Some Other World News in Short
Here’s a summary of the two news items in a table format:
|
News |
Explanation |
|
Indigenous Amazon Activist in Colombia Takes
His Fight to the UN Biodiversity Forum |
Ecuadorian activist Alex Lucitante, from the Cofan
Avie ethnic group, is taking his fight against illegal land-grabbing
by miners and armed groups to the COP-16 biodiversity conference. His
efforts include legal victories, like the 2018 court ruling that
annulled mining concessions granted without community consultation. He has
also employed measures like setting up an Indigenous guard and using drones
for surveillance. His activism highlights the importance of involving
Indigenous people in global discussions, particularly around environmental
preservation and biodiversity protection. However, he criticizes
governments for not doing enough to stop illegal activities that damage the
environment and marginalize Indigenous communities. |
|
World’s Water Cycle Getting Unpredictable,
Says UN Study |
A UN study reveals that climate change is making the
global water cycle more unpredictable, leading to an increase in
extreme weather events like floods and droughts. Last year, the
world experienced its driest conditions in over 30 years, and glaciers
suffered significant losses. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
describes water as the "canary in the coalmine of climate change,"
warning of severe impacts on lives, ecosystems, and economies. The report
highlights the erratic nature of rainfall, the rising occurrence of droughts,
and predicts that by 2050, 5 billion people could face water
shortages at least once a month due to these changes. The heating of the
atmosphere is worsening both floods and droughts, making water availability a
critical issue for the future. |
MCQs for Practice
1. What is the main cause of the unpredictable global water
cycle, according to the UN study?
a) Overpopulation
b) Deforestation
c) Climate change
d) Industrial pollution
Answer: c) Climate change
Explanation:
The UN study highlights climate change as the primary cause of the
increasingly erratic and unpredictable global water cycle, leading to more
frequent floods and droughts.
2. Which of the following measures did Alex Lucitante's
community implement to combat illegal gold mining?
a) Setting up a military base
b) Establishing an Indigenous guard and drone surveillance system
c) Petitioning the UN for international sanctions
d) Installing security cameras around the forest
Answer: b) Establishing an Indigenous guard and drone surveillance system
Explanation:
Alex Lucitante's community established an Indigenous guard and
implemented a drone surveillance system to monitor and combat illegal
gold mining activities in the Amazon region.
3. According to the UN study, how many people are expected to
face water shortages at least once a month by 2050?
a) 2 billion
b) 3 billion
c) 4 billion
d) 5 billion
Answer: d) 5 billion
Explanation:
The UN study predicts that by 2050, about 5 billion people will
face water shortages at least once a month due to the unpredictable and
erratic global water cycle.
4. What legal victory did the Cofan Avie community achieve in
2018?
a) They won a Nobel Peace Prize for environmental activism.
b) They successfully annulled 52 gold mining concessions granted without
community consultation.
c) They negotiated a treaty with the government for environmental protection.
d) They secured international funding for reforestation efforts.
Answer: b) They successfully annulled 52 gold mining concessions granted without
community consultation.
Explanation:
In 2018, the Cofan Avie community, led by Alex Lucitante, won a
legal victory annulling 52 gold mining concessions that were awarded
without consulting the local community.
5. Which organization released the report on the
unpredictable water cycle caused by climate change?
a) World Health Organization (WHO)
b) United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
c) World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
d) International Water Association (IWA)
Answer: c) World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
Explanation:
The report on the increasingly unpredictable global water cycle was released by
the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), a UN agency focused on
weather, climate, and water resources.
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