10 December 2024 : The Hindu Editorial Analysis

 1. In energy-dependent world, the issue of food security

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 8Social)

Topic: GS2 – Social Justice, GS3 – Indian Economy

Context

The intertwined crises of food insecurity and energy poverty threaten global stability, amplified by climate change and geopolitical tensions. Agriculture, a major energy consumer and greenhouse gas emitter, highlights the challenges of balancing food production with energy needs.Inclusive, sustainable solutions are critical to ensure food and energy security for vulnerable populations.

Interconnected Crises of Food and Energy Security

• The World Bank highlights the intertwined crises of food and energy security as critical challenges in the 21st century.
• Food systems are strained by climate change, population growth, and inequality, while energy systems face geopolitical tensions, outdated infrastructure, and slow transitions to renewables.
• Agriculture, a significant energy consumer and greenhouse gas emitter, underscores the interconnectedness of these crises.

Agriculture’s Dependency on Carbon-Intensive Energy

• Agriculture accounts for 70% of global freshwater use and contributes over 20% of greenhouse gas emissions.
• Its reliance on fossil fuels for irrigation, mechanization, and fertilizer production creates a cycle of environmental degradation and vulnerability to energy price shocks.
• Between 2020 and 2023, severe food insecurity affected 11.8% of the global population, with projections of 956 million people affected by 2028.

Energy Inequities and Challenges

• Despite $500 billion invested in renewable energy in 2022, fossil fuel consumption persists due to geopolitical and economic pressures.
• Energy poverty disproportionately affects low-income countries, hindering agricultural productivity and driving up food prices.
• Sub-Saharan Africa’s low fertilizer usage and high import costs exacerbate food insecurity, despite spending $1.9 billion on fertilizers in 2021.

Geopolitical and Economic Risks in Agriculture

• Natural gas, critical for fertilizer production, is both a feedstock and energy source, making agriculture vulnerable to price volatility.
• China’s 2021 ban on phosphate fertilizer exports disrupted global supply chains, with significant impacts on countries like India, which imports 60% of its diammonium phosphate fertilizers.

Renewable Energy and Its Limitations

• Renewable energy deployment remains uneven, with 83% of new capacity installed in high-income nations in 2022.
• Solutions like solar irrigation and biomass energy have transformative potential but are limited by high costs and insufficient infrastructure in low-income regions.

Competing Demands on Agriculture

• Agriculture faces dual demands: feeding a growing population and supporting the energy transition through biofuel production.
• Biofuel production often competes with food security, as it requires extensive land and water resources.
• Addressing global caloric needs for vulnerable populations requires $90 billion annually until 2030, with an additional $300–$400 billion needed to transform food systems.

Implications of Inaction

• Inaction on food and energy insecurity could cost trillions in lost productivity and health outcomes.
• Energy disruptions driven by climate change risk destabilizing regions, leading to unrest and migration.
• Exploitation of Africa’s mineral wealth for renewables without benefiting local economies perpetuates poverty.

Call for Inclusive and Sustainable Solutions

• Clean energy solutions must address structural barriers to inclusivity to ensure vulnerable communities are not left behind.
• Agriculture needs reimagining as a cornerstone of sustainable development, balancing food security with environmental and energy goals.
• Immediate, inclusive action is essential to avoid deepening hunger and undermining global climate objectives.

PYQ: How far do you agree with the view that the focus on lack or availability of food as the main cause of hunger takes the attention away from ineffective human development policies in India? (250 words/15m) (UPSC CSE (M) GS-2 2018)

Practice Question:  Discuss the interplay between food security and energy poverty, focusing on the challenges posed by agriculture’s dependence on fossil fuels. Suggest measures to ensure sustainable development without compromising global climate goals. (250 Words /15 marks)

2. Indians need the right to disconnect

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 9)

Topic: GS2 – Governance, GS2 – Social Justice.

Context

Workplace stress and extended working hours in India adversely impact mental and physical health, particularly in professional sectors. While global practices recognize the right to disconnect, India lacks specific legislation, despite constitutional provisions emphasizing worker welfare. Addressing this issue is critical to fostering productivity and ensuring employee well-being.

Workplace Stress and the Need for Change

• Workplace stress is a growing concern in India, negatively affecting the mental health of nearly 49% of workers, as per a study by ADP Research Institute.
• Employees often remain tethered to work through electronic communication outside office hours, impacting their personal lives and mental well-being.
• Reports reveal that Indian women in professional sectors work over 55 hours weekly, highlighting a significant imbalance in work-life integration.

The Right to Disconnect: Global Practices

The right to disconnect allows employees to disengage from work communication outside working hours, promoting work-life balance. In France, courts have ruled that employees are not obligated to respond to work communications after hours, ensuring personal time is respected. Portugal has laws making it illegal for employers to contact employees outside working hours, except in emergencies. Spain and Australia have similar protections, ensuring employees’ personal and family privacy and work-life balance are safeguarded. Ireland also recognizes the right to disconnect to promote employee well-being.

India’s Legal Framework and Gaps

• While India lacks specific laws on the right to disconnect, its Constitution and Directive Principles of State Policy emphasize the right to work in a healthy environment.
• Article 38 mandates the state to promote the welfare of its citizens, and Article 39(e) directs policies to secure the health and strength of workers.
• Judicial rulings have reinforced the right to dignity at the workplace and highlighted the need for employers to consider employees’ mental health and individual differences.
• Despite these principles, prolonged working hours and workplace indignities remain common in Indian workplaces.

Legislative Efforts and Health Concerns

• A 2018 private member bill proposed penalties for non-compliance with a right to disconnect provision but failed to gain traction.
• Studies indicate prolonged working hours lead to stress, coronary heart diseases, and reduced overall health.
• Research by Oxford University found a strong link between happiness and productivity, emphasizing the importance of employee well-being.

The Way Forward

• Recognizing the right to disconnect is critical for India’s march toward economic growth.
• Employers must consider psychological factors and prioritize employee well-being to boost productivity and ensure sustainable growth.
• Implementing legal frameworks to support employees’ mental and physical health can benefit both employers and the broader economy.

Practice Question:  The right to disconnect is essential for addressing workplace stress and promoting work-life balance. Critically analyze the need for legislative measures to enforce this right in India, drawing insights from global practices. (150 Words /10 marks)