29 July : Daily Current Affairs Quiz

Answer:  Option D - South Africa

Explanation:

• South Africa's Climate Change Bill, signed by President Cyril Ramaphosa, mandates emissions reductions for major fossil-fuel industries and requires climate-adaptation plans for towns and villages.
• Aiming to meet Paris Agreement goals, the bill targets a 31% reduction in emissions by 2025 and sets limits for 2030.
• Despite a decrease in emissions from 512 Mt CO2e in 2017 to 405 Mt CO2e in 2022, the country needs $8 billion annually by 2030 for a 'just transition' to sustainable jobs.

Answer:  Option B - A new source of oxygen observed at great depths in the ocean

Explanation:

• ‘Dark oxygen’ refers to a newly discovered source of oxygen observed at great depths in the ocean, specifically in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone.
• Contrary to expectations, where oxygen levels typically decrease due to low sunlight and marine life consumption, researchers found unexpected increases in oxygen concentration.
• This phenomenon, observed at a depth of 4 km, suggests an additional, previously unidentified source of oxygen in deep-sea environments.

Answer:  Option C - A deep-sea area in the Pacific Ocean with significant mineral deposits

Explanation:

• The Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) is a vast deep-sea area in the Pacific Ocean, known for its rich deposits of polymetallic nodules, which contain valuable minerals like nickel, copper, and cobalt.
• Located between the Clarion and Clipperton Fracture Zones, the CCZ is of significant interest for deep-sea mining.
• Its exploration and exploitation are subject to international regulations to ensure environmental protection and sustainable resource management.

Answer:  Option C -  Species that are not necessarily threatened but may become so without trade restrictions

Explanation:

• CITES Appendix II includes species that are not currently endangered but may become so if international trade is not regulated.
• The appendix aims to ensure that trade does not threaten their survival. It includes species that require monitoring and controls to prevent them from moving into a more critical status.
• Unlike Appendix I, which lists species at immediate risk of extinction, Appendix II focuses on those that could become threatened.