UPSC Essentials | Mains answer practice — GS 3 : Questions on impacts of climate change on volcanic eruptions and UNFCCC process (Week 111)

QUESTION 1 FOR UPSC GS 3

Discuss the link between glacial retreat due to climate change and increased volcanic activity.

QUESTION 2 FOR UPSC GS 3

The UNFCCC process has reached a ‘credibility crisis’, failing to deliver the necessary action against global warming. Discuss the underlying causes of this crisis and suggest structural and procedural reforms to enhance its effectiveness.

General points on the structure of the answers

Introduction

— The introduction of the answer is essential and should be restricted to 3-5 lines. Remember, a one-liner is not a standard introduction.

— It may consist of basic information by giving some definitions from the trusted source and authentic facts.

Body

— It is the central part of the answer and one should understand the demand of the question to provide rich content.

— The answer must be preferably written as a mix of points and short paragraphs rather than using long paragraphs or just points.

— Using facts from authentic government sources makes your answer more comprehensive. Analysis is important based on the demand of the question, but do not over analyse.

QUESTION 1: Discuss the link between glacial retreat due to climate change and increased volcanic activity.

Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers.

Introduction:

— A new study suggests that melting glaciers and ice caps could lead to more frequent and powerful volcanic eruptions. It also noted that the greatest risk of volcanic eruptions resuming is in West Antarctica, where roughly 100 volcanoes are buried behind thick ice. Due to rising global temperatures, this ice is anticipated to melt over the next few decades or millennia.

— The research was presented at the 2025 Goldschmidt Conference, which is now taking place in Prague. The Geochemical Society and the European Association of Geochemistry have hosted the largest international geochemistry conference to date. Other continental locations, including sections of North America, New Zealand, and Russia, may potentially see an increase in volcanic activity.

Body:

You may incorporate some of the following points in your answer:

— Scientists first proposed that melting ice could influence volcanic activity in the 1970s. The weight of the ice typically exerts pressure on volcanoes’ subsurface magma chambers. When glaciers or ice caps melt, this pressure decreases, allowing subterranean gases and magma to expand, potentially leading to explosive volcanic eruptions.

— Magma can be produced as a result of a reduction in pressure caused by ice loss. This is because rocks kept under reduced pressure tend to melt at lower temperatures.

— Precipitation also appears to have an impact on volcanic activity. Climate change-modified precipitation can enter deep underground and react with the magma system, causing an eruption.

— The most recent study supported these findings. It investigated Chile’s Mocho Choshuenco volcano to determine the age of volcanic rocks formed prior to, during, and following the last ice age. The study discovered that pressure from a thick ice sheet atop the volcano reduced the amount of eruptions between 26,000 and 18,000 years ago. This resulted in the creation of a massive magma reservoir 10 to 15 km below the volcano’s surface. However, as this ice sheet thawed, some 13,000 years ago, explosive eruptions occurred.

Conclusion:

— Volcanic eruptions can produce temporary cooling by releasing ash or dust into the sky, blocking sunlight. These eruptions also release sulphur dioxide into the atmosphere, which is more powerful than ash particles in cooling the temperature. Sulphur dioxide enters the stratosphere and combines with water to produce sulphuric acid aerosols. These aerosols deflect incoming solar radiation, which cools the Earth’s surface.

— However, long-term volcanic eruptions can emit huge amounts of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, which can contribute to global warming. This can become a vicious cycle: as global temperatures rise, ice melts faster, potentially causing additional eruptions and further global warming.

(Source: How melting glaciers can lead to more volcanic eruptions)

Points to Ponder

Read about recent volcanic eruptions

Read about different types of volcanoes

Read about impacts of climate change

Related Previous Year UPSC CSE Questions 

‘Climate change’ is a global problem. How will India be affected by climate change? How Himalayan and coastal states of India are affected by climate change? (2017)

Discuss global warming and mention its effects on the global climate. Explain the control measures to bring down the level of greenhouse gases which cause global warming, in the light of the Kyoto Protocol, 1997. (2022)

QUESTION 2: The UNFCCC process has reached a ‘credibility crisis’, failing to deliver the necessary action against global warming.” Discuss the underlying causes of this crisis and suggest structural and procedural reforms to enhance its effectiveness.

Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers.

Introduction:

— The international climate negotiations under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) have recently faced a credibility crisis.

— Their results have been mostly disappointing, as they have not produced the kind of action required to combat global warming. Developed countries who fail to fulfil their aims or fulfil their obligations have not been held accountable. Developing countries, particularly the smallest and most vulnerable ones, have consistently complained that their concerns are being overlooked, and that the discussions have failed to provide climate justice.

Body:

You may incorporate some of the following points in your answer:

— In preparation for the COP30 summit in Brazil in November, efforts have been made to restore trust and confidence in the system. As the host of the COP30, Brazil has actively collaborated with other countries to investigate potential moves in this regard.

— The annual mid-year climate summit in Bonn, Germany, concluded last month with a discussion of ideas and suggestions given by countries, climate organisations, and non-governmental organisations to reform and improve the system.

— The Bonn meeting, held in the second half of June, recognised that the “growing scale and complexity” of the climate negotiations posed obstacles. It also underlined the need to “improve the efficiency of the UNFCCC process in a transparent and inclusive manner”.

— However, the proposals presented in the talks were not extreme. Among the proposals were simplifying agenda items to remove duplicate or redundant concerns, as well as requesting governments and observer organisations to limit the length of their speeches to allow for more negotiation time. Notably, it was proposed that countries limit the size of their negotiation delegations. The discussions were inconclusive and would continue at the COP30 meeting.

— The UNFCCC works through consensus, which means no decision is accepted till every country accepts it. In a way, every country has a veto. Getting all of the more than 190 parties to agree to every part of a decision has always been a big challenge. This is often blamed for the lack of ambition in the outcomes of climate negotiations.

— Any choice to modify the UNFCCC process must be supported by all parties through consensus, and any more drastic recommendations are unlikely to be implemented.

Conclusion:

— Brazil stated that long-standing difficulties such as unnecessarily long agenda items, overlapping themes, scheduling limits, and impediments that prevent meaningful participation by smaller delegations needed to be resolved. It has also discussed mainstreaming climate debates in other multilateral platforms, such as other UN agencies and financial organisations.

— Brazil has proposed the creation of additional international mechanisms to supplement the UNFCCC process and accelerate the implementation of climate-related decisions.

— BRICS, a group of nine large and powerful developing economies, also spoke on the issue during its recently finished meeting in Brazil. In a separate declaration on climate finance, the BRICS countries urged developed countries to fully meet their finance responsibilities under the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement, while increasing their contribution to adaptation financing.

(Source: Why the UNFCCC process must be reformed)

Points to Ponder

Read about UNFCCC

Important agreements of UNFCCC

Read about BRICS

Related Previous Year UPSC CSE Questions

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has predicted a global sea level rise of about one metre by AD 2100. What would be its impact in India and the other countries in the Indian Ocean region? (2023)

Describe the major outcomes of the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). What are the commitments made by India in this conference? (2021)

Previous Mains Answer Practice

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 110)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 109)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 110)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 109)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 110)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 109)

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