GHG emissions, G-20 - Current Affairs Questions and Answers

ANSWER: India

Explanation:
Moody has predicted India will be the fastest growing economy among G-20 countries clocking a 7.1 per cent growth in 2017.

The Indian economy had slowed in the fourth quarter of 2016 due to the withdrawal of 86 per cent of the currency in circulation, without an immediate replacement.

India is forecast to have the fastest growing economy among all G-20 countries with growth put at 7.1 per cent for 2017, down from a previous expectation of 7.5 per cent because of the effects of demonetisation.

With regard to global growth, Moody's said continuing cyclical recovery in global economic activity with growth in G-20 countries picking up modestly to 3 per cent in 2017 and 2018 from 2.6 per cent in 2016.

The potential shifts in US policy add uncertainty to this forecast.

There is unusually high uncertainty around our global forecasts due to the wide range of outcomes that could arise from significant shifts in US policy on a number of domestic and international issues, including trade and immigration.

The systemic risks to this forecast may stem from shifts in US trade policies, risks to global financial markets and emerging market economies if American interest rates were to rise faster than anticipated and/or the US dollar were to appreciate sharply.

Also there could be risks of a sudden and sharp deceleration in China and political and fragmentation risks in the EU and the euro area, Moody's indicated.

In the report titled 'Modest Acceleration in the Global Economy, but Shifting US Policies Inject Uncertainty', Moody's said there is a high risk of a significant protectionist shift in US trade policy and could inflict lasting damage to the global economy.

Regarding Asia, Moody's said China's economy stabilised around the official growth target of 6.7 per cent in 2016. It will likely continue to decelerate to 6.3 per cent and 6 per cent in 2017 and 2018.

Moody's expects that the US economy will get additional lift from a stimulative fiscal policy stance pushing growth above potential.

Accordingly, Moody's has revised its real GDP growth forecast to 2.4 per cent in 2017 and 2.5 per cent in 2018, from 2.2 per cent and 2.1 per cent, respectively.

Moody's forecast assumes the US Federal Reserve will raise the federal funds rate by 75-100 basis points in three to four rate hikes in 2017.

US Federal Reserve: Know More

• Chairperson: Janet Yellen
• Founder: United States Congress
• Founded: 23 December 1913
• Headquarters: Washington, D.C.
• Central bank of: United States of America

ANSWER: Valley

Explanation:
Climate cycles on early mars, triggered by GHG build up, have caused liquid water to carve out canyons and valley networks on Martian surface, according to scientists.

Scientists have long debated how canyons and valley networks could form in Mars some 38 billion years ago at a time many hold that the Red Planet was frozen.

Researchers suggest a glacier covered early mars may have experienced long warm periods lasting up to 10 million years at a time, caused by a thick atmosphere of carbon dioxide and hydrogen.

Team found the warming cycles would have lasted long enough and produced enough water to create the features.

Previous research suggested that asteroid impacts warmed the planet, creating steam atmospheres leading to rain.

Warm periods would have much shorter durations and struggled to produce enough water.

Scientists have likened the valleys on the Martian surface are similar in width to the Colorado River Canyon. It took 16 million years for the Colorado River, swollen seasonally as snow melts in Rocky Mountains to carve the nearby Grand Canyon.

With the right choice of parameters caused by GHG reached a certain tipping point lasted millions of years on Mars - with the right choice of parameters, these warm periods last up to 10 million years.

ANSWER: Alstom

Explanation:

• Alstom launched the zero emission train powered by hydrogen at Innotrains Trade Fair
• The new train is CO₂ emission free
• It is powered by a hydrogen fuel cell stored in a hydrogen fuel tank on the roof of the train
• Train produces water and steam as against GHG emissions and is less noisy than conventional trains
• The technology in the field of clean transportation will complete the Coradia range of regional trains according to Alstom CEO and Chairman H. Poupart Lafarge
• Hydrail technology has been developed for 25 years now, but the focus haas always only been on freight trains
• East Japan Railway Company ran its first test for the hydrail railcard in 2006
• Chinese company released the first hydrail tram
• But Coradia will be the first hydrogen passenger train to run long distances
• One full tank enables the new train to travel between 600-800 km
• Other German states have shown interest in the train, along with Denmark, Norway and The Netherlands
• The cost has not been revealed by Alstom yet

ANSWER: nitrogen

Explanation:
Team of researchers from India and the UK have come together to develop new cereal crop varieties that use nitrogen effectively reducing GHG emissions and ensuring profitability and sustainability of agriculture.

• Partnership will go for natural variations of cereal and basic research in model plants to deliver new varieties of cereals with enhanced nitrogen use efficiency.
• With a funding of 10 million pounds through the Newton Bhabha Fund, UK, Biotechnology and Biological Research Council, UK and the Department of Biotechnology/DBT of the Government of India, four new virtual joint centres in agricultural nitrogen will be created.
• These are delivered in partnership with BBSRC, Natural Environment Research Council and the DBT.
• Centre comprises multiple research organisations in India and the UK with centres receiving co-investment of around 2.5 million pounds according to an official statement by ICRISAT.
• The Cambridge India Network for Translational Research in Nitrogen is one of 4 centres led by National Institute of Agricultural Botany in the UK and ICRISAT in India.

ANSWER: Just Climate Action Dot Org

Explanation:
India on November 12, 2015 launched a detailed website covering plans to cut GHG emissions and reduce carbon emission intensity by 35% by 2030. The website Just Climate Action dot org is showcasing the comprehensive action plan of a developing country with respect to climate change. Website can be shared on social media channels . INDC targets were submitted by India to UNFCC in October 2015. INDC comprises reduction in the emissions intensity of India's GDP by 33 to 35 per cent by 2030 from 2005 level and creation of an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent through extra forest and tree cover by 2030.

ANSWER: 43 percent

Explanation:
Brazil pledged to slash GHG emissions by 43% by 2030 as part of contribution to United Nations Climate Agreement and reduction from past efforts combating deforestation will help in the attainment of the target. Brazil President Dilma Rousseff presented the pledge at the UNGA in NYC noting the targets are more ambitious than that of developed nation and the country will need no external help to meet them. Leading researchers have estimated legal deforestation could be carried out in a massive area of 100 MHA in Brazil even then.

ANSWER: W20

Explanation:
World’s top 20 economies have launched W20 for gender inclusive economic growth. The international grouping is led by Gulden Turktan. It has aimed to provide inclusive economic growth which involves women’s participation and gender equality as well as equal remuneration for men and women. Women Entrepreneurs Association of Turkey is heading the W20 and forming part of its steering committee in addition to Women and Democracy Association and Turkish Businesswomen Association.