8th JUNE CURRENT AFFAIRS

1The United Nations observes World Oceans Day on June 8.

The purpose of the Day is to inform the public of the impact of human actions on the ocean, develop a worldwide movement of citizens for the ocean, and mobilise and unite the world’s population on a project for the sustainable management of the world's oceans.

“Reimagine”, the theme of World Oceans Day 2026.

The ocean covers over 70 per cent of the planet.

It is our life source, supporting humanity’s sustenance and that of every other organism on earth.

The ocean produces at least 50 per cent of the planet’s oxygen, it is home to most of earth’s biodiversity, and is the main source of protein for more than a billion people around the world. I

It is not just “the lungs of the planet” but also its largest ‘carbon sink’ – a vital buffer against the impacts of climate change.

Oceans absorb about 30 per cent of carbon dioxide produced by humans, buffering the impacts of global warming.

The ocean is central to reducing global greenhouse gas emissions and stabilising the Earth’s climate.

Increasing greenhouse gas emissions have affected the health of the ocean — warming and acidifying seawater — causing detrimental changes to life under water and on land, and reducing the ocean’s ability to absorb carbon dioxide and safeguard life on the planet.

The ocean is key to our economy with an estimated 40 million people being employed by ocean-based industries by 2030,However, the ocean is now in need of support.

With 90 per cent of big fish populations depleted, and 50 per cent of coral reefs destroyed, we are taking more from the ocean than can be replenished.

2An initiative to secure the world's software -Project Glasswing

Project Glasswing is an initiative to secure the world’s most critical software for the AI era.

The initiative brings together Amazon Web Services, Anthropic, Apple, Broadcom, Cisco, CrowdStrike, Google, JPMorganChase, the Linux Foundation, Microsoft, NVIDIA, and Palo Alto Networks as launch partners

Project Glasswing is the controlled programme through which Anthropic shares access to Mythos Preview (the testing version) with a carefully vetted set of trusted organisations

Claude Mythos Preview is an extremely powerful, restricted AI that can surpass all but the most skilled human researchers at finding and chaining software vulnerability

3UNESCO designates 14 new biosphere reserves

The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) designated 14 new biosphere reserves, recognising their importance for conserving biodiversity and cultural heritage.

This takes the World Network of Biosphere Reserves to 797 sites in 145 countries.

This year, for the first time, a whole city has been designated as a biosphere reserve, Quebec City.

Aruba became the second country to have its entire territory designated as such.

In 2025, Sao Tome and Principe became the first State to have its entire territory designated as a biosphere reserve.

The 14 newly designated biosphere reserves are:

Albania – Shkoder Lake

Canada – Quebec City

Philippines – Matibay na Bayan ng Sablayan

Portugal – Serra da Estrela

Vietnam – Phong Nha-Ke Bang.The first biosphere reserves were designated in 1976.

Biosphere reserves are designated under the intergovernmental MAB Programme by the Director-General of UNESCO following the decisions of the MAB International Coordinating Council (MAB ICC). Their status is internationally recognised. Member States can submit sites through the designation process.

Biosphere Reserves involve local communities and all interested stakeholders in planning and management. They integrate three main functions:

1) Conservation of biodiversity and cultural diversity.

2) Economic development that is socio-culturally and environmentally sustainable.

3) Logistic support, underpinning development through research, monitoring, education and training.

These three functions are pursued through the Biosphere Reserves’ three main zones:

1) Core Areas: It comprises a strictly protected zone that contributes to the conservation of landscapes, ecosystems, species and genetic variation

2) Buffer Zones: It surrounds or adjoins the core area, and is used for activities compatible with sound ecological practices that can reinforce scientific research, monitoring, training and education.

3) Transition Area: It is where communities foster socio-culturally and ecologically sustainable economic and human activities.

Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework protecting and restoring significant portions of the Earth’s ecosystems by 2030.

Biosphere Reserves in India

There are 13 Indian sites in UNESCO’s list of biosphere reserves,They are:

Nilgiri (TN)

Gulf of Mannar (TN)

Agasthyamala (TN)

Sunderban

Nanda Devi National Park

Nokrek

Pachmarhi

Similipal National Park

PAchanakmar-Amarkantak

Great Nicobar

Khangchendzonga

Panna National Park

Cold Desert Cultural Landscape of India.

4APCNF prog wins Food Planet Prize

The AP Community Managed Natural Farming (APCNF) programme has won the prestigious 2026 Food Planet Prize, the world’s largest environmental award focused on transforming global food systems.

The award, worth USD 1.5 million (approximately Rs 14 crore), was presented in Båstad, Sweden

APCNF emerged as the winner among four global finalists, with Conscious Kitchen (US), NoPalm Ingredients (Netherlands), and Savanna Institute (US) receiving USD 150,000 each in recognition of their work.

Launched a decade ago, APCNF has helped 1.8 million farmers in 8,000 villages adopt natural farming, making it one of the world’s largest agroecology movements. The Food Planet Prize jury praised its nature-positive model.

Executive Vice Chairman T Vijay Kumar said it was a tribute to the women’s SHGs and rural communities whose collective strength made natural farming possible