News in Shorts: 11 October 2024

Green Patches in Antarctica, Worrying Scientists

Context: Plant cover across the Antarctic Peninsula that points north towards South America, has increased more than 10 times over the past few decades due to rising temperatures, as per a new study.

About the Study

• Study published in Nature Geoscience, conducted by University of Exeter, Hertfordshire, and British Antarctic Survey.
• The Study was primarily focused on the Antarctic Peninsula, a region warming faster than the rest of Antarctica.

Key Highlights

• Warming in Antarctica:
  • Antarctica is warming twice as fast as the global average (0.22-0.32°C per decade).
  • The Antarctic Peninsula is warming five times faster than the global average, now 3°C warmer than in 1950.
  • Record-breaking heat waves observed:
    • July 2024: Temperatures 10°C higher than normal.
    • March 2022: Heatwave saw temperatures 39°C above normal in East Antarctica.
• Vegetation Expansion:
  • Plant cover in the Antarctic Peninsula has increased 14 times in 35 years due to rising temperatures
  • Vegetation (mostly mosses and lichen) covered less than 1 sq km in 1986, now covers almost 12 sq km in 2021.
  • Rate of greening increased by over 30% between 2016-2021.
  • Warmer seas may contribute to wetter conditions, encouraging plant growth.
• Global Climate Change Impact:
  • Antarctic greening is linked to anthropogenic climate change, demonstrating that climate change’s influence has no geographical limit.
  • Sea ice extent: 2024 recorded the second smallest sea ice extent, contributing to warmer seas.
• Consequences of Increased Vegetation:
  • Invasive species risk: Mosses create soil, which could attract invasive species, threatening native flora and fauna.
  • Albedo effect: Increased plant cover darkens the surface, reducing sunlight reflection, which could raise temperatures further.
  • Loss of ice mass: Antarctica is already losing 280% more ice mass in recent decades, contributing to rising global sea levels.
• Future Implications: As greenhouse gas emissions rise, the warming trend will likely continue, leading to more vegetation and further environmental changes in Antarctica.

Facts about Antarctica

• Fifth-largest continent, being about 40% larger than Europe
• Earth’s coldest, highest, driest, and windiest expanse. 
• The average elevation is 7,200 feet (2,200 meters) above sea level. 
• Often referred to as the “Frozen Continent” or the “White Continent”. 
• Home to the world’s only known “lava lakes”. 
• Home to penguins, notably the Adelie penguins. 
• It has the highest average wind speed on the planet. 
• The Antarctic Ice Sheet is the world’s largest single mass of ice. 
• The sun does not rise in Antarctica from the vernal equinox to the autumnal equinox and does not set in Antarctica throughout the summer months. 
• Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) is the world’s largest wind-driven current and the only current that links the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans.

India’s Antarctic Programme

• Dakshin Gangotri: India’s first Antarctic research base, built in 1983; abandoned in 1989.
• Maitri: India’s second Antarctic research base, built in 1989.
  • Maitri II: A new station is being built to replace Maitri due to its outdated infrastructure. Expected to be completed in January 2029. 
• Bharti: India’s third Antarctic research station, built in 2012.
• A scientific research and exploration program under the National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research (NCPOR), started in 1981 with India’s first expedition to Antarctica. .
• NCPOR was established in 1998.

World Post Day 2024: Theme, History, Significance

Context: World Post Day is celebrated every year on October 9 to recognize the role of the postal system in communication, trade, and development.

Key highlights

• 150th Anniversary of (UPU): This year marks 150 years since the founding of the UPU in 1874 in Celebrating World Post Day
  • The UPU was established in 1874  to create a unified international postal system, making global mail exchange more efficient.
• History:
  • World Post Day: Declared in 1969 at the UPU Congress in Tokyo to emphasise the importance of postal services.
• Theme for 2024: “150 years of enabling communication and empowering peoples across nations.“

Significance of Postal Services

• Communication: Essential for connecting people worldwide.
• Trade: Facilitates the exchange of goods and services.
• Development: Supports economic growth and social progress.
• E-commerce: Plays a vital role in online shopping and delivery.
• Financial inclusion: Provides access to financial services in remote areas.

RBI Enhances Transaction Limits on UPI 123, UPI Lite

Context: To encourage wider adoption of the unified payments interface (UPI), the RBI recently announced an increase in transaction limits on UPI123 and UPI Lite.

About UPI Lite

• UPI Lite is an “On-device wallet.
  • Users must first contribute money to the app’s wallet from their bank accounts. 
• Users can make real-time payments without the Internet 
• Allows users to make low-value transactions without entering a UPI PIN.
• Phase One:  UPI Lite will process transactions in near offline mode, Debit (payments) can be made without Internet connection and credits into the account will be done online
• Initial limit: ₹500 per transaction, with a wallet limit of ₹2,000.
• New limits:
  • Per transaction: ₹1,000.
  • Wallet limit: ₹5,000.

About UPI123Pay

• UPI 123Pay is a Suite of solutions developed for Non Smart phone / feature phone users to use the UPI without internet connectivity
• Started in March 2022 to enable feature-phone users to use UPI.
• It is available in 12 languages.
• Technology alternatives include IVR number, app functionality, missed-call and proximity sound-based payments.
• Transaction Limits:
  • Initial transaction limit: ₹5,000 per transaction.
  • New transaction limit: Increased to ₹10,000 to encourage wider use.

RBI’s New Initiatives

• Beneficiary Account Name Look-up for RTGS and NEFT:
  • Similar to UPI and IMPS, this facility will allow remitters to verify the name of the beneficiary by inputting account number and branch IFSC code before transferring funds.
  • Aims to increase customer confidence, reduce wrong credits, and prevent frauds.

Significance

• Encourages digital payments adoption, especially for feature-phone users and small-value transactions.
• Enhances trust and accuracy in fund transfers by allowing account name verification.
• Boosts India’s digital payment infrastructure and promotes financial inclusion.

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