MAINS DAILY QUESTIONS & MODEL ANSWERS
Q1. Climate change is historically the fault of developed nations. Discuss the idea of climate justice and atonement in light of this assertion, stressing any recent developments.
GS III – Climate Change related issues
Introduction:
- The notion of “climate justice” focuses on the right division, fair sharing, and equitable distribution of the advantages and disadvantages associated with climate change. The UNFCCC has also embraced and recognised the idea of climate justice. For instance, the wealthy countries might cut emissions while providing clean technologies and finance to the poorer nations.
- For instance, the U.S. has produced roughly 500 gigatonnes of CO2 since 1850, which accounts for 20% of the world total and excludes emissions from countries under colonial authority.
- The calls for “climate justice” and “climate reparations” are not new, but the COP-26 climate activists gave these cries the much-needed boost they required.
- The idea of climate reparations is inextricably tied to that of climate justice. In order to redress the historical responsibility of the Global North for climate change, climate reparations advocates for financial assistance from the Global North to the Global South.
However, the following issues have plagued these calls:
- Developed nations pledged $100 billion per year in climate financing at the COP-15 in 2009, but they have hardly kept their word.
- Additionally, the demand for compensation for loss and damage (impacts of climate change that cannot be adapted) has encountered strong opposition in the climate talks. Rich countries have continually rejected requests for fair reparations or accepting the responsibility.
- The final Glasgow Climate Pact agreement at COP-26 rejected the creation of a new fund for loss and damage.
- Regarding its iconic loss and damage pledge, COP 27 has not yet specified how the loss and damage fund will be financed.
However, the following adjustments have been made in response to these calls:
- Recklessness: Developed nations have been opposing the need for climate justice. For instance, the proposal for increased investment in countering climate change was rejected by the Canadian parliament.
- Industrialists’ lobbying: Large industrialists, especially in industrialised nations, pressure governments not to make decisions that might hasten the transition to renewable energy sources because doing so would hurt their profit margins.
- Lack of Will & Money: Developed nations are unwilling and unable to provide the money necessary to carry out climate change initiatives.
- Lack of Climate Pact Implementation: Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, which calls for the creation of International Carbon Markets, has not been carried out in text or spirit.
- The idea of climate justice and climate reparations transforms the problem of climate change from a merely environmental one to an ethical and political one. Both of these ideas centre on making the effects of climate change more relatable. Therefore, it is necessary for civil society organisations and climate campaigners to pressure governments to follow the path of sustainable development and to prioritise implementing climate change measures.
Q2. Shed some light on Bhagat Singh’s key principles and ideas and their relevance to Indian society today.
GS I – Modern Indian History
Introduction:
- Bhagat Singh is a legendary figure from Indian history, and his life is the stuff of tales. He stands out from other people because of the intellectual legacy he has left behind. He envisioned an autonomous, equitable, and secular India, not just one that was free of colonial servitude. His ideas about social and political justice are still pertinent to Indian society today.
Importance of Bhagat Singh’s principles and ideas on Indian society today:
- Organising Indian society around equality and fraternity: According to Bhagat Singh, social inequity will never lead to true freedom. He also wrote about the bond between all men. Inequality and wealth concentration have recently reached previously unheard-of levels. For instance, 77% of the entire national wealth in India is held by the richest 10% of the population.
- He was one of the foremost socialist philosophers of his time and condemned the capitalist economy for being incompatible with sustainability. Bank failures, such as Credit Suisse, are a symptom of the current global capital crisis. The deep crisis of capitalism has multiple components, including the climate catastrophe, which must be understood as one of them.
- Critical thinking and rationalism: Bhagat Singh’s commitment to these concepts is still relevant today. ‘Mere faith and blind faith is dangerous: It dulls the brain and makes a man reactary,’ he remarked. His nationalism was founded on the idea of progress, which invites criticism, doubt, and the capacity to challenge conventional wisdom.
- Political and religious segregation: Bhagat Singh believed strongly in secularism. He was a fervent supporter of maintaining a distinct barrier between state politics and religion. He saw communalism as a formidable foe on par with colonialism. His secular ethos is therefore necessary for identity politics and constrictive sectarian goals in modern times.
- Lessons for young people: After independence, political groupings began using the freedom warriors for their own gain. This has resulted in the youth being forced to adopt false ideals. For today’s youngsters, Bhagat Singh’s life might serve as a source of inspiration for acts of bravery, selflessness, and critical thought.
- For the sake of socialism, equality, prosperity, and peace, Bhagat Singh dedicated his life. He held that a system based on collaboration and harmony must replace the one based on greed and division if humanity is to survive. In order to preserve Bhagat Singh’s legacy, India must combat and eradicate the ills of inequity, the caste system, communalism, and patriarchy.
