Top News Highlights-5 November 2024

Table of Contents

Odisha’s Cyclone Resilience 25 Years On

Odisha has learned much from the 1999 supercyclone, which killed over 9,000 people.
Key developments include the creation of the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA) and the “Mission Zero Casualty” initiative.
The community-level approach to disaster preparedness involves volunteers from gram panchayats and women’s SHGs.
Improved early warning systems and the National Disaster Management Act (2005) have strengthened disaster response.

Indian scientists have developed a model to understand the Equatorial ElectroJet (EEJ) which affects satellite navigation and power grids.
EEJ is a 100-kA current that flows at Earth’s magnetic equator, strengthening Earth’s geomagnetic field near the equator.
EEJ disruptions impact power systems and satellite communications in equatorial regions.
The study of EEJ helps in improving the accuracy of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS).

CZMPs have been approved for 10 coastal districts of Kerala for regulating human activities in the coastal areas.
The CZMPs have divided the coastal areas into zones like No Development Zones (NDZ) and Coastal Regulation Zones (CRZ).
CZMPs promote greater public participation and also consider the interest of the local community, as proposed under the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification 2019.
Administered by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, CZMPs are vital for coastal development in a sustainable manner.

India’s updated NBSAP aligns with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework to address the reversal of biodiversity loss by 2030.
It has 23 targets on reducing threats to biodiversity, ensuring sustainable use of resources, and strengthening the tools for conservation
Capacity building, resource mobilization, and partnership with the like of Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) have been integrated in India’s approach
Green bonds and other financial instruments are encouraged to engage the private sector.

On October 31, this year, the theme is “Youth leading climate and local action for cities.”
By 2050, cities will house 70% of the world’s population. India expects 40% of its population to be urbanized by 2036.
World Cities Day stresses the need for sustainable urban development and international cooperation in the matter of urban issues.
Urbanization in India demands a strong infrastructure that would deal with the population in the future.

WHO has activated GHEC for the first time during the recent Mpox outbreak.
GHEC was initiated in 2023 to coordinate the deployment of experts and technical support for health emergencies.
It increases readiness to respond to crises for the global health workforce, thereby enhancing collaboration among health networks.

EPR obligates producers, importers, and brand owners to collect back 100% of the plastic packaging that they introduce into the market.
EPR certificates that are issued for compliance, can be traded in with plastic waste processors but there is still fraudulence.
Fair EPR pricing and elimination of fake certificates; this informs ODSPD to include the informal sector.

OSDMA – Odisha State Disaster Management Authority; the first agency of disaster management by an Indian state, who advocates community-driven response to disaster
Equatorial ElectroJet (EEJ) – A strong current in the ionosphere that affects GNSS and satellite communication.
CZMP-Coastal Zone Management Plan; A legal framework for sustainable coastal development.
CRZ Notification 2019 -Regulation that identifies coastal stretches and zones for the protection of coastal ecosystems.
NBSAP– National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan; India’s action plan towards biodiversity conservation is aligned with international biodiversity frameworks.
EPR– Extended Producer Responsibility; policy where the producer takes responsibility for the life cycle of his product especially the collection and recycling of wastes.