Current Affair Category: Environment & Ecology

Why in News? A major 24-year-long coral reef monitoring study in the Lakshadweep archipelago, conducted by the Nature Conservation Foundation, has revealed a significant 50% decline in coral cover since 1998 due to repeated marine heatwaves driven by climate change. Key Points: Study Details: Published in the journal Diversity and Distributions. Title: “Local Environmental Filtering […]

Plastic Industry and the Tobacco Industry: A Parallel of Deception  Introduction: At first glance, tobacco and plastic may appear unrelated, but both industries have adopted similar tactics to maximize profit while ignoring environmental and health harms. Activists and researchers are increasingly drawing attention to how the plastic industry mirrors the tobacco industry’s playbook.  Key Similarities: […]

Why in News?   A new World Bank report, launched on July 22, warns that Indian cities need $2.4 trillion by 2050 to build climate-resilient infrastructure and services, or they risk losing up to $5 billion due to floods, even as they are projected to create 70% of new jobs by 2030. Relevance : UPSC/UPPSC Prelims […]

Article “Climate change is deciding where and how rural Indians are living” Published : The Hindu-23 July 2025 Very Important Topic for  mains: GS1, GS3, or Essay Paper in UPSC/PCS: Why in News? The issue of climate migration in India is gaining renewed attention due to increasing frequency and severity of climate-induced disasters—particularly droughts in […]

Why in News? The Environment Ministry of India  has recently announced that 78% of coal-based thermal power plants will not need to install Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) devices, which are meant to reduce sulphur dioxide (SO2) pollution.  Relevance : UPSC Pre &  Mains Prelims :  FGD Mains  : GS3 What is Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD)? […]

Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO): Why in News ? The global shipping industry, a critical pillar of international trade, is steadily moving towards decarbonisation, with ambitious targets set for 2040-2050. Currently, merchant vessels primarily rely on conventional fuels like Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO), diesel, and liquefied methane (LNG) Relevance : UPSC Pre […]

What is the National Working Plan Code? The National Working Plan Code (NWPC) is a guideline document issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India, to regulate and standardize scientific forest management and planning in the country. A Working Plan is essentially a blueprint for the management of forests […]

Fuel Gas Desulphurization (FGD)? Why in News? Fuel Gas Desulphurization (FGD) has become increasingly important as India enforces stricter emission norms for coal-based power plants and industries. FGD systems are being installed to control Sulphur Dioxide (SO₂) emissions, a major cause of air pollution and acid rain. What is FGD? Fuel Gas Desulphurization (FGD) is […]

Why in News? The discussion around India’s open ecosystems, particularly deserts, grasslands, savannas, and scrublands, has gained attention due to growing awareness of their ecological and cultural significance, as highlighted in the article by Abi Tamim Vanak and Anuja Malhotra. These ecosystems, often misclassified as “wastelands,” are critical for biodiversity, carbon storage, and the livelihoods […]

Why in News? The grey seals were released into the Baltic Sea off the Lithuanian coast after being rehabilitated. This was done in response to the challenges these animals face due to climate change, shrinking fish stocks, pollution, and loss of ice cover. Relevance : UPSC Pre &  Mains Prelims : Ice sheet recession Mains […]