CURRENT AFFAIRS

Plastic pollution has become one of the most significant and urgent environmental challenges faced by the world today.

Recently, researchers made a concerning discovery microplastics have been found in human and canine testes, indicating the deep penetration of plastic pollution into biological systems.

Dredging is emerging as a common technique in efforts to restore the ecology of lakes. However, according to a recent study conducted on Lake Manjala, this process can lead to unpredictable and sometimes irreversible changes in the micro-ecology of the lake.

The Global E-Waste Monitor 2024, released by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and Fondation Carmignac, provides an in-depth analysis of the escalating global e-waste crisis. 

On August 22, 2022, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) notified the Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022, superseding the previous Batteries (Management and Handling) Rules, 2001.

The United Nations Water Convention was adopted in Helsinki, Finland in 1992 under the auspices of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). 

The Green Tug Transition Programme (GTTP) is a strategic initiative launched by the Government of India to modernize the maritime sector by replacing conventional fuel-based harbour tugs with environmentally friendly alternatives. 

The world’s largest Direct Air Capture and Storage (DAC+S) plant, named Mammoth, has started operation in Iceland.

India has initiated its first study on 'Teal Carbon' at the Keoladeo National Park (KNP) in Rajasthan, marking a crucial step towards understanding the role of non-tidal freshwater wetlands in climate mitigation. 

Carbon farming refers to the use of agricultural practices that aim to reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels by capturing and storing carbon in the soil and vegetation.