Category: 9 PM Daily Articles

News: In CoP 26 summit, 105 countries have pledged to reduce their methane emissions by 30% from 2020 levels, by 2030.  IPCC research estimates that 1/4th of global warming is done by CH4 or Methane. Cutting Methane emissions is easier compared to other emissions due to tech solutions. Also, UN’s latest assessment is that over 50% of available targeted measures… Continue reading Methane question: It is easier to cut CH4 than CO2

News: The rise in prices of energy may slow down the economic recovery and growth rate. How are energy prices linked to economic recovery and growth? Economic Productivity is directly related to the use of dense forms of energy*. Improvements in Indian economy’s energy density means India’s energy demand grew 2.5% slower than India’s GDP… Continue reading The energy headwind

News: India’s Indo-Pacific strategy has got a concrete political and institutional shape with the setting up of QUAD. India must develop a similar strategy for Eurasia as well. The Eurasian Strategy will completement the Indo-Pacific Strategy as the latter influences maritime geopolitics while the former will be in the Continental domain. What is the concept… Continue reading India needs a new integrated approach to Eurasia

News: The Madras High Court recently quashed the provision of 10.5% reservation for Vanniyakula Kshatriyas within the overall 20% quota for Most Backward Communities (MBCs) and Denotified Communities (DNCs). This has highlighted the importance of quantifiable data while taking a decision on reservation in education and employment. What is the issue? The State Assembly had… Continue reading No Quota without quantifiable data

News: India has failed to utilise the international law to advance its national security interests.   International laws cover wide array of security issues ranging from terrorism to maritime security. For example, Article 1(1) of the UN Charter recognizes the maintenance of “international peace and security” as a principal objective of the UN. However, India has not been able… Continue reading It’s time to engage in ‘lawfare’

News: The Agritech startup ecosystem can be the next-generation technology revolution in the agri-food sector. Agritech Startups are raising large sums, despite many of them currently making losses. This is because they disrupt the traditional system of doing business and increase efficiency. India witnessed an increase in funding from $619 million in H1 2020 to… Continue reading Agritech startups have great potential in India

News: India’s commitments at the Glasgow COP-26 meeting came at a substantial cost to its medium-term economic prospects, while other developed countries such as EU, US and China will have an advantage. How new commitments will cost India its medium-term economic prospects? New commitments related to energy transition mean the challenge of raising the living… Continue reading Pledges at Glasgow could change the global distribution of power

News: Increasingly, electric vehicles are being seen as a major solution to the severe emissions problem. However, many tend to ignore the carbon emissions produced during the process of manufacturing these cars. The transport sector is responsible for almost a quarter of direct carbon-dioxide emissions from burning fuel. EVs were supposed to be the answer… Continue reading The dirty secret of EV supply chains that can’t be overlooked

News: The stringent provisions of UAPA have denied bail to many accused. However, Thwaha Fasal’s judgment can now be invoked to release other political prisoners in the country who have been denied bail due to harshness or narrow interpretation of the law. In Thwaha Fasal vs Union of India, the Court has deconstructed the provisions… Continue reading A new jurisprudence for political prisoners

News: Vaccination is key to returning to normalcy and in curbing the further spread of COVID-19. Now is the time to put extra efforts to boost vaccine confidence among the public. After the devastating second wave, India has performed well in controlling the spread of Covid. Vaccination, together with face masks and social distancing, have… Continue reading Strengthening vaccine trust