Climate Change & Conventions

Pair 1 is correctly matched. Alma Ata Declaration: The Declaration of Alma-Ata was adopted at the International Conference on Primary Health Care, Almaty, Kazakhstan, 612 September 1978. It expressed the need for urgent action by all governments, all health and development workers, and the world community to protect and promote the health of all people. Pair 2 is not correctly matched. Hague Convention: The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction or Hague Abduction Convention is a multilateral treaty developed by the Hague Conference on Private International Law that provides an expeditious method to return a child internationally abducted by a parent from one member country to another. Pair 3 is correctly matched. The Talanoa Dialogue is a process designed to help countries implement and enhance their Nationally Determined Contributions by 2020. The Dialogue was mandated by the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention for Climate Change to take stock of the collective global efforts to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases, in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement. Pair 4 is not correctly matched. The Under2 Coalition is a global community of state and regional governments committed to ambitious climate action in line with the Paris Agreement. The coalition brings together more than 220 governments that represent over 1.3 billion people and 43% of the global economy. Signatories commit to keeping global temperature rises to well below 2C with efforts to reach 1.5C.

Statement 1 is correct: Global warming poses a significant threat to methane hydrate deposits. These icy structures, found in permafrost and deep-sea sediments, can destabilize as temperatures rise, releasing methane into the atmosphere. Since methane is a potent greenhouse gas its release could create a positive feedback loop, further accelerating global warming. Statement 2 is correct: Large deposits of methane hydrate are primarily found in two locations:
1. Arctic Tundra: Permafrost soils in the Arctic hold significant methane hydrate reserves, which are at risk of melting due to rising temperatures.
2. Seafloor Deposits: Continental margins and deep ocean sediments contain vast methane hydrate reserves. Changes in ocean temperature and pressure fluctuations can trigger their release. Statement 3 is correct: After about 12 years, the methane is converted into carbon dioxide through hydroxyl oxidation. While CO₂ is a less potent greenhouse gas than methane, its longer atmospheric lifetime means it continues contributing to long-term climate change. Therefore, option (D) 1, 2 and 3 is correct.

Statement 1 is not Correct. The protocol against the smuggling of Migrants by land, sea and air comes under the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) and not UNCAC. Statement 2 is Correct. The United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) is the law binding universal anti-corruption instrument. Statement 3 is not Correct. United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) includes "Returning
Assets to their rightful owners from whom they have been taken illicitly". Statement 4 is Correct. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is mandated by its Member States to assist in the implementation of both Conventions,such as UNCAC and UNTOC, along with the IJN Drug Conventions of 1961, 1971 and 1988 underpin all the operational work of UNODC. _Note: An easy way to solve this question is to read all the options properly. On reading, we understand that Corruption would include elements like ‘Returning of assets’ & Transnational Organized Crime would include ‘Smuggling’ (Conceptual Understanding). In the above question, the elements of Statements 1 & 3 are inter-changed making them outrightly incorrect._

* Cirrus clouds do not reflect a lot of solar radiation into space. As they form at high altitudes and cold temperatures, they trap long-wave radiation and have a climate impact similar to greenhouse gases. Thus, thinning cirrus clouds would reduce the absorption of infrared radiation and are proposed as a form of climate engineering to reduce global warming. * Another proposed Geo-engineering technique involves injecting reflective sulphate aerosol particles into Earth's lower stratosphere to cast a small proportion of the inbound sunlight back into space and cool the planet off. Thus, both are climate engineering/ Geo-engineering techniques to reduce global warming.

Statement 1 is incorrect. GACSA was launched in 2014 at the UN Climate Summit in New York, not at the Paris Climate Summit in 2015. Statement 2 is correct. GACSA is a voluntary partnership, and membership does not create any legally binding obligations for its members. Statement 3 is incorrect. GACSA was launched by the Netherlands and several other countries, but India was not among the founding members or instrumental in its creation.

The Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE) was established in response to the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD) 2012, also known as Rio+20, held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Rio+20 conference aimed to reaffirm global commitment to sustainable development and highlight the importance of transitioning to green economies i.e. economic systems that promote environmental sustainability, social inclusion, and economic growth. PAGE was launched as a collaborative initiative to support countries in developing policies and strategies for sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

* Carbon fertilization is the increased rate of photosynthesis in plants due to the higher concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. * During Photosynthesis plants absorb carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere, along with water and sunlight, to produce sugars (glucose) that provide energy for growth. This process releases oxygen (O₂) as a byproduct. * The concentration of CO₂ in the atmosphere is currently at its highest level in millions of years, primarily due to human activities such as fossil fuel combustion and deforestation. * Many plants respond to higher CO₂ levels with an increased rate of photosynthesis, enabling them to produce more sugars, which can lead to faster growth and higher biomass production.

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Secretariat launched the Climate Neutral Now initiative in 2015 to encourage individuals, businesses, and governments to take voluntary action towards climate neutrality. In 2016, the Secretariat introduced a new pillar under its "Momentum for Change" initiative, focusing on Climate Neutral Now as part of broader efforts to highlight and promote successful climate action worldwide. Climate neutrality is a three-step process, which requires individuals, companies, and governments to: 1. Measure their climate footprint (greenhouse gas emissions). 2. Reduce emissions as much as possible through sustainable practices and efficiency improvements. 3. Offset unavoidable emissions using UN-certified emission reductions (CERs). This initiative aligns with global efforts to meet the Paris Agreement goals, fostering greater accountability and proactive engagement in combating climate change.

The term "sixth mass extinction" is used in the context of discussions about the current rapid decline in biodiversity and the potential for it to be as significant as the five major extinction events in Earth's history. Mass extinction events: Throughout Earth's history, there have been five major extinction events where a large percentage of species (estimated at 75% or more) disappeared in a geologically short period. Examples include the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event that wiped out non-avian dinosaurs. Sixth mass extinction: Scientists are concerned that human activities like habitat destruction, climate change, pollution, and overexploitation of resources are causing a mass extinction event that could be as severe as the previous ones. Thus, the correct answer is 'D'.

All three options (1, 2, and 3) can be potential sites for carbon sequestration Abandoned and uneconomic coal seams: These underground coal mines already have existing rock formations suitable for storing carbon dioxide. Since they are no longer operational, they can be repurposed for CO2 storage, potentially with the added benefit of enhancing methane capture from abandoned mines. Depleted oil and gas reservoirs: Once oil and gas reserves are depleted, they still have porous rock structures that can trap injected carbon dioxide. Repurposing these reservoirs for carbon storage leverages existing infrastructure and reduces the need for drilling new wells. Subterranean deep saline formations: Deep saline formations are layers of rock saturated with briny water, far below freshwater resources. Their geological properties allow for the storage of large volumes of carbon dioxide with minimal risk of leakage or contamination of freshwater sources.