As of October 2024, Inside Out 2 has officially become the highest grossing animated film of all time globally, with a worldwide box office collection of $1.687 billion. In case you have not seen the movie, you can now watch it on Disney+Hotstar.
Month: December 2024
Last Coal Power Plant Shuts Down!
On September 30, the UK said goodbye to coal-powered electricity when the last coal-fired power plant in the country closed down. The shutdown of Ratcliffe-on Soar Power Station ends 142 years of coal-powered electricity in Britain. Coal is the dirtiest of fossil fuels. For a long time, the UK depended on coal for energy. Around 40 years ago, coal provided 80% of the UK’s electricity. However, in 2023, it provided less than 2%. Wind and solar power have become much cheaper, and are now the main sources of electricity in the UK. Other sources of electricity, like gas and nuclear power, have also helped replace coal.
Also Read India in Top 10 Climate Performers
Did You Know?
England was the first country to begin burning coal in power plants. In 1882, the world’s first coal-burning power plant was built in London. Soon, coal was being used to power factories around the world. Before long, coal became the most popular fuel for creating electricity.
New Chief Justice of India: Justice Sanjiv Khanna
Justice Sanjiv Khanna was appointed as the 51st Chief Justice of India. He took the oath of office on November 11, 2024 and will retire on May 13, 2025.
He succeeded Justice D Y Chandrachud, who retired on November 10, 2024.
Polar Bears In Endanger
Scientists have warned that the polar bears are getting sick more often as the Arctic temperatures are rising due to global warming. The scientists looked at blood samples of polar bears living between Alaska and Russia over a period of 30 years. They found that today polar bears face a bigger risk of contracting viruses, bacteria, and parasites that they were less likely to contract just 30 years ago. The research has further said that the polar bears are also facing a risk of getting many new diseases, which they did not face before. This is because they are spending more time on land due to melting ice.
Key polar bear facts
- There are about 26,000 polar bears left in the world, with the majority in Canada.
- They are also found in the US, Russia, Greenland, and Norway. Climate change is a key factor in their decline.
- Polar bears are listed as Vulnerable on the Red List by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
2024 To Be The Warmest Year
According to the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service, 2024 is all set to be the warmest year on record and the first calendar year to cross the symbolic 1.5°C limit. The experts have also said that 2023 was 1.48°C above the pre-industrial levels and 2024 is “likely” to be more than 1.55°C.
Did You Know?
Pre-industrial refers to the benchmark period of 1850-1900. This is the time before humans started significantly heating up the planet by burning large amounts of fossil fuels.