Daily Current Affairs Quiz: September 19, 2025

Answer: D [Statement 1 is incorrect but Statement 2 is correct]
Explanation:

Statement I is incorrect: While the direct effect of aerosols involves scattering and absorption of solar radiation, the impact is not uniform; scattering generally leads to cooling (especially by sulfates) while absorption generally leads to warming (especially by black carbon). The spatial distribution of aerosols and their optical properties create complex, non-uniform climate forcing.

Statement II is correct: Black carbon is a strong absorber of solar radiation, causing warming, and its deposition on reflective surfaces like snow and ice dramatically reduces their albedo, leading to enhanced absorption of solar energy and accelerated melting, a critical feedback mechanism in climate change.

Answer: C [Statement 1 is correct but Statement 2 is incorrect]
Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: Ocean acidification is caused by the absorption of CO2, leading to lower pH and impacting marine life.

Statement 2 is incorrect: While the albedo effect refers to the reflectivity of surfaces, the assertion that increased cloud cover due to global warming leads to a net cooling by reflecting more solar radiation is an oversimplification and often the feedback mechanisms are complex, with some cloud types actually contributing to warming. Furthermore, while higher albedo generally means cooling, attributing a net cooling effect due to increased cloud cover from global warming as a mitigation strategy is factually inaccurate in the context of warming consequences.

Answer: D [Statement 1 is incorrect but Statement 2 is correct]
Explanation:

Statement I is incorrect: Methane has a much higher radiative forcing than carbon dioxide on a per-molecule basis, and even on a per-mass basis over shorter time scales (like 20 or 100 years), due to its stronger absorption of infrared radiation and its shorter atmospheric lifetime (around 12 years compared to CO2’s effective lifetime of centuries).

Statement II is correct: Tropospheric ozone acts as a greenhouse gas and contributes to warming (positive radiative forcing). Stratospheric ozone depletion, conversely, removes ozone that absorbs incoming solar ultraviolet radiation, leading to cooling at the surface (negative radiative forcing).

Answer: A [1 and 2 only]
Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: The IPCC is a United Nations body that assesses the science related to climate change.

Statement 2 is correct: It produces comprehensive assessment reports roughly every 5-7 years.

Statement 3 is incorrect: However, the IPCC does not conduct its own research or directly monitor emissions; it synthesizes existing peer-reviewed scientific literature.

Statement 4 is incorrect: While its reports aim for scientific consensus and are considered authoritative, they are subject to governmental review, as governments approve the summaries for policymakers. The core function is assessment, not original research or monitoring.

Answer: C [2, 3 and 4 only]
Explanation:

Statement 1 is incorrect: The Global Climate Change Alliance (GCCA) is a European Union initiative, not a UNEP initiative.

Statement 2 is correct: The GCCA aims to support developing countries in their climate action efforts.

Statement 3 is correct: Capacity building and knowledge sharing are key components of the GCCA’s strategy.

Statement 4 is correct: The initiative was indeed established considering the impacts of climate change, including extreme weather events.