THE GIST of Editorial for UPSC Exams : 31 October 2019 (blue-economy-that-sustains-life-rather-than-a-brown-one-mint)

Blue economy that sustains life, rather than a brown one (Mint)

Mains Paper 3 : Environment
Prelims level : Blue Economy
Mains level : Benefits of Blue Economy

Context

• The Blue economy refers to sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods and ocean ecosystem health.
• The main assets include fisheries, the coastline itself, mangroves, carbon absorption, seagrass beds and corals reefs with associated benefits of coastal and marine tourism, carbon sequestration.
• On the other hand, Brown economy relies heavily on fossil fuels and does not consider the negative side effects that economic production and consumption have on the environment.

Benefits of Blue Economy

• Food Security through fisheries sector including aquaculture and aquatic plants.
• Nutritional security by fulfilling minimum amount of protein intake in daily food basket.
• Coastal Tourism presents huge potential for job creation and economic growth.
• Surging of Seaborne Trade as Sea is a cost-effective and carbon-friendly mode of transportation for global trade.
• Alternative Sources of Clean, Affordable and Renewable Energy in the form of wave energy, solar energy, tidal energy, hydroelectric energy.
• Managing Coastal Urbanisation as in the blue economy framework, coastal cities are viewed as a source of economic dynamism, agglomeration of blue activities, social empowerment and pollutionfree built-in environment.
• Improving Ocean Health as blue economy approach would contribute to the process of restoring the ocean health and its precious resources.
• Ocean technologies such as deep-sea mining, freshwater production from sea etc. may get more attention in coastal economies pursing blue economy.
• Hence, it is clear that, blue economy breaks the mould of brown development model where oceans are perceived as a means of free resource extraction and waste dumping.

Conclusion

• At the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development held in Rio de Janeiro in 2012, blue economy was viewed as ocean economy that aims at the “improvement of human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities. Therefore, the scope of blue economy is much wider and inclusive.
• Countries all over the world are mainstreaming policies related to blue economy. In November 2018, first ever-Sustainable Blue Conference was held at Nairobi.
• The island-nation of Seychelles has launched the world's first blue bond to raise the capital.
• It is time that other continents including Asia take up the challenge and tap the vast ocean of resources.

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Prelims Questions:

Q.1) With respect to “Burn-out”, consider the following statements:
1. It is a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.
2. The World Health Organization (WHO) has for the first time recognised it in its International Classification of Diseases (ICD).

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both
D. None

Answer: C
Mains Questions:
Q.1) Do you think there is a need to ensure that we all attain a blue economy that sustains life, rather than a brown one that kills it?