Question 21: Global Innovation index is Published by:

1. World Economic Forum
2. World Bank
3. IMF
4. World Intellectual Property Organization

Correct Answer: D

Explanation

• Global innovation index: WIPO
• India climbs to the 40th rank from 46th rank in 2021 making it the topmost innovative lower middle-income economy in the world.

Question 22: Which among the following are solar geoengineering techniques:

1. Stratospheric aerosol
2. Marine cloud
3. Space sunshades.

Which of the following statements is/are true?

1. 1 and 2
2. 2 and 3
3. 1 and 3
4. 1,2 and 3

Correct Answer: D

Explanation

• Solar geoengineering, also known as solar radiation management (SRM), is a term used to describe a group of hypothetical technologies that could, in theory, counteract temperature rise by reflecting more sunlight away from the Earth’s surface.
• Although SRM technologies could theoretically lower global warming, they do not aim to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

Commonly proposed solar geoengineering technologies:

• Stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI): involves injecting tiny reflecting particles, known as aerosols, into the upper atmosphere to cool the planet.
• Marine cloud brightening (MCB): involve using ships to spray saltwater into the clouds above the sea. Once airborne, the salt particles act as “cloud condensation nuclei”, leading to larger and brighter clouds which reflect away sunlight. High-albedo crops and buildings making rooftops and walls brighter. For e.g., by painting them white.
• Cloud thinning: “remove” cirrus clouds from the atmosphere which absorb large amounts of long-wave radiation.
• Space sunshades: sending a giant mirror or fleet of mirrors into orbit in order to reflect away more sunlight.

Question 23: World’s largest Wind-Solar Hybrid power plant located at:

1. Andhra Pradesh
2. Maharashtra
3. Gujarat
4. Rajasthan

Correct Answer: D

Explanation

• Adani Green has commissioned the world’s largest Hybrid power plant of 600 MW Solar and 150 MW wind power project in Jaisalmer.
• Hybrid Power Plants are those power plants which generate electricity from two or more sources, usually renewable, with one connection point.

Question 24: Ministry of Environment had notified the ‘Regulation of POP Rules’, under:

1. The Biological diversity act 2002
2. The Environment (Protection) Act,
3. The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act of 1981
4. The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1974

Correct Answer: B

Explanation

• About Stockholm Convention It is a global treaty to protect human health and environment from POPs.
• POPs are chemical substances that persist in environment for a long period, bio-accumulate in living organisms, adversely affect human health/ environment and have the property of long-range environmental transport.
• It is legally India ratified the Stockholm Convention in 2006.
• Ministry of Environment had notified the ‘Regulation of POP Rules’ in 2018, under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.