Context:
New report warns black carbon major driver of glacier melt, monsoon disruption and extreme weather
Black Carbon (BC):
- Commonly known as soot
- A short-lived pollutant
- Quickly washed out of the atmosphere; emissions can be promptly eliminated.
- Localized emission source with significant local impacts.
- Top emitters – India is 2nd largest black carbon emitter in the world after China
- Impacts –
- Recognized as the 2nd most important human-caused agent for climate change among aerosols.
- Absorbs solar energy, warming the atmosphere.
- Darkens snow and ice surfaces, reducing albedo, hastening their melting.
- Emission Sources – Released from gas/diesel engines, coal-fired power plants, and other fossil fuel-burning sources.
- Comprises a substantial portion of PM (Particulate Matter), an air pollutant.
Measures Taken:
- Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY)– Promotes cleaner household cooking fuels.
- BS-VI Emission Norms – Direct leap from BS-IV to BS-VI norms for fuel and vehicles (effective 1st April, 2020).
- Cleaner Fuels – Includes gaseous fuels (CNG, LPG), ethanol blending, and alternatives.
- SATAT Scheme – “Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation” aims to set up 5000 Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) plants.
- Crop Residue Management – In-situ crop residue management with subsidies for machinery/equipment.
- National Clean Air Programme – Long-term national strategy targeting air pollution; goal of reducing particulate matter by 40% in cities by 2026.
- FAME Scheme – Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles (Phase 2).
Source: DTE
Previous Year Question
Consider the following statements:
1. Other than those made by humans, nanoparticles do not exist in nature.
2. Nanoparticles of some metallic oxides are used in the manufacture of some cosmetics.
3. Nanoparticles of same commercial products which enter the environment are unsafe for humans.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2014 Prelims]
(a) 1 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 1 and 2
(d) 2 and 3
Answer: (d)
Explanation:
Statement 1 is not correct:
A nanoparticle is a small particle that ranges between 1 to 100 nanometres in size. They could be generated by natural processes or could be made artificially and released into the environment.