TNPSC Current Affairs July 11, 2017 for Group 1, Group 2,2a, Group 4, VAO and other exams

TNPSC Current Affairs July 2017

1.Earth’s sixth mass extinction is underway – Scientist.

Scientist says that Earth is going to face  sixth mass extinction and is more severe than previously thought and  humans are the primary cause of massive loss.

The new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, argues the loss of wildlife a "biological annihilation" that represents a "frightening assault on the foundations of human civilisation".

About the Study: 

• Scientist further said that Earth has gone through five mass extinctions, which has wiped out high proportion of life mainly due to natural forces like climate changes, huge volcanic eruptions or catastrophic meteor strikes
• But the 6^th extinction which is underway would be the first to be driven by the activity of humans like such as deforestation, overpopulation, pollution, poaching etc.
• It is due to human overpopulation , continued population growth, overconsumption or greed especially by the rich .
• Scientist also warned there will be a huge wildlife loss if no changes is made within next 20 years. 

Previous Mass Extinctions

443 million years ago(End Ordovician period)

Due to sea level fall by 100 m, that wiped out 60-70 % of all species.

360 million years ago (Late Devonian Period)

Due to prolonged climate change event, with shallow seas the worst affected areas, nearly saw all corals disappearing.

250 million years ago(Permian Triassic period) 

Third mass extinction also known as the great dying, almost 96 % of species died, due to Massive volcanic eruptions in Siberia which lead to global warming.

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200 million years ago (Triassic-Jurassic)

Forth mass extinction due to Climate change, an asteroid impact and flood basalt

65 million years ago( Cretaceous tertiary)

Fifth Mass extinction, due to giant asteroid impact which saw the death of dinosaurs.

2.World population day – July 11

World population day is an annual event observed on July 11 with focus attention on the urgency and importance of population issues. This year it observed with the theme of “Family Planning: Empowering People, Developing Nations”