19th October 2024

Article: 19^th October, 2024

Topic: Marital Rape Exception

Relevance: GS Paper: 2 – Polity

Source: Livelaw

Context

• Proposals to make non-consensual sexual acts in marriage illegal as rape are being heard by the Supreme Court.
• Justice J.B. Pardiwala questioned why forced sexual contact by a husband is not regarded as rape yet unlawful confinement, intimidation, and violence are.
  
  

Historical Background:

• The “doctrine of coverture,” which deprives married women of their legal liberty, is the root cause of the Marital Rape Exception (MRE) in colonial English law.
• Historical opinions, particularly those of 18th-century jurist Matthew Hale, who claimed that marriage constituted irrevocable consent, had an impact on the MRE.
• In 1991, England abolished the MRE, but India kept it.
  
  

Marital Violence Statistics:

• Nearly one-third of Indian married women have experienced physical or sexual abuse at the hands of their husbands, according to data from the National Family Health Survey-5 (2019–2021).
• Current Legal Framework: If a woman is older than 15 or 18 years old, respectively, non-consensual sexual contact by a husband is not considered rape under Section 375 of the IPC and Section 63 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
• They give husbands legal protection when it comes to having sex with their spouses against their will.
• Other laws, such as the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, provide limited recourse for married women.
  
  

Problems and Challenges

• The petitioners claim that women’s rights to autonomy, dignity, and bodily integrity are violated by the laws in place.
• The exemption is thought to be unconstitutional since it violates:
  – Equal protection under the law is stated in Article 14.
  – Article 15(1) (non-discrimination right).
  – Article 21 (right to bodily integrity and privacy).
• Regardless of the relationship between the perpetrator and the victim, the suffering that rape does to women is essentially the same.
• It is maintained that acknowledging a married woman’s freedom to decline sex will uphold sexual autonomy rather than jeopardize marriage.
  
  

Government Position:

• The Center advocates against overturning the MRE, arguing that it should be viewed as a social issue rather than a legal one and that it could damage marriage and result in unfounded accusations.
  
  

Judiciary Observations

• Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud drew attention to the legal discrepancy that some acts are considered rape if they are performed by a stranger but not by a spouse.
• Intimate partner abuse has been recognized by the Supreme Court as a form of rape in the past.
• The Karnataka High Court’s 2022 decision made it possible to prosecute spouses for marital rape.

Future Outlook

• The Court has the power to determine whether the MRE infringes upon basic rights and, if so, to invalidate it.
• The court is debating whether to simply align current statutes with constitutional objectives or to create a new offense.

Also Read Topics & Concepts:

Prelims Practice Questions

Q. Consider the following statements regarding Marital Rape in India

1. India does not currently have any laws that criminalize marital rape.
2. To yet, no formal committee has suggested that the government outlaw marital rape.

Which of the above statements are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: a

Explanation

One of the nations where marital rape is not even acknowledged is India. India does not yet have any laws that criminalize marital rape.
The Justice Verma Committee was established in 2012 with the intention of fortifying the nation’s anti-rape legislation. The removal of the provision for marital rape was strongly suggested by the committee.

Mains Model Questions Q. “In India, marital rape is still a controversial topic that raises issues of women’s rights and gender equality.” Describe the possible drawbacks and advantages of making marital rape a criminal offense in order to support gender justice and empower women.

Introduction:

When one spouse forces another to engage in non-consensual sexual activity, it is referred to as marital rape. Since it isn’t specifically illegal in India, it is controversial and sparks discussions about women’s rights, cultural norms, and the value of marriage. In order to safeguard victims, female activists advocate for legal recognition. IPC Section 375 does not yet classify this act as a rape (if the wife is at least eighteen years old).

Body:

Possible obstacles to making marital rape a crime in India

• Cultural Resistance: Marriage is regarded as a sacred tie by many Indians. Making marital rape a crime could be interpreted as a challenge to these customs. Since a woman is expected to carry out her “duties” after marriage in some cultures, the idea of marital rape is foreign to them.
• Proof and Prosecution: It can be difficult to obtain evidence in a married relationship. For example, a wife who has been raped by her husband may not have witnesses or obvious injuries, therefore her testimony is the main piece of evidence and is subject to easy contestation in court.
• Possible Abuse: Although laws are meant to provide protection, they can occasionally be abused. For example, there have been documented instances of IPC Section 498A being abused for personal gain, which raises questions about how a law against marital rape might be weaponized in a same way.
• Legal Details: It can be difficult to define non-consent in a marriage from a legal standpoint. Think about a scenario in which a wife gives her assent at first but then changes her mind while the act is being performed. It is difficult to distinguish this situation legally.

Advantages of Making Marital Rape a Crime in Order to Advance Gender Justice and Empower Women:

• Encourages Equality in Marriage: The state makes it abundantly evident that marriage is a union of equals by making marital rape a crime. In some regions of India, where the husband is frequently viewed as the dominating partner, this is in contradiction to traditional views.
• Increases Social Awareness: Criminalizing marital rape can encourage social discussion. Campaigns to raise awareness, such as those run by Indian NGOs Jagori and Akshara, can gather steam and increase public knowledge of the problem.
• Enables Victims to Seek Justice: Victims can come forward without worrying about facing legal reprisals if they have legal recognition. Due to social pressure and the laws that are in place, many women in India now choose to keep quiet.
• Encourages Gender Sensitization: Programs for gender sensitization may be sparked by elevating marital rape to the legal fore. The Delhi Police, for instance, has conducted gender-sensitization campaigns; acknowledging marital rape can support these efforts.
• Supports the Goals of Global Gender Equality: Acknowledging marital rape is consistent with international goals such as the Sustainable Development Goal 5 of the United Nations, which advocates for gender equality. By tackling marital rape, India may further demonstrate its adherence to these international norms.
  
  

Way Ahead for the Criminal Recognition of Marital Rape:

• Legal Reformation: To close the gap in the Indian Penal Code, marital rape must be made a clear crime in India. This measure will be comparable to those in many Western nations and even some of India’s neighbors, such as Nepal, where it is illegal to rape a spouse.

• Sensitization and Sex Education: Include thorough sex education in the curriculum, with a focus on healthy relationships and consent. The “She Pad” program in Kerala, which taught schoolgirls about menstruation hygiene, could serve as a model for expanding to include sexual health and rights.
• Community Involvement: Involve influential people and leaders in the community to encourage grassroots dialogue. It is possible to model Bihar after the successful community mobilization efforts of grassroots groups like the “Jan Jagran Shakti Sangathan” on other concerns.
• International Cooperation: Take inspiration from nations that have effectively dealt with this problem. Partnerships, such as the one India has with the UN Women agency, can provide resources and insights.

Conclusion: Identifying marital rape in India necessitates a multidimensional strategy. India can address this serious injustice and work toward establishing a society where everyone’s rights and dignity—regardless of gender—are respected and valued by implementing a comprehensive plan.

Article: 19^th October, 2024

Topic: Global Multidimensional Poverty Index

Relevance: GS Paper: 2 – Governance

Source: Indian Express

Context

• Poverty Amid Conflict is the theme of the 2024 Global Multidimensional Poverty Index.

About Global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI)

• The Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) jointly produce the Global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) every year.
• Ten indicators from these three dimensions are used in the index.
• A household is deemed multidimensionally poor if it is deficient in at least one third of these parameters.
  
  

Important Results

• Of the 6.3 billion people living in 112 nations, 1.1 billion (18.3%) are living in acute multidimensional poverty.
• The impoverished reside in rural areas: 83.7 percent, or 962 million people, reside in rural areas.
• Approximately 70.7% of the world’s impoverished reside in rural regions of South Asia (350 million) and Sub-Saharan Africa (463 million).
• India (234 million), Pakistan (93 million), Ethiopia (86 million), Nigeria (74 million), and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (66 million) are the five nations with the highest percentages of the population living in poverty.
• Nearly half (48.1 percent) of the 1.1 billion people living in poverty are from these five nations combined.
• In contrast to 13.5% of adults, 584 million people under the age of 18 live in extreme poverty, accounting for 27.9% of all children worldwide.
• Poverty in areas affected by conflict: According to the research, more conflicts occurred in 2023 than at any other time since World War II, displacing more than 117 million people.
• Approximately 455 million, or nearly 40% of the 1.1 billion people living in poverty, reside in conflict-affected nations.
  
  

Causes of India’s subpar performance

• Regional Disparities: Poor infrastructure, subpar service delivery, and a lack of non-agricultural economic options all contribute to the high rates of poverty in rural areas.
• Poor nutrition: India has a serious malnutrition problem, especially with regard to children.
• Education quality: Many government-run schools have subpar instruction, which results in inadequate learning outcomes.
• Water and sanitation: Many households are nevertheless forced into multidimensional poverty as a result of poor access to safe drinking water and inadequate sanitation, especially in rural areas.
• Financial setbacks: Millions of households experienced greater vulnerability, lower incomes, and job losses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic’s significant economic disruption in India.

Government Actions to Reduce Poverty

• National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013: 67% of the population is legally entitled to heavily subsidized foodgrains (75% in rural areas and 50% in urban areas).

• In 2016, the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY): The purpose of this program was to give women from Below Poverty Line (BPL) households access to LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) connections.

• Ayushman Bharat Scheme: In order to protect recipients from the financial strain of costly medical treatments and keep them from sinking further into poverty as a result of healthcare expenses, it provides health insurance coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family annually.

• Launched in 2018, the National Nutrition Mission (POSHAN Abhiyaan) focuses on stunting, undernutrition, and anemia, particularly in children, teenage girls, pregnant women, and nursing mothers, with the goal of reducing malnutrition.

• Enacted in 2009, the Right to Education Act (RTE) mandates free and compulsory education for children aged 6 to 14.
• Swachh Bharat program: By building toilets and encouraging cleanliness, the program seeks to provide universal sanitation coverage.
  
  

Way Ahead

• India has implemented a number of programs that have significantly reduced poverty, but more can be done.
• Multidimensional poverty will continue to decrease if sustainable livelihoods are encouraged, service delivery is improved, and digital solutions are used for better implementation.

Also Read Topics & Concepts:

Prelims Practice Questions

Q. Consider the following statements regarding Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI)

1. The Oxford Poverty & Human Development Initiative (OPHI) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) created the Global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) in 2010.
2. The MDPI employs ten indicators and five dimensions.

Which of the above statements are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: a

Explanation

The Oxford Poverty & Human Development Initiative (OPHI) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) created the Global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) in 2010.
MPI employs 10 indicators and three dimensions, which are:
Health: Nutrition and child mortality (1/6 weightage each, total 2/6); Education: Years of schooling and child enrollment (1/6 weightage each, total 2/6);
Electricity, flooring, drinking water, sanitation, cooking fuel, and possessions make up the standard of living (1/18 weightage each, total 2/6).

Mains Model Questions Q. Describe the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) and its application to the estimation of poverty in India. What are the differences between the Global MPI and India’s MPI?

Introduction:

A comprehensive measure of poverty that considers more than simply income and consumption is the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI). It takes into account all facets of poverty, including lifestyle, education, and health, in order to provide a more thorough understanding of deprivation and poverty. The Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) developed the Global MPI, which served as the foundation for the index.

Body:

How is poverty in India estimated using it?

• Dimension of Health: This dimension takes into account variables including maternal health, child mortality, and nutrition.
• Education Dimension: This dimension evaluates whether people can finish at least six years of schooling and have access to education. It also takes school-age children’s enrollment and attendance rates into account.
• Indicators pertaining to clean water, sanitation, power, housing quality, and assets are all included in the Standard of Living dimension. It examines the living circumstances of both people and households.
  
  

What are the differences between the Global MPI and India’s MPI?

• Indicators Deprivations in the three areas of standard of living, education, and health and nutrition are measured by the national MPI. However, the global MPI and India’s MPI are not the same.
• Index Agency preparation: The United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) and Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative’s (OPHI) approaches serve as the foundation for Global MPI. NITI Aayog frames the national MPI.
• Policymaking: Based on the national MPI, policymakers are able to identify the specific types and measures of deprivation that are most prevalent in India. With this knowledge, it is simpler to tailor therapies to the particular issues that different Indian cultures and geographical areas confront.
• Outside variables: A wide range of living conditions and difficulties are caused by India’s diverse population and enormous geographical diversity. In order to present a more accurate and comprehensive picture of poverty in the nation, the Indian MPI takes several contextual elements into consideration.

Conclusion: The MPI for India is a modified version of the global MPI framework that is tailored to the nation’s unique socioeconomic conditions, challenges, and objectives. It offers a more specific approach to measuring and resolving multidimensional poverty within the country, while also contributing to the broader global effort to understand and treat it from a variety of aspects.

Article:  19^th October, 2024

Topic: Rising Vulnerabilities of Rural Poor Amid Climate Shocks

Relevance: GS Paper: 3 – Climate Change

Source: DD News

Context

• The multifaceted poverty and climatic vulnerabilities in rural areas of the nation were the main topics of a national-level discussion on the FAO study “The Unjust Climate” that was held in New Delhi.
  
  

Important Points

• Differences in Income: Weather extremes, especially heat stress, make income disparity worse. Heatwaves cause a 5% income loss for impoverished rural households, while floods cause a 4.4% income loss, which is far higher than that of affluent households.
• Impact on Gender: Even a 1°C increase in average temperatures would result in a startling 34% reduction in women’s overall wages when compared to men.
• Severe heat increases the unpaid labor of women in low-income homes and exacerbates child labor.
  
  

Indian Situation

• According to the research, over the previous 20 years, India has achieved impressive progress in lowering rural poverty.
• Between 2005–06 and 2022–24, the headcount poverty rate decreased significantly from 42.5 percent to 8.6 percent.
• India’s rural poor are most affected by climate change, particularly those living in multifaceted poverty.
  
  

Climate change’s negative effects

• Climate Refugees: Millions of people are forced to relocate as a result of flooding, sea level rise, and extreme weather.
• Loss of Livelihoods: Traditional livelihoods in coastal and agriculturally and fisheries-dependent areas are under risk due to climate change.

• Increased Energy Demand: As temperatures rise, there is a greater need for energy, especially for cooling, which puts a strain on electrical infrastructure and raises energy prices.
• Disease Spread: As temperatures rise and rainfall patterns change, mosquitoes and other disease-carrying insects’ habitats are expanded, which contributes to the spread of vector-borne illnesses.

The Way Ahead

• Addressing the effects of climate change on rural people, which are disproportionately impacted by extreme weather events, is essential to effectively reducing poverty in India.
• Gains in poverty reduction must be maintained through targeted initiatives that increase rural households’ capacity for adaptation and lessen their vulnerability to climate threats.
  
  
• Also Read Topics & Concepts:https://www.fao.org/india/news/detail-events/ru/c/1713611/

Prelims Practice Questions

Q. Consider the following statements regarding FAO

1. It is the biggest humanitarian organization in the world that works to combat hunger and advance food security.
2. It is a United Nations (UN) specialized agency.
3. Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) were established.

Which of the above statements are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 and 3
3. 1 and 2
4. 1, 2, 3

Ans: b :Explanation

The largest humanitarian organization in the world dedicated to combating hunger and advancing food security is the World Food Program.
The United Nations’ specialized agency FAO is in charge of spearheading global initiatives to end hunger. In order to protect and preserve the agricultural heritage systems around the world, it established the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS).

Mains Model Questions Q. Discuss about how climate change is affecting India’s socioeconomic situation.

Introduction:

A shift in weather patterns, together with associated modifications to land surfaces, oceans, and ice sheets, that takes place over decades or more is referred to as climate change. According to the IPCC, if prompt action is not taken, a 2 °C increase in global temperatures over preindustrial levels will have catastrophic consequences for the world.

Body:

The effects of climate change on society and the economy

• Decreased water quantity: Aquatic ecosystems’ capacity to sustain and replenish will be impacted by a combination of a declining water supply brought on by climate change and a rise in the need for agricultural irrigation. Agriculture, industry, the economy, people’s health, and the lives of those who are more vulnerable—such as women, children, and those from lower socioeconomic classes—will all suffer as a result.
• Small farmers will be affected by climate change, which is expected to worsen their situation by changing agricultural zones and climate, altering production patterns due to more extreme and shifting precipitation patterns, and threatening crops.
• The poor are most affected in rural and urban areas because they lack the resources to deal with impacts like severe droughts or flooding that could force them to relocate or alter their way of life.
• Poverty and widespread migration will follow, which could spark a crisis or bloodshed.
• Unequal adaptation capacity: Developing nations, who did not play a major role in the atmospheric concentration of greenhouse gases, are now much more disadvantaged in terms of dealing with the effects of climate change.
• Relocating communities: As a result of rising sea levels, severe droughts that strain resources, or even intense rainfall that becomes the norm, many populations will have to shift.

Conclusion: With the second-largest population in the world, India is a developing nation that must make effective use of its resources to combat poverty, lessen the effects of climate change, and adopt innovative strategies to create a resilient society.
In order to transition to climate change adaptation and mitigation, the Indian government already created the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) in 2008, which comprises the National Mission on Sustainable Habitat, National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture, and National Solar Mission, among other initiatives. India has likewise pledged to meet the Paris Climate Agreement’s NDCs.

Article: 19^th October, 2024

Topic: Non-Kinetic Warfare

Relevance: GS Paper: 3 – Defence

Source: The Hindu

Context

• The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence has selected 17 topics for discussion this year, including the readiness of the Indian armed forces to handle “hybrid warfare.”
• Both kinetic and non-kinetic combat techniques are employed in hybrid warfare.
  
  

About

• The committee discussed the growing threat of “non-kinetic warfare” in great detail, noting the continuing conflicts between Israel and Palestine and Russia and Ukraine as instances of how these tactics have been used.
• It argued that the parliamentary panel will rigorously examine the Army’s readiness to confront these threats and that the tools will be used in future conflicts.
  
  

Non-Kinetic Warfare

• Action taken against an enemy without resorting to direct conventional military action is commonly referred to as non-kinetic warfare.
• Information warfare, cyberwarfare, psychological operations, electromagnetic offensives, and cryptographic warfare are among the options it encompasses.

• Many people think that non-kinetic warfare can be more lethal than traditional tactics due to advancements in technology, and that non-kinetic techniques can win battles before a shot is fired.
• Warfare with Kinetics: Generally speaking, kinetic warfare refers to military tactics using a variety of weaponry.
  
  

Non-kinetic warfare readiness is essential for a number of reasons:

• Changing Threat Environment: As technology develops, adversaries employ cyber and information warfare strategies more frequently. India needs to adjust to these changing dangers.
• Deterrence: By showcasing the capacity to thwart possible aggressors’ tactics, a strong non-kinetic defense can lessen the risk of confrontation.
• Protection of Critical Infrastructure: Critical systems like communication networks and power grids are frequently the subject of non-kinetic attacks.
  
  

Standing Committee on Defence

• It is established in accordance with Rule 331 C of the Lok Sabha’s Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business.
• The Committee was initially established in 1993.
• It has authority over the Ministry of Defense.
• Participants: It has 31 members: 10 from the Rajya Sabha, nominated by the Chairman, and 21 from the Lok Sabha, nominated by the Speaker.
• The Speaker appoints the Committee’s Chairperson.
• Members of the Committee serve terms of no more than one year.
• Its duties include reviewing the Ministry of Defense’s requests for grants, reporting on them, and presenting them to Parliament; reviewing any bills related to the Ministry of Defense that are referred to the Committee; reviewing the Ministry of Defense’s Annual Report; and reviewing National Basic Long-Term Policy Documents that are presented to the Houses.

Also Read Topics & Concepts:

Prelims Practice Questions

Q. Consider the following statements

1. Misleading Campaigns

2. Cyber attacks

3. Naval Battles

4. Economic Disruptions

Which of the above forms a part of non-kinetic warfare?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. Only three
4. None

Ans: c

Explanation

Non-kinetic warfare refers to tactics that try to affect or disrupt the enemy without using physical force. Cyberattacks, deceptive advertising campaigns, economic disruptions, and electronic warfare are a few examples.

Mains Model Questions Q. In addition to land, sea, air, and space, cyberspace is frequently hailed as the fifth dimension of battle. But if cyberwarfare becomes commonplace, India will need to be more ready for cyberwarfare-based bilateral disputes. Comment.

Introduction:

In addition to land, sea, air, and space, cyberspace is frequently referred to as the fifth dimension of battle. It seems more and more likely that cyberwarfare will be a standard component of national arsenals.
Although India has the third-highest number of internet users worldwide, behind the United States and China, its cybersecurity architecture is still in its infancy.

Body:

Reasons Opposed to Cyberwarfares

• International Security Threat: Cyberwarfare attacks on financial markets, government and private communications networks, and military infrastructure provide a rapidly expanding but little understood threat to international security and have the potential to be a key weapon in future state-to-state wars.
• More Countries to Fight Wars: The size of a nation will no longer be significant once cybertechnology becomes a significant factor in defense strategies.
• Lowering the Threshold of Entry into War: In the twenty-first century, weapons will just consist of a cyber button on the desk of the country’s military or government chief.
• Increased Conflicts: As cyberwarfare becomes more common, each country will need to be better equipped to handle bilateral conflicts based on cyberwarfare as opposed to multilateral conventional wars or military bloc mobilizations.
  
  

India’s threats:

• Previous Experiences: India has already suffered numerous cyberattacks.
• The Tibetan government in exile in India and numerous Indian embassies were among the targets of a suspected cyber espionage network known as GhostNet in 2009.
• It is also believed that a strike by a Chinese state-sponsored gang caused the 2020 Mumbai power outage.
• China’s threats: Targeted cyberattacks from hostile countries pose India’s greatest threat.
• Lack of Cyberspace Infrastructure: One of the few nations that still lacks a specialized cyber component in its armed forces is India.
  
  

The Way Ahead

• Clarifying the Goals: The 21st-century National Security Policy will specify which assets must be protected and who the adversaries are who want to overwhelm the populace of a target country with strange tactics to confuse them.

Increasing funding: A separate budget for cybersecurity should be set up by the government. To combat state-sponsored hackers, a central organization of cyber warriors should be established.

Prelims Practice Questions

Q. Consider the following statements regarding Marine Heat Waves

1. They are brought on by the oceans’ rising heat content, particularly in their higher layers.
2. Compared to the Western Indian Ocean, the Bay of Bengal has seen more MHWs over time.

Which of the above statements are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: a

Explanation

An increase in ocean heat, particularly in the higher layers, is what causes marineheat waves. They are among the main effects of human-caused global warming on a global scale.
Between 1982 and 2018, the number of MHWs in the west Indian Ocean rose by about 1.5 incidents every ten years. In the same time frame, the number of incidents in the north Bay of Bengal increased by about 0.5 events every ten years.

Mains Model Questions Q. What are “Marine heatwaves”? Discuss about the causes of these waves and their effects on the environment.

Introduction:

A consistent region of exceptionally warm sea surface temperatures that lasts for several days to several months is commonly referred to as a marine heat wave. When sea temperatures are consistently higher than average, it is known as a marine heatwave. Over the past ten years, MHWs have been seen in all of the main ocean basins. Marine ecosystems have suffered greatly as a result of these heat waves. Predicting the future evolution of marine systems and the products and services they offer requires significant advancements in our knowledge of past and future changes in marine heat waves and the threats they pose to marine ecosystems.

Body:

Why do heatwaves occur in the ocean?

• Ocean currents, which can accumulate warm water patches and air-sea heat flux, or warming through the ocean surface from the atmosphere, are the most frequent cause of marine heat waves.
• Normally, sunlight heats the ocean’s surface as it travels through the atmosphere. This warm water doesn’t mix with the colder seas below when the breezes are weak. Marine heat waves are caused by it sitting on top and continuing to heat up.

• According to a recent UN assessment, the world’s oceans’ surface temperatures are rising at a startling rate, resulting in marine “heatwaves” and accelerating sea levels that endanger fishing economies.
  
  

Effects of increasing maritime heatwaves on the environment:

• By promoting some species and repressing others, marine heat waves have an impact on the structure of ecosystems. For instance, fish communities in Western Australia shifted from kelp forests to seaweed turfs following the 2011 maritime heatwave, becoming far more “tropical” in nature than before.
• Certain species’ habitat ranges can be altered by marine heatwaves. For example, the spiny sea urchin off the southeast coast of Australia has been moving southward into Tasmania at the expense of the kelp forests it feeds on. A marine heatwave’s warm seas can also lead rogue creatures to venture far outside their typical habitat.
• Due to their effects on aquaculture and fisheries, marine heatwaves can result in financial losses.
  Marine heatwaves can have a significant impact on biodiversity. Northern Australian marine heatwaves in 2016 led to severe bleaching of the Great Barrier Reef.
• Hazardous algal blooms and marine heat waves are related. There was also some proof that marine creatures were getting poisoned from eating tainted seafood and other items.

Conclusion: According to satellite studies, the frequency of marine heatwaves has doubled between 1982 and 2016, and they have also gotten longer, more powerful, and more widespread. In addition to the marine heat waves, the Indian Ocean’s temperature, sea level, and acidity are rising while its oxygen content is falling. The Indian Ocean has been unique in that its surface generation of oxygen is rather significant, but its subsurface oxygen content is relatively low.