Daily Current Affairs 19 March 2024 – IAS Current Affairs

Current Affairs 19 March 2024 focuses on the Prelims-Mains perspective. Major events are :

Global Sea Surface Temperatures

Source: Indian Express
GS II: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment

Overview

1. News in Brief
2. Global Sea Surface Temperatures
3. Way Forward

Why in the News?

The average global sea surface temperature (SST) the temperature of the water at the ocean surface for February 2024 stood at 21.06 degree Celsius

News in Brief

• This is the highest ever in a dataset that goes back to 1979, the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) said on March 5.
• The previous record of 20.98 degree Celsius was set in August 2023.
• Almost 90 per cent of the extra heat trapped by greenhouse gases has been absorbed by the oceans, making them steadily warmer over the decades, according to the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S).

Global Sea Surface Temperatures

Sea surface temperatures (SSTs) play a crucial role in shaping global weather patterns, marine ecosystems, and climate variability. The temperature of the ocean surface influences atmospheric circulation, precipitation patterns, and the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events.

Key Facts

• The global average sea surface temperature has been rising steadily over the past century due to human-induced climate change. According to NOAA, since the late 19th century, the global average sea surface temperature has increased by approximately 0.13 degrees Celsius per decade.
• El Niño and La Niña events, which occur cyclically in the tropical Pacific Ocean, have significant impacts on global weather patterns. El Niño events are characterized by warmer-than-average SSTs in the central and eastern Pacific, while La Niña events are associated with cooler-than-average SSTs in the same region.
• Coral bleaching, a phenomenon where corals expel their symbiotic algae due to stress, is triggered by prolonged exposure to high sea surface temperatures. This can result in widespread coral mortality and ecosystem degradation. According to the NOAA Coral Reef Watch, mass coral bleaching events have become more frequent and severe in recent decades due to global warming.
• Warmer sea surface temperatures fuel the intensification of tropical cyclones and hurricanes. Warm ocean waters provide the energy needed for these storms to strengthen, leading to higher wind speeds, increased rainfall, and greater storm surges. The Atlantic hurricane season, for example, has witnessed an increase in the number of intense hurricanes in recent years, partly attributed to warmer SSTs.
• Changes in sea surface temperatures can also disrupt marine ecosystems and fisheries. Species distribution patterns may shift as warmer waters become inhospitable for some species while favoring others. Th

Some Impacts

• The 2015-2016 El Niño event was one of the strongest on record and had far-reaching impacts worldwide. It contributed to droughts in Africa, wildfires in Indonesia, heatwaves in South America, and disruptions to global agricultural production.
• The Great Barrier Reef in Australia, one of the world’s largest coral reef ecosystems, experienced unprecedented coral bleaching events in 2016, 2017, and 2020 due to prolonged exposure to high sea surface temperatures. These bleaching events resulted in extensive coral mortality and ecosystem damage.
• The 2017 Atlantic hurricane season was exceptionally active, with several major hurricanes, including Harvey, Irma, and Maria, causing widespread devastation in the Caribbean and the southeastern United States. Warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures in the Atlantic Ocean contributed to the rapid intensification of these storms.

Way Forward

Understanding the dynamics of global sea surface temperatures and their impacts is essential for climate resilience, disaster preparedness, and ecosystem conservation efforts. To mitigate the adverse effects of rising sea surface temperatures, concerted global action is needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, transition to renewable energy sources, and enhance adaptive capacity in vulnerable communities.

Investments in climate monitoring systems, early warning mechanisms, and sustainable marine resource management practices can help build resilience to the impacts of changing sea surface temperatures, safeguarding both human livelihoods and marine ecosystems for future generations.

SAKHI App Gaganyaan Mission

Source: The Hindu
GS III: Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life

Overview

1. About SAKHI App
2. About Gaganyaan Mission

Why in the News?

The Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) facility at Thumba in Thiruvananthapuram, has developed a multi-purpose app

About SAKHI App

• An app that will help astronauts on the Gaganyaan space flight mission carry out a range of tasks such as looking up vital technical information or communicating with one another.
• The Space-borne Assistant and Knowledge Hub for Crew Interaction (SAKHI) will, among other things, monitor the health of the astronauts, help them stay connected with Earth and even alert them about their dietary schedules.
• It serves as an essential tool for the crew, offering real-time assistance and access to necessary data.
• It would assist astronauts during the Gaganyaan space flight mission, facilitating tasks such as accessing vital technical information and communication.
• Strapped to astronauts’ space suits, it allows for easy access and facilitates the maintenance of mission logs in various formats.

About Gaganyaan Mission

• Gaganyaan project envisages a demonstration of human spaceflight capability by launching a crew of 3 members to an orbit of 400 km for a 3-day mission and bringing them back safely to earth, by landing in Indian sea waters.
• The project is accomplished through an optimal strategy by considering in-house expertise, experience of Indian industry, intellectual capabilities of Indian academia & research institutions along cutting-edge technologies available with international agencies.
• The pre-requisites for the Gaganyaan mission include the development of many critical technologies including a human-rated launch vehicle for carrying the crew safely to space, a Life Support System to provide an earth-like environment to crew in space, crew emergency escape provision and evolving crew management aspects for training, recovery and rehabilitation of crew.
• Various precursor missions are planned to demonstrate the Technology Preparedness Levels before carrying out the actual Human Space Flight mission.
• These demonstrator missions include the Integrated AirDrop Test (IADT), Pad Abort Test (PAT) and Test Vehicle (TV) flights.
• The safety and reliability of all systems will be proven in unmanned missions preceding manned missions.
• LVM3 rocket – The well-proven and reliable heavy lift launcher of ISRO, is identified as the launch vehicle for the Gaganyaan mission.
• The orbital Module (OM) that will be Orbiting Earth comprises of Crew Module (CM) and a Service Module (SM).

Startup Mahakumbh

Source: PIB
GS II: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation

Overview

1. News in Brief
2. Highlights of the event
3. What is a Start-Up?

Why in the News?

Startup Mahakumbh, India’s largest and first-of-its-kind startup event, registered record participation, serving as a vibrant platform for all stakeholders in the Indian startup ecosystem.

News in Brief

• The confluence of stakeholders and experts is expected to help further develop emerging sectors like DeepTech, AgriTech, BioTech, MedTech, AI, Gaming, etc.
• The event, designed to foster innovation and entrepreneurship across India, witnessed an unparalleled level of participation from leading investors, innovators and aspiring entrepreneurs.
• The event is hosting over 2000 startups, 1000+ investors, 100+ unicorns, 300+ incubators & accelerators, 3,000+ conference delegates, 10+ country delegations, 3000+ future entrepreneurs and 50,000+ business visitors from across the country.
• The event has witnessed vibrant discussions on the way forward and networking between all the stakeholders.

Highlights of  Startup Mahakumbh

• Renowned industry leaders and policymakers addressed the gathering, sharing their perspectives on the critical role startups play in India’s economic growth and development.
• With a focus on cultivating the entrepreneurial spirit among students, Future Entrepreneurs Day is expected to gather close to 3,000 individuals handpicked by colleges and incubators nationwide for their inclination towards entrepreneurship.
• Attendees participated in practical workshops, pitch competitions, and a multi-track conference designed to equip them with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in the competitive startup world.
• The event provided a unique platform for fostering connections between investors, entrepreneurs, and industry professionals, laying the groundwork for potential collaborations and partnerships.
• To provide valuable insights into various government initiatives aimed at supporting startups, including funding schemes, mentorship programs, and regulatory reforms.
• A dedicated exhibition area showcased innovative products and services developed by promising startups from across the country. This platform facilitated valuable interactions and potential collaborations between startups and investors
• Seasoned entrepreneurs and investors provided valuable mentorship to aspiring founders, equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the startup journey at mentorship clinics.

What is a Start-Up?

• A startup is a newly established company that focuses on innovative ideas and rapid growth, often seeking external funding to develop and bring new products, services, or technologies to market.
• Startups are often associated with entrepreneurship and the pursuit of disruptive or transformative ideas.

Challenges Facing Startups in India

• Funding Constraints: Despite the availability of venture capital and angel investors, access to funding remains a significant challenge for startups in India, particularly in the early stages. This issue is compounded by risk-averse investors and a lack of awareness about startup investment opportunities.
• Regulatory Hurdles: Complex regulatory procedures and bureaucratic red tape pose obstacles for startups, especially in sectors like fintech, healthcare, and e-commerce. Navigating through regulatory compliance requirements can be time-consuming and costly for startups, hindering their growth and scalability.
• Market Competition: Indian markets are highly competitive, with both domestic and international players vying for market share. Startups often struggle to differentiate themselves and gain a foothold in saturated markets, leading to pricing pressures and margin erosion.
• Talent Acquisition and Retention: Hiring skilled talent is a perennial challenge for startups, especially tech startups competing with established firms and multinational corporations. Startups often face difficulties in attracting top talent due to limited resources, stiff competition, and the allure of stable corporate careers.
• Infrastructure and Logistics: Inadequate infrastructure and logistical challenges, such as poor transportation networks, unreliable power supply, and inefficient supply chains, impede the operational efficiency of startups, particularly those involved in manufacturing and logistics-based businesses.

Some examples of Challenges

• According to a report by KPMG, over 60% of startups in India cite access to funding as a major challenge.
• A survey by NASSCOM revealed that regulatory compliance consumes an average of 15-20% of a startup’s annual budget in India.
• Flipkart, one of India’s leading e-commerce startups, faced stiff competition from Amazon India, leading to a protracted battle for market dominance.
• Ola, a prominent Indian ride-hailing startup, grappled with driver strikes and regulatory challenges in several states, impacting its operations and expansion plans.

Tiger Triumph – 24

Source: PIB
GS III: Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate

Overview

1. About Tiger Triumph – 24
2. Need for Exercise

Why in the News?

The Opening Ceremony of the Bilateral Tri-Service Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Amphibious Exercise was held onboard INS Jalashwa

About Tiger Triumph – 24

• Exercise between India and the US.
• The Exercise represents the robust strategic partnership between both countries and aims to share best practices and Standard Operating Procedures in undertaking multinational HADR operations.
• The Harbour Phase of the exercise is being conducted at Visakhapatnam from 18 to 25 Mar 24 and would include pre-sail discussions, Subject Matter Expert Exchange on professional subjects and deliberations on planning and execution procedures of various tasks. Sports engagements are also scheduled to further enhance camaraderie between the participating armed forces personnel of both nations.
• The Sea phase, from 26 to 31 Mar 24, would include units of both countries setting up a joint Command and Control Centre and a Joint Relief and Medical Camp.
• A Planning and Coordination Exercise would concurrently be undertaken to discuss and refine Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) to enable rapid and smooth coordination between forces of both countries.
• The participating units from the Indian Navy include a Landing Platform Dock, Landing Ship Tanks (Large) including their integral Landing Crafts and helicopters, guided missile Frigate and Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance Aircraft. The Indian Army would be represented by one infantry battalion group including mechanised forces.
• The Indian Air Force would deploy medium lift aircraft, transport helicopters and a Rapid Action Medical Team (RAMT). Additionally, the Special Ops Forces from all three services will also participate in the exercise.
• The US Task Force would comprise a US Navy Landing Platform Dock including its integral Landing Craft Air Cushions and helicopters, a Destroyer, maritime reconnaissance and medium lift aircraft, and also, US Marines.

Need for Exercise

• Decided based on the nature and requirement of specific exercise.
• Expenditure incurred also varies
• Helps in constructive engagements in operational terms and enhances the skills of our armed forces.
• This is a continuous process relevant steps are taken from time to time to engage friendly countries and to enhance the scope of exercises based on the principle of mutual benefit and our own strategic requirements.

List of Military Exercise by India with Other Countries

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