NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Political science (Contemporary world politics) Chapter 6 Environment and Natural Resources

NCERT
SOLUTIONS
CLASS - 12th

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Book : Contemporary World Politics Ncert Solutions | Chapter - 8 Social Science Political Science

Class : 12th
Subject : Political science
Chapter : 8
Chapter Name : Environment and natural resources

Q1 Which among the following best explains the reason for growing concerns about the
environment?
(a) The developed countries are concerned about projecting nature.
(b) Protection of the environment is vital for indigenous people and natural habitats.
(c) The environmental degradation caused by human activities has become pervasive and has
reached a dangerous level. has reached a dangerous level.
(d) None of the above.

Answer. (c) The environmental degradation caused by human activities has become persuasive
and has reached a dangerous level.

Q2 Mark correct or wrong against each of the following statements about the Earth Summit:
(a) It was attended by 170 countries, thousands of NGOs and many MNCs.
(b) The Summit was held under the aegis of the UN.
(c) For the first time, global environmental issues were firmly consolidated at the political level.
(d) It was a summit meeting.

Answer.
(a) Correct
(b) Incorrect
(c) Correct
(d) Correct

Q3 Which among the following are true about the Global Commons?
(a) The earth’s atmosphere, Antarctica, ocean floor and outer space are considered as part of
the Global Commons.
(b) The Global Commons are outside sovereign jurisdiction.
(c) The question of managing the Global Commons has reflected the North-South divide.
(d) The countries of the North are more concerned about the protection of the global commons
than the countries of the South.

Answer.
(a) True
(b) True

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Book : Contemporary World Politics Ncert Solutions | Chapter - 8 Social Science Political Science

(c) True
(d) False

Q4 What were the outcomes of Rio-Summit?

Answer. The outcomes of Rio Summit were :
(a) The ecological conservation mainly the forest preservation were given huge amount of
importance.
(b) The idea of climate change and its effects were also deliberated and then also presented
"Agenda 21" -developmental ideas.

Q5 What is meant by Global Commons? How are they exploited and polluted?

Answer. 'Global Commons' are resources which are not owned by a particular individual but its
under community ownership. These are also known as 'community resources' and are mostly
subjected to huge about to exploitation because of rapid economic development. The capitalism
and industrialization has led to the destruction of these resources which include Antarctica,
ocean floor etc.

Q6 What is meant by ‘Common but differentiated responsibilities’? How could we implement the
idea?

Answer. Global North, which includes the developed countries believe in the equal responsibility
of every country in ecological conservation and environmental protection. On the other hand,
Global South, which includes the developing countries believe in 'common but differentiated
responsibility'. This principle explains that the former countries have already developed the
major avenues of their economy and are responsible for most of the degradation. They believe
in the recognition of uniform principle but believe that developed countries have to take more
responsibility.
This principle can be implemented by the correct implementation of policies revolving around
the restriction upon the developed countries. The cooperation and aid by the developed
countries can also help in maximising the benefits.

Q7 Why have issues related to global environmental protection become the priority concern of
states since the 1990s? States since the 1990s?

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Book : Contemporary World Politics Ncert Solutions | Chapter - 8 Social Science Political Science

Answer. Environmental issues have become a priority concern since 1990's because:
(a) The rapid ecological degradation and the imbalance in the environmental processes.
(b) The overgrazing of the fields and the overharvesting of fisheries.
(c) The decreasing fertility in agricultural lands and the considerable impact upon the area of
cultivable lands.
(d) The decreasing biodiversity and the impact upon the marine ecosystems due to water
pollution.
(e) The increase in Global Coastal Pollution, affecting the marine life.

Q8 Compromise and accommodation are the two essential policies required by states to save
planet earth. Substantiate the statement in the light of the ongoing negotiations between the
north and south on environmental issues.

Answer. Compromise and Accommodation are imperative for the environmental protection and
ecological conservation. The principle of common but differentiated responsibility is a classical
example of 'compromise', so that the avenue of economic development can go in hand with
environmental protection. The Earth Summit of 1992, brought up the Agenda 21 and the
UNFCCC further land emphasis on the former principal. The protection of community resources
is also very important , the Antarctica protocol and the Montreal protocol are classical examples
of such practice. The accommodation of all the countries towards a sustainable setup will
require the cooperation of developed countries. The withdrawal of the USA from the Paris
Convention, created a huge set back towards achieving the goal but the environmental
movements have kept the environmental politics at bay. Recently, the speech of Greta
Thunberg and the role played by the United Nations is also moving towards the goal of
'compromise or accommodation'.

Q9 The most serious challenge before the states is pursuing economic development without
causing further damage to the global environment. How could we achieve this? Explain with a
few examples. a few examples.

Answer. The balance between economic development and ecological conservation can be
achieved by the principle of 'sustainable development'. The Earth Summit of 1992, upheld the
principle of sustainable development but the Brundtland report also empowered the respective
notion. The economic development of developed countries, beyond the current sustainable
structure has received a huge amount of restrictions upon the carbon emissions. The
restrictions and the use of alternate resources has led to the achievement of the goal of
'sustainable development'.

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Book : Contemporary World Politics Ncert Solutions | Chapter - 8 Social Science Political Science

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