Daily Current Affairs (MCQ) | Date 12.11.21

Q1. Which of the following is/are new commitments of India made at COP 26 in Glasgow?
1. Reducing Emissions Intensity (EI), or emissions per unit of GDP, by 75% in 2030 relative to 2005 levels
2. Cutting absolute emissions by one billion tonnes, presumably from projected businessas-usual (BAU) 2030 levels
3. 500 GW (1 Gigawatt = 1,000 Megawatts) of nonfossil fuel installed power generation capacity by 2030
4. 80% electricity generation from renewable sources by 2030

5. Net-zero emissions by 2050

Select the correct answer from the codes given below

a. 1 and 4 only
b. 2 and 3 only
c. 2, 3 and 4 only
d. 2, 3, 4 and 5

Answer : b

Why is the Question ?

The substance India’s new targets, details perhaps varying in an updated NDC, comprise five elements:
1. Reducing Emissions Intensity (EI), or emissions per unit of GDP, by 45% in 2030 relative to 2005 levels;
2. Cutting absolute emissions by one billion tonnes, presumably from projected businessas-usual (BAU) 2030 levels;
3. 500 GW (1 Gigawatt = 1,000 Megawatts) of nonfossil fuel installed power generation capacity by 2030;
4. 50% electricity generation from renewable sources by 2030;
5. Net-zero emissions by 2070.

Q2. Consider the following statements
1. The National People’s Party (NPP) is the first national party from the northeastern region
2. It is recognized as a state party in four states

Which of the above is/are correct?

a. 1 only
b. 2 only
c. Both 1 and 2
d. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer : c

Why is the Question ?

1. The Election Commission of India recently declared the National People’s Party (NPP) as a
national party, making it the first from the northeastern region to earn this status.

2. The NPP is recognised as a State party in Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya and
Nagaland.
3. It became the 8th national political party in the country. The other national political parties are Indian National Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party, Bahujan Samaj Party, Communist Party of India, Communist Party of India (Marxist), National Congress Party, and All India Trinamool Congress.
4. A party is recognized as a national party by the Election Commission if it fulfils at least one of the following qualifications:
a. If it secures six per cent of valid votes polled in any four or more states at a general election to the Lok Sabha or to the legislative assembly; and, in addition, it wins four seats in the Lok Sabha from any state or states; or
b. If it wins two per cent of seats in the Lok Sabha at a general election; and these candidates are elected from three states; or

c. If it is recognized as a state party in four states.
ADR report: Over 55% donations to regional parties from ‘unknown’ sources, most via
electoral bonds
1. Over 55% of the donations received by regional parties in FY 2019-20 came from “unknown”
sources, the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) said in a report. According to the report, electoral bonds accounted for nearly 95% of the donations from “unknown” sources.
2. The report noted that donations received by national parties from “unknown” sources added up to 70.98% of their income.

Q3. Which of the following factors is/are responsible for increased Urban floods?

1. Climate change

2. Encroachment of natural floodplains and river channels
3. Increased concretization on urban surface
4. Deforestation

Select the correct answer from the codes given below

a. 1 and 3 only
b. 1, 2 and 3 only
c. 2, 3 and 4 only
d. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer : d

Why is the Question ?

Q4. Which of the following are the benefits of Sponge cities?
1. More clean water for the city
2. Reduction in flood risk
3. Lower burdens on drainage systems, water treatment plants, artificial channels and natural streams
4.Enriched biodiversity around green open spaces, wetlands, urban gardens and green
rooftops

Select the correct answer from the codes given below

a. 1 and 3 only
b. 1, 2 and 3 only
c. 2, 3 and 4 only
d. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer : d

Why is the Question ?

What are the benefits of a Sponge City?
There is a wide range of benefits associated with the implementation of sponge cities. These include:
1. More clean water for the city
2. Cleaner groundwater due to the increased volume of naturally filtered stormwater
3. Reduction in flood risk as the city offers more permeable spaces for the natural retention and percolation of water
4. Lower burdens on drainage systems, water treatment plants, artificial channels and natural streams. This also entails lower costs for drainage and treatment infrastructure
5. Greener, healthier, more enjoyable urban spaces

6.Enriched biodiversity around green open spaces, wetlands, urban gardens and green rooftops

Q5. Which of the following innovations are included in the concept of Sponge city?

1.Porous design interventions across the city
2. Green roofs that can retain rainwater and naturally filter it
3. Contiguous open green spaces, interconnected waterways, channels and ponds across
neighbourhoods

Select the correct answer from the codes given below

a. 1 and 2 only
b. 1 only
c. 2 and 3 only
d. b1, 2, and 3

Answer : d

Why is the Question ?

What is a Sponge City?
The Sponge City indicates a particular type of city that does not act like an impermeable system not allowing any water to filter through the ground, but, more like a sponge, actually absorbs the rainwater, which is then naturally filtered by the soil and allowed to reach into the urban aquifers. This allows for the extraction of water from the ground through urban or peri-urban wells. This water can be easily treated and used for the city water supply.

What are the key issues Sponge City wants to solve?
Before explaining in more detail what Sponge City actually is, it is important to appreciate the main issues that Sponge City intends to tackle. These are mainly four:
1. Less water available in urban and peri-urban areas
2.Polluted water discharged into rivers or the sea
3. Degradation of urban ecosystems and green areas due to sprawling
4. Increase in the intensity and frequency of urban flooding particularly considering predicted increase in extreme weather events due to climate change

What does a Sponge City need in practice?
A sponge city needs to be abundant with spaces that allow water to seep through them. Instead of only impermeable concrete and asphalt, the city needs more:
1. Contiguous open green spaces, interconnected waterways, channels and ponds across neighbourhoods can naturally detain and filter water as well as foster urban ecosystems, boost biodiversity and create cultural and recreational opportunities.
2. Green roofs can retain rainwater and naturally filter it before it is recycled or released into the ground.
3.Porous design interventions across the city, including the construction of bio-swales and bioretention systems to detain run-off and allow for groundwater infiltration; porous roads and pavements that can safely accommodate car and pedestrian traffic while allowing water to be absorbed, permeate and recharge groundwater; drainage systems that allow trickling of water into the ground or that direct stormwater run-off into green spaces for natural absorption

4. Water savings and recycling, including extending water recycling particularly of grey water at the building block level, incentivizing consumers to save water through increased tariffs for an increase in consumption, raising awareness campaigns, and improved smart monitoring systems to identify leakages and inefficient use of water.