Here we are providing Class 12 Political Science Important Extra Questions and Answers Chapter 8 Environment and Natural Resources. Political Science Class 12 Important Questions are the best resource for students which helps in class 12 board exams.

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

Environment and Natural Resources Important Extra Questions Very Short Answer Type

Question 1.
Which specialized agencies of the U.N. have been actively promoting major issues of the indigenous people in different countries?
Answer:
Several agencies of the United Nations, like the United Nations Development Programme, United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), UNESCO, the World Bank, and the World Health Organisation (WHO) have been actively promoting the concerns and issues of the indigenous people in different countries.

Question 2.
How can we protect the rights of the indigenous people with regard to the environment? (C.B.S.E. 2009)
Answer:
We can protect the rights of the indigenous people with regard to the environment by resisting globalization. Many of the movements against globalization have focussed on the right of indigenous people.

Question 3.
What is meant by the protection of ‘Global Commons’ in the world?
(Imp.) (C.B.S.E. 2009)
Answer:
Global Commons include the earth’s atmosphere. Global Common should be utilized in a limited way. To protect Global Commons it is essential that awareness should be created in the public about Global Commons.

Question 4.
List any four areas or regions which come under ‘Global commons’. (C.B.S.E. 2018)
Answer:

  1. Earth’s is the atmosphere
  2. Antarctica
  3. the ocean floor
  4. Outer space.

Question 5.
Why do indigenous people need special protection to protect their rights? (C.B.S.E. 2011 Delhi)
Answer:

  1. Indigenous people are illiterate and poor. They do not know how to protect their rights.
  2. The land is the only source of their income. Thus, the loss of land also means the loss of an economic resource base.

Question 6.
Which World Summit Conference held in Rio in 1992? (Imp.) (C.B.S.E. 2009)
Answer:
In June 1992, the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development was held in Rio- de-Janeiro.

Question 7.
What is U.N.E.P.? Mention its two main functions. (C.B.S.E. 2009)
Answer:
United Nations Environment Programme is an international agency relating to the environment program. The main functions of U.N.E.P. are to protect the world from pollution by cutting emission of greenhouse gases and secondly, preventing unrestricted exploitation of resources.

Question 8.
Suggest any two steps to be taken by the government to check pollution and save the environment. (C.B.S.E. 2015)
Answer:

  1. The use of diesel vehicles should be stopped in the country.
  2. Orders should be given to close down all the industrial units installed in the residential areas.

Question 9.
Identify the most important outcome of the Rio Summit. (Imp.) (C.B.S.E. 2015)
Answer:
After a lot of discussion at the Rio Summit, many conventions were produced dealing with climate change, biodiversity, forestry, etc. It also recommended a list of development practices under the title ‘Agenda 21’. In the Rio Summit, there was a consensus on combining economic growth with ecological responsibility. This approach is known as sustainable development.

The United Nations Framework Convention on climate change 1992 provided that all the nations should co-operate to protect the environment.

Environment and Natural Resources Important Extra Questions Very Short Answer Type (2 Marks)

Question 1.
Why is it said that the history of Nffhlj Petroleum is also the history of war and struggle? (C.B.S.E. 2016)
Answer:
Petroleum is a very useful and valuable element in this Modern-World. One can not think of any life and working without this essential element. Due to its essentiality and importance history of Petroleum is the history of war and struggle.

Question 2.
Who are considered as ‘indigenous people’ in India? (C.B.S.E. 2019)
Answer:
In India, scheduled tribes are considered Indigenous people.

Question 3.
Write the U.N. definition of Indigenous populations. (C.B.S.E. 2019)
Answer:
According to U.N. “Indigenous people are 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.”

Question 4.
What aroused a sense of common concern among the indigenous communities of the world during the 1970s? (C.B.S.E. 2019)
Answer:
Capitalists and M.N.C are draining their natural resources by illegal means and sometimes people are also compelled for immigrating from their native places.

Question 5.
Why are India and China exempted from Kyoto Protocol? (C.B.S.E. 2008 Outside Delhi)
Answer:
India and China were exempted from the requirement of the Kyoto Protocol because their contribution to the emission of greenhouse gases during the industrialization period was insignificant.

Question 6.
Highlight the major objective of UNFCCC. (C.B.S.E. Sample Q.P. 2017)
Answer:
Protection of climate system on the basis of equality and in accordance with their common but differentiated.

Question 7.
Why should the ‘environmental concern’ be a part of Contemporary Global Politics? (C.B.S.E. 2009)
Answer:
The environmental concern must be a part of Contemporary Global Politics because traditional patterns of economic growth are not sustainable in the long term. A balance has to be created between economic growth and ecological conservation.

Question 8.
The Earth Summit was held at:
(a) London
(b) New York
(c) New Delhi
(d) Rio-de-Janeiro.
Answer:
(d) Rio-de-Janeiro.

Question 9.
World Environment Day is celebrated each year on:
(a) 5 March
(b) 5 June
(c) 5 January
(d) 7 June.
Answer:
(b) 5 June.

Question 10.
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change was held in:
(a) 2004
(b) 1997
(c) 2001
(d) 1992.
Answer:
(d) 1992.

Question 11. India signed and ratified the 1997 Kyoto Protocol in:
(a) August 2002
(b) July 2006
(c) August 2000
(d) August 2005.
Answer:
(a) August 2002.

Question 12.
The World Council of Indigenous Peoples was formed in:
(a) 1950
(b) 1975
(c) 1990
(d) 2007.
Answer:
(b) 1975.

Question 13.
Earth Summit was attended by:
(a) 170 states
(b) 59 states
(c) 191 states
(d) 184 states.
Answer:
(a) 170 states.

Environment and Natural Resources Important Extra Questions Short Answer Type

Question 1.
What is meant by ‘Global Commons’? Give any two examples of Global commons. Why is it very essential to save them? (C.B.S.E. 2019)
Answer:
Meaning of Global Commons: For this, see Textbook Question No. 5.
Essentiality to save Global Commons:

  1. There is a constant reduction in the total amount of ozone in the Earth’s stratosphere posing a risk to ecosystems and human health.
  2. Coastal pollution is increasing globally. The coastal waters are becoming polluted due to land-based activities.

Question 2.
What is the significance of the Kyoto Protocol? Is India a signatory to this protocol? (C.B.S.E. 2009)
Answer:
Kyoto Protocol is an international agreement setting targets for industrialized countries to cut their greenhouse gas emissions. The protocol was agreed to in 1997 in Kyoto, Japan-based on principles set by United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. India, China, and other developing countries were exempted from the requirements of the Kyoto Protocol because, in developing countries, per capita emissions are very low. However, India signed Kyoto Protocol in August 2002.

Question 3.
Explain India’s position on the environmental issues facing the contemporary world. (C.B.S.E. 2019)
Or
Explain India’s stand on environmental issues. (Imp.) (C.B.S.E. 2011, 2016)
Answer:
India signed and ratified the 1997 Kyoto Protocol in August 2002. At the G-8 meeting in June 2005, India pointed out that the per capita emission rates of the developing countries are a tiny fraction of those in the developed world. India is of the view that the major responsibility of curbing emission depends upon the developed countries, which have accumulated emission for a long period of time. India’s international negotiating position depends on the principles of historical responsibility, as enshrined in UNFCCC. The Indian government is already participating in global efforts through a number of programs. The Electricity Act of 2003 encourages the use of renewable energy.

Question 4.
Explain ‘Agenda 21’ and ‘sustainable development’ as discussed at the Rio Summit. (C.B.S.E. 2019)
Answer:

  1. Agenda 21: The Rio Summit held in 1992 produced conventions regarding climate change, forestry, biodiversity and recommended a list of development called ‘Agenda 21’.
  2. Sustainable Development: Sustainable development means economic growth with ecological responsibility.

Question 5.
Explain any four steps taken by the Government of India to curb the emission of greenhouse gases.
Answer:

  1. India signed and ratified the 1997 Kyoto Protocol in August 2002.
  2. The Energy Conservation Act, passed in 2001, outlines initiatives to improve energy efficiency.
  3. The Electricity Act of 2003 encourages the use of renewable energy.
  4. Importing natural gas and encouraging the adoption of clean coal technologies show that India has been making real efforts.

Question 6.
What is the meaning of ‘Global Commons’? Explain any two reasons for the dwindling of global commons. (C.B.S.E. 2013)
Answer:
Meaning of Global Commons: Global Commons are those areas, objects, or resources of the world that are not part of the exclusive jurisdiction of any one state. Examples of Global Commons are earth’s atmosphere, the ocean floor, air space, outer space, Antarctica. Global Commons is also called world heritage because they are passed on by the present generation to the next generation and so on. The global environment is also a Global Common and world heritage.

Cooperation over the Global Common is very difficult due to a lack of consensus on common environmental agendas. Generally, countries use Global Commons ruthlessly and never think of their obligations to protect it also. For example, Commercial ships, warships, passenger ships, boats, etc. freely use seawater and sealine communications.

Seawater is polluted by these ships because these are driven by diesel power. Moreover, developed countries dumped their waste in the sea. People living on the banks of rivers also throw their waste in rivers. Developed and nuclear countries pollute the environment by their nuclear experiments.

Reasons for the dwindling of Global Commons:

  1. Generally, the countries use the global commons ruthlessly and never think of their obligation to protect it. For example, commercial ships, warships, passenger ships, boats, etc., freely use seawater and sealine communications. The seawater is polluted by these ships because these are driven by diesel power. Moreover, the developed countries dump their toxic wastes into the sea. The people living on the banks of rivers also throw their wastes in the rivers.
  2. The developed and nuclear countries pollute the environment by dumping nuclear waste into the water.

Question 7.
Who are indigenous people? Describe any four problems of the indigenous people. (Imp.) (C.B.S.E. 2015)
Answer:
The United Nations defines an indigenous population as 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. Indigenous people today live more in conformity with their particular social, economic, and cultural customs and traditions than the institutions of the country of which they now are its part.

Problems of Indigenous Peoples: Following are the problems of Indigenous peoples.

  1. Capitalists and multinational companies are draining their natural resources by illegal means.
  2. Destroying and disturbing of human rights of indigenous people.
  3. Creating insecurity and fear of unemployment livelihood of indigenous people.
  4. Indigenous people are also compelled to immigrate from their native places.

Question 8.
“The Indian Government is j already participating in global efforts I will through a number of programs related to environmental issues.” Give any four examples to support the statement. (C.B.S.E. 2016)
Answer:

  1. India signed and ratified the 1997 Kyoto Protocol in August 2002.
  2. The Energy Conservation Act, passed in 2001, outlines initiatives to improve energy efficiency.
  3. The Electricity Act of 2003 encourages the use of renewable energy.
  4. Importing natural gas and encouraging the adoption of clean coal technologies show that India has been making real efforts.

Question 9.
What is resource geopolitics? How does the global economy rely on it? (C.B.S.E. Sample Q.P. 2017)
Answer:
Resource geopolitics revolves around who gets what, where, and how. The global economic system mainly depends upon resource geopolitics. The resources are also the key motives and means of the global European power expansion, so get or acquire that resources of the various countries, the developed countries used navigation and various other techniques.

The main aim of the cold war was to acquire the natural resources present in various countries so, all countries have an idea that through resources only they and their other supporting countries can develop. Therefore these countries strive had to display their military forces around these reserves and try to establish their favorite government in these countries of resources.

Environment and Natural Resources Important Extra Questions Long Answer Type

Question 1.
Analyze India’s stand on any three environmental issues. (C.B.S.E. 2014)
Or
Analyze India’s stand on the environmental issue discussed at the international level. (C.B.S.E. 2019)
Answer:
1. India is of the view that the major responsibility of curbing emission rates lies with the developed countries, which have accumulated emissions over a long period of time.

2. India’s international negotiating position relies heavily on principles of historical responsibility. This acknowledges that developed countries are responsible for the most historical and current greenhouse gas emissions.

3. India is wary of the recent discussions within UNFCCC about introducing binding commitments on rapidly industrializing countries, such as Brazil, China, and India, to reduce their green house gas emissions. India feels this contravenes the very spirit of UNFCCC.

Question 2.
Explain the meaning of ’Global Commons’. How are environmental concerns becoming important in global politics? (C.B.S.E. 20IS) (Imp.)
Answer:
Meaning of Global Commons: Global commons are those areas, objects, or resources of the world that are not part of the exclusive jurisdiction of any one state or individual. Examples of Global Commons are park or river, earth’s atmosphere, the ocean floor, air space, outer space, Antarctica. Global Commons and global environment are also called world heritage because they are passed on by the present generation to the next generation and so on.

Environmental concerns are becoming important in Global Politics:

The issues related to global environmental protection have become the priority concern of states since 1990 due to the following reasons:

  1. The fertility of the agricultural land is significantly being reduced, due to overgrazing the grasslands have been depleted and the overharvesting has reduced the supply of fish. Due to excessive pollution, the water bodies have been adversely affected.
  2. According to Human Development Report, 2006 of the United Nations Development Programme about 1.2 billion people in developing countries have no access to safe drinking water and about 2.6 billion people have no sanitation facilities.
  3. Natural forests are being cut down as large-scale and have people being displaced thus leading to the loss of biodiversity.
  4. There is a constant reduction in the total amount of ozone in the Earth’s stratosphere posing a risk to ecosystems and human health.
  5. Coastal pollution is increasing globally. The coastal waters are becoming polluted due to land-based activities.

Question 3.
Define the ‘Indigenous People’ and highlight any two threats to their survival. (CB.S.& 2015)
Or
Examine the multi-pronged Issues related to the rights of the indigenous communities. (C.B.S.E. Sample Q.P. 2017)
Answer:
Indigenous people are the descendants of the native dwellers who have been living in a particular territory before the people of different cultures or ethnic origins arrived from other parts to capture that particular territory. The United Nations defines an indigenous population as 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. Indigenous people are illiterate and poor. They do not know how to protect their rights. The land is only the source of their income. Thus, the loss of land also means the loss of an economic resource base.

Following are the two threats to the survival of indigenous people:

  1. Poverty is an important threat to indigenous people.
  2. They entirely depend on the resources and its continuous shortage of natural resources of indigenous people is another threat to their life.

Question 4.
Read the following passage and answer the following questions. (C.B.S.E. Sample Paper 2018)

There is a growing significance of environmental as well as resource issues in world politics. If the various governments take steps to check environmental degradation, these issues will have political consequences. Most of them are such that no single government can address them fully. At the Rio summit, the first world countries were pursuing a different environmental agenda than the third world countries. The Indian government is already participating in global efforts through a number of programs. India’s International negotiating position relies heavily on the principles of UNFCCC.

(i) How the first World countries pursued a
different environmental agenda from the third world countries?
Answer:
The first world countries were mainly concerned with ozone depletion and Global warming. They wanted everyone (country) to be equally responsible for ecological conservation. While Third world countries felt that much of the environmental degradation is the product of first world countries.

(ii) The issue of global warming has deeply affected the world. Substantiate the statement with three examples.
Answer:
(A) Rise in global temperature
(B) catastrophic consequences for life on earth
(C) responsible for natural disasters.

Question 5.
Analyse any three threats to the global environment these days. (C.B.S.E. 2018)
Answer:
Following are the reasons for environmental pollution.
1. Increase in Population. Rapid Population growth is the major factor responsible for environmental pollution Rapid growing population requires residential areas which lead to deforestation. A fast-growing population leads to overexploitation of natural resources. Their consumption of resources is more than production. Mineral resources such as petroleum coal and iron etc. also experience faster exhaustion. It has been rightly observed that much of environmental destruction in the form of deforestation and desertification can be traced to humankind’s struggle to feed a rapidly growing population.

2. Deforestation and Soil Erosion. Forest plays an important role to make human life prosperous. Forest creates balance in nature. It plays important role in the economic development of the country. Trees provide fuelwood, construction material, a healthy atmosphere, and fresh air to breathe in. But to meet with increasing demands of the population, to provide more residential areas, trees are filled. The shortage of fuelwood is leading to deforestation. The cutting off more and more trees lead to air pollution. Because trees are the only source to convert carbon dioxide into oxygen i.e. a necessity of life. Thus due to deforestation the carbon dioxide content of the air is increasing. Deforestation also affects rainfall patterns.

Moreover, deforestation leads to soil erosion. Deforestation affects wildlife. Cutting of forest causes loss of natural house of wild being. Thus deforestation adversely affects the ecosystem and causes environmental degradation.

3. Industrialisation. Rapid Industrialisation has caused environmental pollution. The indiscriminate and mushrooming growth of industries in and around the residential areas has complicated the scenario. The smoke from the Chimneys, the untreated effluents discharged in river and canals, and the mixing of chemical

Environment and Natural Resources Important Extra HOTS

Question 1.
Define Indigenous population. (C.B.S.E. 2009)
Answer:
The United Nations defines an indigenous population as 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.

Question 2.
What is Kyoto Protocol?
Answer:
Kyoto Protocol is an international agreement setting targets for industrialized countries to cut their greenhouse gas emissions. The protocol was agreed to in 1997 in Kyoto, Japan-based on principles set by United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Question 3.
Explain briefly the principles set out in UNFCCC.
Answer:
In 1992, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change set out the principle that the parties should act to protect the climate system on the basis of equity and in accordance with their common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities.

Question 4.
What are ‘Global Commons’? List any two examples. (C.B.S.E. 2008)
gases in the atmosphere are the three main sources of industrial pollution.
Answer:
Ordinarily, common property is that which is not owned by any individual but is owned by the whole community. Similarly, there are certain areas or regions which are not owned by any individual or nation. These areas or regions are not a part of the territorial jurisdiction of any state. These areas are known as ‘Global Commons’. Global Commons can be used by any state and are governed by the international community. Global Commons include the earth’s atmosphere, Antarctica, the ocean floor, and outer space.

Question 5.
What is a marine and coastal degradat¬ion?
Answer:
Coastal pollution is increasing globally as disposal of wastes into oceans is responsible for marine and coastal degradation. An increase in population, industrialization, and tourism is increasing coastal degradation.

Question 6.
What do you understand by greenhouse gases?
Answer:
Certain gases like Carbon dioxide, Methane, Hydro-fluoro carbons, etc., are greenhouse gases. These gases are responsible for global warming. Global warming is the rise in atmospheric temperature.