Question 1: Consider the following statements:

1. City climate finance gap fund is implemented by the World Bank and European Investment Bank.
2. It supports cities with early-stage technical assistance for low carbon and climate resilient projects and urbanization plan.
3. Sustainable Development Goal 10 titled “sustainable cities and communities” is one of 17 Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015.

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: A

Explanation

• City climate finance gap – Launched in 2020, the gap fund is implemented by the World Bank and European Investment Bank.
• It supports cities with early-stage technical assistance for low carbon and climate resilient projects and urbanization plan.
• Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG 11 or Global Goal 11), titled “sustainable cities and communities”, is one of 17 Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015. The official mission of SDG 11 is to “Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable”.

Question 2: Consider the following statements with respect to Earth Surface Mineral Dust Source Investigation (EMIT) mission:

1. EMIT is a new class of spaceborne imaging spectrometers to study earth.
2. It was installed on International Space Station to map prevalence of key minerals in dust-producing deserts.
3. It is a mission of European space agency.

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: A

Explanation

• Dust suspended in the air can heat or cool the atmosphere and Earth’s surface. This heating or cooling effect is the focus of NASA’s Earth Surface Mineral Dust Source Investigation (EMIT) mission.
• EMIT is a new class of spaceborne imaging spectrometers to study earth.
• It was installed on International Space Station to map prevalence of key minerals in dust-producing deserts and will advance understanding of airborne dust’s effects on climate.

Question 3: Consider the following statements with respect to effects of Mineral dust:

1. It can help form clouds or change atmospheric chemistry.
2. It can provide nutrients for ecosystem growth.
3. If it falls on snow or ice, mineral dust can decrease sunlight absorption.

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: A

Explanation

• Mineral dust has many effects on our planet.
• It can help form clouds or change atmospheric chemistry.
• When the dust settles in water or on land it can provide nutrients for ecosystem growth.
• If it falls on snow or ice, mineral dust can increase sunlight absorption and accelerate melting.
• Mineral dust in the air can reduce visibility or harm human health.

Question 4: Consider the following statements with respect to Black Sea Grain Initiative (BSGI):

1. It was launched by World bank, to reintroduce vital food and fertilizer exports from Ukraine to the rest of world.
2. The aim is to contribute to prevention of global hunger, to reduce and address global food insecurity.

Which of the following statements is/are true?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. 1 and 2 only
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer: B

Explanation

Black Sea Grain Initiative (BSGI):

• Global wheat prices have risen following Russia’s withdrawal from BSGI.
• BSGI was launched by Russia, Türkiye, Ukraine and United Nations, to reintroduce vital food and fertilizer exports from Ukraine to the rest of world.
• Following Russia-Ukraine Conflict, huge stock of grains built up in silos, with ships unable to secure safe passage to and from Ukrainian ports.
• Deal allowed exports from three key Ukrainian ports: Chornomorsk, Odesa, and Yuzhny/Pivdennyi.
• Aim is to contribute to prevention of global hunger, to reduce and address global food insecurity.

Question 5: Consider the following statements with respect to Breathe Life campaign:

1. It is a global campaign that mobilizes cities and individuals to take action to bring air pollution to safe levels by 2030 to protect our health.
2. It is led by WHO, UN Environment Program (UNEP) and Climate & Clean Air Coalition.
3. No cities from India are its member.

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: A

Explanation

• Breathe Life campaign: It is a global campaign that mobilizes cities and individuals to take action to bring air pollution to safe levels by 2030 to protect our health & climate.
• It is led by WHO, UN Environment Program (UNEP) and Climate & Clean Air Condition.
• Several cities (Bengaluru, Bhubaneshwar, Dehradun etc.) from India are also its member.

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