Blue Washing
To counter ‘greenwashing’ allegations against it, Waste to energy (WTE) industry seems to have adapted ‘bluewashing’.
- Refers to deceptive marketing by corporations overstating their commitment to social and environmental practices.
- Criticized for creating conflicts of interest in global governance
- Similar to greenwashing but focuses more on social and economic responsibility
Diatoms
Diatoms like Pseudo-nitzschia produce domoic acid, a marine toxin that enters the food chain and causes aggressive behavior in sea lions.
- Photosynthetic, single-celled organisms that form a major group of algae.
- Serve as the base of the aquatic food chain and are indicators of aquatic health.
- Found in diverse aquatic environments, including freshwater and marine ecosystems.
- Responsible for generating up to 50% of the global oxygen annually
Carbon Rights
A report by Rights and Resources Initiative provided a snapshot of carbon rights.
- Currently, there is no internationally accepted definition of carbon rights.
- Comprises two fundamental concepts –
- Property rights to sequester and store carbon, contained in land, trees, soil, etc.
- The right to benefits that arise from the transfer of these property rights (i.e. through emissions trading schemes).
- Promotes climate finance and emission reduction projects under frameworks like the Kyoto Protocol and Paris Agreement.
- Developing countries benefit from carbon trading through international cooperation
Arctic Biome
According to a study, Arctic Tundra Biome is losing its capacity to absorb carbon from the atmosphere due to wildfires around the globe.
- Characterized by permafrost, treeless plains, and nutrient-poor soil.
- Covers regions north of the Arctic Circle, including parts of Canada and Iceland.
- Vegetation includes mosses, lichens, and dwarf shrubs adapted to harsh conditions.
- Home to species like polar bears, arctic foxes, and caribou
Tsunami Zones
As per INCOIS, all Indian coastal Union Territories and states are prone to tsunamis emanating from the two major subduction zones: Andaman Nicobar-Sumatra Island Arc and Makran Subduction Zone.
- Tsunamis are caused by underwater disturbances like earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and landslides.
- Waves travel at high speeds in deep water but grow significantly in height near coasts.
- The Pacific Ocean’s Ring of Fire is the most active tsunami zone globally.
- Early warning systems, like India’s ITEWS, monitor seismic activity to issue alerts
- Makran Subduction Zone – A tectonic plate boundary where the Arabian Sea Plate is subducting beneath the Eurasian Plate, primarily in southeastern Iran and southwestern Pakistan.