UPSC Essentials is excited to introduce its series of quizzes focused on various subjects. These quizzes are crafted to assist you in revising key topics from the static portions of the syllabus. Participate in today’s quiz on Environment and Geography to evaluate your progress.

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Regarding the recent UN Declaration on Sea Level Rise, please assess the following statements:

1. The declaration tackles the territorial losses experienced by low-lying nations that are especially susceptible to rising sea levels and ongoing coastal erosion.
2. This marks the first-ever UN declaration specifically addressing sea level rise.
3. The declaration references Ghoramara Island located in the Sundarbans.

How many of the above statements are accurate?

Significance: This question pertains to the challenges of sea-level rise, coastal erosion, and the risks posed by climate change to low-lying nations and islands, particularly highlighting India’s coastal vulnerabilities, including the Sundarbans and densely populated coastal areas.

— On September 24, the UN General Assembly ratified its inaugural declaration concerning rising sea levels, which threaten populations globally. According to the declaration, the increase in sea levels has been “accelerating” for quite some time. Data from the World Meteorological Organization indicates that the global sea level rise rate more than doubled from 2.1 mm annually between 1993 and 2002 to 4.7 mm annually from 2015 to 2024. Notably, in 2024, the sea level rose by 6 mm, marking the highest annual increase recorded. Thus, statement 2 is confirmed as correct.

— The declaration acknowledges the loss of territory that low-lying countries face due to rising sea levels and persistent coastal erosion, affirming that statement 1 is also correct.

— According to the Montevideo Convention of 1933, a State is defined by four criteria: a permanent population, a defined territory, a government, and the ability to engage in relations with other states.

— The declaration establishes a “presumption in favor of continued statehood,” ensuring that such nations retain their sovereignty, rights, and representation in the UN.

— While the declaration underscores the necessity for adaptation and mitigation measures, it delegates the negotiation of emission reductions to the UN climate convention and the Paris Agreement.

— Ghoramara Island, which diminished from approximately 7.2 square kilometers in 1972 to 3.6 square kilometers in 2022, exemplifies coastal erosion within the Sundarbans. However, it is not specifically mentioned in the UN declaration. The declaration also schedules another high-level meeting on sea level rise by September 2030, providing India with four years to demonstrate progress. Therefore, statement 3 is incorrect.

— Low-lying islands are particularly at risk as much of their land is situated just a few meters above sea level. Rising seas can lead to coastal erosion, flooding, and saltwater intrusion into freshwater supplies, endangering homes, infrastructure, and livable land.

— In 2015, the Republic of Kiribati, a low-lying nation, reported that the impacts of climate change were threatening its very existence. Similarly, during the COP26 in 2021, Tuvalu’s representative, Simon Kofe, addressed the gathering while standing knee-deep in seawater, highlighting land that had been lost to coastal erosion.

Therefore, the correct answer is option (b).

Concerning the Green Energy Corridor (GEC) initiative, evaluate the following statements:

1. The program focuses on the construction of dedicated transmission infrastructure to facilitate the integration of large-scale renewable energy (RE).
2. This initiative will assist in achieving the goal of 1000 GW of installed non-fossil capacity by 2030.
3. The program does not incorporate a battery energy storage element.

How many of the above statements are accurate?

Significance: This question relates to India’s transition to renewable energy and the development of electricity transmission infrastructure, emphasizing the role of Green Energy Corridors in integrating large-scale renewable energy into the national grid.

— The Indian government has sanctioned the third phase of the Green Energy Corridor (GEC), with an investment of Rs 1.86 lakh crore, aimed at facilitating the evacuation of up to 135 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy. The term ‘evacuation’ refers to the transfer of electricity generated from renewable sources to consumer locations.

— GEC is a flagship initiative by the Indian government intended to establish dedicated transmission infrastructure for the integration of large-scale renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, into the national power grid. Thus, statement 1 is confirmed as correct.

— For the first time, the GEC includes a dedicated component for battery energy storage, allowing for the deployment of 50 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.

— Energy storage systems are designed to retain excess renewable electricity during times of high generation and release it when demand increases but generation is low. They convert electricity from renewable sources into a storable form and later convert it back into electricity when required.

According to pib.gov.in, the scheme is expected to help achieve the target of 900 GW of installed non-fossil capacity by 2035. Additionally, it aims to enhance the long-term energy security of the nation and foster ecologically sustainable development by decreasing carbon emissions. The initiative is anticipated to create significant direct and indirect employment opportunities in the power, manufacturing, and construction sectors. Thus, statement 2 is also incorrect.

Therefore, the correct answer is option (a).

In relation to the Flood Hub, consider the…