Global Initiative for Information Integrity on Climate Change launched the Declaration on Information Integrity on Climate Change at COP30.

• Announced at G20 Leaders Summit in 2024, the initiative is a dedicated multilateral collaboration among States and international organizations to fund research and action promoting information integrity on climate issues.
• It has also launched a Global Fund for Information Integrity on Climate Change.

About Declaration

• The Declaration recognises that Climate misinformation has become a climate crisis.
  • Climate misinformation refers to false, misleading, or deceptive content about climate change, its causes, impacts, or solutions.
• It commits governments to protect climate science and ensure transparent public communication.

In 2025, India's emissions grew slower to 1.4%, due to monsoon cooling, and a growth in renewable energy, as per Global Carbon Budget 2025 report.

• The report is published by Global Carbon Project.

Key Highlights of Report

• India is the third largest emitter of carbon at 3.2 billion tonnes annually (2024), led by the U. S. (4.9 billion tonnes) and China (12 billion tonnes). 
• In per person terms, it is 2.2 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year, the second lowest of 20 of the largest economies globally. 
• Coal is the major fuel type contributing to India’s emissions.

Supreme Court directed the Jharkhand government to notify Saranda Forest as wildlife sanctuary and conservation reserve.

• It also prohibited any mining activity within a one-km radius of its boundary.

About Saranda Forest

• Saranda, known as the "land of seven hundred hills," is a lush Sal forest in Jharkhand.
• It is a part of Chhotanagpur bio-geographic zone and the landscape merges with forests of Odisha and Chhattisgarh.
• Tribes: Ho, Munda, Uraon, Santhal etc.
• Chief rivers draining the area include Karo, Koina, Lailor etc. 
• Important for movement of Central Indian elephant population and is home to unique orchids.
• Ligarda swamp hosts rare vegetation, palms, wild bananas, ferns, and Piper species.

Hepatitis A has been a growing cause of acute liver failure in India.

About Hepatitis A

• It is an inflammation of the liver that can cause mild to severe illness.
• Transmitted through: Ingestion of contaminated food and water or through direct sexual contact with an infectious person.
• Recovery: Almost everyone recovers fully from hepatitis A with a lifelong immunity. 
  • However, a very small proportion of people infected with hepatitis A could die from fulminant hepatitis.
• Unlike hepatitis B and C, hepatitis A does not cause chronic liver disease.
• Vaccine is available for Hepatitis A and B but is not available for hepatitis C.

Iceland has declared the potential collapse of AMOC as a national security threat.

About AMOC

• AMOC is a system of ocean currents that circulates water within the Atlantic Ocean, bringing warm water north and cold water south.
• It is powered by the differences in water temperature and salinity and distributes heat and nutrients throughout the world’s ocean basins. 
• Its weakening and collapse can lead to:
  • Cool Europe and change precipitation patterns in parts of Europe, South America, and Africa.
  • Affect the timing of the Indian monsoon.
  • Tropical rain belt to shift southward, resulting in droughts over the African Sahel.

India has operationalised Mudh-Nyoma airbase in Ladakh, enhancing its defence preparedness along the Line of Actual Control with China.

About Mudh-Nyoma Airbase

• Location: Eastern Ladakh.
  • Situated at a height of nearly 13,000 feet and very close to the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
• Importance: Directly overlooks critical approaches including Depsang Plains, Pangong Tso sector, and Chushul Valley.
• Built by: Border Roads Organisation (BRO).
• Fourth major airbase in Ladakh: Complementing Leh, Kargil and Thoise.

Recently Calcutta High Court disqualified an MLA under Anti-Defection Law. 

About Anti Defection Law

• Inserted by 52nd Amendment Act, 1985 as Tenth Schedule to prevent political defections. 
• Grounds for Disqualification of Members
  • Voluntarily giving up party membership.
  • Voting or abstaining from voting contrary to party directions. 
  • Elected Member: On joining any political party.
  • Nominated Member: On joining a political party after the expiry of six months.
• Exception:
  • Merger: If ≥2/3 of party legislators agree to merge with another party. 
• Role of Speaker/Chairman: Their Decision on questions of disqualification is final. 
• Judicial Review Over Speaker’s Decisions: Courts should have the authority to intervene if Speaker delays action. (Kihoto Hollohan v. Zachillhu (1992)). 

The CHFC has committed an initial $300 million for integrated action to tackle climate change and its consequences on health. 

About CHFC

• It brings together institutional and individual funders operating at international, national and regional levels to improve health and save lives.
• The committed funders currently include: Bloomberg Philanthropies, Gates Foundation, etc.
• Immediate focus: Extreme heat, Air pollution, Climate sensitive infectious diseases, Critical climate and health data for decision makers.