UPSC QUIZ 04.09.2023

Explanation:

• United Nations Biodiversity has initiated a campaign urging the global community to incorporate the term “funga” alongside “flora and fauna” to emphasize the significance of fungi.

UN Biodiversity urged to use the word ‘Funga’

• According to UN Biodiversity “It is time for fungi to be recognised and protected on an equal footing with animals and plants in legal conservation frameworks.
• This is not the first time when a request has been made to include fungi along with flora and fauna.
• Earlier, the Species Survival Commission (SSC) of the IUCN announced that it would use “mycologically inclusive” language in its internal and public-facing communications and to incorporate fungi in conservation strategies with rare and endangered plants and animals.

Explanation:

• Toyota Kirloskar Motor sets yet another milestone in the realm of sustainable mobility by unveiling a Prototype of the World’s First BS 6 Electrified Flex Fuel Vehicle.
• This vehicle is capable of running on up to 85% ethanol blended petrol and features an electric powertrain.
• The Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas has also highlighted flex-fuel vehicles' potential to substitute petrol with higher ethanol blends beyond 20%.
• Flex-fuel vehicles (FFV): They have engines that can run on flexible fuel - a combination of Petrol/Diesel/Electric and ethanol, which can include up to 100% ethanol.

Electrified Flex Fuel Vehicles

• Electrified Flex Fuel Vehicle integrates both a Flex Fuel engine and an electric powertrain, offering the dual benefit of higher ethanol use and improved fuel efficiency.
• Flex Fuel Strong Hybrid Electric Vehicles (FFV-SHEV): When FFV is integrated along with strong hybrid electric technology, it is referred as FFV-SHEVs.

Explanation:

• On August 30, 2023, the night sky was illuminated by a rare phenomenon: a super blue moon.However, despite its name, this full moon was neither blue in colour nor super in size.
• The last blue supermoon was in 2009, according to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and the next is not expected until 2037.

Super Blue Moon

• A super blue moon combines a supermoon and a blue moon.
• A supermoon occurs when the moon aligns closely with Earth during its orbit, making it appear larger and brighter.
• This alignment, called perigee, contrasts with apogee, when the moon is farthest in its elliptical orbit around earth. While the difference is subtle, near the horizon, an optical illusion can make it seem larger.

Explanation:

• International Solar Alliance (ISA) held its 5th regional meeting in Kigali, Rwanda.
• Nine solar power demonstration projects across three countries: 4 in Uganda, 2 in Comoros and 3 in Mali, were virtually inaugurated in the meeting.
• During the meeting, a report titled "Roadmap of Solar Energy for Universal Energy Access", was unveiled.
• A decentralised energy system is characterised by locating energy production facilities closer to the site of energy consumption.This allows for more optimal use of renewable energy (RE) as well as combined heat and power, reduces fossil fuel use and increases eco-efficiency.

Explanation:

• The indigenously developed 700 MWe nuclear reactor at Kakrapar Atomic Power Project (KAPP-3), Gujarat is now operating at full capacity.
• KAPP-3 is India's largest indigenously developed pressurized heavy water reactor (PHWR), which uses natural uranium as fuel and excess water as moderator.
• It has an advanced safety system called the 'Passive Decay Heat Removal System', which is capable of removing decay heat (heat emitted as a result of radioactive decay) from the reactor core without requiring any operator action.
• India aims to increase its nuclear power capacity from 7,480 MWe to 22,480 MWe by 2031.