Author: AKASHCHANDRA

An enthusiastic writer and a passionate learner.

Don’t Ignore Methane

Credit: UN News

Introduction

Methane is a rapidly accelerating part of the climate problem. It is the primary component of natural gas, and it warms the planet more than 80 times as quickly as a comparable volume of atmospheric CO2 over a comparable amount of time

Methane receives much less attention than carbon dioxide, but it’s recently been in the news due to the conflict in Ukraine and due to new research on leakage of the gas in the Permian Basin — a fossil fuel-rich part of the United States (US).

Although methane is rising in the atmosphere, there’s no consensus among scientists on how much methane is coming from various sources.

Why is Methane More Harmful?

  • Methane is an invisible gas that can significantly exacerbate the climate crisis. It is a hydrocarbon that is a major constituent of natural gas used as fuel to run stoves, heat homes, and also to power industries.
  • Methane can be thought of as a thicker blanket than carbon dioxide — one that is capable of warming the planet to a greater extent in a shorter period.
    • It has an immediate effect on warming the planet. However, unlike carbon dioxide which remains in the atmosphere for hundreds of years, methane exerts its warming effects for roughly a decade.
  • Methane pollution, which is a primary component of ground-level ozone and emitted alongside toxic chemicals such as benzene, has been linked to heart disease, birth defects, asthma and other adverse health impacts.

What are the Sources of Methane?

  • Biological Sources: There are biological sources of methane – it is made from some organic compounds by methane-generating microbes known as methanogens.
    • Methanogens are found in various natural environments where little or no oxygen is present.
      • Such environments include wetlands, landfills that are not well vented, and submerged paddy fields.
  • Agriculture: Agriculture is the predominant source of global methane emissions. Livestock emissions – from manure and gastroenteric releases – account for roughly 32% of human-caused methane emissions. Cows also belch out methane.
    • Paddy rice cultivation – in which flooded fields prevent oxygen from penetrating the soil, creating ideal conditions for methane-emitting bacteria – accounts for another 8% of human-linked emissions.
  • Emissions from Fuel and Industries: Fugitive emissions of methane from gas, coal, and oil sites are contributing to the climate crisis, but the extent of leakage of this potent greenhouse gas has been difficult to determine.
    • Methane leakage occurs at every stage of the supply chain from extraction and transport to use in homes and industries.
    • Much of the methane being released is due to “ultra-emitters”, which spew out copious amounts of the gas.

What has been Done to Curb Methane Emissions?

  • COP 26 Pledges: At COP26 in Glasgow, over 100 countries signed an agreement to cut methane emissions by 30% by 2030 as methane might be easier to deal with than carbon dioxide (which is more deeply embedded in the global economy).
    • Ahead of this agreement, the US President announced the Global Methane Pledge, which is an US-EU led effort to cut methane emissions by a third by the end of this decade.
  • MethaneSAT: Controlling methane emissions will require further scrutiny of its sources. To this end, satellites that will track methane leakage such as MethaneSAT have been planned to launch.
    • MethaneSAT is a planned American-New Zealand space mission scheduled for launch later in 2022.
    • It will be an Earth observation satellite that will monitor and study global methane emissions in order to combat climate change.
  • UN Initiatives: The UN Food Systems Summit in September 2021 was also aimed at helping make farming and food production more environmentally friendly.
    • The UN’s Koronivia Joint Work on Agriculture initiative is supporting the transformation of agricultural and food systems, focusing on how to maintain productivity amid a changing climate.
  • India’s Initiative: Central Salt & Marine Chemical Research Institute (CSMCRI) in collaboration with the country’s three leading institutes developed a seaweed-based animal feed additive formulation that aims to reduce methane emissions from cattle and also boost immunity of cattle and poultry.

What Measures can be taken Further to Reduce Methane Emissions?

  • In the Energy Sector: Methane emissions occur along the entire oil and gas supply chain, but especially from fugitive emissions from leaking equipment, system upsets, and deliberate flaring and venting.
    • Existing cost-effective solutions can help reduce emissions, including initiating leak detection and repair programs, implementing better technologies and operating practices, and capturing and utilizing  methane that would otherwise be wasted.
  • In Agriculture: The farmers can provide animals with more nutritious feed so that they are larger, healthier and more productive, effectively producing more with less.
    • Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has developed an anti-methanogenic feed supplement ‘Harit Dhara’ (HD), which can cut down cattle methane emissions by 17-20% and can also result in higher milk production.
    • When it comes to staple crops like paddy rice, experts recommend alternate wetting and drying approaches that could halve emissions.
      • Rather than allowing the continuous flooding of fields, paddies could be irrigated and drained two to three times throughout the growing season, limiting methane production without impacting yield.
        • That process would also require one-third less water, making it more economical.
  • In the Waste Sector: The waste sector accounts for around 20% of global human-caused methane emissions.
    • The cost-effective mitigation solutions with the greatest potential related to separating organics and recycling also have the potential of creating new jobs.
      • Upstream avoidance of food loss and waste is also key.
    • Additionally, capturing landfill gas and generating energy will reduce methane emissions, displace other forms of fuels and create new streams of revenue.
  • Role of Government: The Government of India should envision a food system transition policy to help its people grow and consume food differently.
    • Instead of working in silos, the government must develop a comprehensive policy that moves farmers to sustainable modes of plant-based food production, diverts subsidies from industrial livestock production and its associated inputs, and looks at job creation, social justice, poverty reduction, animal protection and better public health as multiple aspects of a single solution.

The Future of Artificial Intelligence

Credit: CFI

Introduction

AI research follows two distinct, and to some extent competing, methods, the symbolic (or “top-down”) approach, and the connectionist (or “bottom-up”) approach. The top-down approach seeks to replicate intelligence by analyzing cognition independent of the biological structure of the brain, in terms of the processing of symbols—whence the symbolic label. The bottom-up approach, on the other hand, involves creating artificial neural networks in imitation of the brain’s structure—whence the connectionist label.

What is Artificial Intelligence?

Artificial intelligence (AI), is the ability of a digital computer or computer-controlled robot to perform tasks commonly associated with intelligent beings. The term is frequently applied to the project of developing systems endowed with the intellectual processes characteristic of humans, such as the ability to reason, discover meaning, generalize, or learn from past experience. Since the development of the digital computer in the 1940s, it has been demonstrated that computers can be programmed to carry out very complex tasks—as, for example, discovering proofs for mathematical theorems or playing chess—with great proficiency.

How does AI Work?

Less than a decade after breaking the Nazi encryption machine Enigma and helping the Allied Forces win World War II, mathematician Alan Turing changed history a second time with a simple question: “Can machines think?” Turing’s paper “Computing Machinery and Intelligence” (1950), and its subsequent Turing Test, established the fundamental goal and vision of artificial intelligence. At its core, AI is the branch of computer science that aims to answer Turing’s question in the affirmative. It is the endeavor to replicate or simulate human intelligence in machines. The expansive goal of artificial intelligence has given rise to many questions and debates. So much so, that no singular definition of the field is universally accepted.  

Types of Artificial Intelligence

Reactive Machines

A reactive machine follows the most basic of AI principles and, as its name implies, is capable of only using its intelligence to perceive and react to the world in front of it. A reactive machine cannot store a memory and as a result cannot rely on past experiences to inform decision making in real-time.

Limited Memory

Limited memory artificial intelligence has the ability to store previous data and predictions when gathering information and weighing potential decisions — essentially looking into the past for clues on what may come next. Limited memory artificial intelligence is more complex and presents greater possibilities than reactive machines.

Self-awareness

Once Theory of Mind can be established in artificial intelligence, sometime well into the future, the final step will be for AI to become self-aware. This kind of artificial intelligence possesses human-level consciousness and understands its own existence in the world, as well as the presence and emotional state of others. 

Evolution of AI

IFM is just one of countless AI innovators in a field that’s hotter than ever and getting more so all the time. Here’s a good indicator: Of the 9,100 patients received by IBM inventors in 2018, 1,600 (or nearly 18 percent) were AI-related. Here’s another: Tesla founder and tech titan Elon Musk recently donated $10 million to fund ongoing research at the non-profit research company OpenAI — a mere drop in the proverbial bucket if his $1 billion co-pledge in 2015 is any indication. And in 2017, Russian President Vladimir Putin told school children that “Whoever becomes the leader in this sphere [AI] will become the ruler of the world.” He then tossed his head back and laughed maniacally.

Future of AI

Some sectors are at the start of their AI journey, others are veteran travelers. Both have a long way to go. Regardless, the impact artificial intelligence is having on our present day lives is hard to ignore:

  • Transportation: Although it could take a decade or more to perfect them, autonomous cars will one day ferry us from place to place.
  • Manufacturing: AI powered robots work alongside humans to perform a limited range of tasks like assembly and stacking, and predictive analysis sensors keep equipment running smoothly.
  • Healthcare: In the comparatively AI-nascent field of healthcare, diseases are more quickly and accurately diagnosed, drug discovery is sped up and streamlined, virtual nursing assistants monitor patients and big data analysis helps to create a more personalized patient experience.
  • Education: Textbooks are digitized with the help of AI, early-stage virtual tutors assist human instructors and facial analysis gauges the emotions of students to help determine who’s struggling or bored and better tailor the experience to their individual needs.

Conclusion

Artificial intelligence is impacting the future of virtually every industry and every human being. Artificial intelligence has acted as the main driver of emerging technologies like big data, robotics and IoT, and it will continue to act as a technological innovator for the foreseeable future. AI is projected to have a lasting impact on just about every industry imaginable. We’re already seeing artificial intelligence in our smart devices, cars, healthcare system and favorite apps, and we’ll continue to see its influence permeate deeper into many other industries for the foreseeable future.

References

Paternity Leave: Why aren’t more Men taking it?

Credit: LegalZoom

Introduction

 The number of countries where paternity leave is enshrined in law has more than doubled to about 90 in the last 20 years; and globally, at least four out of every 10 organizations are thought to provide paid leave above the statutory minimum. Yet, the proportion of men who take more than a few days off work when their child is born is tiny.  Most cite fears of being discriminated against professionally, missing out on pay raises and promotions, being marginalized, or even mocked as reasons for not taking time off. Academics consider these concerns to be the effect of deeply ingrained and highly damaging stereotypes around gender – and suggest that changing this will require significant cultural shifts as well as better institutional provision of paid paternity leave.  

What is Paternity Leave?

Parental leave, or family leave, is an employee benefit available in almost all countries. The term “parental leave” may include maternity, paternity, and adoption leave; or may be used distinctively from “maternity leave” and “paternity leave” to describe separate family leaves available to either parent to care for small children. In some countries and jurisdictions, “family leave” also includes leave provided to care for ill family members. Often, the minimum benefits and eligibility requirements are stipulated by law. Unpaid parental or family leave is provided when an employer is required to hold an employee’s job while that employee is taking leave. Paid parental or family leave provides paid time off work to care for or make arrangements for the welfare of a child or dependent family member.

Internalized Stereotype

 The number of countries where paternity leave is enshrined in law has more than doubled to about 90 in the last 20 years; and globally, at least four out of every 10 organisations are thought to provide paid leave above the statutory minimum. Yet, the proportion of men who take more than a few days off work when their child is born is tiny. Most cite fears of being discriminated against professionally, missing out on pay rises and promotions, being marginalized or even mocked as reasons for not taking time off. Academics consider these concerns to be the effect of deeply ingrained and highly damaging stereotypes around gender – and suggest that changing this will require significant cultural shifts as well as better institutional provision of paid paternity leave.  

Unspoken Norms

Workplace experts are warning that the immense uncertainty created by the Covid-19 pandemic – and specifically anxiety around job security – is only likely to have exacerbated workers’ concerns about taking time off. In one survey of over 500 US fathers conducted at the end of May, about two-thirds of respondents admitted that there was an unspoken rule that men at their jobs should not take full paternity leave – and that taking as little as possible was “a badge of honour”. Ninety percent of those surveyed reported their employer offered less than 12 weeks of paternity leave, but almost two-thirds said that they planned to take less than half of that.

No Role Model

Forbes believes it’s important to have visible “fatherhood champions” at companies, across different sections and departments both to inspire fathers to take leave and also improve their knowledge of leave provisions. “Also, if managers are knowledgeable of the organization’s offering around paternity leave and shared parental leave, this will lead to parents being more aware of what their entitlements are.” Thekla Morgenroth, a research fellow also considers role models to be of paramount importance. “If other men are taking parental leave at a specific company, it shows that taking parental leave is normal and acceptable for men to do,” they explain. “These effects are likely particularly pronounced when men in leadership positions take parental leave because they can act as role models and demonstrate that you can be successful even if you take parental leave.” 

Conclusion

In the absence of this kind of comprehensive legislation, however, Banister believes that employers should reduce barriers to taking paternity leave by “normalizing employees taking leave during the first year of their child’s birth or adoption, regardless of the employees’ gender or sexual orientation”.  There are more specific considerations too, she says, such as the timing of the leave. Company-subsidized parental leave, if offered, is often restricted to the first few months – when it may suit parents better for the mother to be at home, especially if she is breastfeeding. If employers gave all parents decent pay for some time, regardless of when they take it (and in addition to a period of fully-paid paternity leave around the time of the birth), this would give parents much more flexibility. 

References

The Roots of STEM Talent of India

Credit: Dreamstime

Introduction

The Information Technology sector in India has built its reputation by providing cost-effective solutions and providing employment to millions of people in the process. However, the full-time research workforce in India was estimated to be just 2,00,000 in 2015 by UNESCO. Are we, as a nation, adequately promoting careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) subjects, and are we even able to generate enough talent for our own demand? Are we losing some of our best minds to other countries because of a lack of support and opportunities?

What is STEM?

STEM, in full science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, field, and curriculum centered on education in the disciplines of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The STEM acronym was introduced in 2001 by scientific administrators at the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF). The organization previously used the acronym SMET when referring to the career fields in those disciplines or a curriculum that integrated knowledge and skills from those fields. In 2001, however, American biologist Judith Ramaley, then assistant director of education and human resources at NSF, rearranged the words to form the STEM acronym.

Women in STEM

Under-representation of women and gender pay gaps are well-recognized global challenges in STEM sectors. While Indian Technology firms can still boast of a relatively better female-to-male ratio, according to UNESCO estimates, only 14 percent of the researchers in India are women. Even engineering colleges have skewed gender ratio in favor of male students, and according to a Kelly Global Workforce Insights (KGWI) survey, 81 percent of the women in STEM fields in India have perceived a gender bias during performance evaluation.  The annual ‘Girls in Tech’ MasterCard research indicates that while interest in STEM careers is increasing gradually, women are still less likely than men to pursue a STEM career and less likely to remain in the field for their entire career owing to male dominance in the fields. 

STEM Sector in India

The focus on building the scientific prowess of the masses, and bet on specialized educational institutions to do the same, institutions like the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Indian Institute of Science (IISc), and All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) was founded and promoted to develop the country’s scientific and technical manpower, and in the process help the society and economy prosper. However, with time, these institutes have largely been reduced to stepping stones for a well-paying career. Especially in the last two decades, the relentless quest of students, and their parents, to ensure admission to such premier institutes has given rise to an astronomical coaching classes industry as well. A particular blow to STEM education came when the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) liberally allowed the setting up of engineering institutes across the country a few years ago. The move was undertaken in anticipation of a huge demand for engineering studies. However, this not only eroded the value conferred on an engineering degree but also compromised the quality of education and training provided on a fundamental level.

Making STEM a Priority

The first step towards fixing what’s broken is the identification and acknowledgment of the present challenges and understanding the context in which they arise. In other words, the government and the private education sector must make a genuine attempt at understanding their shortcomings, and reflect on why so few Indian institutes are recognized for quality STEM education and training. Establishing global partnerships with countries that have built sophisticated STEM expertise is critical to paving the way for knowledge exchange and skill development. While American and European universities are known for their focus on STEM education, countries in the networks of BRICS and ASEAN could also prove to be beneficial partners. This also needs to be backed by healthy funding to develop independent institutes that focus on research, pure sciences, and other derivatives of STEM subjects. The Indeed survey showed that job seekers in the age group of 21-25 were 12 percent more inclined towards jobs in STEM sectors than in others. Inculcating innovation and creativity in young minds and encouraging them to pursue dedicated courses right from the moment they stepped into the formal education system is essential. However, in the present system, STEM studies might simply be added as an additional layer to the existing curriculum and would increase pressure on students and teachers alike.

References

How Automation is Changing Workplace Everywhere?

Credit: Prospects

Introduction

There was a time when the term “automation” was synonymous with advanced manufacturing plants full of robotics. While replacing human labor with machine labor is a prime example of workplace automation, it’s far from the only example. Automation is present in modern businesses of all sizes – including subtle features in common software applications, and more obvious implementations like self-driving vehicles or autonomous robots. There is much debate about where workplace automation will lead the economy, but observers tend to agree that the trend is gaining momentum. Every business process is on the table for automation, especially as technology becomes more sophisticated. 

What is Workplace Automation?

Here’s a common misconception that automation involves towering robotics, but it can be as simple as a set of tools housed within common business software programs. At its core, automation is about implementing a system to complete repetitive and easily replicated tasks without the need for human labor. “Automation takes a lot of forms,” said Fred Townes, chief product officer at READY Education. “For small businesses, the most important thing is [repetition]. When you find something you do more than once that adds value … you want to look into automation.”

Machine Learning as the Driver for Automation

Machine learning and artificial intelligence enable new forms of “smart” automation. As the software learns, the more adaptable it becomes. These technologies open the door for the automation of higher-order tasks in addition to the basic, repetitive tasks. “I think there’s a lot of focus at the moment on these tasks that humans don’t want to do,” Sharma said. “But what’s going to happen in the future is … automation will not just be about automating those tasks humans are doing today, but it will be about realizing potential opportunities.”

Example of Common Workplace Automation

1. Email marketing

Many small business owners already use at least one form of automation: email marketing. Companies like Zoho and Constant Contact offer software that allows users to tailor the parameters of their email marketing campaign to their liking and then set it to run automatically. 

2. Customer service

Customer service departments are also getting an automation makeover with the introduction of tools like chatbots and automated text message marketing solutions.

3. Human resources

Given the predictable and repetitive nature of HR duties – like payroll and timesheets – digitization can transform the efficiency of a department.

Conclusion

Economic insecurity displaced workers feel is very real, but automation is not the enemy. Instead, Wallace hopes to educate people about leveraging this powerful technology to create their own incomes – essentially establishing a society of entrepreneurs and small companies. “If we can establish a way to make sure we all have enough food, clothing, and shelter to survive … and allow people to repurpose their gifts, unique abilities, and enable them to proliferate that and sell it as a good or a service, then we’re adding income,” Wallace said. “We can create an opportunity to generate income for next to nothing, so why not teach people to leverage the tech that disrupted the marketplace in the first place to embrace it and use it for something more in line with who they are, as an expression of their unique abilities?”

References

Why does the World Need to Decarbonize Transport?

Credit: ITF

Introduction

Moving people and goods accounts for one-quarter of global energy use, and the demand for energy from this sector is continuing to grow. This is due mainly to the increasing number and size of vehicles on our roads: more than 1.42 billion are currently in use, with an expected two billion by 2040. Road vehicles, most still powered by fossil fuels, account for nearly 75 per cent of total transport-related greenhouse gas emissions. Emissions from aviation and shipping are also projected to sail upwards between now and 2050. Flying contributes 12 per cent of the world’s total carbon dioxide emissions, while the marine sector, if it were a country, would be ranked between Germany and Japan as the sixth-largest source.

Why to Decarbonize the Transport?

Climate change cannot be stopped without decarbonizing transport. Transport emits around 23% of the energy-related CO2 that feeds global warming. Without immediate action, its share could reach 40% by 2030. Transport emissions have grown faster than those of any other sector over the past 50 years. Demand for transport will continue to grow massively in the coming decades. As a result CO2 emissions from transport activity will not fall, but could increase by 60% by 2050. And because transport relies on oil for 92% of its energy, it is particularly hard to decarbonize. 

Ambition of the Initiative

The Decarbonising Transport initiative helps governments and industry to translate climate ambitions into actions. Specifically, it:

  • Builds a catalogue of effective CO2 mitigation measures: the Transport Climate Action Directory.
  • Provides targeted analytical assistance for countries and partners to identify climate actions that work.
  • Gathers and shares evidence for best practices that will accelerate the transition to carbon-neutral mobility.
  • Shapes the climate change debate by building a global policy dialogue and by bringing the transport perspective to the broader climate change discussions.

Stream of the Initiative

 The Decarbonising Transport initiative is organised in five work streams:

  • Tracking progress: The initiative evaluates how current mitigation measures contribute to reaching objectives for reducing transport CO2.
  • In-depth sectoral studies: The initiative identifies effective policies for decarbonizing urban passenger transport, road freight transport, maritime transport, aviation and inter-urban transport.
  • Focus studies: The initiative analyses specific decarbonization issues and feeds the results into other work streams.
  • National pathways: The initiative assesses available policy levers for decarbonizing transport from a country perspective. Projects may also examine regional or sub-national levels.
  • Policy Dialogue: The initiative organizes global dialogue on transport and climate change through high-level roundtables, policy briefings and technical workshops. It acts as a conduit for transport sector input to climate change negotiations.

Conclusion

The Decarbonizing Transport initiative was launched in 2016 with core funding from the ITF’s Corporate Partnership Board (CPB). Other funding partners currently include the governments of France, Korea, Ireland and the Netherlands, the World Bank, the European Commission, the Climate Works Foundation, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the FIA Foundation, the International Road Transport Union (IRU) and the Swedish Shipowners’ Association. In recognition of the work of its Decarbonizing Transport initiative, the UN Climate Change Secretariat (UNFCCC) has named the International Transport Forum a focal point for transport under its Marrakech Partnership. In this role, the ITF acts as a conduit for the exchange of information between the transport sector and the UNFCCC, as well as providing inputs to the UNFCCC process.

References

An Analysis of World Environment Day

Credit: Parenting

Introduction

World Environment Day is celebrated on the 5th of June every year. More than 100 countries Worldwide join in the celebration of World Environment Day. It was started by the United Nations Environmental Program in the year 1973 and has been continuing till now. The main purpose of celebrating this day is to spread awareness about the Environment.

Theme for 2022

World Environment Day 2022 will be held under the theme Only One Earth, highlighting the need to live sustainably in harmony with nature by bringing transformative changes – through policies and our choices – towards cleaner, greener lifestyles.

What is the Environment?

Scientifically speaking, everything around us constitutes our Environment. Both living and non-Types of the Equation of the Motion living things make up our Environment. The living or biotic components include plants, animals and microbes, while the non-living or abiotic components include air, water, soil and so on.

Why is the Environment in Danger?

The Environment is in danger because of the high levels of pollution. All the major components of the Environment such as the hydrosphere, the atmosphere, and the biosphere, are trapped with pollutants. The rising level of pollutants is destroying the normal Environmental conditions. These types of pollutants can be natural (for example volcanic eruptions, forest fires, etc.) or manmade (pollutants released from industries, emissions from cars). It is mainly man-made pollution that has caused rapid destruction of the Environment. The major forms of pollution are air pollution, water pollution, and soil pollution.

Why is it Necessary to Save the Environment?

The Environment is one of the most important tools for our survival on planet Earth. The Environment nurtures us and helps us survive. We cannot imagine life without air, water, and soil. The biotic components like plants and animals are also important survival tools. Plants help purify the air around us. We get food from plants and animals. All the components of the Environment are dependent on each other in a web of relations known as the ecological web. It is necessary to maintain this web in balance because if one component collapses then the entire web will crumble destroying all life forms. This is why we must choose to work towards preserving the Environment and undoing the damage we did.

Purpose of World Environment Day

The main purpose of World Environment Day is to spread awareness about the current conditions of the Environment. On this day people come together to join in efforts to improve our life. Every year there is one theme or Environmental problem which is focused upon and a pledge to combat that problem is taken that year. For example for the year 2019, the theme was air pollution. Organizations all around the world come together on this day, to take small steps to improve our future. Schools and offices encourage workers and students to plant trees or clean up some local land. These small efforts can leave a big impact on the Environment.

Conclusion

World Environment Day reminds us to consolidate our planet and ensure that the Environment is conserved at all costs. It illuminates the causes that cause the most damage to our environment. For example, industries and industries play a major role in polluting. They reduce the amount of air we breathe and the water we consume. Therefore, this Day serves as an eye-opener for many citizens who are unaware of all this. In other words, it spreads awareness to ordinary people about the current situation. In addition, it also encourages the community from different communities and communities to play an active role in celebrating this Day.

References

The Global Image of Women Empowerment

Credit: Leverage Edu

Introduction

The empowerment and autonomy of women and improving their political, social, economic, and health status is a highly important end. In addition, it is essential for the achievement of sustainable development. The full participation and partnership of both women and men are required in productive and reproductive life, including shared responsibilities for the care and nurturing of children and maintenance of the household. In all parts of the world, women are facing threats to their lives, health, and well-being due to being overburdened with work and their lack of power and influence. In most regions of the world, women receive less formal education than men, and at the same time, women’s own knowledge, abilities, and coping mechanisms often go unrecognized. The power relations that impede women’s attainment of healthy and fulfilling lives operate at many levels of society, from the most personal to the highly public.

What is Women’s Empowerment?

Women’s empowerment can be defined as promoting women’s sense of self-worth, their ability to determine their own choices, and their right to influence social change for themselves and others. It is closely aligned with female empowerment – a fundamental human right that’s also key to achieving a more peaceful, prosperous world. Women’s empowerment and promotion of women’s rights have emerged as a part of a major global movement and are continuing to break new ground in recent years. Days like International Women’s Empowerment Day are also gaining momentum. But despite a great deal of progress, women and girls continue to face discrimination and violence in every part of the world.

Why Empowerment is important?

Empowering women is essential to the health and social development of families, communities, and countries. When women are living safe, fulfilled, and productive lives, they can reach their full potential. contributing their skills to the workforce and can raise happier and healthier children. They are also able to help fuel sustainable economies and benefit societies and humanity at large. A key part of this empowerment is through education. Girls who are educated can pursue meaningful work and contribute to their country’s economy later in life. They are also four times less likely to get married young when they have eight years of education, meaning that they and their families are healthier.

How World Vision is helping Empower Women?

When women and girls are supported, they gain opportunities to speak up for their rights, and also to advocate for their communities. They are also able to rise in social standing, and they can feed this into future generations. This means women’s organizations, women’s empowerment policies, and women’s charities can gain momentum and contribute to a stronger world.

World Vision supports women and girls by:

  • Our sponsorship program. When you sponsor a girl, you not only help give a girl opportunities she may have been denied – but our community-focused approach means that her whole community benefits, too.
  • Helping girls and women learn advocacy skills at all stages of life so that they can use their voices effectively for their own rights.
  • Partnering with communities, faith leaders, and governments to challenge and correct harmful social norms that keep women and girls from their potential.
  • Raising awareness around the causes of poor health and wellbeing that are related to gender.
  • Empowering women and girls through water, sanitation, and hygiene; health and nutrition; livelihoods training; and education programs to increase their opportunities and ability to reach their full potential.

Conclusion

Achieving change requires policy and programme actions that will improve women’s access to secure livelihoods and economic resources, alleviate their extreme responsibilities about housework, remove legal impediments to their participation in public life, and raise social awareness through effective programmes of education and mass communication. In addition, improving the status of women also enhances their decision-making capacity at all levels in all spheres of life, especially in the area of sexuality and reproduction. This, in turn, is essential for the long-term success of population programmes. Experience shows that population and development programmes are most effective when steps have simultaneously been taken to improve the status of women.

References

Is Space Tourism is Beneficial for Planet?

Credit: Spacelearn

Introduction

While space tourism isn’t brand new, the race to progress commercial space travel has moved along vastly in the past year. With NASA – once the center of the space industry – taking its time to bring commercial space flight into the realm of possibility, the doors have opened up for wealthy individuals to try their hand at space travel. Space tourism is not without criticism, despite being an exciting idea in theory. Today, we’ll explore the advantages and disadvantages of space tourism, raise questions about the billionaire space race, and think about whether space tourism is the beginning of a new future or an environmental catastrophe. 

What is Space Tourism?

The fundamental purpose is for human pleasure, as all tourism is. We can divide space tourism into orbital, suborbital, and lunar space tourism. While orbital space tourism involves extremely high speeds (17,400 mph), as it allows a rocket to orbit around Earth, suborbital flights are a lot slower (though still 3,700mph) and tend to fly directly up into space and then back down again. Suborbital flights are what space tourism companies are offering more commonly. Lunar space tourism involves trips to the moon. While there are some broader definitions of space tourism, such as watching rocket launches or stargazing, we’ll be focusing on commercial space travel in this article, as it has the most far-reaching consequences.

Does Commercial Space Travel exist today?

The short answer to this question is yes. However, currently, commercial space travel is extremely exclusive, and this shows no signs of changing shortly. July 2021 was a pioneering month, with both Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin successfully launching suborbital spaceflights with tourist passengers from their spaceports. Eventually, each of these companies wants to provide regular space travel opportunities to private paying customers. 

Environmental Concerns

Large carbon footprint

Eloise Marais, a physical geography professor at UCL, suggests that the carbon footprint of flying to space in a rocket is about 100x more than taking a long-haul flight. 

Depleting ozone layer

There are several ways space tourism can contribute to a depleting ozone layer. CO2 emissions and soot trap heat in the atmosphere and rockets emit up to 10 times more nitrogen oxides than the largest thermal power plant in the UK.

Polluted stratosphere

One of the biggest environmental concerns with space tourism is the soot cloud that rockets leave behind. Soot can accumulate in the stratosphere, which is between 5 and 31 miles above Earth, where it can’t be washed away by the weather.

Conclusion

It seems as though the current plans that the billionaire space company owners have for space tourism are perhaps too ambitious, and focus on the wrong things. It’s true that space exploration and research could bring a wealth of new ideas and resources to Earth, and could provide a future existence for humans. But regular, short space flights for the recreational activities of the rich do not seem to be in the best interest of Earth. 

References

Understanding the Nucleic Acid Vaccines

Credit: MIT News

Introduction

Faced with the challenges posed by infectious diseases and cancer, nucleic acid vaccines present excellent prospects in clinical applications. Compared with traditional vaccines, nucleic acid vaccines have the characteristics of high efficiency and low cost. Therefore, nucleic acid vaccines have potential advantages in disease prevention and treatment. However, the low immunogenicity and instability of nucleic acid vaccines have limited their development. Therefore, a large number of studies have been conducted to improve their immunogenicity and stability by improving delivery methods, thereby supporting progress and development for clinical applications.

What is Nucleic Acid Vaccines?

Instead of injecting a weakened form of a virus or bacteria into the body, Nucleic acid vaccines use genetic material from a disease-causing virus or bacterium (a pathogen) to stimulate an immune response against it. That immune response, which produces antibodies, is what protects us from getting infected if the real virus enters our bodies. Nucleic acid vaccines have the potential to be safe, effective, and cost-effective. Moreover, the immune responses induced by nucleic acid vaccines only target the selected antigen in the pathogen.

Types of Nucleic Acid Vaccine

Nucleic acid-based vaccines, including DNA (as plasmids) and RNA [as messenger RNA (mRNA)] vaccines, exhibit promising potential in targeting various indications and diseases.

What is DNA Vaccine?

DNA vaccines are generated by inserting a gene encoding antigens into a bacteria-derived plasmid, which needs to be controlled by a powerful promoter. DNA plasmids are replicated in bacteria, which can be selected based on antibiotic resistance mediated by genes carrying resistance markers, using the prokaryotic origin of replication. Additionally, DNA vaccines can affect not only humoral immunity but also cellular immunity. Although the precise mechanisms underlying the induction of an immune response to antigens expressed by host cells following DNA immunization have not yet been determined, we have a considerable understanding of the roles of immune cells in the processing, presentation, and recognition of antigens.

What is RNA Vaccine?

Currently, there are two widely acknowledged forms of mRNA vaccines, namely, non-amplifying mRNA and self-amplifying mRNA, which are classified due to the difference in mechanisms. In terms of structure, non-amplifying mRNA vaccines mainly contain five critical elements for the life cycle and expression: the “cap” [m7Gp3N(N: any nucleotide)], which is a 7-methyl-guanosine residue (m7G) bound to the 5′-end of the RNA transcript via a 5′–5′ triphosphate bond with any nucleotide; a 5′ untranslated region (5′UTR) that sits immediately upstream of the translation initiation codon; an open reading frame (ORF) encoding the gene of interest (GOI); a 3′ untranslated region (3′UTR); and a tail of 100–250 adenosine residues [poly(A) tail].

Advantages of Nucleic Acid Vaccine

Safe and non-infectious as they are not made with pathogen particles or inactivated pathogens.
Can generate a stronger type of immunity and are well tolerated as compared to traditional vaccines.
Can be produced more rapidly as they do not require a host for growth, e.g., eggs or bacteria.

References

BASE RATE AND DRI SCHEME: A SUPERIOR LENDING RATE

Credit: PlanAdvisor

Introduction

The Financial and Banking sector of any country plays a paramount role in the functioning of the economy through intermediation. This sector has undergone numerous reforms in the past few years. One of the outcomes of these reforms is that now banks are more liberalized and have the freedom to determine the interest rates on their own. Banks are allowed to determine the lending rates on loans and advances concerning the base rate. The Base Rate is one of the amendments to the lending rate introduced by the RBI. Let’s now discover what it is, the term associated with it, and the factors determining it. 

What is Base Rate?

A Base rate is defined as the minimum interest rate set by the country’s central bank below which banks are not permitted to lend to their customers. This rate is usually taken as the standard interest rate by all the banks functioning in the country. Introduced in June 2010, the base rate is simply regarded as the standard lending rate offered by commercial banks. 

Why is Base Rate System used?

In the earlier days, the ostensible problem with the credit market was the lack of transparency. There used to be some segments in the banking system that were hidden or kept unknown to the customers. Banks use to give no clear information on the interest rate charged for a loan. So, to bring transparency and awareness to the credit field and to ensure that banks pass the benefit of lower interest rates to borrowers, the RBI implemented the notion of Base Rate across all the banks.

Factors Determining the Base Rate

Base Rates must consider and include all the elements of lending rates which are across various categories of borrowers. It is practicable that the base rate may be different for different banks. The four significant components that typically decide or determine the base rate set by a particular bank include

  • Cost of Funds i.e., interest rates provided by the banks on deposits
  • Operating Costs
  • The Minimum rate of Returns
  • Cost of the Cash Reserve Ratio.

So, the base rate presented by one bank can be dissimilar to the rate of another bank owing to any one or more of the above-declared factors. The most prevalent factor is the difference in interest rates provided by the banks on deposits.

What is DRI Scheme?

DRI Scheme stands For Differential Rate of Interest Scheme. It was launched to provide credit access to the low-income group. It is better known as DIR Scheme. This scheme was set in motion from the year 1972. The loan scheme empowers or authorizes the banks to lend money to weaker and incapable sections of society at a concessional interest rate. In simpler terms, DRI Scheme was introduced to financially assist low-income groups. The loan scheme visualizes lending by banks to the incapable section of the society at a uniform concessional rate of interest. There is no requirement or obligation of collateral or third-party guarantee. The assets which are created or bought from the loan amount will be hypothecated to the banks.

Conclusion

Every bank must review its base rate quarterly. Since the primary intention of implementing the base rate is transparency in the prices of the lending product, every bank has to reveal its base rate details in all their branches and on their official websites too. DRI Scheme is enhancing the Financial Inclusion Goal of India. In April 2016, RBI introduced a new concept known as MCLR (Marginal Cost of Lending Rates) as a replacement for the Base Rate. So, the MCLR is the new internal benchmark that all institutions will follow.

References

  1. https://www.creditmantri.com
  2. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com
  3. https://www.investopedia.com

Problems of Aged in Changing Scenario

Credit: Metropolis

Introduction

Population aging is a global issue, which has been recognized to have implications on the health care and social welfare systems. The process whereby the proportion of children in the population decreases and those of old people increases is known as the “aging of population”. The global population of the elderly has constantly been increasing during the second half of the last century. This has been possible due to the easy availability of life-saving drugs, famines’ control, various communicable diseases, better awareness and supply of nutrition and health facilities, and a comparatively better overall standard of living. These achievements have resulted in a drastic reduction in mortality rates and a substantial increase in the life expectancy at birth and the overall span of people.

What is Aging?

Aging is a continuous, irreversible, universal process, which starts from conception till the death of an individual. However, the age at which one’s productive contribution declines and one tends to be economically dependent can probably be treated as the onset of the aged stage of life. Old age is the last phase of the human life cycle, which is again universally true. UN recommended 60 years as the age of transition for the elderly segment of the population, and has been categorized as follows:

  1. Young Old- between the ages of 60-75 years
  2. Old-Old- between the ages of 75-85 years
  3. Very Old- 85 years and above.

Disabilities in Old Age

The disabilities that a person experiences in the course of aging are multiple in nature. For some, aging enhances the status and enriches life satisfaction, but for many others, it may be difficult and problematic. On one hand, getting old provides an opportunity to relax, enjoy and do things they always wanted to do but never had the time for when they were young. On the other hand, old age also implies increasing physical, mental, and psychological disabilities. Such disabilities are the result of many factors. With the increasing age and decreasing health, the older person begins to depend unknowingly physically and psychologically on either the kinship group or the existing social support network.

Government’s Role

Since independence, the Indian government has been committed to supporting the old people in our society with certain interventionist welfare methods. The year 1999 was declared by the UN as the International Year of Older Persons followed on 13th Jan 1999, by the Government of India approving the National Policy for Older Persons for accelerating welfare measures and empowering the elderly in ways beneficial to them. Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 provides legal sanctions for the rights of the elderly. In addition constitutional provisions for old age security, old age pension, establishing old age homes, expanding geriatric services, and liberalizing housing policy for elders have also been undertaken.

Role of Old Age Homes

The concept of the old age home, though not very common in India, is not unknown. The first old age home was established in Bangalore in 1983 by the Bangalore Friends-in Need society and was called the ‘(obb Home)’. According to Help Age India estimates, there are 728 institutions at present, perhaps a majority of them in urban areas. Kerala has the largest number of old-age homes. More than 60 percent of the old age homes in India are of the charitable type, meant for destitute or very poor persons. About 20 percent of them are of the ‘pay and stay’ type and another 20 percent are mixed. About 15 percent of the homes were for women exclusively. In recent years, there has been a rapid increase in the number of old age homes and they are gradually gaining acceptance, especially by those who see these institutions as a better alternative than living in a son’s home where you are not wanted. There is a debate going on in India at present among seniors’ organizations, nongovernmental organizations, and others about whether this growth should be allowed, supported, or curbed. There is a strong feeling that the proliferation of old-age homes would make it easier for children to shirk their responsibility for taking care of their aging parents by placing them in institutions.

Conclusion

Despite the government’s and NGO’s efforts in rehabilitating the aged in India they are still the most vulnerable group facing multiple problems and hence require proper care and attention. Aging is a natural process. ‘Old age is an incurable disease’. But more recently J.S. Ross commented, “You do need old age, you protect it, you promote it, and you extend it”. A man is as old as he feels and a woman as old as she looks. Hence there is a need for proper care and protection for the elderly in the changing scenario.

References

An Analysis of National Safe Motherhood Day

Credit: Eduwar

Introduction

The White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood is an alliance of organizations working together to increase awareness, build partnerships and act as a stimulus for action to decrease maternal mortality significantly. It was launched in India by the Centre for Development and Population Activities in 1999 and with a coalition of 1800 organizations, in 2003, it requested the Government of India to declare April 11th, Kasturba Gandhi’s birth anniversary, as National Safe Motherhood Day. India is the world’s first country to have officially declared a National Safe Motherhood Day.

Theme for 2022

Every year a nationwide advocacy theme is selected for Safe Motherhood Day, and activities and full-scale campaigns are carried out throughout the country to increase awareness of proper healthcare and maternity facilities for pregnant and lactating mothers. Also, the members, state associations, and non-profit organizations come together on National Safe Motherhood Day to share technical skills, expertise, and resources. This year’s theme is “Remain at home in the face of the Coronavirus; protect mother and child.”

Why this day is Celebrated?

India is the main country to have formally proclaimed a day committed to well-being and security, all things considered. Every year, WRAI individuals select a cross country topic for “Safe Motherhood Day.” They do crusades all across the country. The objective of these missions is to increment mindfulness that each lady has an option to live and endure pregnancy and labor.

Initiatives taken by Indian Government

In 2003, at the request of the WRAI, the Indian government designated April 11 (the anniversary of Kasturba Gandhi’s birth) as “National Safe Motherhood Day” (a coalition of 1,800 organizations). India is the world’s first country to establish a “National Safe Motherhood Day.” Every year, WRAI members choose a national publicity theme for “Safe Motherhood Day,” and WRAI members conduct activities and large-scale campaigns across the country. These annual campaigns, which are launched on “National Safe Motherhood Day,” aim to raise awareness that every woman has the right to survive and recover from pregnancy and childbirth. The White Ribbon Alliance of India was established in 1999.

Safe Motherhood Program

The aim of the National Safe Motherhood Program is to reduce morbidity and mortality rates of pregnant and lactating mothers and neonates and to improve their health through preventive strategies and activities related to health promotion as well as by addressing avoidable causative factors that can lead to death during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum period. Nutritious snacks, such as vegetables, fruits, egg, yoghurt, cheese, pulses, sprouts, soya and milk products, along with proper hydration are ideal for a pregnant woman.

Significance of Motherhood Day

Our mothers are the only reason we were able to see the light of day and grow up to be strong people. Their numerous sacrifices, dedication, hard work, and blessings enable us to progress in life. Motherhood is one of the most special and important stages in a woman’s life, and she requires the greatest amount of care and affection during this time. Thus, National Safe Motherhood Day is observed in India on April 11 to raise awareness about motherhood and its importance. The entire period of pregnancy and delivery is critical and must be handled with extreme caution. Because of our government’s efforts, I can say with great pride and accomplishment that Madhya Pradesh has seen a significant decrease in Maternal Mortality Rate over the years.

Conclusion

Janani Express Ambulance has made it simple and quick to get to the hospital. Similarly, schemes such as Janani Suraksha Yojana, Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan, Mamta Abhiyan, and others have been launched to provide pregnant women with all necessary care and health facilities. The government is working around the clock to improve mothers’ health and hygiene. Motherhood, on the other hand, necessitates more than just medical and health advantages. As a result, it is critical to pay attention to her mental health and meet all of her needs. On this National Safe Motherhood Day, I humbly ask that everyone prioritize motherhood and pay special attention to pregnant and lactating women. In the absence of healthy mothers, we cannot envision a beautiful future.

References

An Analysis of World Haemophilia Day

Credit: Deccan Chronicle

Introduction

World Hemophilia Day was started by the World Federation of Hemophilia (WHF) and is annually observed on the 17th of April. The international community started observing WHD in 1989 and April 17 was chosen to recognize Frank Schnabel the founder of WHF. World Hemophilia Day is aimed at raising awareness about hemophilia and other bleeding disorders. It also helps to raise funds for patients who cannot afford hemophilia treatment as well as attract volunteers for the World Federation of Hemophilia.

What is Haemophilia?

Haemophilia is an inherited condition that causes bleeding for a long time after injury or surgery and painful swelling of the joints either after injury or even without injury. (“Inherited” means that the disease is passed from parents to children through their genes). Haemophilia is the commonest X-linked disorder affecting approximately 1 in 10,000 male births; whereas women act as carriers of Haemophilia. Haemophilia is an inherited blood disorder disease in which blood does not clot properly. It is caused due to defects in the blood vessels, the coagulation mechanism, or the blood platelets and by a deficiency in a gene that resolves how the human body will make factors VII, IX, or XI.

Types of Haemophilia

Haemophilia has three forms namely Haemophilia A, B, and C. Out of these, Hemophilia A is the most common.

– Haemophilia A patient is treated by prescribing a hormone desmopressin.

– Haemophilia B patient is treated by infusing the patient’s blood with the clotting factors of a donor.

– Haemophilia C patient is treated by plasma infusion which ceases down profuse bleeding.

Theme of World Haemophilia Day

April 17, 2022, is World Hemophilia Day. The theme of the event this year is “Access for All: Partnership. Policy. Progress. Engaging your government, integrating inherited bleeding disorders into national policy“. By raising awareness and bringing hemophilia and other inherited bleeding disorders to the attention of policymakers, we can increase sustainable and equitable access to care and treatment.

Significance of World Haemophilia Day

The World Federation of Haemophilia (WFH) started celebrating the day in 1989 and chose April 17 to celebrate it in honour of the founder of WFH Frank Schnabel. Haemophilia was discovered in the 10th century and was found mainly in males. The disease was then known as Abulcasis. In the year 1937, Haemophilia genetic disorder was divided into two types namely A and B, however, no proper treatment was found till that time. Then, it was decided to raise awareness about the disease among the people and make them understand the need to give the right attention to this serious health issue. In 1963, the WFM was established to improve treatment and care for all haemophiliac patients.

Awareness-raising campaigns, conferences, workshops, etc. are being organized on this day by several communities and people. various kinds of activities are being performed to inform the general public about Haemophilia disease. Also, landmarks and monuments in Australia and around the world change their colour to red at the night to support World Haemophilia Day.

Conclusion

When there is a family history of Haemophilia, it is now possible to identify females who carry the Haemophilia gene. Women, who know they are carriers, or might be carriers, may have options for prenatal diagnosis to obtain information on the fetal status. According to National Blood Transfusion Council under National Aids Control Organization (NACO) guidelines, all state/UTs administration patients suffering from thalassemia, sickle cell anemia, and Haemophilia should be provided blood free of cost. The Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakarama (RBSK) launched under the National Health Mission (NHM), provides early detection and treatment of children suffering from genetic disorders.

References

An Analysis of Feminization of Agriculture

Credit: JournalsOfIndia

Introduction

As a process driven largely by suicide and partly by the out-migration of men from rural areas is more a problem than women empowerment in the true sense. The feminization of agriculture here is not a result of women’s social or economic empowerment. Instead, women’s growing participation in agriculture appears to be strongly related to several indicators of poverty. Women’s growing contribution of labor in agriculture adds to the already heavy work burdens of most rural women, thereby further undermining their well-being, and suggests that the feminization of agriculture may better be described as the feminization of agrarian distress.

What is Feminization of Agriculture?

Feminization of Agriculture refers to the measurable increase of women’s participation in the agricultural sector, particularly in the developing world. The phenomenon started during the 1960s with increasing shares over time. In the 1990s, during liberalization, the phenomenon became more pronounced and negative effects appeared in the rural female population. Afterward, agricultural markets became gendered institutions, affecting men and women differently. In 2009 World Bank, FAO & IFAD found that over 80 percent of rural smallholder farmers worldwide were women, this was caused by men migrating to find work in other sectors. Out of all the women in the labor sector, the UN found 45-80% of them to be working in agriculture.

Feminizing the Agriculture

Migration results in “Feminizing Agriculture”, which means women get increasingly absorbed in agricultural and allied activities. According to Census 2011, there has been a 24 percent increase in the number of female agricultural laborers between 2001 and 2011, from 49.5 million to 61.6 million. Nearly 98 million Indian women have agricultural jobs, but around 63 percent of them are agricultural laborers, dependent on the farms of others, according to Census 2011. In addition to this, the mechanization of agriculture has also resulted in the confinement of women to traditional roles such as winnowing, harvesting, sowing seeds, and rearing livestock, which are low-paying. This clubbed with the burden of household chores, and a lower wage rate than men, contributes to further economic disparity.

Marginalization of Landless Women

Women in rural areas, who do not own land, usually engage in agricultural labor activities. NCRB defines a farmer/cultivator as one whose profession is farming and includes those who cultivate their own land/leased land/other’s land with or without the assistance of agricultural laborers. While counting farming suicides, cases of people who have landed on their names are considered farmers, according to several studies undertaken. There remains ambiguity in the definition and classification of farmers, which further affects the recognition of the female face in agriculture.

Conclusion

The larger problem also pertains to land ownership versus land control, as merely granting joint titles (which some states have) doesn’t necessarily mean that control of the property would be vested with the female. One example of such power appropriation emanates from the concept of “sarpanchpatis” or proxies of elected women sarpanches in gram panchayats. Though there is a 33 percent for women at the panchayat level, it is men who often exercise control. The draft Land Reform Policy (2013) of the Union government recognized the need to grant land ownership rights to rural women and redistribute land to all landless poor. However, the implementation of land reforms in India has remained tardy. Consider the Bhoodan movement started by Vinobha Bhave, which received over 16 million hectares from the rich for redistribution to the poor. Of this, only about 9 million hectares were redistributed. While reorganizing land rights for rural women may be an arduous and long-drawn task, alternative economic opportunities through schemes like the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act and National Rural Livelihood Mission must be strengthened to empower women in the agriculture sector.

References