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The Hindu Newspaper Analysis LIVE | 21st October | UPSC Current Affairs Today | Chethan N

Unacademy IAS: English・53 minutes read

The discussion highlights critical articles on climate finance, emphasizing the responsibility of developed nations to support developing countries in combating climate change, especially in light of their historical emissions and unmet funding commitments. It also addresses global geopolitical tensions, particularly between the U.S. and China, while stressing India's independent foreign policy and strategic collaborations without provoking direct animosity.

Insights

  • The discussion highlights the critical role of climate finance, emphasizing that developed countries, responsible for the majority of historical emissions, must fulfill their commitments to provide financial support to developing nations. This includes the need for genuine funding focused on clean energy and adaptation, as outlined by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
  • The text critiques an OECD report for misrepresenting climate finance by including commercial loans and private investments, which do not align with the convention's definition. This underscores the importance of distinguishing between actual climate finance—grants and concessional loans—and other forms of investment that do not contribute to meaningful climate action.
  • The geopolitical landscape is shifting, with India navigating its position between the U.S. and China amid rising tensions. Shashi Tharoor cautions against India being seen as part of a military alliance against China, advocating for an independent foreign policy that allows India to engage in strategic partnerships without escalating conflicts, especially given the sensitive border issues with China.

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Recent questions

  • What is climate finance?

    Climate finance refers to funding aimed at supporting efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change. It encompasses financial resources dedicated to projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance resilience to climate impacts, and facilitate the transition to clean energy. According to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, climate finance can be sourced from various levels, including local, national, and global initiatives. It is crucial for developing countries, which often lack the necessary funds and technology to address climate challenges, to receive adequate support from developed nations. This funding is expected to be in the form of grants and concessional loans, rather than commercial loans, to ensure that it effectively contributes to sustainable development and climate resilience.

  • How do cyclones form?

    Cyclones form over warm ocean waters when specific atmospheric conditions are met, including low pressure, high humidity, and warm sea surface temperatures. The process begins with the evaporation of water, which increases humidity in the air. As the warm, moist air rises, it creates a low-pressure area beneath. Surrounding air rushes in to fill this void, and as it does, it also warms and rises, continuing the cycle. The Coriolis effect, caused by the Earth's rotation, helps to organize the storm into a rotating system. Cyclones can vary in intensity, and their formation is influenced by various factors, including sea surface temperatures and atmospheric conditions. Understanding these dynamics is essential for improving forecasting and preparedness for cyclone impacts.

  • What are the effects of global warming on cyclones?

    Global warming significantly impacts cyclones by increasing their intensity and altering their patterns. As sea surface temperatures rise due to climate change, the energy available for cyclones also increases, leading to more powerful storms. This intensification can result in higher wind speeds, increased rainfall, and greater potential for flooding and destruction. Additionally, warmer temperatures can affect the frequency and distribution of cyclones, with some regions experiencing more intense storms while others may see changes in cyclone occurrence. The rising sea levels associated with global warming further exacerbate the impacts of cyclones, increasing the risk of coastal flooding and erosion. Addressing these challenges requires advancements in forecasting and disaster management strategies to mitigate the effects of climate change on cyclone activity.

  • What is the significance of the Indo-Pacific region?

    The Indo-Pacific region has emerged as a critical focal point in global geopolitics, primarily due to the rising influence of China and the strategic interests of the United States and its allies. This area is characterized by its economic interdependence, with significant trade routes and maritime security concerns. The U.S. has recognized the need to strengthen partnerships in the Indo-Pacific, particularly with countries like India, to counterbalance China's growing power. This has led to collaborative efforts such as the Quad, which includes India, the U.S., Japan, and Australia, aimed at addressing regional security issues without escalating military tensions. The dynamics in the Indo-Pacific are essential for shaping future international relations and ensuring stability in a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape.

  • What are the impacts of the Kashmir terror attack?

    The recent terror attack in Kashmir, which targeted non-local workers, underscores the ongoing violence and tensions in the region following the revocation of Article 370 and Article 35A. This incident highlights the vulnerability of migrant workers, who have faced increased hostility since these legal changes allowed any Indian citizen to buy land and gain voting rights in Jammu and Kashmir. The attack not only resulted in tragic loss of life but also exacerbated fears among non-local residents, potentially deterring economic activity and migration to the region. Such violence reflects the broader challenges of security and stability in Kashmir, complicating efforts for peace and development in an area already marked by historical conflict and socio-political strife.

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Summary

00:00

Climate Finance and Responsibilities Explained

  • The discussion begins with an overview of the Daily Hindu news analysis, highlighting six important articles, four of which require detailed analysis for both prelims and mains exams, while two are relevant only for prelims.
  • A reminder is given to aspirants for the 2026 and 2027 civil services exams about the availability of free counseling sessions with mentors, accessible by filling out a Google form linked in the video description.
  • The first article focuses on climate finance, explaining its definition according to the climate change convention and the responsibility of developed countries to provide financial support to developing nations, especially in light of the upcoming COP 29 Summit in Baku, Azerbaijan.
  • The article emphasizes that developed countries have historically contributed 57% of global warming emissions since 1850, primarily due to industrialization and fossil fuel consumption, while developing nations have contributed significantly less due to their developmental challenges.
  • The concept of "common but differentiated responsibilities" (CBDR) is introduced, which asserts that while all countries must work to combat climate change, their responsibilities should be differentiated based on their historical emissions and current capabilities.
  • The 2009 Copenhagen Accord is mentioned, where developed countries committed to providing $100 billion in climate finance to developing nations by 2020, a target that has not been met and has now been extended to 2025.
  • A critique of an OECD report is presented, which claims that adequate climate finance is being provided; however, the report includes commercial loans and private investments in its calculations, which the article argues should not be counted as climate finance.
  • The article stresses that genuine climate finance should only include grants and concessional loans specifically allocated for clean energy projects and adaptation measures, rather than commercial loans that do not provide real assistance.
  • India’s climate finance needs are outlined, with a commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070 and a target of 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030, focusing on electric vehicles, solar, and wind energy.
  • The article concludes by reiterating the need for developed countries to fulfill their climate finance commitments, emphasizing that only dedicated funding for clean energy transition and adaptation should be recognized as climate finance, in line with the definitions set by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

19:40

India's Climate Finance and Cyclone Challenges

  • The text discusses the significant financial investments required for India to address climate change, estimating that billions of dollars will be needed, primarily from the government, but also necessitating support from developed countries due to their historical responsibility for emissions.
  • Developing countries are more vulnerable to climate change due to low levels of development, high poverty rates, and inadequate adaptation and mitigation measures, making them susceptible to extreme weather events and rising sea levels, despite their minimal contribution to global emissions.
  • The sixth assessment report indicates that developed countries have contributed 57% of global emissions since 1850, which is disproportionate given their smaller populations, leading to high per capita emissions and leaving developing nations with limited carbon budget space.
  • The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change defines climate finance as funding dedicated to adaptation, mitigation, and clean energy transition, applicable at local, national, or global levels, emphasizing that only specific investments count as climate finance.
  • The recent OECD report has been criticized for including commercial loans and other investments in its climate finance calculations, which contradicts the convention's definition that only grants and concessional loans for clean energy transition should be counted.
  • The text highlights the need for developing countries to receive financial and technological support from developed nations to transition to clean energy and effectively adapt to climate change impacts.
  • The article shifts focus to the hurricane season in the North Atlantic, noting that the cyclone formation process is similar across regions, with different names used in various areas, such as hurricanes in the U.S. and cyclones in India.
  • Recent observations challenge the traditional understanding of the El Niño and La Niña phenomena's impact on hurricane activity, as intense hurricanes occurred during an El Niño year, contradicting expectations of reduced cyclonic activity.
  • The text emphasizes that while the number of cyclones globally has remained stable, their intensity has increased due to rising sea surface temperatures, which enhance evaporation and moisture supply, leading to rapid intensification of cyclones.
  • India has made significant advancements in cyclone forecasting and disaster management, improving accuracy in predicting cyclone paths and landfall, but still needs to enhance post-landfall response strategies to mitigate the impacts of cyclones on affected populations.

38:05

Cyclones and Geopolitics: India’s Strategic Challenges

  • High-speed winds and torrential rain from cyclones can cause significant damage, including flooding, landslides, and destruction of infrastructure, leading to loss of life and property.
  • There is a pressing need for improved post-landfall predictions globally, particularly in India, to provide hyper-localized forecasts tailored to specific villages and cities in the cyclone's path.
  • Recent cyclone alerts in Tamil Nadu exemplify the challenges of forecasting; despite Chennai being on high alert for flooding, the cyclone unexpectedly changed course and intensified, resulting in a lack of preparedness in affected areas.
  • The article emphasizes the importance of accurate real-time estimates to prevent complacency in communities that have previously received false alarms, which can lead to inadequate responses in future emergencies.
  • Global warming is causing cyclones to intensify more rapidly, necessitating advancements in forecasting capabilities to address the impacts of climate change and extreme weather events.
  • The current geopolitical landscape is characterized by a competitive rivalry between the U.S. and China, referred to as "Cold War 2.0," but this label is contested due to the interconnectedness of the two nations' economies and societies.
  • Unlike the original Cold War, where the U.S. and Soviet Union were isolated from each other, the U.S. and China are economically dependent, with the U.S. being the largest investor in China and China holding significant U.S. Treasury bonds.
  • The Indo-Pacific region has become the focal point of global geopolitics, with China emerging as a leading power, prompting the U.S. to recognize the need for strategic partnerships, including with India, to counter Chinese influence.
  • India is positioned between the U.S. and China, maintaining an independent foreign policy while engaging in collaborations like the Quad to address regional security concerns without provoking direct hostility from China.
  • Shashi Tharoor warns that India should avoid being perceived as part of a military alliance against China, given the potential for retaliation, especially considering the disputed border between India and China in Ladakh.

56:05

India's Strategic Balancing Act Amid Global Tensions

  • India is advised to maintain an independent foreign policy, avoiding becoming a pawn in the rivalry between the US and China, while working with the US and Quad to apply diplomatic pressure on Chinese aggression without containing China militarily.
  • A recent terror attack in Kashmir targeted non-local workers, resulting in the deaths of seven individuals, including six migrant workers and a local doctor, highlighting the ongoing issue of violence against outsiders since the revocation of Article 370 and Article 35A.
  • The revocation of Article 35A has allowed any Indian citizen to buy land and gain voting rights in Jammu and Kashmir, leading to increased tensions and targeted attacks on migrant workers from states like Punjab and Bihar.
  • The Zmore Tunnel, under construction in the Ganderbal region, is strategically significant as it connects Srinagar with Ladakh and aims to improve economic activities and tourism, while also serving military purposes by providing all-weather connectivity.
  • The Zmore Tunnel is part of a broader infrastructure initiative that includes the Zila Tunnel, both of which are designed to facilitate military movement and civilian travel during harsh winter conditions, which previously hindered access due to snow and avalanches.
  • The Malabar Naval exercise, hosted by India in the Bay of Bengal, involves the navies of India, Australia, Japan, and the United States, but India emphasizes that it is not a military arm of the Quad, aiming to avoid unnecessary antagonism with China.
  • The Malabar exercise has evolved from a bilateral format with the US since 1992 to a multilateral exercise involving Quad countries, with significant changes occurring in 2014 and 2020 due to rising tensions with China.
  • Australia recently hosted the Kakadu naval exercise, involving around 30 countries, including India, which is relevant to the context of the Malabar exercise and its strategic implications in the Indo-Pacific region.
  • Portugal has declared one of the largest marine protected areas in the North Atlantic, covering approximately 300,000 square kilometers in the Azores archipelago, aligning with the global biodiversity framework's 30x30 target to protect 30% of land and sea areas by 2030.
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