Environment and Sustainable Development

Total Questions: 95

1. Environment refers to: [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2006]

Correct Answer: (d) All the above
Solution:The word environment is derived from the French word 'Environ' which means to 'encircle or surround'. The term environment encompasses all the surrounding conditions that influence an organism.

This includes the natural world of land, water, air, plants, and animals, which represents the physical and biological components.

It also refers to the sum total of conditions surrounding human beings, recognizing the social context. Ultimately, it is best defined as an interacting system of physical, biological, and cultural elements because it highlights the dynamic relationships between all these aspects. An environment is not just a collection of things, but a complex system where everything is interconnected.

2. Environment is a composite state of - [53ᵗʰ to 55ᵗʰ B.P.S.C.(Pre) 2011]

Correct Answer: (d) All of the above.
Solution:The environment is composed of a diverse range of interacting elements. Biotic factors include all living organisms, such as plants, animals, fungi, and bacteria. Abiotic factors are the non-living chemical and physical parts of the environment, like sunlight, temperature, water, and soil.

Physiographic factors relate to the physical geography of a region, including its landforms, elevation, and drainage patterns. A complete understanding of an environment requires considering how all these biotic, abiotic, and physiographic components interact to create a unique ecosystem.

3. Generally, environment can be classified as following categories. Which among the following is NOT a part of such category? [U.P.P.C.S (Pre) 2020]

Correct Answer: (a) Operational Environment
Solution:While "operational environment" is a term used in fields like business or military strategy to describe the conditions in which an operation is conducted, it is not a standard category for classifying the environment in ecology or geography.

The traditional and most widely accepted classifications are Physical Environment (non-living elements like climate and landforms), Biological Environment (living organisms), and Cultural Environment (human-made aspects like technology, social structures, and value systems). These three categories provide a comprehensive framework for studying the natural world and human's place within it.

4. Given below are two statements, one labelled as [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2019]

Assertion (A) and other as the Reason (R).
Assertion (A) : Sustainable development is important for well being of human society.
Reason (R) : Sustainable development is a kind of development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Codes :

Correct Answer: (a) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is correct explanation of (A)
Solution:The assertion that sustainable development is important for human society is true because it aims to balance economic, social, and environmental well-being, ensuring long-term survival and prosperity.

The reason, which provides the widely accepted definition of sustainable development—meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs—directly explains why it is so important. By defining this intergenerational equity, the reason clarifies the core principle that makes sustainable development a necessary approach for the well-being of society over time.

5. The discussion on 'Sustainable Development' was started after submitting a report on environment to the United nations in 1987. That report was: [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2020]

Correct Answer: (b) Our common future
Solution:The report "Our Common Future," also known as the Brundtland Report, was published in 1987 by the World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED). This landmark report is credited with coining and popularizing the most common definition of sustainable development.

It placed environmental issues on the global political agenda, arguing that they are inextricably linked to economic development. The report's findings spurred international action and laid the groundwork for future agreements like Agenda 21 and the Paris Agreement.

6. Arrange the following events in chronological order and select the correct answer from the codes given below : [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2020]

I.  Rio Earth Summit
II.  Publication of Brundtland Commission Report
III. Enforcement of Montreal Protocol
IV. Publication of 'The limit to Growth' Report
Codes :

Correct Answer: (b) IV, II, III, I
Solution:
IV. Publication of 'The Limits to Growth' Report (1972): This was an influential report that highlighted the potential negative consequences of unchecked population and economic growth on finite resources.

II. Publication of Brundtland Commission Report (1987): This report defined sustainable development and brought the concept to the forefront of international discourse.

III. Enforcement of Montreal Protocol (1989): This global treaty was enacted to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of numerous substances responsible for its depletion.

I. Rio Earth Summit (1992): This major UN conference resulted in the adoption of Agenda 21, the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

7. Sustainably development is a matter of intergenerational sensibility in respect of the use of? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2012]

Correct Answer: (a) Natural resources
Solution:The core principle of sustainable development is to ensure that our current use of resources does not deplete them for future generations. This is a matter of intergenerational sensibility—a sense of responsibility towards those who will come after us.

This responsibility is primarily directed at the use of natural resources, such as water, forests, fertile land, and minerals, which are essential for life and economic activity. Sustainable practices aim to manage these resources in a way that preserves their availability and quality for the long term.

8. What is important for Sustainable Development? [U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2004]

Correct Answer: (d) All of these.
Solution:Sustainable development is a holistic concept that requires a multifaceted approach. It is not just about environmental protection; it also involves social and economic considerations.

Therefore, conserving biological diversity (environmental), preventing and controlling pollution (environmental), and decreasing poverty (social and economic) are all critical components. A truly sustainable society addresses all these interconnected issues to create a balanced system that benefits people, the planet, and prosperity.

9. Which of the following is not a sustainable development goal targeted to be achieved by - [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2023]

Correct Answer: (b) Space research
Solution:The United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development includes 17 specific goals (SDGs) that address a wide range of social, economic, and environmental issues.

These goals include Gender Equality (SDG 5), Zero Hunger (SDG 2), and Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3). While space research can contribute to achieving some SDGs (e.g., through satellite monitoring), it is not a standalone goal in the official list of the 17 SDGs.

10. Consider the following : [I.A.S. (Pre) 2014, 2011]

1. Photosynthesis
2. Respiration
3. Decay of organic matter
4. Volcanic action
Which of the above add carbon dioxide to the carbon cycle on Earth?

Correct Answer: (c) 2, 3 and 4
Solution:Carbon dioxide () is added to the atmosphere through several natural processes. Respiration is a process used by all living organisms to release energy, with as a byproduct.

The decay of organic matter also releases as microorganisms break down dead plants and animals. Volcanic action releases and other gases stored deep within the Earth's crust. Photosynthesis (1), on the other hand, is a process used by plants and algae to remove from the atmosphere.