Important Questions CBSE Class 12 Political Science Chapter 8 Environment and Natural Resources

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CBSE Class 12 Political Science Important Questions
Chapter 8 Environment and Natural Resources

1 Mark Questions

Question 1.
Which one of the two is more essential-construction of mega-dams or an environmental movement that opposes it and why? (Delhi 20160
Answer:
The construction of mega dams is necessary for the progress of the country. On the other hand, environmental movement is also important because progress should not be done at the cost of the environmental degradation.
Question 2.
Why should the ‘environmental concerns’ be part of contemporary global politics? (Delhi 2009; All India 2008)
Answer:
The environmental concerns should be part of contemporary global politics because no single government can address the environmental concerns in isolation.
Question 3.
Define indigenous population. (All India 2009)
Answer:
Indigenous population are tribals or native people whose interests and rights are imperialised by the foreign people who migrated from time to time in territories.
Question 4.
Which world summit conference was held at Rio in 1992? (All India 2009)
Answer:
Earth summit was held at Rio in 1992.
Question 5.
Why were India and China exempted from the Kyoto Protocol? (All India 2008)
Answer:
India, China and other developing countries were exempted from the requirements of Kyoto Protocol because their per capita emission was comparatively lower than it was in developed countries.
Question 6.
What were the recommendations of the Rio Summit Known as? (All indin 2008)
Answer:
The recommendations of the Rio Summit was known as ‘Agenda 21’.
Question 7.
Why have the issues relating to environmental degradation become part of world politics. (All India 2008)
Answer:
The issues relating to environmental degradation become part of world politics because such issues can not be addressed by one country alone. Thus, they became the part of world politics as shared action is necessary to deal with them.

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2 Mark Questions

Question 1.
Suggest any two steps to be taken by the government to check pollution and save environment. (Delhi 2015)
Answer:
The two steps to be taken by the government to check pollution and save environment are

• Clean production and pollution prevention.
• Ecosystem management.

Question 2.
Identify the most important outcome of the Rio summit. (All India 2015)
OR
Mention any two outcomes of the Rio summit. (Delhi 2010)
Answer:
The outcomes of the Rio summit were :

• There was an agreement on combining economic growth with ecological responsibility.
• The summit started the environmental issues and discussions at global level.

Question 3.
Define geopolitics. (All India 2012, 2011)
OR
What is meant by geopolitics? (Delhi 2011)
Answer:
Geopolitics is related to the geographical political affairs which deals with allocation and distribution of natural resources among the nation states of world. It is all about who gets what, when, where and how.
Question 4.
Why do indigenous people need special protection to protect their rights? (Delhi 2011)
OR
Explain the most obvious threat to the survival of indigenous people. (Delhi 2010)
Answer:
Issues related to the rights of indigenous people have been neglected as people of varied cultures from various parts of the world overcome them. Also these people have threat to their survival due to loss of land which is main source of their livelihood. This is the reason they require special protection to protect their rights.
Question 5.
What is meant by the concept of ‘common but differentiated responsibility’? (Delhi 2010)
OR
Explain the concept of ‘common but differentiated responsibility’ (All India 2009)
Answer:
Common but differentiated responsibility refers that all nations share common responsibility for environmental degra¬dation but developed nations have greater responsibility than developing nations because of their different contribution to environmental degradation.
Question 6.
How can we protect the rights of the indigenous people with regard to environment? (Delhi 2009)
Answer:
We can protect the rights of the indigenous people with regard to environment through:

• Institutional safeguards like rules, regulation.
• Creating social security net.

Question 7.
Which countries have control over Antarctica? (All India 2009)
Answer:
UK, Chile, Argentina, Norway, France, Australia and New Zealand have control over Antarctica.
Question 8.
What is meant by ‘common property’? (All India 2009)
Answer:
Common property represents common property for the group. The underlying norm here is that members of the group have both rights and duties with respect to the nature, levels of use and maintenance of a given resource.
Question 9.
What are global commons? List any two examples. (Delhi 2008)
Answer:
In the world, some areas are situated beyond a sovereign jurisdiction of any one state. Hence they need united control by the international community. They are called global commons.
Two examples are :

• Earth’s atmosphere
• Ocean floor

Question 10.
Who are indigenous people? What institutions do they follow? (All India 2008)
Answer:
Indigenous people are those descendants of people who inhabited the present territory of a country at the time when persons of a different culture or ethnic origin arrived there from other parts of the world and overcame them. They follow the World Council of Indigenous People.

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4 Mark Questions

Question 1.
What are ‘global commons’? Why is it said that international cooperation over the global commons is not easy? (Delhi 2016)
Answer:
For global commons, In the world, some areas are situated beyond a sovereign jurisdiction of any one state. Hence they need united control by the international community. They are called global commons.
Two examples are :

• Earth’s atmosphere
• Ocean floor

The international cooperation over the ‘global commons’ is not easy because :
1. It is not easy to do cooperation over the ‘global commons: There have been many significant agreements such as the Antarctic Treaty (1959), the Montreal Protocol (1987) and the Antarctic-Environmental Protocol (1991). It is very difficult to achieve consensus on common environmental agendas on the basis of vague scientific evidence and time frames.
2. In the same way, the history of the outer space as a ‘global commons’ clearly shows that the management of these regions is completely influenced by North-South inequalities.
Question 2.
“The Indian Government is already participating in global efforts through a number of programmes related to environmental issues”. Give any four examples to support the statement. (HOTS; Delhi 2016)
OR
Describe any three steps taken by the Indian Government to check the environmental degradation. (All India 2015)
Answer:
Initiatives undertaken by the Indian Government in global efforts through a number of programmes to check environmental degradation are :

1. India’s National Auto Fuel Policy mandates cleaner fuels for vehicles. The Energy Conservation Act, passed in 2001, outlines initiatives to reform energy efficiency.
2. The Electricity Act of 2003, supports the use of renewable energy. Presently,
   India is importing natural gas and encouraging the adoption of clean coal technologies. It shows India’s sincere efforts in this direction.
3. The Indian Government is also sincere to start a ‘National Mission on Biodiesel’. Nearly, 11 million hectares of land is being used to produce biodiesel.
4. India has also one of the largest renewable energy programmes in the world.

Question 3.
Explain the role of environmental movements to meet the challenge of environmental degradation. (Delhi 2018)
Answer:
The role of environmental movements to meet the change of environmental degradation is very important. It is justified from the points below :

1. Some of the most significant responses to environmental challenges have come not from government but rather from groups of environmentally conscious volunteers around the world.
2. Thee environmental movements are amongst the most vibrant, diverse and powerful social movements all over the world. These movements creates new ideas and long-term visions. There are some examples to show that diversity is a significant feature of contemporary environmental movements.
3. The Forest Movements of the South, in Mexico, Chile, Brazil, Malaysia, Indonesia, Continental Africa and India are facing lots of pressure. The process of forest clearing in the Third World Countries is on at an alarming rate, despite 30 years of environmental activism.
4. In the Philippines, a big network of groups and organisations campaigned against the Western Mining Corporation. Vehement opposition to the company in its own country, Australia is based on anti-nuclear sentiments and support for the basic rights of Australian indigenous peoples.
5. Another group of movements are involved in struggles against mega-dams In every country where mega dams are being built, we find the environmental movements opposing the projects. Basically, anti-dam movements are pro-river movements for more sustainable and equitable management of river systems and valleys. “The Narmada Bachao Andolan” is one of the best known of these movements.

Question 4.
What was the ‘Earth Summit’? How far did the summit prove to be useful? Explain, (All India 2016)
OR
What were the outcomes of Rio summit? (Delhi 2008)
Answer:
Earth Summit
The growing focus on environmental issues within the coliseum of global politics was firmly consolidated at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development held at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in June 1992. This was named as the ‘Earth Summit* in which 170 state, NGOs and MNCs participated in this summit.
Usefulness of Summit
The Rio Summit produced conventions dealing with climate change, biodiversity, forestry and advocated a list of development practices called ‘Agenda 21′. There were some significant differences and difficulties which were left unsolved. There was an agreement on combining economic growth with ecological responsibility and this approach came to be known as sustainable development’.
Outcome of Rio Summit Rio summit
Coined the term ‘global commons’ and differentiated responsibilities. It focused on ecological conservation. Rio summit started the environmental issue and discussions at global level.
Question 5.
Explain the concept of ‘common property resource’ with the help of an example from India. (All India 2016; Delhi 2014)
Answer:
The concept of common property displays the similar and common property for group. The rule is that the participants of the group have both rights and duties related to the nature, levels of use and maintenance of a given resources.
Example
With the help of common belief and long-term practice, many village communities in India have set out rights, and responsibilities of members. A combination of factors including privatisation, population growth and ecosystem degradation have affected the poor masses to a great extent.
The international requirement for the conservation of the sacred groves on state-owned former forest land is an example of the common property resources, which have been traditionally conserved by village communities.
Question 6.
Explain India’s stand on environmental issues. (All India 2016, 2011; Delhi (C) 2008)
Answer:
The following points highlight India’s stand on environmental issues:

1. India signed and approved the Kyoto Protocol of 1997 in August 2002.
2. India announced in the G-8 meeting that the developing countries emissions are merely a small fraction of that of the developed nations. On the basis of principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, India is of the opinion that the developed countries should take the responsibility to cure this problem as they have accumulated emission over a broad period of time.
3. A review of the implementation of the agreements at the Earth Summit in Rio was undertaken by India in 1997.
4. India suggested that SAARC countries should adopt a common position on major global environment issues, so that they have an upper hand.
5. Some of the steps taken by Indian Government for emission control are India’ National Auto-fuel Policy, the Energy Conservation Act, 2001 and Electricity Act of 2003 which encourages the use of renewable energy.
6. The initiatives of importing natural gas and adoption of clean coal technologies show that India has been making real efforts.
7. Indian Government is keen to launch National Mission on Biodiesel using about 11 million hectares of land to produce biodiesel by 2011-2012.

Question 7.
Explain the meaning of ‘Global commons’ and give any four examples of ‘Global commons’. (All India 2014)
Answer:
For meaning of Global commons, In the world, some areas are situated beyond a sovereign jurisdiction of any one state. Hence they need united control by the international community. They are called global commons.
Two examples are :

• Earth’s atmosphere
• Ocean floor

In the same manner, in world context, some areas in the world are situated beyond a sovereign jurisdiction of any one state and therefore, they need united control by the international community. They are called as communis humanitatis and also known by global commons. Coordination over the global commons is difficult. There are some  revolutionary agreements such as 1959 Antarctic Treaty, 1987 Montreal Protocol, the 1991 Antarctic Environmental Protocol.
Examples of global commons in global context are:

• Earth’s atmosphere
• Antarctica
• Ocean floor
• Outer space

Question 8.
“States have common but differentiated responsibilities towards environment” Analyse the statement giving suitable examples. (HOTS; Delhi 2013)
Answer:
India announced in the G-8 meeting that the developing countries emissions are merely a small fraction of that of the developed nations on the basis of principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, India is of the opinion that the developed countries should take the responsibility to curb this problem as they have accumulated emission over a broad period of time.
A review of the implementation of the agreements at the Earth Summit in Rio was undertaken by India in 1997. There had been no meaningful progress with respect to transfer of new and additional environmentally-sound technology on friendly terms to developing countries, to enable them to meet their commitments under UNFCCC. In India’s view SAARC countries should adopt a common position on major global environment issues, so that they could have greater voice over environmental issues.
Thus, it can be concluded that states have common but differentiated responsibilities towards environment.
Question 9.
Explain any four steps taken by Governments of India to curb the emission of greenhouse gases. (All India 2013)
Answer:
Four steps taken by Government of India to curb the emission of greenhouse gases are :

• India signed and ratified the 1997 Kyoto Protocol in the year 2002.
• The government has recommended cleaner and better fuels for vehicles under National Auto Fuel Policy.
• The Energy Conservation Act was passed in 2001 as to initiate the process of improving energy efficiency.
• There has been encouragement for using renewable sources of energy through Electricity Act of 2003.

Question 10.
What is meaning of ‘Global Commons’? Explain any two reasons for the dwindling of global commons. (All India 2013)
Answer:
For meaning of Global Commons In the world, some areas are situated beyond a sovereign jurisdiction of any one state. Hence they need united control by the international community. They are called global commons.
Two examples are :

• Earth’s atmosphere
• Ocean floor

Two reasons for the dwindling of Global Common are:

1. As the common do not belong to sovereign jurisdiction of any particular state, all the nations exploit resources and problems like ecological degradation, hole in ozone layer have occurred.
2. The North-South inequalities influence the management of these common areas which dwindles them.

Question 11.
What is meant by ‘Global Commons’? Suggest any two steps for the protection of ‘global commons’. (Delhi 2012)
OR
What is meant by the protection of ‘Global commons’ in the world? (Delhi 2009)
Answer:
For meaning of Global Commons, In the world, some areas are situated beyond a sovereign jurisdiction of any one state. Hence they need united control by the international community. They are called global commons.
Two examples are :

• Earth’s atmosphere
• Ocean floor

For the protection of Global Commons some of the revolutionary agreements are :

• Antarctic Treaty (1959)
• Montreal Protocol (1987)
• Antarctic-Environmental Protocol (1991)

In the same way it is proved that the management of outer space of the global commons is affected drastically by the North-South differences. One of the main issue with the atmosphere and the ocean floor is technology and industrial development.
Question 12.
‘Let the polluters pay’. Support this statement with any two suitable arguments. (HOTS; All India 2012)
Answer:
‘Let the polluters pay’ or ‘Polluter Pays Principle’ (PPP) means that the polluters are liable to pay compensations to those affected due to the pollution created by them. It aims to determine how the lists of pollution prevention and control can be allocated and how resources can by used efficiently.
The following arguments justify the above statement:
1. In order to control pollution and punish the polluters, the government has passed various acts such as the Water Act, the Air Act, the Environment Act, the Wildlife Protection Act and the Forest Conservation Act. This safeguards the nature and the ecosystems for the betterment of human beings.
2. Thermal power plants released harmful fly ash content which lend to air pollution, water pollution due to heavy metals, toxic waste disposal and heating, soil pollution due to dumping of toxic waste. All these pollutions are caused by humans and in turn these pollutions affects the humAnswer: And as a result to control these pollutions, the government has taken initiatives by passing various acts to safeguard both nature and human beings.
Question 13.
‘Global commons have not only common, but differentiated responsibilities’? Do you agree with this view? Why? (HOTS; Delhi 2011)
Answer:
Yes, I agree with this statement. There is a difference in approach by both North and South regarding ecological conservation. Following are the reasons :

• The developed countries of global North want everyone to be equally responsible for ecological conservation.
• Developing countries of global South state that maximum amount of degradation is because of the industrial development done by global North.

The concept of common and differentiated responsibilities were emphasised upon in ‘Rio Declaration at the Earth Summit’ in the year 1992.
Question 14.
Explain the importance and role of the concept ‘common but differentiated responsibility’ pertaining to the environment. (All India 2010)
OR
What is meant by ‘common, but differential responsibilities’ in relation to environment? (Delhi 2009)
Answer:
Since the developing nations are on the way to achieve industrialisation, the rules and restrictions for North and South should not be the same therefore, the separate requirements of the developing nations should be considered in the entire process of rules and regulations of international environmental laws. Thus, debate was accepted in the Earth Summit in 1992 in the Rio declaration and is called the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.
The most important part of the Rio Declaration says the ‘States shall cooperate’ in the sprit of global partnership to conserve, protect and restore the health and integrity of the Earth’s ecosystem. In view of the different contributions of global environmental degradation, states have common but differentiated responsibilities.
Question 15.
What is the significance of Kyoto Protocol? Is India a signatory to this protocol? (Delhi 2009)
Answer:
Yes, India is a signatory to Kyoto Protocol. The significance of Kyoto Protocol is stated in the points below :

• Kyoto Protocol frames an action plan so as to reduce emission of greenhouse gases proportionately for global North and global South countries of the world.
• It had cleared the confusion regarding responsibilities of all countries belonging to global North and global South.
• United Nation Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has set out the principles and allocated different targets for preserving global common.
• It decided that global North will provide global South with financial and technological resources so as to meet existing commitments.
• India, China and other developing countries are exempted from the responsibility regarding reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

Question 16.
Describe any four issues relating to environmental degradation. (All India 2008)
Answer:
Following are the issues relating to environmental degradation :

• The land is not expanding further, grasslands and fisheries have been over-exploited. There is hardly any food production on the polluted and depleted water bodies.
• Natural forests which help stabilise the climate, moderate water supplies and harbour a majority of the planet’s biodiversity on land are being cut down and people are being displaced.
• A steady decline in the total amount of ozone in the Earth’s stratosphere poses a real danger to human health.
• Coastal waters are becoming increasingly polluted largely due to land-based activities, it will increase deterioration in the quality of marine environment.

Question 17.
What is meant by environment?
Highlight the difference between the ‘Global North’ and ‘Global South’? (All India (C) 2008)
Answer:
Environment It signifies the relationship between nature and scale of development. It is based on the concept of ecological balance which states that proper care should be taken during the process of industrialisation, so that minimum harm is caused to nature.
Differences between ‘Global North’ and ‘Global South’ are:

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6 Marks Questions

Question 1.
Explain the meaning of ‘Global Commons’. How are environmental concerns becoming important in global politics? (Delhi 2015)
OR
Explain any three environmental concerns in global politics. (Delhi 2015)
OR
Describe any three environmental concerns that have become issues of global politics. (All India 2015)
OR
Explain any three environmental concerns in global politics. (All India 2013)
Answer:
For meaning of ‘Global Commons’ In the world, some areas are situated beyond a sovereign jurisdiction of any one state. Hence they need united control by the international community. They are called global commons.
Two examples are :

• Earth’s atmosphere
• Ocean floor

The environmental concerns are becoming important in global politics due to following issues :
1. Loss of expansion and fertility Across the vast expanse of land, the fertility is no longer as before and at the same time, the cultivable land is not expanding further, grasslands and fisheries have been over-exploited. There is hardly any food production on the polluted and depleted water bodies.
2. Lack of safe water and sanitation The Human Development Report 2006 of the United Nations Development Programme claims that 1.2 billion population in developing nations do not get the supply of pure and safe water and 2.6 billion population do not have proper sanitation facilities which leads to the loss of life of more than three million children per year.
3. Deforestation Forest have the power to control the climate, moderate water supplies and take care of the bio-diversity. Fores are precious to our planet, unfortunately the act of deforestation takes place for personal gains, removing the natural inhabitants. Hence we lose those lands that are rich n quality and species.
4. Ozone hole The redIKion in the total amount of ozone in the Earth’s stratosphere is known as ozone hole. The ozone layer depletion is a great threat to ecosystem and human health. Some measures instantly have to be taken to improve the conditions.
5. Coastal pollution The coastal waters, unlike the open sea waters, have become depleted as a result of the actions taking place 01 land if proper measures are not take 1 the conditions will worsen across the globe degrading the marine environment.
Question 2.
Define the ‘indigenous people’ and highlight any two threats to their survival. (Delhi 2015)
OR
Who are indigenous people? Describe any four problems of the indigenous people. (All India 2015)
Answer:
Definition of indigenous people There are many definitions given for the indigenous people. But United Nations provides exact definition of indigenous people.
“Population comprising the descendants of people who inhabited the present territory of a country at the time when persons of a different culture or ethnic origin arrived there from other parts of the world and overcame them.”
In the background of world politics, there are some mutual interests of almost 30 crore indigenous people expanded throughout the globe. Among the 30 crore people, 20 lakh indigenous people belong to Cordillera region of Philippines, 10 lakh Mapuche people of Chile, 6 lakh indigenous people belong to Chittagong Hill in Bangladesh, around 35 lakh are North American natives, 50000 Kuna living in East of Panama Canal whereas 10 lakh small people live in Soviet North. Just like other social movements these people talk about their struggles, their problems and their rights.
Threats/problems of the indigenous people are :
1. The indigenous people in the global politics desire for the entry of indigenous people to the global community as equals. Regions of Central and South America, Africa, India and South Asia are the regions where most of the indigenous peoples are found and they are known as tribals in these regions. The present day island states belonging to Oceania region which includes Australia, New Zealand, were occupied by the Polynesian, Melanesian and Micronesian people for thousands of years.
2. They have requested the governments to retain the existence of indigenous people as enduring communities with an identity of their own. These people use the expression ‘since times immemorial’ to refer to the occupancy of the lands from which they originated.
3. Issues related to the rights of indigenous people have been neglected as people of varied cultures from various parts of the world overcome them. Also these people have threat to their survival due to loss of land which is main source of their livelihood.
4. Despite institutional measures, they have not got much benefits of development. In fact they have paid huge cost for development because they are forced to be displaced from their mother land owing to developmental projects.
Question 3.
Explain the concept of ‘common but differentiated responsibilities’. How and where was it emphasised upon? (Delhi 2014)
OR
What is Agenda 21? What is meant by ‘common, but differentiated responsibilities’? (Delhi [C] 2008)
Answer:
Agenda 21 It is a non-binding voluntarily implemented action plan of the United Nation (UN) with regard to sustainable developments. It is a product of the United Nation Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) held in Rio-de-Janeiro, Brazil in 1992.
The ’21’ in Agenda 21 means 21st century. It is a plan to reduce emission which increases Chlorofluoro Carbons or greenhouse gases resulting in global warming. Concept of common but differentiated responsibilities There are differences between the approaches of the countries, the global North wanted everyone to equally share the ecological responsibilities whereas the global South claimed that the ecological disturbances were created by the industrial development in the Northern states. Hence, it should be the North’s responsibility to improve the conditions or repair the damage.
Since the developing nations are on the way to achieve industrialisation, the rules and restrictions for North and South should not be the same therefore, the separate requirements of the developing nations should be considered in the entire process of rules and regulations of international environmental laws. Thus debate was accepted in the Earth Summit in 1992 in the Rio declaration and is called the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.
The most important part of the Rio Declaration says the ‘States shall cooperate’ in the sprit of global partnership to conserve, protect and restore the health and integrity of the Earth’s ecosystem. In view of the different contributions of global environmental degradation, states have common but differentiated responsibilities.
The developed countries acknowledge the responsibility that they bear in the international pursuit of sustainable development in view of the pressures their societies place on the global environment and of the technological and financial resources they command.
Question 4.
Analyse India’s stand on any three environmental issues. (All India 2014)
OR
Analyse India’s stand on environmental issues. (Delhi 2013)
Answer:
The following points highlight India’s stand on environmental issues:

1. India signed and approved the Kyoto Protocol of 1997 in August 2002.
2. India announced in the G-8 meeting that the developing countries emissions are merely a small fraction of that of the developed nations. On the basis of principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, India is of the opinion that the developed countries should take the responsibility to cure this problem as they have accumulated emission over a broad period of time.
3. A review of the implementation of the agreements at the Earth Summit in Rio was undertaken by India in 1997.
4. India suggested that SAARC countries should adopt a common position on major global environment issues, so that they have an upper hand.
5. Some of the steps taken by Indian Government for emission control are India’ National Auto-fuel Policy, the Energy Conservation Act, 2001 and Electricity Act of 2003 which encourages the use of renewable energy.
6. The initiatives of importing natural gas and adoption of clean coal technologies show that India has been making real efforts.
7. Indian Government is keen to launch National Mission on Biodiesel using about 11 million hectares of land to produce biodiesel by 2011-2012.