concerns of the public in disallowing field trials of Bt. brinjal and other GM vegetables in the country.

·   It was pointed out that the Task Force on Application of Biotechnology in Agriculture chaired by Professor M.S. Swaminathan had recommended keeping agro-biodiversity hotspots GM-free. The Western Ghats region is one such hotspot and a global natural heritage.

Centre Contention

·   The State government has not, however, so far made a clear distinction between food crops and non-food crops (such as GM cotton) in its stance on GM varieties.

·   The proposed GM rubber field trial comes at a time when natural rubber production has virtually stagnated while demand is on the rise worldwide. Production of natural rubber in India in October 2010 fell by 7.6 per cent to 82,000 tonnes compared to 88,775 tonnes during October last year. Consumption of natural rubber during the month was 81,500, compared to 77,950 tonnes in previous October.

·   Over the recent months, rubber prices have appreciated about 100 per cent, raising input costs for automotive tyre manufacturers and other consuming industry components. Yet, farmers in Kerala have not quite reaped the benefits of higher prices because of disruption in tapping. GM rubber will boost their earnings.

Reasons For Decline in Production

·   The Rubber Board has pointed to a protracted period of heavy rain to production loss during October. Natural rubber production in countries such as Thailand and Indonesia too has come down due to heavy rain.

Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC)

·   The GEAC has been constituted by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests to oversee the manufacture, export or import and storage of microorganisms and genetically engineered organisms.

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