Class 12 Political Science Notes- Chapter 8: ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCE

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UNIT – 8

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCE

Table of Contents

VERY SHORT ANSWER (1 Mark)

1. Write the full form of UNEP.

Ans. The full form of UNEP is – United Nations Environment Programme.

2. What is earth summit? [2013]

Ans. Earth Summit was a conference on environment and development held in Rio-de Janaria (Brazil) in June 1992. The summit produced conventions dealing with climatic changes, bio-diversity, forestry and recommended a list of development practices called Agenda 21.

3. Fill in the blank:

The first world is generally referred to as the ____.

Ans. The first world is generally referred to as the Global North.

4. When did India sign and ratify the Kyoto Protocol? [2013]

Ans. India signed and ratified the Kyoto Protocol in August 2002.

5. Write ‘yes’ or ‘no’.

Rio summit recommended a list of development practices called ‘Agenda 21’.

Ans. Yes.

6. What is meant by green house gas emission?

Ans. Green house gas emission refers to the emission of a harmful gas during the industrialization period that is believed to be causing today’s global warming and climate change.

7. Write the full form of UNFCCC.

Ans. The form of UNFCCC is United Nations Frame Work Convention on Climate Change.

8. In which year the world council of Indigenous peoples was formed?

Ans. The world council of indigenous people was formed in 1975.

9. Write the full form of UNFCCC.

Ans. The full form of UNFCCC is United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

10. Which day is celebrated an Environmental Awareness day?

Ans. Environmental awareness day is celebrated on 5^th June.

11. What is Agenda 21?

Ans. ‘Agenda 21’ is the most important outcome of Earth Summit “Agenda 21”. It suggests a list of development practices for the protection of environment.

12. Why is it necessary to enact environmental laws?

Ans. Environment laws should be enacted for the protection of environment.

13. How many states attended Earth Summit of 1992?

Ans. 170 States attended in Earth Summit of 1992.

14. In which year the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change was held?

Ans. In 1992, the UN Framework Convention on Climate change was held.

Class 12 Political Science Notes (for 2020-21 exam) -CBSE and AHSEC

VERY SHORT ANSWER (2 Marks)

1. Why was India exempted from the requirements of Kyoto Protocol?

Ans. India and China were exempted from signing Kyoto Protocol because their contribution to the emission of greenhouses gases during the industrialization period – that is believed to be causing today’s global warming and climate changes – was not significant.

2. Give two examples of the global commons.

Ans. Two examples of Global commons are –

Antarctica and the ocean floor

3. Do you think that cooperation over the global commons is not easy. Why?

Ans. Yes, cooperation over the global commons is not easy because there have been many path breaking agreements such as –

Antarctic Treaty – 1959.
Montreal Protocol – 1987.
Anarchic Environmental Protocol – 1991.

4. Mention the names of two gases which considered to be responsible for global warming?

Ans. Carbon-di-oxide and Methane are the two gases which are considered to be responsible for global warming.

5. Write the UN definition of indigenous people.

Ans. The UN defines indigenous population as comprising the descendants of people who inhabited the present territory of a country at the time when person of a different culture or ethnic origin arrived there from other parts of the world and overcame them.

6. What is meant by resource geo-politics?

Ans. Resource geopolitics is all about who gets what, when, where and how. Resources have provided some of the key means and motives of global European power expansion.

7. Environmental issues have become a matter of serious concern in global politics. Why?

Ans. Environmental issues have become a matter of serious concern in global politics because of the growing focus on environmental issues within the area of global politics was firmly consolidated at the United Nation Conference on environment and development. The different conventions like – Brundtland Report, Rio-Summit, Kyoto Protocol discussed about this issue.

8. Write two causes of water pollution?

Ans. Two causes of water pollution are –

Water is polluted due to garbage dumping.
Water is polluted due to bathing and washing in the river side.

9. Write two issues relating to environmental degradation?

Ans. Issue of natural disaster, issue of land slide, earthquake are related to environmental degradation.

10. What is the main issue of Indigenous peoples?

Ans. The main issues of indigenous people are issues of environment, resources and politics together.

11. Why are India and China exempted from Kyoto Protocol?

Ans. India and China exempted from Kyoto Protocol because their contributions to the emission of greenhouse gases during industrialization was insignificant.

12. Give the significance of Earth Summit?

Ans. Earth Summit was held in Rio-de-Janaria in 1992 for making development eco-friendly. It suggested for sustainable development eco-friendly technology as a saviour of environment and effectiveness of regularity provisions for environment protection.

13. Give the concept of resource geopolitics?

Ans. Resource geo-politics in all about who gets what, when, where and how. Resources have provided some of the key means and motives of global European power expansion.

14. Fill in the blanks:

(a) The large part of the Earth is ____ than the ____.

Ans. water and soil

(b) In India scheduled ____ are ____.

Ans. tribes, indigenous people

Ans. development, Rio

LONG ANSWER (4 Marks)

1. Discuss the role of UNO is consolidating environmental issues within the arena of global politics.

Ans. International organization like UNO plays important role in holding international conferences and promoting detailed studies to get a more coordinated and effective response to environmental problems. Since then the environment has emerged as a significant issue of global politics. The growing focus on environmental issues within the arena of global politics was firmly consolidated at the United Nations conference on Environment and Development held in Rio-de Janeiro, Brazil in June 1992.This was also called the Earth Summit. In 1992 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) also an another step for UNO of climate change UNO has also declared 5^th June as World Environment Day. Many path breaking agreements like Antarctic Treaty. Montreal Protocol, Antarctic Environmental Protocol etc

2. What is meant by ‘Global Commons’? Suggest two steps for protection of Global Commons.

Ans. The regions of the world which are located outside the sovereign jurisdiction of anyone state, hence, require common governance by the international community are termed as ‘Global Commons’. They cover the earth’s atmosphere, Antarctica, the ocean floor and enter space.

Following are the steps, for the protection of Global commons –

Antarctic Treaty in 1959.
Montreal Protocol, 1987.
Antarctic Environmental Protocol 1991.

3. ‘Issues related to the rights of the indigenous people have been neglected for very long’ – Mention some measures which have been taken to protect the rights of indigenous people.

Ans. The indigenous people are small in population. There are only few lakh indigenous people left out in this world. Therefore, their protection is a must.

The following ways can be suggested for the protection of indigenous people –

The indigenous people across the world must unite together and fight for their rights which are denied to them. The indigenous people can voice their call for equal admission to their rights in the world community of equals. They must struggle and speak for their rights.
The United Nations organization must work as a world forum to restore the rights of the indigenous people. The member nations should voice their protest to protect the indigenous people.
It is seen that the government for development encroach the land of the indigenous people. Hence, the government must take due care that their habitation and identify is not in crisis.
Indigenous people can also be protected when their nations keep adequate provisions in their constitution to protect as well as safeguard these people. They must also be given opportunities to get brightened amongst the majorities.

4. What is meant by resource geopolitics? Mention two resources which are relevant for global politics. [2013]

Ans. Resource geopolitics is the geographical political affairs which are concerned with the allocation and distribution of natural resources among the nation states of Global arena.

The two resources which are relevant for global politics are –

Oil.
Water.

5. Write major problems of ecological issues.

Ans. Environmental concern in global politics is a very serious issue. This concern is based on the following facts –

Cultivable area throughout the world is decreasing and a substantial part of existing agricultural land is losing fertility.
Global coastal pollution has increased. Though the open sea is comparatively clean, due to land based activities, the coastal water is less polluted. If the intensive human settlement around coastal areas goes unchecked it would deteriorate the quality of marine environment.
Rapid decline in the total amount of ozone in the Earth’s stratosphere or ozone layer endangers our ecosystems and human health.
Fisheries have been overharvested and grasslands have been affected adversely by overgrazing.
Water bodies due to pollution are suffering depletion leading to reduction of food grain production.
Natural forests which are essential for stabilizing climate, moderating water supplies and harboring majority of the earth’s biodiversity on land have been cut resulting in displacement of people. Loss of diversity has led to d.

6. What are the different perspectives for which the rich and the poor countries agree to protect the Earth?

Ans. India and China’s relationship has been destroyed due to the following points –

Border Issue: The boundary dispute between India and China is a long standing one. The border line i.e. the Mc Mohan Line was not accepted by the Chinese who referred to it as the imperialist line. China made illegal claims to about 1,28,000 sq. km of the Indian territory in NEFA, now Arunachal Pradesh and in the Aksai Chin area of the Ladakh sector. These places are frequently facing Chinese incursions thereby creating serious threat to integrity.
Nuclear Tests: India conducted the first nuclear test in 1974 which was highly condemned by China and became a cause of tension between India and China. The second test in 1998 at Pokhran was also disliked by China and stated that the tests conducted by India will threaten the smaller nations of Asia. She was susceptive of India’s peaceful nuclear power proliferation.
China’s assistance to Pakistan: Chinese help to Pakistan especially during the two wars of 1965 and 1971 threatened India’s security. China provided all military help during the wars to defeat India. During the 1965’s war they accused India of criminal aggression and in 1971 of interference in the internal affairs of Pakistan.
Tibetan Issue: Tibet issue started in 1965 when China launched a full scale invasion of Tibet. India protested against this and China accused India of being influenced by imperial powers. However the revolt was put down by the Chinese in 1959. The spiritual and the political leader. Dalai Lama along with thousands of refugees fled to India.

VERY LONG ANSWER (6 Marks)

1. Write a brief note on India’s stand on environmental issues.

Ans. The Indian Government is already participating in global efforts through a number of programmes.

India’s National Auto-fuel Policy mandates cleaner fuels for vehicles.
The Energy Conservation Act, passed in 2001, outlines initiatives to improve energy efficiency.
The Electricity Act of 2003 encourages the use of renewable energy.
Recent trends in importing natural gas and encouraging the adoption of clean coal technologies show that India has been taking real efforts.
The government is also keen to launch a National Mission on Biodiesel, using about 11 million hectares of land to produce biodiesel by 2011-2012.
India has one of the largest renewable energy programmes in the world.

2. What is the significance of oil and water in global politics?

Ans. Oil continues to be the most important resource in global strategy. The global economy relied on oil for much of the 20^th century as a portable and indispensable fuel. The immense wealth associated with oil generates political struggles to control it. The history of petroleum is also the history of war and struggle.

Out of the total oil reserves of the oil, the Gulf region accounts for 30% of the global oil production. But it has about 64% of the planet’s known reserves and is therefore, the only region able to satisfy any substantial rise in oil demand. Saudi Arabia has a quarter of the world’s total reserves and is the single largest producer. Iraq’s known reserves are second only to Saudi Arabia’s. And since substantial portion of Iraqi territory are yet to be fully explored, there is a fair chance that actual reserves might be far larger. The United States, Europe, Japan and increasingly India and China, which consume this petroleum, are located at a considerable distance from the region.

Water is a crucial resource that is relevant to politics. Regional variations and the increasing scarcity of fresh water in some parts of the world point to the possibility of disagreements over shared water resources as a leading source of conflicts in the 21^st century. Some proponents have predicted possibility of a violent war over this life-sustaining resource. States sharing river waters can dispute over downstream pollution, excessive irrigation or construction of dams in the upstream of the river might degrade the quality of water available to the downstream state. States can use force to protect or seize fresh water resources.

For example, to illustrate, the dispute between Israel, Syria and Jordan over Jordan and Yarmuck Rivers is a well-known water dispute. India and China are also fighting hard over construction of Dam on River Brahmaputra which will hamper the flow of water to India. More recently the dispute between Turkey, Syria and Iraq over building of a dam over Euphrates River exemplifies water wars.

3. Mention some of the programmes through which the Indian government is participating in global efforts against global warming or emission of pollutants?

Ans. The Indian Government is already participating in global efforts through a number of programmes.

India’s National Auto-fuel Policy mandates cleaner fuels for vehicles.
The Energy Conservation Act, passed in 2001, outlines initiatives to improve energy efficiency.
The Electricity Act of 2003 encourages the use of renewable energy.
Recent trends in importing natural gas and encouraging the adoption of clean coal technologies show that India has been taking real efforts.
The government is also keen to launch a National Mission on Biodiesel, using about 11 million hectares of land to produce biodiesel by 2011-2012.
India has one of the largest renewable energy programmes in the world.

4. “The consciousness about environment hazards has become a matter of great concern these days” – Elucidate with appropriation example?

5. “Environmental concerns in global politics” Write a note on it.

Ans. (i) Depletion of Natural Resources: Throughout the World, cultivable area is barely expanding any more, and substantial portion of existing agricultural land is losing fertility.

(ii) Water bodies: Water bodies have suffered extensive depletion and pollution, severely restricting food production.

(iii) Loss of Biodiversity: the loss of biodiversity continues due to the destruction of habitat in areas which are rich in species.

(iv) Depletion of Ozone: A steady decline in the total amount of ozone in the Earth’s stratosphere (commonly referred to as the ozone hole) poses a real danger to ecosystems and human health.

(v) Coastal Pollution: Coastal pollution too is increasing globally. Although the open sea is relatively clean, the coastal waters are becoming increasingly polluted largely due to land-based activities. If unchecked, intensive human settlement of coastal zones across the globe will lead to further deterioration in the quality of marine environment.

6. What is common but differentiated responsibilities?

Ans. Common but differentiated responsibility signifies that states have common but differentiated responsibilities over the various contributions of Global environmental degradation.

The relevant part of the Rio Declaration at the Earth Summit in 1992 clearly states that “states shall co-operate in the spirit 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 responsible 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.

7. Explain the concept of common property.

Ans. The term common property signifies that natural resources are common property for the group of countries. The underlying norms are –

That member of the group has both rights and duties with respect to the nature, levels of use, and the maintenance of a given resource.
In the same way, through mutual understanding and centuries of practice, many village communities in India, for example, have defined member’s rights and responsibilities.

8. What are the Indigenous rights?

Ans. Following are the rights of the indigenous people –

Like other social movements they speak of their struggles, their agenda and their rights.
Their voices in world politics call for the admission of indigenous people to the world community as equals.
They occupy areas in Central and South America, Africa, India and South-East Asia. Many of the present day island states in the Oceania region including Australia and New Zealand were inhabited by the Polynesian, Melanesian and Micronesian people over the course of thousands of years.
Now they appeal to governments to come to terms with the continuing existence of indigenous nations as enduring communities with an identity of their own.