{"id":12726,"date":"2017-12-02T13:39:04","date_gmt":"2017-12-02T08:09:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.forumias.com\/?p=12726"},"modified":"2017-11-29T11:40:22","modified_gmt":"2017-11-29T06:10:22","slug":"answers-mains-marathon-upsc-mains-current-affairs-questions-december-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/answers-mains-marathon-upsc-mains-current-affairs-questions-december-1\/","title":{"rendered":"Answers: Mains Marathon \u2013 UPSC Mains Current Affairs Questions \u2013 December 1"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/blog.forumias.com\/mains-marathon\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Archives<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Q.1) <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aeroplanes may be ejecting significant amounts of Black Carbon (BC), a pollutant that may be depleting the ozone layer. Discuss how aircrafts affects climate and ozone layer and the consequences of these effects. (GS-1)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Introduction<\/b><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Ozone layer is a deep layer in earth\u2019s atmosphere that contain ozone which is a naturally occurring molecule containing three oxygen atoms. These ozone molecules form a gaseous layer in the Earth\u2019s upper atmosphere called stratosphere. <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The stratosphere extends anywhere from 4 to 12 miles (6 to 20 km) above Earth\u2019s surface up to 31 miles (50 km). This is the layer where most commercial airliners fly and weather balloons travel to.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With due course of time, aviation has experienced rapid expansion as the world economy has grown. But along with the expansion the total aviation emissions have increased, because increased demand for air transport has outpaced the reductions in specific emissions from the continuing improvements in technology and operational procedures.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Emissions of aircraft:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The principal emissions of aircraft include the greenhouse gases carbon dioxide and water vapor (H<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">O).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other major emissions are nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) (which together are termed NO<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">x<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">), sulfur oxides (SO<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">x<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">O), and soot.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b> How Do Aircraft Affect Climate and Ozone?<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aircraft emit gases and particles directly into the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere where they have an impact on atmospheric composition. Their immediate adverse affects are as follows:<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These gases and particles alter the concentration of atmospheric greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide CO<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">), ozone (O<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">), and methane (CH<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Trigger formation of condensation trails (contrails)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These gases may increase cirrus cloudiness-all of which contribute to climate change.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aeroplanes may be ejecting significant amounts of Black Carbon (BC) \u2014 a pollutant which may be a contribute in depleting the ozone layer, according to a study by climate researchers from multiple institutions in the country.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Though airborne, BC is known to dissipate and settle down in a few months under the influence of rain and wind and is unlikely to travel upward of 4 km, but these black carbon particles can linger long enough to provide a fertile ground for other chemical reactions that can deplete the ozone layer.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Because BC particles strongly absorb solar and terrestrial radiation and heats up the atmosphere it can upset the monsoon system.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If deposited on snow, it could accelerate the heating of snow and quicken the melting of glaciers.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Consequences:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The consequences of the depletion of the ozone layer are dramatic.<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Increased ultraviolet radiation leads to a growing number of skin cancers and cataracts and also reduces the ability of people\u2019s immune systems to respond to infection.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">UV radiations also affect plants by increasing germination that reduces crop yield.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It causes severe damage in the early development stage of shrimps, crabs and amphibians.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Additionally, the growth rates of the world\u2019s oceanic plankton, the base of most marine food chains, have been negatively affected, leading to increased atmospheric carbon dioxide and thus to global warming.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Materials like plastics, wood, fabrics, rubber are massively degraded by too much ultraviolet radiation.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Q.2) <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Antibiotic Resistance is a matter of concern in developing nations, including India, where the burden of infectious disease is high and healthcare spending is low. In this context discuss what is antibiotic resistance. How antibiotic resistance can be prevented? (GS-3)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Antibiotic Resistance is a matter of concern in developing nations, including India, where the burden of infectious disease is high and healthcare spending is low. The country has among the highest bacterial disease burden in the world. Antibiotics, therefore, have a critical role in limiting morbidity and mortality in the country. The 2015 WHO multi-country survey revealed <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">widespread public misunderstanding about antibiotic usage and resistance.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Meaning of antibiotic resistance:<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Antibiotics are medicine used to treat infections caused by bacteria. Antibiotic Resistance refers to resistance developed by bacteria against antibiotics or the ability of bacteria to mutate or change so as to resist the effects of antibiotics. The more we use them, and the more we abuse them, the less effective they become.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Antibiotics are unquestionably useful against bacterial infections. However, indiscriminate use has resulted in development of resistance in patients with bacterial infections thereby leading to long lasting illnesses.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>How antibiotics resistant infections can be prevented?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is important to understand that, although they are very useful drugs, antibiotics designed for bacterial infections are not useful for viral infections such as a cold, cough, or the flu.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before taking any antibiotic ask the physician if it is required and beneficial.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Always take antibiotics as prescribed by the physician.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Take antibiotics to treat only bacterial infections.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do not take antibiotics in viral infections such as cold, cough, or flu<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do not repeat the same antibiotic for the next time you get sick.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do not stop antibiotic before complete prescribed course of treatment.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do not skip doses.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do not copy the antibiotic with the same diseases which is prescribed for someone else.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Way Forward<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Consumers need to remember that not all illnesses need antibiotics and the decision on when to take them and for how long are best left to a doctor.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Multi-resistance in some tertiary-care hospitals to bugs like Staphylococcus aureus has grown to dangerous levels. But the experience of countries like Australia shows that cutting down on antibiotics can reverse such trends. The National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance aims to repeat such successes in India.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Meanwhile, awareness must be built among consumers so that they see the coming crisis and take up the baton.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Q.3)Recently India won election to the International Court of Justice. What is the significance of this achievement for India? (GS-2)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Recently India won election to the International Court of Justice. Justice Dalveer Bhandari won the election to the International Court of Justice with 183 of 193 votes in UN General Assembly and all 15 at UNSC voting in his favour. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is also the first time that one sitting member of the ICJ lost to another sitting member.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Significance for India:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Analysts say the election result was crucial for India to gauge the support it enjoys in the world body where New Delhi has been campaigning for reforms, including a permanent seat for itself in the powerful Security Council.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The re-election is also crucial as it ensures India\u2019s continued influence at the ICJ where the Kulbhushan Jadhav case against Pakistan will come up next month.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India has moved the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against Pakistan, accusing the latter of violating the Vienna Convention in the case of Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav, who was handed a death sentence by a Field General Court Martial (FGCM) last month.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India requested the ICJ to ensure that Jadhav\u2019s death sentence is suspended and declared a violation of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The re-election was a positive affirmation of Indian diplomacy.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This was the first time that a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) was in direct contest with a non-member for the post of a judge at the ICJ. And India clinched the deal in the end.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The election shows how the exclusive club of few in the UN is now begun to yield space to new emerging economies.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Archives Q.1) Aeroplanes may be ejecting significant amounts of Black Carbon (BC), a pollutant that may be depleting the ozone layer. Discuss how aircrafts affects climate and ozone layer and the consequences of these effects. (GS-1) Introduction The Ozone layer is a deep layer in earth\u2019s atmosphere that contain ozone which is a naturally occurring&hellip; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/answers-mains-marathon-upsc-mains-current-affairs-questions-december-1\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Answers: Mains Marathon \u2013 UPSC Mains Current Affairs Questions \u2013 December 1<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":61,"featured_media":2292,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[25,9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12726","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mains-marathon-answers","category-public","entry"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/pen-paper-laptop.jpg?fit=1000%2C500&ssl=1","views":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12726","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/61"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12726"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12726\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2292"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12726"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12726"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12726"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}