APPSC Group 1 Mains 2023-Science Technology Environmental Issues

Gene Sanctuaries: Protecting India’s Plant Genetic Diversity Introduction: Genetic diversity, the variety of genes within a species, is crucial for the survival and adaptability of plant life. It underpins food security, resilience to climate change, and the development of new crop varieties. India, a mega-biodiverse country, possesses a vast wealth of plant genetic resources. However, … Read more

India’s Opposition to the NPT and the Impact of the Civil Nuclear Agreement Introduction: The Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), signed in 1968, aims to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and promote cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. It divides states into nuclear weapon states (NWS) and non-nuclear weapon states (NNWS). NWS, recognized at … Read more

E-waste Recycling Practices in India and the 2022 E-waste Management Rules Introduction: India is grappling with a burgeoning e-waste problem. With rapid technological advancements and increasing consumption of electronic devices, the volume of discarded electronics is growing exponentially. According to a 2021 report by the United Nations University, India generated approximately 10 lakh tonnes of … Read more

India’s Absence from the COP26 Deforestation and Methane Pledge: A Critical Analysis Introduction: The 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), held in Glasgow in 2021, witnessed the launch of several significant pledges aimed at mitigating climate change. One such pledge was the commitment to halt and reverse deforestation and land degradation … Read more

Blockchain Technology: A Doorway to Transforming Indian Agriculture? A Discussion Introduction: India’s agricultural sector, employing over half its population, faces numerous challenges: fragmented land ownership, inefficient supply chains, lack of transparency, and limited access to finance and markets. Blockchain technology, a decentralized and immutable ledger system, offers potential solutions to these issues. Its ability to … Read more

Coastal Erosion in India: A Comparative Analysis of East and West Coasts Introduction: Coastal erosion is the process of wearing away of land and the removal of beach or dune sediments by the action of waves, currents, tides, wind-driven water, or other impacts of storms. It’s a natural process, but human activities have significantly accelerated … Read more

What Happens if We Exceed the 1.5°C Climate Threshold? Introduction: The Paris Agreement, adopted in 2015, set a global goal to limit global warming to well below 2°C, preferably to 1.5°C, compared to pre-industrial levels. This seemingly small difference of 0.5°C represents a significant tipping point for the Earth’s climate system. The Intergovernmental Panel on … Read more

Technology: A Double-Edged Sword in Environmental Destruction Introduction: Technological advancements have undeniably propelled human progress, improving living standards and expanding our capabilities. However, this progress has come at a significant environmental cost. The exploitation of natural resources, driven by technological innovation, has led to widespread environmental degradation. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports … Read more

The Crucial Role of Monitoring and Weather Forecasting: ISRO’s Contribution and Mission NISAR Introduction: Accurate weather forecasting and environmental monitoring are paramount for safeguarding lives, protecting property, and ensuring economic stability. The consequences of inadequate prediction can range from minor inconveniences to catastrophic disasters, resulting in significant loss of life and economic damage. The World … Read more

The Impact of AI-Manipulated Digital Media on Privacy, Democracy, and National Security Introduction: The rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has ushered in an era of sophisticated digital media manipulation. AI-powered tools can now create realistic deepfakes, synthetic media, and highly targeted disinformation campaigns with unprecedented ease and scale. This “infodemic,” as it’s often called, … Read more