According to a recent research published in the journal Nature Geoscience, stratocumulus clouds could disappear if the amount of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere increases threefold. This could result in steep increase (by about 8 degree Celsius) in Earth’s temperature in addition to the global warming that comes from increased greenhouse concentrations. This would further lead to… Continue reading Warming imperils clouds that deter ‘hothouse’ conditions
Category: Factly: Environment
This category contains all Current Affairs Factly Articles for Prelims, related to the Environment. You can find all relevant Environment related updates on this page. This page is specifically useful for UPSC Prelims exam.
Bandipur, Wayanad forest face fire fury
A major fire broke out in Bandipur Tiger Reserve which has now spread to Wayanad wildlife sanctuary destroying acres of forest land. According to officials the reason for forest fire are(a) lack of summer rain has lead to high temperatures (b) heavy wind and withered undergrowth caused the fire to spread rapidly and (c)human involvement… Continue reading Bandipur, Wayanad forest face fire fury
Ganga basin States stare at rising crop failures
According to a report submitted to the Central Water Commission by the World Bank, Ganga river basin could see crop failures rise three-fold and drinking water shortage rise by as much as 39% in some States between now and 2040. The Ganga river basin is the largest river basin in India and provides over a… Continue reading Ganga basin States stare at rising crop failures
‘Flying bulldog’: world’s largest bee refound
Wallace’s giant bee- the world’s largest bee- has been rediscovered in a remote part of Indonesia. The bee lives in the Indonesian island region of North Moluccas. The bee has been spotted for the first time in almost 40 years The Wallace bee was discovered in the 19th century by British naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace.… Continue reading ‘Flying bulldog’: world’s largest bee refound
Travel on a jet, using a little cooking oil
Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP), Dehradun has successfully completed a pilot test to convert used cooking oil into bio-aviation turbine fuel (Bio-ATF) or bio-jet fuel. Bio-ATF is a biofuel used for aircraft. It can be blended with conventional ATF and used as aircraft fuel. Biofuel that can be used as jet-fuel can be prepared using… Continue reading Travel on a jet, using a little cooking oil
Where are the ‘green crackers’? asks Supreme Court
The Supreme Court has expressed displeasure over inabilities of CSIR-NEERI and PESO to find out formulae for green crackers. This comes in the backdrop of cracker factories being closed down in Tamil Nadu and about four lakh workers rendered jobless. Green crackers are so named because they do not contain harmful chemicals that would cause… Continue reading Where are the ‘green crackers’? asks Supreme Court
Odisha plans lightning alerting system
The Odisha State Disaster Management Authority has planned to establish an intelligent and automated lightning alert system. The decision comes in the backdrop of a large number deaths due to lightning in the state. OSDMA has collaborated with The Earth Networks, a USA-based organization to develop the outdoor alerting siren system. The alert system would… Continue reading Odisha plans lightning alerting system
Aussie mammal the first ‘climate change extinction’
Australia officially declared a Great Barrier Reef rodent extinct, making it the first mammal believed to have been killed off by human-induced climate change. Bramble Cay Melomys is a rodent which belongs to the family of Muridae. It lived solely on a tiny sand island in the Torres Strait, near the coast of Papua New… Continue reading Aussie mammal the first ‘climate change extinction’
7 islands in Lakshadweep and Andamans identified for seaplane operations
During the 5th meeting of Island developement agency, Four islands in the Andamans and three in Lakshadweep have been identified for seaplane operations, while private sector participation has been invited for tourism based projects. These islands are (a) Swaraj Dweep (b) Shaheed Dweep (c)Hutbay and (d) Long in Andaman and Nicobar Islands and (a) Kavaratti… Continue reading 7 islands in Lakshadweep and Andamans identified for seaplane operations
Synthetic fibres contribute to plastic pollution
According to a recent study, synthetic fibres like nylon and polyesters are major contributors of micro plastic pollution in the environment. Synthetic fibres are petroleum-based products. They are not recyclable and biodegradable like natural fibres such as wool, cotton and silk Microplastics are plastics which are less than five mm in diameter in size. Sources… Continue reading Synthetic fibres contribute to plastic pollution
