11 January 2025 : Daily Current Affairs

1. 2024 was the first year to breach global warming limit, show data

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 5)

Humanity’s Shift Towards Climate Crisis

• 2024 marked the first year when the global mean temperature exceeded 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, as reported by the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S).
• This is a significant milestone in global warming, aligning with concerns raised at global climate conferences where leaders aim to limit warming to below 2°C, ideally staying under 1.5°C.

Annual Climate Conference Goals

• The primary objective of annual climate conferences is to establish global agreements to reduce carbon emissions and slow temperature increases.
• The ultimate goal is to prevent global temperatures from exceeding 2°C above pre-industrial levels, with the ideal target of limiting the rise to below 1.5°C to mitigate the most severe climate impacts.

Temperature Thresholds and Significance of 2024

• While surpassing the 1.5°C threshold in a single year does not signal an immediate climate catastrophe, experts warn that continued warming over a decade or more could result in permanent changes.
• The year 2024 is seen as a critical turning point. With rising carbon emissions, experts predict that global temperatures may surpass the 2°C mark by 2050, leading to devastating consequences.

Implications of Record Temperatures

• Exceeding 1.5°C in 2024 signifies the world is perilously close to irreversible climate impacts.
• While a single year above this threshold is not conclusive, it underscores the urgency for swift and meaningful emissions reductions to avoid exacerbating the harm to ecosystems and human populations.

Concerns Over Financial Support and Climate Disasters

• The rising temperatures have serious consequences for developing economies, which are already grappling with frequent climate disasters.
• The failure of climate talks in Baku, Azerbaijan, to agree on a financial package for carbon emission mitigation worsens concerns, as developing countries now face more financial strain in addressing climate impacts.
• This failure delays action on carbon markets, threatening to undermine efforts for sustainable development in these vulnerable regions. 

2. NATO members reluctant to endorse Trump’s defence spending proposal

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 13)

Proposal for NATO Defence Spending Increase:

Trump’s Proposal:

• U.S. President-elect Donald Trump proposed that NATO countries should raise their defense spending to 5% of their GDP.
• This would be a significant increase from the current target of 2%, which no NATO member, including the United States, currently meets.

Political and Economic Challenges:

• NATO officials acknowledged the need for increased defense spending, but expressed that the 5% target would be politically and economically unfeasible for most members.
• Reaching such a target would require hundreds of billions of dollars in additional funding, which is deemed unrealistic for many nations.

Expected Outcome:

• A new defense spending target is expected to be set at the NATO summit in The Hague in June.
• The new target is likely to be around 3% of GDP.
• Even this figure presents challenges for several NATO members, with some struggling to meet the existing 2% target.

Rationale for Increased Spending:

• The push for higher defense spending is in response to Russia’s aggression in Ukraine and broader security concerns.
• There is also an increasing push to reduce reliance on the United States for NATO’s defense capabilities.

European Concerns:

Proposals include joint EU borrowing to fund military capabilities, aiming to strengthen Europe’s defense capacity independently.

While European countries agree on the need for increased defense spending, they are also advocating for more self-reliance in defense matters.

3. Unprecedented Winter Wildfires Ravage Los Angeles

(Source – Indian Express, Section – Explained – Page No. – 14)

Analysis of the news:

What Are Wildfires?

• Wildfires are uncontrolled fires that spread rapidly across forests, grasslands, or urban areas, fueled by dry vegetation and wind. 
• While they are natural occurrences in ecosystems, human activities and climate change have amplified their frequency and severity.

The Escalating Wildfire Crisis in Los Angeles

• Wildfires raging across Los Angeles have caused significant devastation, including the loss of 10 lives, evacuation of over 130,000 people, and destruction of numerous properties, including celebrity homes. 
• These fires, occurring unusually in winter, have disrupted life, including delays in events like the Oscars nominations announcement.

Unusual Weather Patterns: From Wet to Dry

• Los Angeles has experienced extreme weather fluctuations in recent years. The unusually wet winters of 2022 and 2023 promoted abundant vegetation growth. 
• This year’s exceptionally dry winter has turned this vegetation into highly flammable material. 
• With negligible rainfall since October, the region has recorded its driest start to the water year since 1944, intensifying the wildfire risk.

Impact of Santa Ana Winds

• The Santa Ana winds, a seasonal phenomenon, are unusually strong this year. 
• Originating from high-pressure systems in the Great Basin, these winds blow westward, descending the Sierra Nevada and Santa Ana mountains. 
• As they lose humidity, gain speed, and heat up, they fuel and spread fires rapidly across Southern California, exacerbating the crisis.

Role of Climate Change

• Climate change has intensified California’s wildfire season. Rising global temperatures have led to warmer springs and summers, early snow melts, and longer dry seasons. 
• These conditions increase moisture stress on vegetation, creating an ideal environment for wildfires. 
• Studies have shown that the state’s wildfire season is not only longer but also more intense than in previous decades.

Conclusion: 

• The wildfires in Los Angeles are the result of a confluence of factors, including extreme weather variations, strong seasonal winds, and climate change. 
• Addressing this crisis requires urgent measures to mitigate climate change, improve disaster preparedness, and manage vegetation growth to reduce wildfire risks.

 Prelims Facts

1. Trump sentenced in hush money case

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 1)

Hush Money Case:

• Donald Trump was convicted in May 2024 for hiding hush money payments to an adult film actress.
• The payments were made to stop the actress from talking about their alleged affair before the 2016 election.
• He was sentenced to an unconditional discharge, meaning he was guilty but received no jail time or fine.
• This made Trump the first US President-elect to be convicted of a felony.
• The judge explained that this punishment avoided interfering with Trump’s presidential duties.
• Trump attended the sentencing virtually and called the case a “witch hunt” aimed at harming his reputation.
• Prosecutors argued that Trump’s actions were a deliberate attempt to deceive and damage trust in the justice system.

2. President Murmu’s invite for this year’s Republic Day reception set to honour crafts from South

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 1)

Kalamkari Paintings

• Kalamkari is a traditional hand-painted or block-printed textile art.
• The paintings often depict mythological themes and nature-inspired motifs.
• Nimmalakunta artisans, known for their intricate work, create these paintings.
• They are made using natural dyes and a painstaking, detailed process.

Ikat-Pochampalli Cover

• Ikat is a resist-dyeing technique used to create unique patterns on fabric.
• Pochampalli is a renowned weaving tradition from Telangana.
• The cover is crafted with bright, geometric patterns typical of this art form.
• The fabric is durable and reusable, promoting sustainability.
• The Ikat-Pochampalli cover adds elegance and cultural significance to the box.

Ganjifa Art Magnet

• Ganjifa art originates from Mysore and is inspired by traditional playing cards.
• It features intricate designs and motifs, often hand-painted.
• The art depicts cultural and mythological themes in vibrant colors.
• It showcases the artistic heritage of Karnataka.

Kanjeevaram Silk Pouch

• Kanjeevaram silk is a traditional handwoven silk from Tamil Nadu.
• Known for its vibrant colors and rich textures, it is widely admired.
• The silk is woven using pure mulberry silk and gold zari threads.
• It represents the exceptional craftsmanship of Tamil Nadu.

Etikopakka Dolls

• Etikopakka dolls are traditional wooden toys made in Andhra Pradesh.
• They are crafted using soft wood and lacquer derived from natural dyes.
• These toys are eco-friendly and safe for children.
• Each doll is handcrafted with attention to detail and design.
• They are a reflection of Andhra Pradesh’s artisan heritage.

Screwpine Leaf Bookmark

It symbolizes Kerala’s rich tradition of natural fiber weaving.

Screwpine leaves are woven to create fine handicrafts in Kerala.

The craft involves drying, slicing, and weaving the leaves into intricate patterns.

Artisans create durable and sustainable products using this material.

3. Tigers on the Move: Dispersal Patterns Highlight Challenges and Opportunities for Conservation

(Source – Indian Express, Section – Explained- Page No. – 14)

Analysis of the news:

Why Tigers Disperse: Natural Behavior and Survival Needs

• Territory and Mating: Male tigers require exclusive territories overlapping with female ranges, leading to dispersal when forests reach carrying capacity or during duels with dominant males.
• Female Behavior: While typically less inclined to wander, tigresses may disperse to protect cubs from threats or establish new territories.
• Relocation Restlessness: Tigers relocated for population management often attempt to return to their original habitats, as seen in Madhya Pradesh and Odisha cases.

Documented Long-Distance Movements

Tiger dispersals have been recorded across the country:

• Examples: A male tiger from Maharashtra traveled 2,000 km across four states, while a tigress walked 340 km to Uttar Pradesh.
• Patterns: Males are more likely to disperse, covering greater distances (up to 650 km), while females tend to explore shorter ranges.

Challenges During Dispersal

• Navigating Non-Forest Landscapes: Tigers traverse fragmented habitats, navigating highways, railways, and human settlements while staying out of sight.
• Human-Wildlife Conflict: Movement through populated areas increases risks of conflict, endangering both tigers and local communities.
• Mortality Risks: Dispersals often result in death due to exhaustion, starvation, or accidents.

Ecological Importance of Dispersal

• Gene Flow: Successful dispersals bring genetic diversity, strengthening isolated populations.
• Habitat Identification: Dispersal routes highlight potential for creating protected corridors and revitalizing degraded landscapes.

4. Technology developed to shape light for future technologies

(Source – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=2091775&reg=3&lang=1 )

About the new technology:

• The technology combines 2D semiconductor quantum wells (CQWs) with dielectric metasurfaces (MSRs).
• This combination improves the brightness and quality of light emitted by CQWs, making it more useful for quantum information processing.
• The platform increased the brightness of light by 12 times and reduced the width of the light’s spectral line by 97%.
• It allows light to travel long distances (up to 1 mm) on a chip, which is important for creating compact quantum devices.
• The technology can be used in areas like quantum communication, encryption, and photonic devices.
• Researchers aim to integrate single-photon emitters (SPEs) with this platform to create highly efficient light sources for secure communication.
• The research is a step towards advanced technologies for quantum cryptography and sensing.