Future of Earth 2020
Why in news?
- Five global risks that have the potential to impact and amplify one another in ways that may cascade to create global systemic crisis, have been listed by “The Future of Earth, 2020”.
- It was released by the South Asia Future Earth Regional Office, Divecha Centre for Climate Change, Indian Institute of Science.
Key highlights:
- The report lists failure of climate change mitigation and adaptation; extreme weather events; major biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse; food crises; and water crises, as the five global risks.
- The report was prepared with the aim of reducing carbon footprint and halting global warming below 2 degree Celsius by 2050.
- Offering examples of how the interrelation of risk factors play a role, scientists say extreme heat waves can accelerate global warming by releasing large amounts of stored carbon from affected ecosystems, and at the same time intensify water crises and/ or food scarcity.
- The loss of biodiversity also weakens the capacity of natural and agricultural systems to cope with climate extremes, increasing our vulnerability to food crises, they point out.
Gadhika products
Why in news?
- Amazon has been witnessing a crowd of online shoppers for ethnic art and products ever since Gadhika products were launched on the e-commerce platform by the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribe Development Department in December last year.
- Gadhika products — natural forest produce and eco-friendly handicraft made from bamboo, coconut and coconut shell, and ornaments, food products, clothes, Wayanad turmeric, honey, pickles, puttu kutti, etc.
- It have been hand-crafted by artisans and others belonging to various tribes and the Scheduled Castes.
Group on Defence and Internal Security
Why in news?
- The Fifteenth Finance Commission has constituted a Group on Defence and Internal Security.
About:
- The mandate of the Group will be ‘to examine whether a separate mechanism for funding of defence and internal security ought to be set up, and if so, how such a mechanism could be operationalised.’
- This group will be chaired by N.K. Singh (Chairman, Fifteenth finance Commission) with A.N. Jha, Member, Fifteenth Finance Commission as well as Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Secretary, Ministry of Defence and Secretary (Expenditure), Ministry of Finance as members.
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