Issues on Environment, Biodiversity & Climate Change (Part-III)

Total Questions: 50

1. Consider the following statements: [2016-1]

1. The Sustainable Development Goals were first proposed in 1972 by a global think tank called the 'Club of Rome'.

2. The Sustainable Development Goals have to be achieved by 2030.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: (b) 2 only
Solution:At the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit on 25 September 2015, world leaders adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which includes a set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, fight inequality and injustice, and tackle climate change by 2030.

These 17 Sustainable Development Goals are:

SDG 1 - No Poverty: All forms of poverty must be eradicated worldwide.
SDG 2 - Zero Hunger: eliminate hunger, increase food security, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture.
SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-Being: Ensure healthy lifestyles and promote well-being for people of all ages.
SDG 4 - Quality Education: Ensure that all students receive an inclusive and equitable education, as well as opportunities for lifelong learning.
SDG 5 - Gender Equality: Ensure gender equality and empower all women and girls.
SDG 6 - Clean Water and Sanitation: Ensure that water and sanitation are available to everyone and managed sustainably.
SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy: Ensure that everyone has access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy sources.
SDG 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth: Encourage long-term, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent jobs for all.
SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: Create resilient infrastructure, encourage inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation.
SDG 10 - Reduced Inequality: Reduce inequality within and between countries.
SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities: Create cities and human settlements that are inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production: Ensure consumption and production patterns are sustainable.
SDG 13 - Climate Action: Take immediate steps to combat climate change and its consequences.
SDG 14 - Life Below Water: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources to promote sustainable development.
SDG 15 - Life on Land: Protect, restore, and promote the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, manage forests sustainably, combat desertification, and stop biodiversity loss.
SDG 16 - Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions: Encourage peaceful and inclusive societies, ensure equal access to justice for all, and establish effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions.
SDG 17 - Partnerships for the Goals: Strengthen implementation mechanisms and revitalise global partnerships for sustainable development.

2. The term 'Intended Nationally Determined Contributions' is sometimes seen in the news in the context of : [2016-1]

Correct Answer: (b) plan of action outlined by the countries of the world to combat climate change
Solution:(i) Countries across the globe committed to create a new international climate agreement by the conclusion of the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of the Parties (COP21) in Paris in December 2015.
(ii) INDC are associated with UNFCCC-Climate change. Hence b) is the apt choice.
Importance of NDCs
• They translate international climate agreements into concrete targets and measures that countries will work toward over the upcoming years.
• They reinforce the global goals agreed upon under the Paris Agreement and show exactly what each country commits to reaching them.
• They represent politically supported plans for investing in crucial areas that have the potential not only to meet climate goals but also to power sustainable development.
• They can help governments prioritise actions across all sectors and align their policies and legislation with climate objectives.

3. What is/are the importance/importances of the 'United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification'? [2016-1]

1. It aims to promote effective action through innovative national programs and supportive inter-national partnerships.

2. It has a special/particular focus on South Asia and North Africa regions, and its Secretariat facilitates the allocation of major portion of financial resources to these regions.

3. It is committed to bottom-up approach, encouraging the participation of local people in combating the desertification.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Correct Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only
Solution:(i) United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) aims to promote effective action through innovative national programmes and supportive international partnerships. UNCCD is committed to a bottom-up approach, encouraging the participation of local people in combating desertification. (ii) As per of the convention, Statement 3 is right. But UNCCCD focuses on Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, Northern Mediterranean and Central and Eastern Europe. Hence statement 2 is wrong. Therefore, answer (c).

4. Which of the following best describes/ describe the aim of Green India Mission' of the Government of India? [2016-1]

Correct Answer: (c) 3 only
Solution:(i) The National Mission for a Green India was announced by the Prime Minister as one of the eight Missions under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC). It recognizes that climate change phenomenon will seriously affect and alter the distribution, type and quality of natural resources of the country. GIM puts the "greening" in the context of climate change adaptation and mitigation, meant to enhance ecosystem services like carbon sequestration and storage (in forests and other ecosystems), hydrological services and biodiversity; along with provisioning services like fuel, fodder, small timber.

5. 'Net metering' is sometimes seen in the news in the context of promoting the: [2016-1]

Correct Answer: (a) production and use of solar energy by the households/consumers
Solution:(i) A Net metering is a billing mechanism that credits solar energy system owners for the electricity they add to the grid. Net metering allows residential and commercial customers who generate their own electricity from solar power to feed electricity they do not use back into the grid.

(ii) Under Net-metering system, Customer installs a solar or wind power plant on his premise, gets it grid-connected with the electricity distribution company (DISCOM), Hence (a) is the apt choice.

6. 'Gadgil Committee Report' and 'Kasturirangan Committee Report', sometimes seen in the news, are related to : [2016-1]

Correct Answer: (d) protection of Western Ghats
Solution:(i) The Gadgil Commission was an environmental research commission appointed by the Ministry of Environment and Forests of India. The Commission submitted the report to the Government of India on 31 August 2011. The Kasturirangan Committee Report has sought to balance the two concerns of development and environment protection, by watering down the environmental regulation regime proposed by the Western Ghats Ecology Experts Panel's Gadgil report in 2012.

(ii) They're associated with Western Ghat conservation plan.

7. On which of the following can you find the Bureau of Energy Efficiency Star Label? [2016-1]

1. Ceiling fans

2. Electric geysers

3. Tubular fluorescent lamps

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Correct Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3
Solution:(i) The Bureau of Energy Efficiency is an agency of the Government of India, under the Ministry of Power created in March 2002 under the provisions of the nation's 2001 Energy Conservation Act. The agency's function is to develop programs which will increase the conservation and efficient use of energy in India. The government has proposed to make it mandatory for all appliances in India to have ratings by the BEE starting in January 2010.

(ii) According to centre for science and environment (CSE), both 1 and 3 are correct. There is only option (d) whether such combination is possible.

8. In the cities of our country, which among the following atmospheric gases are normally considered in calculating the value of Air Quality Index? [2016-1]

1. Carbon dioxide

2. Carbon monoxide

3. Nitrogen dioxide

4. Sulfur dioxide

5. Methane

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Correct Answer: (b) 2, 3 and 4 only
Solution:(i) The AQI level is based on the level of 8 atmospheric pollutants, namely sulfur dioxide (SO₂) nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) suspended particulates smaller 10mum in aerodynamic diameter (PM10), suspended particulates smaller than 2.5mu*m in aerodynamic diameter (PM2.5), NH Pb, carbon monoxide (CO₂), and ozone (O ₃) measured at the monitoring stations throughout.
So by elimination we are left with option "b".
• AQI is based on eight pollutants, namely:
  1. Particulate Matter (PM10)
  2. Particulate Matter (PM2.5)
  3. Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)
  4. Sulphur Dioxide (SO2)
  5. Carbon Monoxide (CO)
  6. Ozone (O3)
  7. Ammonia (NH3)
  8. Lead (Pb)

9. 1 Which of the following are the key features of 'National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA)'? [2016-1]

1. River basin is the unit of planning and management.

2. It spearheads the river conservation efforts at the national level.

3. One of the Chief Ministers of the States through which the Ganga flows becomes the Chairman of NGRBA on rotation basis.

Select the correct answer using the code given Below.

Correct Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
Solution:(i) National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) is a financing, planning, implementing, monitoring and coordinating authority for the Ganges River, functioning under the water resource ministry of India. The mission of the organisation is to spearhead the river conservation efforts at the national level.

(ii) In 2014, UPSC asked similar question, where one of the statement was- "PM is chairman of NGRBA". That statement was right as per India Yearbook 2014. Therefore, here statement 3 is wrong, CM can't be the chairman of NGRBA. By elimination, we reach answer (a).

10. What is/are unique about 'Kharai camel', a breed found in India? [2016-1]

1. It is capable of swimming up to three kilometers in seawater.

2. It survives by grazing on mangroves.

3. It lives in the wild and cannot be domesticated.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Correct Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
Solution:

About Kharai Camel
• It is indigenous to Gujarat, derives its name from the local term “Khara,” meaning saline, reflecting its adaptability to both desert and coastal ecosystems.
• The Kharai is known for its rare ability to swim long distances and graze on mangroves.
• The camels swim long distances in the sea to reach its grazing areas, usually more than 3 km at a time even in deep waters.
• It has been preserved by the Rabari and Fakirani jat tribes for over 400 years.
• These camels exist, primarily in Kutch, where they play a crucial role in local ecosystems, particularly in maintaining mangrove forests.
• Kharai camel milk is not only rich in nutrients but also has therapeutic properties.
• The milk contains antibodies that are similar to those found in human milk, making it easier to digest and beneficial for boosting the immune system.
• Conservation Status: IUCN: Endangered.