Global Climate 2011-2020 Report
Global Climate 2011-2020 Report was released by World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
- 2011-2020 – Warmest decade on record for both land and ocean.
- Places experienced wet decade – Northwest India, Pakistan, China and the southern coast of the Arabian Peninsula
- Marine heat waves (MHW) – experienced over 60% of the surface of oceans.
- Glaciers globally thinned by 1 meter per year while Antarctic ice sheet lost nearly 75% more ice (in comparison to 2001-2010).
- Sea level rose at an annual rate of 4.5mm/yr.
Gram Manchitra
Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) is promoting Gram Manchitra to facilitate Spatial Planning by the Gram Panchayat.
- Geographic Information System (GIS) Application.
- Launched by – Ministry of Panchayati Raj
- Developed by – National Informatics Centre (NIC).
- It helps to perform spatial planning at Gram Panchayat level with use of geo-spatial technology.
Arsenic contamination
25 states, including Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Assam have arsenic-contaminated groundwater according to data by Central Ground Water Board.
- Arsenic – A naturally occurring, semi-metallic element widely distributed in the Earth’s crust.
- Highly toxic in its inorganic form.
- Primarily geo-genic, these contaminations result from minerals in rocks or soil entering groundwater through chemical processes.
- Effects – Cognitive development issues, cancer, skin lesions, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and arsenicosis.
De Winton’s Golden Mole
Scientists found elusive De Winton’s Golden Mole (Cryptochloris wintoni) for the 1st time in last 87 years with the help of Environmental DNA (e-DNA) technique.
- Have an oily secretion that lubricates the fur with an iridescent glow.
- Endemic to South Africa.
- Key features – Completely blind, strong navigational abilities and enhanced hearing and dwells entirely underground.
- IUCN status – Critically endangered
Open Source Software (OSS)
Meta and IBM formed the AI Alliance, supporting an open-source approach to AI development.
| Type | Examples | Characteristics | Usage Rights |
| Open Source Software (OSS) | Linux, Mozilla | Developed via open collaboration, source code is available for anyone to use, examine, alter and redistribute. | Can be used, examined, altered, and redistributed by anyone. |
| Closed Source Software | Microsoft Word | Sold to end users by the creator or copyright holder. | Cannot be edited, enhanced, or redistributed except as specified by the copyright holder. |
- India has adopted a policy on the adoption of OSS and established the National Resource Centre for Free & Open-Source Software to support the OSS ecosystem.