SAURISH TIMES

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September 2023
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TOP NEWS OF THE MONTH

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GLOBAL WARMING ‘TO GRAVELY INFLUENCE HOW ANTARCTICA’S MELTING SEA ICE KILLED
EVAPORATION RATE IN BLACK SEA REGION’ THOUSANDS OF EMPEROR PENGUINS CHICKS

With the rising impact of global warming and In 2022, four out of five emperor penguin
climate change, the Black Sea region will colonies located in Antarctica’s Bellingshausen
experience increased evaporation that would Sea region experienced total breeding failure
potentially surpass precipitation in less than a due to sea ice loss.
decade, affecting the region’s unique agricultural Up to 10,000 emperor penguin chicks across
production, an expert has warned. four colonies in Antarctica may have died as
the sea ice underneath their breeding grounds
Mikdat stated that the Black Sea region, which melted and broke apart in late 2022, according
faced heavy rainfall and floods causing loss of to a new study. It’s the first recorded incident
lives and serious damage in 2023, would enter a of widespread breeding failure of emperor
process of grave evaporation starting from 2040. penguins at multiple sites in a region due to
Noting that the production of agricultural sea ice loss.
products such as tea, hazelnut and corn grown in The sea ice disappeared before the start of the
the Black Sea region is in danger as the need for emperor chicks’ fledging period, during which
irrigation in agriculture will rise. HE suggested they develop their waterproof adult wings and

the construction of freshwater reservoirs to learn to swim. The birds most likely either

mitigate water loss and counteract drought. drowned or froze to death — they couldn’t
regulate their body temperature after getting
As part of the measures taken against climate drenched, the research said.
change, Mikdat recommended a ban on water- The study, ‘Record low 2022 Antarctic sea ice
intensive tropical plantations. Despite popularity led to catastrophic breeding failure of emperor
due to high financial returns, tropical fruits are penguins’, was published on August 24 in the
not suitable for the country’s climate, he said. journal Communications Earth & Environment.
 HOW CLIMATE CHANGE IS EXACERBATING
INFLATION IN INDIA, AND WORLDWIDE
Rising temperatures could add 1 percent to global
inflation every year until 2035.
Earth’s temperature has risen by an average of 0.08°
Celsius per decade since 1880, as per the US National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
The rate of warming since 1981 is more than twice as
fast: 0.18° C per decade, with the 10 warmest years in
the historical record having all occurred since 2010.
“The era of global boiling has arrived,” UN secretary
general António said after scientists confirmed July
2023 was the world’s hottest month on record.
As the world heats up, climate change has emerged
as not only an environmental challenge but also an
economic one. A 2023 paper published by the
European Central Bank and the Potsdam Institute for
Climate Impact Research found that higher than-
average temperatures are driving up the cost of food
and other goods and services in 121 countries.
Overall, it could increase global inflation by as much
as 1 percent every year until 2035.
When it comes to food inflation, the report found that
future warming could hike up prices by as much as 3
percent. “These results suggest that climate change
poses risks to price stability by having an upward
impact on inflation, altering its seasonality and
amplifying the impacts caused by extremes.
In India, rising temperatures, heat waves and
changing rainfall patterns are already affecting crop
yields and impacting the prices of agricultural
produce. In the last two months alone, tomato prices
have surged, rising as high as Rs 150-200 per kg in
key cities. With vegetables having a 6.04 percent
weightage on the overall retail inflation, it has played
a small role in the rise of inflation.
CLIMATE CHANGE GRAVE THREAT IN FRAGILE
NATIONS, MAY INCREASE CONFLICT DEATHS: IMF
More than half of these nations, which are
disproportionately burdened by climate change, are
in Africa.
Climate change threatens to exacerbate conflict in
fragile nations across the globe and lead to
increased deaths, the International Monetary Fund
(IMF) said in a report published Wednesday.
While climate shocks alone may not trigger new
unrest, the Washington-based IMF said, they
"significantly worsen conflict, compounding
fragility" such as hunger, poverty and displacement.
By 2060, conflict deaths could increase by 8.5
percent as a share of the population in so-called
fragile and conflict-affected states (FCS), and by up
to 14 percent in those nations facing an extreme
increase in temperatures, the report said.
In all, 39 countries that are home to nearly one
billion people and 43 percent of the world's poor are
classified as FCS by the World Bank.
More than half of these nations, which are
disproportionately burdened by climate change.
Over 50 million more people in these countries
could be driven into hunger by 2060 due to lower
food production combined with higher prices.
Economic losses resulting from climate shocks are
more "severe and persistent" in fragile nations than
in other countries, it added.
In a separate blog, the IMF said it was vital that
leaders gathering next week in Kenya for the first
African Climate Summit come up with solutions for
vulnerable nations.
"Each year, three times more people are affected by
natural disasters in fragile states than in other
countries.
 SAHARA DESERT'S GREEN TRANSFORMATION:
Imagine a desert, vast and barren, with life
clinging to its every breath. Now, picture a beetle,
a tiny creature amidst this desolation, holding the
key to an agricultural revolution. This isn’t a
fairytale but the story of the Namib desert beetle,
a miraculous insect that's teaching us to turn arid
wastelands into fertile farmlands.
THE BEETLE’S SECRET:
A Masterclass in Bioengineering The Namib desert beetle isn't just a survivor; it's an innovator. In
the rare fog-kissed mornings of its desert home, this beetle performs a ritual. Climbing a dune, it
stands on its head, letting the fog’s water droplets gather on its back. Guided by its unique
exoskeleton dotted with microscopic, water-attracting bumps, these droplets roll into the beetle's
mouth. It's not just survival; it's nature's art of harvesting water from thin air.

SAHARA FOREST PROJECT: THE BEETLE’S LEGACY

Inspired by this beetle and ancient fog collection
systems from places like Chile's Atacama Desert,
the Sahara Forest Project was born. Their vision?
To transform deserts into thriving green spaces.
Using seawater greenhouse technology, seawater
is evaporated, humidifying the air. This creates a
nurturing atmosphere for plants. Next, this moist air
is condensed onto panels, producing fresh water for
irrigation. It's a concept so simple, yet revolutionary.
The ripple effects are immense. Beyond the greenhouse, the humid environment rejuvenates the
surrounding desert, forging oasis-like conditions. This could not only green our deserts but
restore natural water cycles, combatting the ever-growing threat of desertification.

URBAN FOG COLLECTORS: A GLIMPSE INTO THE FUTURE?

With such groundbreaking advancements, one can't help but dream: What if our concrete jungles
turned into fog-collecting havens? If a beetle's design and ancient wisdom can green a desert,
imagine the potential for our sprawling cities. To draw inspiration from a beetle might seem
whimsical, but it's a testament to nature's unparalleled ingenuity. As we grapple with climate
change and water shortages, solutions often lie in the most unassuming corners of our planet.
From vast desert expanses to the minuscule Namib desert beetle, nature whispers its secrets. The
question is, are we listening? As our world faces unprecedented environmental challenges, it's
time to turn to nature, our oldest mentor. With millions of years in the making, its designs hold the
promise of a sustainable, flourishing future. Whether it’s through beetles or innovative projects
like the Sahara Forest Project, our path forward is clear: collaborate with nature, not against it.
G20 SUMMIT 2023: DELHI PREPARED TO HOST THE MEGA EVENT, SHOWCASING RICH
CULTURE AND CUISINE TO WORLD LEADERS
G20 Summit 2023: Delhi is gearing up to host the
prestigious G20 summit from September 8 to 10,
placing a strong emphasis on showcasing its rich
culture and cuisine to world leaders.
The nation's capital, New Delhi, has undergone a
significant makeover in preparation for this event.
To ensure smooth proceedings, educational
institutions and offices will be temporarily closed,
and traffic restrictions will be implemented to
facilitate the smooth movement of delegates.

PK Mishra, the principal secretary to the Prime Minister, recently presided over a meeting of the G20
Coordination Committee. During the meeting, arrangements for the Leaders' Summit were thoroughly
reviewed and fine-tuned. Senior officials from various government departments, including external and
home affairs, culture, information and broadcasting, and the Department of Telecommunications, were
in attendance at this gathering, reported Economic Times.

THEME OF THE SUMMIT

The theme of the summit is "Atithi Devo Bhava," signifying India's tradition of treating guests like gods.
In line with this ethos, leaders and their spouses can anticipate a warm and luxurious welcome.
Delegates will be treated to a diverse array of culinary delights, ranging from Southeast Asian and Arab
cuisines to East Asian flavours and traditional dishes from various Indian states.

A dress rehearsal for the event is scheduled to take place this weekend in Delhi. While most of the
Delhi Metro will operate as usual, the station closest to the main venue will be temporarily closed to
accommodate the event.
ARRIVAL SCHEDULE FOR WORLD LEADERS
The arrival schedule for world leaders would begin with US
President Joe Biden who is expected to land on September 7,
while leaders from other G20 and invitee countries will arrive
the following day. Many leaders will be accompanied by their
spouses and sizable delegations. The spouses of G20 leaders
will be guided to tours of Delhi's renowned landmarks, and
special shopping arrangements have been made.
Deluxe hotels will roll out an extravagant culinary spread for their distinguished guests. Catering at the
summit venue will be overseen by ITC Hotels.

"G20 is a historic opportunity for the country as well as the hotel. We are following high standards for
their accommodation, food and security. We plan to serve main dishes from all the states of India to
the visitors," Vice President and General Manager of Le Meridien Meena Bhatia said, English Jagran
reported.
WORLD ‘OFFICIALLY ENTERED THE ERA OF CLIMATE MIGRATION,’ SAYS IOM
Urgent solutions needed to address climate change,
human mobility on continental scale, says incoming
head of International Organization for Migration.
The director general-elect of the International
Organization for Migration (IOM) called for urgent
solutions to address climate change and human
mobility challenges because the world has entered
"the era of climate migration.”

“Solutions to address the nexus of climate change and human mobility at a continental scale are urgent,”
Amy Pope said in a statement Friday. The call for action came ahead of the Africa Climate Summit in
Nairobi from Sept. 4 - 6.

The Summit is the largest gathering of African heads of state, ministers, UN agencies, humanitarian and
development partners, private sector and youth in the continent’s history, the statement said.

“African countries are among the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, experiencing the dire
impacts of the climate crisis including drought, flooding, extreme weather temperatures,” it said.

More than 7.5 million internal disaster displacements were registered on the continent in 2022,
according to a report by the Geneva-based Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre. Without a climate
action plan, up to 105 million people are feared to become internal migrants by 2023 in Africa alone, a
2021 World Bank report estimates.

CHANDRAYAAN-3 ROVER PUT TO SLEEP ON MOON, WILL WAKE UP WHEN...

The Chandrayaan-3 mission's rover Pragyan has completed its assignments, the Indian Space Research
Organisation (ISRO) said today. The rover has been safely parked and put into sleep mode, ISRO said in
a post on X, formerly Twitter.
"Currently, the battery is fully charged. The solar panel is oriented to receive light at the next sunrise
expected on September 22, 2023. The receiver is kept on, Hoping for a successful awakening for
another set of assignments. Else, it will forever stay there as India's lunar ambassador," ISRO said.

The 26-kg, six-wheeled, solar-powered rover Pragyan is

equipped to use its scientific instruments to record what
the lunar soil and rocks are made of in the south polar
region where Chandrayaan-3's lander Vikram touched down.
ISRO said APXS and LIBS payloads have been turned off and data
from these payloads is transmitted to Earth via lander Vikram.

The APXS instrument is best suited for in situ analysis of the elemental composition of soil and rocks
on the surface of planetary bodies having little atmosphere, such as the Moon. APXS observations
have discovered the presence of interesting minor elements, including sulphur, apart from the major
expected elements such as aluminium, silicon, calcium and iron. The Laser Induced Breakdown
Spectroscope (LIBS) instrument on board the rover has already confirmed the presence of sulphur.
 SAURISH TIMES

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