UN Warns of Record High Greenhouse Gas Concentrations in 2022

The United Nations' World Meteorological Organization sounded the alarm on November 15, revealing that greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere reached unprecedented levels in 2022, signalling a persistent upward trend with severe consequences.

Key Points

Record Highs Across Three Main Greenhouse Gases: The WMO's 19th annual Greenhouse Gas Bulletin reports record-breaking levels of carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide in 2022, contributing to heightened temperatures, extreme weather events, and rising sea levels.
WMO Chief's Warning: Despite extensive scientific warnings, reports, and climate conferences, WMO chief expressed concern over the continued trajectory, emphasizing the urgent need to change course.
Ahead of COP28 Summit: The bulletin precedes the COP28 UN climate summit scheduled for November 30-December 12 in Dubai, drawing attention to the pressing global issue before the international community.
Paris Agreement Targets Unlikely: The 2015 Paris Agreement aimed to limit global warming to "well below" two degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
However, the report suggests that the current greenhouse gas concentrations put the world on a path to exceed these targets.
2022 Global Mean Temperature: The global mean temperature in 2022 was 1.15C above the 1850-1900 average. WMO predicts that 2023 is likely to be the warmest year on record, indicating a trend toward exceeding Paris Agreement goals.
Dominance of Carbon Dioxide: Carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations in 2022 were at 418 parts per million, reaching 150% of pre-industrial levels.
CO2 accounts for approximately 64% of the warming effect, and concentrations continue to rise.
Concerns about Methane and Nitrous Oxide: Methane and nitrous oxide concentrations also broke records in 2022, with methane accounting for around 16% and nitrous oxide around 7% of the warming effect, respectively.
Uncertainties and Tipping Points: Despite a broad understanding of climate change, uncertainties persist, particularly regarding the carbon cycle and potential tipping points, such as changes in the Amazon rainforest's carbon sink status.
Global Responsibility: Approximately 80% of greenhouse gas emissions originate from G20 countries, emphasizing the global responsibility to address the climate crisis.

Loss of Productive Land due to Sand and Dust Storms

Recently, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) issued a dire warning on Wednesday, revealing that almost 1 million square kilometres of productive land vanish yearly due to sand and dust storms intensified by human activities.

Key Points

Alarming Land Loss Figures: The UNCCD disclosed that approximately 2 billion tons of sand and dust annually enter the atmosphere, causing severe damage across Asia and Africa and significant global economic repercussions.
Human Activities Amplify Storms: The report, unveiled during a Samarkand meeting in Uzbekistan, emphasized that a quarter of these storms are linked to human actions, including overmining and overgrazing.
Wide-ranging Impacts: Beyond food supply disruptions, the loss of topsoil triggers migration, hampers navigation, and poses security risks, warns Ibrahim Thiaw, UNCCD executive secretary.
Call for Better Land Management: The UNCCD advocates for improved land management practices to restore degraded land, along with enhancing early warning systems and resilience.
Funding Challenges: Thiaw highlights a major challenge in securing funding to combat desertification, noting that only $15 billion was allocated from 2016-2019 to address issues spanning 126 countries.
China's Success Story: China is recognized for its success in combating desertification through long-term land restoration and reforestation programs, although challenges persist, particularly from land degradation in Mongolia.

"Swachh Diwali Shubh Diwali" Campaign

In alignment with the spirit of Diwali festival spirit, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) launched the "Swachh Diwali Shubh Diwali" campaign from November 6th to 12th, November, 2023, under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0.

Key Points

Emphasizing Clean and Eco-Friendly Celebrations: The campaign aligns with the principles of Mission LiFE, which aims to foster pro-environmental behavioral change in lifestyles. "Swachh Diwali Shubh Diwali" encourages a clean and eco-friendly Diwali celebration, promoting responsibility towards the environment and communities.
It urges individuals to choose locally made products, avoid single-use plastic, and prioritize pre and post-Diwali cleanliness.
National Signature Campaign: The Mission has partnered with MyGov, the government's citizen engagement platform, to launch the "Swachh Diwali Shubh Diwali" Signature Campaign.
Citizen Participation and Social Media Engagement: Citizens can sign up for "Swachh Diwali" on MyGov and share their unique initiatives for a clean Diwali through 30-second video reels on social media platforms, using the hashtag #SwachhDiwali and tagging the official handles of SBM Urban 2.0 - @sbmurbangov.
3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) Promotion: The campaign promotes the concept of 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) among citizens. Local bodies facilitate the collection of donated items at RRR (Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle) Centres by promoting the collection points' locations.
Special Care for Sanitation Workers Cities with high Air Quality Index (AQI) is urged to provide special care and safety measures for sanitation workers.
This includes distributing appropriate face masks, protective eye gear, safety equipment, and gifting locally made products to make their Diwali celebrations memorable.

IIT Kanpur Develops "Artificial Rains" Solution to Tackle Delhi's Air Pollution

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur has unveiled a potential remedy to combat the pervasive air pollution in Delhi and its neighbouring areas.

Their proposed solution involves the use of "artificial rains" through cloud seeding to alleviate airborne pollutants and dust.

Key Points

IIT Kanpur's Initiative: IIT Kanpur has dedicated over five years to creating the necessary conditions for generating artificial rains and successfully conducted trials in July. The project aims to address Delhi's escalating air pollution crisis.
Government Permissions Obtained: The researchers have secured approvals from government authorities, including the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), for cloud seeding, as reported by the Economic Times.
Meteorological Challenges: The implementation of artificial rains relies on specific meteorological conditions, such as the presence of clouds with adequate moisture and suitable winds.
Cloud seeding, while promising, remains an evolving field, and its effectiveness during pre-winter months and at a larger scale is yet to be determined.
Regulatory Hurdles: The process involves obtaining multiple approvals, including those from the DGCA, the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Special Protection Group responsible for the Prime Minister's security.
Stringent Measures in Effect: As Delhi's air quality deteriorated, stringent restrictions under Stage IV of the graded response action plan were enforced.
Only CNG, electric, and BS VI-compliant vehicles from other states are permitted to enter Delhi under these measures, with exceptions for essential services.
Additionally, medium and heavy goods vehicles not engaged in essential services are banned in the capital, according to the latest order.

Delhi's Air Quality Deteriorates to 'Very Poor' Category

A layer of haze enveloped Delhi and its neighbouring areas as the capital's air quality slipped into the 'very poor' category, primarily attributed to temperature drop and calm winds during the night.

On 3^rd Nov, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi reached 372 at 10 am, marking the highest level this season, with a 24-hour average AQI of 359.

Key Points

'Severe' Air Quality in Certain Areas: Several areas within Delhi, such as Nehru Nagar, Sonia Vihar, Rohini, Wazirpur, Bawana, Mundka, Anand Vihar, and New Moti Bagh, experienced a significant deterioration in air quality, plunging into the 'severe' category.
Elevated PM2.5 Levels: The concentration of PM2.5, fine particulate matter harmful to the respiratory system, in these areas exceeded the safe limit by six to seven times, reaching up to 60 microgrammes per cubic meter.
Air Quality in Neighboring Areas: The AQI in nearby regions included 280 in Ghaziabad, 318 in Faridabad, 254 in Gurugram, 333 in Noida, and 372 in Greater Noida.
Air Quality Categories: The Air Quality Index categorizes air quality as good, satisfactory, moderate, poor, very poor, and severe, with values ranging from 0 to 500.
Major Contributors to Air Quality: According to a model-based system by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), vehicular emissions (11% to 16%) and stubble burning (7% to 16%) are the primary contributors to Delhi's air quality.
Restrictions on Buses: Starting from November 1, only electric, CNG, and BS VI-compliant diesel buses are permitted to operate between Delhi and the cities and towns in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan within the NCR region, following directions from the Commission for Air Quality Management.
BS VI Emission Standards: To combat pollution, India mandated that all vehicles sold must adhere to the Bharat Stage VI (BS-VI) emission standards.
These standards regulate the amount of air pollutants vehicles can emit and focus on improving emission control, fuel efficiency, and engine design.
Persistent 'Very Poor' Air Quality: The Centre's Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi predicts that Delhi's air quality will remain in the 'very poor' category for the coming days, highlighting the ongoing air pollution concerns.

Reasons behind Rising Pollution Levels in Delhi during Winters

Stubble Burning

Farmers in Punjab and Haryana burn crop residues, generating significant smoke and particulate matter.
Stubble burning contributes to Delhi's pollution, reaching up to 25% according to SAFAR.
Emission of toxic pollutants such as Carbon Monoxide (CO), methane (CH4), and carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

Wind Direction

Wind direction, predominantly northwesterly post-monsoon, carries pollutants from Haryana and Punjab to Delhi.
A shift in wind direction can reduce pollutant influx, improving air quality.
For example, wind direction change from north to northeast on October 25, 2023, led to marginal air quality improvement.

Temperature Inversion

Inversion occurs when warm air aloft traps cold air and pollutants near the ground.
Common during Delhi's cold, calm winter weather.
Accumulates pollutants from various sources, creating a thick layer of smog.

Dry and Still Air

Reduced rainfall and low wind speed in winter prolong the suspension of pollutants in the air.
Pollutants are not washed away or diluted, leading to persistent smog.

Vehicular and Industrial Emissions

High population and vehicle density in Delhi result in significant emissions of harmful gases and particles.
Industries contribute by burning fossil fuels and releasing chemicals.
Vehicular emissions account for approximately 25% of Delhi's PM2.5 levels.

Dust Storms, Firecrackers, and Biomass Burning

Dust storms bring particles from arid regions.
Firecrackers during festivals add smoke and metals to the air.
Domestic biomass burning for heating releases carbon monoxide and particulate matter.
Biomass burning contributes to 17-26% of particulate matter in Delhi during winters (IIT-Kanpur study).

Government Initiatives to Control Delhi's Pollution

Green War Room

A nine-member team monitors actions of 20 government agencies against pollution in real-time.

Anti-Pollution Campaign "Yuddh Pradushan Ke Viruddh"

Includes tree transplantation and other initiatives.

Green Delhi App

Allows citizens to report pollution instances like garbage burning, industrial emissions, or traffic congestion.

Bio-Decomposer

Developed by PUSA institute to help farmers decompose crop residue without burning.
Free spraying of bio-decomposer in Delhi's farmlands.

Water Sprinklers

Use of water sprinklers, mechanized road sweeping machines, anti-smog guns, and sprinkling facilities on high-rise buildings.

Industry Pollution

Monitoring and enforcement of clean and authorized fuel usage in industries.
Extension of piped natural gas (PNG) and creation of the first e-waste eco-park.

PUC Certificates

Enforcement of pollution under control (PUC) certificates for vehicles.
Ban on trucks carrying non-essential goods.
Hiring 1,000 private CNG vehicles to enhance public transport.

Smog Towers

Installation of smog towers with fans and filters to purify the air.
First smog tower set up at Connaught Place showing positive effects.

Pollution Hotspots

Identification of 21 pollution hotspots.
Deployment of special teams to monitor and mitigate pollution sources in these areas.

Delhi Government Launches 'Green War Room' to Combat Air Pollution

On 3^rd Oct, Delhi Chief Minister unveiled a comprehensive plan comprising fifteen points to combat pollution in the city during the upcoming winter season.

In line with this initiative, Delhi Environment Minister introduced the 'Green War Room' to address the persistent issue of air pollution in Delhi.

Key Points

Pollution Monitoring: The 'Green War Room' serves as a platform where residents can report instances of pollution in the city via the Green Delhi app.
This information is directly transmitted to the war room team.
Real-time Pollution Data: The war room also monitors pollution levels in various areas of Delhi, expanding from 9 teams to 17 teams to enhance coverage.
24x7 Operations: The 'Green War Room' operates round the clock, ensuring continuous efforts to combat pollution.
Stubble Burning Coordination: The government is also collaborating with states where stubble burning occurs, with Punjab taking proactive measures to reduce such incidents.
Bio-Decomposer Usage: Bio-decomposer will be used to control stubble burning in 5,000 acres this year, building on last year's effort of 4,400 acres.

Reasons for Delhi NCR Region Facing Extreme Particulate Pollution

Geographical Reasons

Location of Delhi: Delhi is positioned northeast of the Thar Desert, northwest of the central plains, and southwest of the Himalayas. Winds carrying pollutants from coastal areas get "trapped" near the Himalayas, contributing to pollution buildup.
Cold Winter Temperatures: During October-November, cooler temperatures result in less vertical air movement. Pollutants are trapped and concentrated at lower atmospheric levels, leading to smog and haze.
Lack of Wind in Winter: Winter months in Delhi NCR experience significantly lower average wind speeds compared to summer, exacerbating pollutant concentration.
Dust Storms: SAFAR reports indicate that up to 40% of particulate pollution in Delhi can be attributed to "multi-day dust storms" originating in the Middle East.

Anthropogenic Factors

Stubble Burning: Stubble burning, rooted in Green Revolution measures from the 1960s-70s, contributes significantly to pollution.
Government Policies: Policies in Punjab and Haryana aimed at addressing water scarcity have inadvertently worsened pollution by delaying Kharif cropping.
Industrial Activity: Manufacturing, power generation, construction, and transportation, particularly vehicular emissions, are major contributors to Delhi's air pollution, as recognized by the CPCB and NEERI.
Minimal Citizen Participation: Delhi lacks a robust citizens' movement for pollution control compared to other regions.
Lax Regulations: Regulations tend to focus on bans rather than encouraging and assisting small factories to adopt eco-friendly measures.

Measures to Prevent Pollution

Water Sprinklers: To curb dust pollution at 13 hotspots, 530 water sprinklers will be deployed.
Vehicle Pollution Checks: A total of 385 teams will monitor vehicle pollution certificates and prevent the use of old vehicles.
Ban on Older Vehicles: The Supreme Court had previously banned diesel and petrol vehicles older than 10 and 15 years, respectively, in Delhi.
Garbage Burning Ban: Open burning of garbage is prohibited in Delhi, and 611 teams will enforce this rule.
Anti-Smog Measures: To tackle road pollution during winter, 258 anti-smog guns will be deployed.
Firecracker Ban: There will be a ban on firecrackers in the city.
Afforestation: To increase green cover, one crore new saplings will be planted, with the Delhi government responsible for planting 52 lakh of them.

Researchers Create Genetically Modified Marine Bacterium to Degrade Plastic in Saltwater

Scientists have recently genetically modified a marine bacterium to break down polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic, addressing the issue of plastic pollution in marine environments.

Key Points

Addressing Plastic Pollution: This breakthrough offers a potential solution to combat plastic pollution in oceans by breaking down PET, which contributes significantly to microplastic pollution.
Reusability: The goal is to transform plastics into reusable products instead of merely removing them from the water and sending them to landfills.
Environmental Impact: Reducing plastic pollution in marine environments can have a positive impact on ecosystems and marine life.
Groundbreaking Achievement: This research marks the first successful expression of foreign enzymes on V. natriegens cells.
Saltwater PET Degradation: It's the first genetically engineered organism known to break down PET microplastics in saltwater, overcoming challenges related to high salt concentrations.

World's First 100% Ethanol-Fueled Car Launched

On 29^th August, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari introduced the world's inaugural 100% ethanol-powered car in New Delhi, marking a significant step towards emission reduction and fuel efficiency enhancement.

Key Points

Historic Ethanol-Fueled Car Launch: This step aims to combat carbon dioxide emissions and improve vehicle fuel efficiency.
BS-VI Ethanol-Powered Vehicle: Minister celebrated this milestone as the launch of the world's first electrified flex-fuel vehicle, operating entirely on ethanol-based fuel. He emphasized the urgency of adopting sustainable measures to address pollution and reduce dependence on oil imports.
Economic and Environmental Benefits: Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister emphasized the financial benefits of ethanol blending.
A 20% ethanol blend in petrol could result in an annual import bill savings of 35 thousand crore rupees.
India has surpassed its 10% ethanol blending target ahead of schedule, signifying successful progress.
Global Biofuel Partnership: This collaborative effort aims to advance the adoption and integration of biofuels on an international scale.
Flex Fuel Technology: The flex fuel technology enables engines to efficiently use ethanol-blended petrol or gasoline beyond a 20% threshold.
The overarching goal is to minimize carbon emissions, promote sustainable mobility, and reduce reliance on conventional fuel sources.

Air Pollution in South Asia Reduces Life Span by 5.1 Years on Average

A recent report highlights that air pollution in South Asia, particularly in countries like Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Pakistan, is cutting the average life expectancy of residents by 5.1 years.

Key Points

Significant Impact: The Energy Institute published the 'Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) Annual Update 2023' report, indicating that air pollution in South Asia, particularly in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Pakistan, is leading to a decrease in the average life span by 5.1 years.
Indian Scenario: In India, poor air quality on average reduces an individual's life expectancy by 5.3 years.
This surpasses the impact of cardiovascular diseases (4.5 years) and child/maternal malnutrition (1.8 years) on life expectancy.
AQLI Report: The report analyzes the impact of particulate pollution on life expectancy using the Air Quality Life Index (AQLI).
Highly Affected Region: South Asia, particularly countries like Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Pakistan, experiences a higher impact on life expectancy due to air pollution compared to other health threats like tobacco use, unsafe water and sanitation, and alcohol use.
Elevated Exposure: The average person in these countries faces particulate pollution levels that are 51.3% higher than those at the beginning of the century.
Impact on Life Years Lost: The report emphasizes that if pollution levels had remained constant since 2000, the residents of these countries would have been expected to lose 3.3 years of life expectancy.
Pollution in Specific Countries: Bangladesh stands as the most polluted nation globally, facing 6.8 years of average life loss per person due to pollution.
India follows closely, where all 1.3 billion people live in areas with particulate pollution exceeding WHO guidelines.
Increasing Pollution Levels: Air quality levels in India have deteriorated significantly. From 1998 to 2021, average annual particulate pollution increased by 67.7%, shortening average life expectancy by 2.3 years. Moreover, from 2013 to 2021, India contributed to 59.1% of the global increase in pollution.
Reasons behind Pollution Spike: The report attributes the increase in air pollution to rapid industrialization, economic development, population growth, and increased energy demand and fossil fuel usage across the region.
Effects of Particulate Pollution: Particulate matter like PM 2.5, due to its tiny size, can easily enter the circulatory system, leading to chronic diseases such as asthma, heart attacks, bronchitis, and respiratory problems.

Indore Tops Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan Ranking

After being designated as a "non-attainment city" by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) six years ago, ‘Swachh Indore’ has recently risen to the forefront of cities making substantial strides in improving air quality, emerging as the leader in the 'over 10-lakh population category'.

Key Points:

Indore Tops Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan: Indore secured the top position in the Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan ranking, part of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), with an impressive score of 187 out of 200 points.
Non-attainment cities: These are the cities that have fallen short of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for over five years.
Diverse Rankings among Cities: In contrast, Gwalior scores 117 points, placing 43rd, while Bhopal secures the fifth position with 181 points, and Jabalpur claims the seventh position with 172 points.
Evaluation Methodology and Criteria: The ranking is determined based on the evaluation of self-assessment reports submitted by cities on the PRANA portal.
The assessment covers multiple domains, such as solid waste management, road dust management, vehicular emission control, industry-related emission abatement, and more.
Indore's Initiatives and Progress: Indore's improvement initiatives include installing air quality monitoring stations, intensively sweeping roads at night, increasing green cover, and transitioning to cleaner public transport options like CNG/electric vehicles.

Air Pollution Linked to Alarming Surge in Antibiotic Resistance

Recently, a comprehensive global study has unveiled a disturbing connection between escalating air pollution and the rapid rise of antibiotic resistance, a grave threat to global public health.

Key Points:

Widespread Antibiotic Resistance: The study's findings underscore a significant global concern, highlighting the correlation between mounting levels of air pollution and the alarming surge in antibiotic resistance observed across all continents and countries.
Strengthening Link Over Time: As air pollution levels have risen, the instances of antibiotic resistance have shown larger increases.
Air Pollution's Impact on Health: While antibiotic misuse and overuse remain primary drivers of resistance, the study suggests that air pollution exacerbates the problem, adding to the complexity of the issue.
Mechanisms of Link Unclear: Although the study did not delve into the specific mechanisms underlying the link between air pollution and antibiotic resistance, evidence suggests that particulate matter PM2.5 could carry antibiotic-resistant bacteria and genes, potentially contributing to their inhalation and transmission.
A Dual Menace: The study's lead author underscores the dual benefits of combating air pollution: mitigating its detrimental effects and potentially curbing the proliferation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Possible Pathways: The research highlights potential pathways through which antibiotic-resistant genes are disseminated via air pollution, including hospitals, farms, and sewage-treatment facilities that release antibiotic-resistant particles into the air, propagating them over significant distances.