Today in History (October 24^th, 1945)

October 24 is celebrated as United Nations Day to commemorate the day the UN Charter went into effect in 1945. The UN was established after World War II to maintain peace and friendly relations between nations

Let’s Revise

A) Modi participated in the ______ BRICS summit hosted by Russia.

1. 14th
2. 15th
3. 16th
4. 17th

Answer: C)
Rationale: Modi participated in the 16th BRICS summit hosted by Russia in Kazan.

B)The city of which republic of Russian Federation hosted October 2024, BRICS summit?

1. Altai Republic
2. Republic of Buryatia
3. Chechen Republic
4. dRepublic of Tatarstan

Answer: D)
Rationale: The 2024 BRICS summit is the sixteenth annual BRICS summit, currently taking place in Kazan, Russia, from 22 to 24 October 2024. This is the first BRICS summit to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates as members following their accession to the organization at the 15th BRICS summit.

C) In which summit of BRICS, it was expanded by adding new five member countries?

1. 15th
2. 12th
3. 16th
4. 27th

Answer: A)
Rationale: In August 2023, at the 15th BRICS Summit, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that 6 emerging market group countries (Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates) had been invited to join the bloc.

D) The Air Quality Index (AQI) in New Delhi persisted in the ‘severe’ category, registering at 466, this data is published by________

1. Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of Delhi
2. Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, GoI
3. Central Pollution Control Board
4. Office of the Lt. Governor of Delhi

Answer: C)

E) In mega cities of India, the dominant source of air pollution is

1. Transport sector
2. Tourism sector
3. Municipal waste
4. None of the above

Answer: A)
Rationale: The transportation sector is an important industrial sector in the economy that deals with the movement of people and products. These include companies such as airlines, trucking, railroads, shipping, and logistics firms, as well as those that provide transportation infrastructure. Passenger travel is responsible for 60% of CO2 emissions from transportation, with freight accounting for the other 40%

F) What is the full form of POPs?

1. Persistent Organic Pollutants
2. Persistent Oxygenated Pollutants
3. Polycyclic Organic Pollutants
4. Polymerised Organic Pollutants

Answer: A)
Rationale: Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs):
o POPs are a group of organic compounds that are resistant to environmental degradation through chemical, biological, and photolytic processes.
o Due to their persistence, they bioaccumulate in the food chain, posing a significant risk to human health and the environment.
o POPs can be transported over long distances through air and water, leading to widespread distribution across the globe.
o Examples of POPs include DDT, PCBs, and dioxins, which are known for their toxic effects.

G) Which of the following are essential requirements for the formation of photochemical SMOG?
A. Carbon monooxide (CO)
B. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2)
C. Carbon dioxide (CO2)
D. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
E. Sunlight
Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

1. A, B and D only
2. A, C and E only
3. B, C, D and E only
4. B, D and E only

• Photochemical SMOG:
o Photochemical smog is a type of air pollution derived from vehicular emission from internal combustion engines and industrial fumes.
o It occurs when these emissions react in the atmosphere in the presence of sunlight.
• Essential Components:
o Nitrogen dioxide (NO2): A key precursor in the formation of photochemical smog. It reacts with sunlight to produce ozone, a major component of smog.
o Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): They react with nitrogen oxides in the presence of sunlight to form smog.
o Sunlight: Provides the energy required for the photochemical reactions that lead to smog formation.
Additional Information
o Carbon monoxide (CO): While it is a pollutant, it is not a primary component in the formation of photochemical smog.
o Carbon dioxide (CO2): Although a greenhouse gas, it does not play a significant role in the formation of photochemical smog.
• Health Effects:
o Photochemical smog can cause respiratory problems, eye irritation, and reduced lung function.
o Long-term exposure can lead to chronic respiratory diseases and other health issues.

H) Which of the following is a type of air pollution that can cause respiratory problems?

1. Smog
2. Acid rain
3. Eutrophication
4. None of the above

Answer. A)
Rationale: Smog is a type of air pollution that is caused by the reaction of sunlight with pollutants in the air, such as nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds. Smog can cause respiratory problems, such as asthma and bronchitis. Acid rain, eutrophication, and ozone depletion are all environmental problems, but they are not directly related to air pollution that can cause respiratory problems.

I) Which of the following pollutants is most commonly associated with respiratory diseases?

1. Sulfur dioxide
2. Carbon monoxide
3. Particulate matter (PM2.5)
4. Ozone

Answer: C)
Rationale: Particulate matter (PM2.5):
o Particulate matter (PM2.5) refers to tiny particles or droplets in the air that are two and one-half microns or less in width.
o These particles can penetrate deep into the respiratory system and cause various health issues, including respiratory diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, and other lung conditions.
o PM2.5 is considered one of the most harmful air pollutants due to its ability to reach the alveoli in the lungs and enter the bloodstream.

J) Which institute released the 2024 Economic Freedom of the World Report?

1. World Bank
2. Fraser Institute
3. International Monetary Fund (IMF)
4. World Economic Forum

Answer: B)
Explanation: The Fraser Institute released the 2024 Economic Freedom of the World Report.

K) Which regions are ranked the top three in the 2024 Economic Freedom report?

1. USA, UK, Canada
2. Hong Kong, Singapore, Switzerland
3. Japan, Germany, Australia
4. China, India, Russia

Answer: B)
Explanation: Hong Kong, Singapore, and Switzerland are the top three regions with the highest levels of economic freedom for the year 2022.

L) What is India’s rank in the 2024 Economic Freedom report?

1. 42nd
2. 84th
3. 25th
4. 100th

Answer: B)
Explanation: India’s rank is 84th in the 2024 Economic Freedom report.

Summary of Today’s News

Fourth Global Coral Bleaching Event

Context
• Mass Bleaching: According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the mass bleaching of coral reefs around the world since 2023 is the most extensive ever recorded.
• Affected Areas: 77% of the world’s coral reefs, spanning the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, have been affected by heat stress leading to bleaching.
• Global Bleaching Event: In 2024, NOAA declared a global bleaching event, the fourth such event since 1998.
• Great Barrier Reef: Documented mass bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef occurred in 1998, 2002, 2016, 2017, 2020, 2022, and 2024.
• Previous Record: The earlier record from 2014 to 2017 saw about 66% of the world’s reefs affected.
• Future Assessments:

What are Corals?

• Corals: Invertebrates belonging to a group called Cnidaria.
• Formation: Made of small, soft organisms called polyps.
• Exoskeleton: Polyps secrete a calcium carbonate exoskeleton for protection.
• Reefs: Coral reefs are formed by many polyps creating large carbonate structures.

Appearance:
• Colors range from red, purple, and blue to shades of brown and green.
• Brightness: Their bright colors come from algae called zooxanthellae.
• Types of Coral Reefs:
• Fringing Reefs: Form along shorelines.
• Barrier Reefs: Found in open water.
• Atolls: Circular reefs around sunken volcanoes.

Significance:
• Marine Life: Provide food, shelter, and breeding grounds for a quarter of all marine life.
• Human Benefits: Support over 1 billion people with food, livelihoods, and recreation.

Coral Bleaching
• Cause: Occurs when corals expel algae from their tissues.
• Effect: Corals become pale and vulnerable to starvation and disease.
• Recovery: Bleached corals can recover if ocean temperatures cool down.
• Impact: Estimated 14% of corals died in previous global bleaching events.
• Projection: Up to 90% of reefs could be lost at 1.5°C of global warming.

Triggers of Coral Bleaching
• Climate Change: Primary cause due to warming oceans.
• Temperature Change: As little as a 2°F change can cause bleaching.
• Other Causes: Low tides, pollution, or too much sunlight.
• El Nino: A natural climate pattern that can temporarily warm oceans.

Concerns
• Reef Recovery: Reefs rarely recover once corals die.
• Ecosystem Collapse: Affects marine life and human dependence on reefs.
• Implications: Negative impact on ocean health, fisheries, and tourism.

Impact of Coral Bleaching
• Wildlife:
• Shelter, spawning grounds, and protection from predators.
• Support for organisms at the base of ocean food chains.
• Risk of extinction for already at-risk species.
• Humans:
• Natural barriers against waves and storm surges.
• Economic value: $2.7 trillion in goods and services annually.
• Impact on overfishing and reef tourism.

Recovery
• Conditions: Corals can recover if temperatures drop and conditions normalize.
• Algae Return: If conditions improve, algae return and corals regain health.

Way Forward:
1. Strengthening Marine Protected Areas (MPAs):
• Explanation: Expanding and enforcing MPAs helps protect coral reefs from human activities and allows ecosystems to thrive without disturbances.

2. Implementing Coral Restoration Techniques:
• Coral Gardening: Growing corals in nurseries and transplanting them to reefs.
• Breeding Resilient Species: Cultivating coral species that can withstand bleaching, enhancing their survival and recovery.

3. Advocating for Global Efforts to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions:
• Explanation: Cutting down on greenhouse gas emissions will help limit global warming and ocean acidification, which are major threats to coral reefs.

4. Increasing Investment in Research:
• Explanation: Investing in research helps scientists understand why corals bleach, how they recover, and develop better monitoring technologies. This can inform more effective conservation strategies. These steps focus on protecting and restoring coral reefs, addressing the root causes of bleaching, and enhancing our understanding of coral ecosystems.