Notes and Study material for Exams
Offset Trading: A Complex Solution to a Complex Problem The world is grappling with the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the impacts of climate change. One approach gaining traction is offset trading, a market-based mechanism that allows entities to compensate for their emissions by investing in projects that reduce or remove … Read more
The Changwon Declaration: A Call to Action for Human Well-being and Wetlands The world’s wetlands are facing unprecedented threats. From habitat loss and degradation to climate change and pollution, these vital ecosystems are under immense pressure. Recognizing the interconnectedness of human well-being and wetland health, the international community came together in 2008 to adopt the … Read more
The Double-Edged Sword: Environmental Impacts of Palm Oil Production Palm oil, a ubiquitous ingredient in countless products from food to cosmetics, has become a symbol of both economic prosperity and environmental controversy. Its production, primarily concentrated in Southeast Asia, has fueled rapid economic growth, but at a significant cost to the environment. This article delves … Read more
The Imperative of Environmental Impact Assessment: A Vital Tool for Sustainable Development The Earth’s ecosystems are facing unprecedented pressures from human activities. Climate change, deforestation, pollution, and resource depletion are just a few of the challenges we face. To navigate these complex issues and ensure a sustainable future, we need robust tools to assess the … Read more
The Paris Agreement: A Turning Point in the Fight Against Climate Change The 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), held in Paris in December 2015, marked a pivotal moment in the global effort to combat climate change. This landmark conference resulted in the adoption of … Read more
Genetic diversity Species diversity Ecosystem diversity Landscape diversity Biodiversity is the variety of life on Earth. It includes the variety of plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms, as well as the variety of ecosystems in which they live. Biodiversity is important for many reasons, including: It provides us with food, medicine, and other resources. It helps … Read more
National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem (NMSHE): A Beacon of Hope for the Roof of the World The Himalayas, often referred to as the “Roof of the World,” are a majestic mountain range spanning across eight countries, including India, Nepal, China, Pakistan, Bhutan, Afghanistan, Myanmar, and Bangladesh. This vast ecosystem is a vital source … Read more
The Legacy of DDT: A Pesticide’s Rise, Fall, and Enduring Impact Introduction Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, better known as DDT, is a synthetic insecticide that has left an indelible mark on history. Its discovery in the 1930s revolutionized pest control, earning its inventor, Paul Hermann Müller, a Nobel Prize in 1948. However, DDT’s widespread use led to unintended … Read more
The Silent Threat: Ocean Acidification and its Devastating Effects The ocean, a vast and seemingly endless expanse, is facing a silent threat â ocean acidification. This phenomenon, driven by the absorption of excess carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere, is altering the delicate chemical balance of our oceans, with far-reaching consequences for marine life and … Read more
Soil conservation planning on watershed basis Watershed development activity was taken up in the country prior to independence in the state of Maharashtra (then Bombay state) as a scarcity relief work during drought years in which contour binding programme for conservation of moisture and control of soil erosion was mostly undertaken, After independence, … Read more