Q 1 . Regarding “carbon credits’’, which one of the following statements is not correct ?
(a) The carbon credit system was ratified in conjunction with the Kyoto Protocol.
(b) Carbon credits are awarded to countries or groups that have reduced greenhouse gases below their emission quota.
(c) The goal of the carbon credit system is to limit the increase of carbon dioxide emission.
(d) Carbon credits are traded at a price fixed from time to time by the United Nations Environment Programme.
(d) EXPLANATION : Under the Kyoto Protocol, the ‘caps’ or quotas for Greenhouse gases for the developed Annex 1 countries are known as Assigned Amounts and are listed in Annex B. The quantity of the initial assigned amount is denominated in individual units, called Assigned amount units (AAUs),each of which represents an allowance to emit one metric tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent, and these are entered into the country’s national registry.
Q 2 . Human activities in the recent past have caused the increased concentration of carbon dioxide in the
atmosphere, but a lot of it does not remain in the lower atmosphere because of
1 . its escape into the outer stratosphere.
2 . the photosynthesis by phytoplankton in the oceans.
3 . the trapping of air in the polar ice caps.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 only
(c) 2 and 3
(d) 3 only
(c) EXPLANATION : Since CO2 is heavier than air, it sinks in ocean than moving up. Also, during winter, it is observed that CO2 is trapped in ice caps.
Q 3 . In the context of ecosystem productivity, marine upwelling zones are important as they increase the marine productivity by bringing the
1 . decomposer microorganisms to the surface.
2 . nutrients to the surface.
3 . bottom-dwelling organisms to the surface.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 only
(c) 2 and 3
(d) 3 only
(b) EXPLANATION : Upwelling brings nutrient-rich water towards the ocean surface, replacing the warmer, usually nutrient-depleted surface water. This is to do with the phytoplankton’s and nothing to do with the decomposer microorganisms.
Q 4 . Which of the following are the reasons/factors for exposure to benzene pollution ?
1 . Automobile exhaust
2 . Tobacco smoke
3 . Wood burning
4 . Using varnished wooden furniture
5 . Using products made of polyurethane
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 4 only
(c) 1, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
(d) EXPLANATION : Source of benzene pollution is the automobile and petroleum industry. Benzene and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are ubiquitous environmental pollutants generated during incomplete combustion of coal , oil, petrol and wood. They’re also found in cigarette smoke and charcoal boiled food. Benzene is also present in particleboard furniture,plywood, fibreglass, flooring adhesives, paints, wood panelling. Therefore, new buildings or recently redecorated indoor environments have been associated with high concentrations of benzene from materials and furniture.
Q 5 . With reference to India’s Desert National Park, which of the following statements are correct?
1 . It is spread over two districts.
2 . There is no human habitation inside the Park.
3 . It is one of the natural habitats of the Great Indian Bustard.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 und 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
(c) EXPLANATION : Normally human activities are not allowed in National Park but many villagers lived inside Desert National park, and they did not have access to even basic facility like road, electricity and water. 2017: Supreme Court ordered the government to provide such facilities to them . • Desert national park is spread in two districts of Rajasthan Jaisalmer &Barmer. • It is Natural home to the Great Indian Bustard.
Q 6 . Consider the following statements:
1 . 36% of India’s districts are classified as “overexploited” or “critical” by the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA).
2 . CGWA was formed under the Environment (Protection) Act.
3 . India has the largest area under groundwater irrigation in the world.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 2 only
(d) 1 and 3 only
(b) EXPLANATION : The Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) was formed under the Environment (Protection) Act.1986. The countries with the largest extent of areas equipped for irrigation with groundwater, in absolute terms, are India (39 million ha), China (19 million ha) and the USA (17 million ha).
Q 7 . With reference to an initiative called ‘The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB)’, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1 . It is an initiative hosted by UNEP, IMF and World Economic Forum.
2 . It is a global initiative that focuses on drawing attention to the economic benefits of biodiversity.
3 . It presents an approach that can help decision-makers recognize, demonstrate and capture the value of ecosystems and biodiversity.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
(c) EXPLANATION : (i) The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) is a study led by Pavan Sukhdev. It is an international initiative to draw attention to the global economic benefits of biodiversity. Its objective is to highlight the growing cost of biodiversity loss and ecosystem and to draw together expertise from the fields of science, economics and policy to enable practical actions. (ii) There is no mention of their association with UNEP, IMF in the official page of the organization.
Q 8 . Which of the following statements is/are correct?
Proper design and effective implementation of UN-REDD+ Programme can significantly contribute to
1 . protection of biodiversity
2 . resilience of forest ecosystems
3 . poverty reduction
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
(d) EXPLANATION : As per the official webpage of UN-REDD+ program their explicit objectives are only 1 and 2. While REDD++ can help removing the poverty, in an indirect manner, but it’s not explicitly mentioned in their objectives.
Q 9 . What is ‘Greenhouse Gas Protocol’?
(a) It is an international accounting tool for government and business leaders to understand, quantify and
manage greenhouse gas emissions
(b) It is an initiative of the United Nations to offer financial incentives to developing countries to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions and to adopt eco-friendly technologies
(c) It is an inter-governmental agreement ratified by all the member countries of the United Nations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to specified levels by the year 2022
(d) It is one of the multilateral REDD+ initiatives hosted by the World Bank
(a) EXPLANATION : (i) The Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol) is the most widely used international accounting tool for government and business leaders to understand, quantify, and manage greenhouse gas emissions. A decade-long partnership between the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), the GHG Protocol is working with businesses and governments.
Q 10 . With reference to ‘Agenda 21’, sometimes seen in the news, consider the following statements :
1 . It is a global action plan for sustainable development
2 . It originated in the World Summit on Sustainable Development held in Johannesburg in 2002.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
(a) EXPLANATION : Agenda 21 is a non-binding, voluntarily implemented action plan of the United Nations with regards to sustainable development. It is a product of the Earth Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1992.
