Chapter 6: Environment and Natural Resources

Long Answer Questions (English, Detailed)

Q1. Explain why the environment became a global political issue after the 1960s.

Introduction:
The environment emerged as a central concern of world politics after the 1960s due to rising pollution, deforestation, and resource depletion.

Body:
– Industrialisation and population growth increased greenhouse gas emissions and pollution.
– Deforestation and biodiversity loss began threatening livelihoods and survival.
– Natural resources like oil, gas, and minerals became linked to conflicts.
– Environmental movements worldwide connected ecology with justice and survival.
– Issues like global warming and ozone depletion crossed national boundaries.

Conclusion:
Thus, environmental concerns became inseparable from global politics, development, and security issues after the 1960s.

Q2. Discuss the major environmental concerns of the contemporary world.

Introduction:
The contemporary world faces a wide range of environmental challenges that impact development and security.

Body:
– Global Warming: Greenhouse gases raising global temperature.
– Climate Change: Extreme weather events, melting glaciers, sea-level rise.
– Ozone Depletion: Due to CFCs, leading to health hazards.
– Biodiversity Loss: Deforestation reducing ecological balance.
– Pollution: Air, water, and land pollution from industry and cities.
– Resource Depletion: Overuse of water, oil, coal, and minerals.

Conclusion:
Addressing these concerns requires sustainable development and global cooperation.

Q3. Describe the role of environmental movements in shaping awareness and policy.

Introduction:
Grassroots movements have connected environmental issues with survival and justice, particularly in developing countries.

Body:
– Chipko Movement (India): Villagers hugged trees to prevent deforestation.
– Narmada Bachao Andolan: Protest against displacement caused by large dam projects.
– Movements in Africa and Latin America linked forest and land use to livelihood.
– These movements emphasised sustainability, equity, and justice.

Conclusion:
Such movements shaped national policies and inspired global concern about sustainable development.

Q4. Explain the principle of ‘Common but Differentiated Responsibility’ (CBDR).

Introduction:
CBDR is a principle of international environmental negotiations recognising the unequal contributions of countries.

Body:
– Developed countries have historically emitted more greenhouse gases.
– Developing countries still need economic growth and poverty reduction.
– Responsibilities are shared (common) but not equal (differentiated).
– Applied in Kyoto Protocol and Paris Agreement.

Conclusion:
CBDR balances equity and responsibility, ensuring fairness in global environmental governance.

Q5. Evaluate the role of international initiatives in environmental governance.

Introduction:
Global cooperation is essential for solving transnational environmental problems.

Body:
– Stockholm Conference (1972): First UN conference on environment.
– Rio Earth Summit (1992): Introduced Agenda 21 and sustainable development.
– Kyoto Protocol (1997): Binding emission reduction targets for developed countries.
– Paris Agreement (2015): Commitment to limit global warming below 2°C.
– UNEP coordinates UN environmental activities.

Conclusion:
These initiatives highlight the importance of collective action, though challenges of equity and enforcement remain.

Q6. Analyse India’s environmental concerns and policies.

Introduction:
India faces multiple environmental challenges due to rapid industrialisation and population growth.

Body:
– Concerns: Air and water pollution, deforestation, biodiversity loss, land degradation, climate change.
– Policies: Environmental Protection Act, afforestation programs, promotion of renewable energy.
– Role in global negotiations: Active in Kyoto, Paris agreements.
– India stresses equity and CBDR while pushing for sustainable development.

Conclusion:
India balances development with environmental protection and seeks equitable global solutions.

Q7. How are natural resources linked to global politics?

Introduction:
Natural resources are unevenly distributed and form a basis of power and conflict in global politics.

Body:
– Oil politics: OPEC’s role and West Asian geopolitics.
– Resource conflicts: Competition over water, minerals, oil reserves.
– Water sharing disputes: Nile, Indus, and Mekong rivers.
– Renewable resources: Increasing importance of solar, wind, and hydro energy.
– Resource security affects energy security and international relations.

Conclusion:
Control and access to natural resources remain key factors in shaping international relations and conflicts.

Q8. What is sustainable development? Why is it important?

Introduction:
Sustainable development balances growth with environmental protection.

Body:
– Defined as meeting present needs without compromising future generations.
– Promotes economic growth with ecological responsibility.
– Ensures equitable resource distribution.
– Prevents environmental degradation and supports long-term survival.
– Applied in policies of UN, India, and global movements.

Conclusion:
Sustainable development is essential for balancing human progress with environmental stability.

Q9. Examine the challenges in achieving global environmental governance.

Introduction:
Environmental governance requires collective action but faces political and structural challenges.

Body:
– North-South divide: Developed vs. developing country responsibilities.
– Enforcement difficulties: Lack of binding commitments.
– Conflicts between development and conservation.
– National interests often override global needs.
– Limited resources and institutional weaknesses in UN agencies.

Conclusion:
Strengthening equity, cooperation, and enforcement is necessary for effective global governance.

Q10. ‘Environmental issues are also issues of justice.’ Explain with examples.

Introduction:
Environmental issues involve fairness between nations and communities.

Body:
– Developing countries argue developed nations are more responsible for pollution.
– Local communities often suffer displacement (e.g., Narmada project in India).
– Poor communities are more vulnerable to climate disasters.
– Equity is central to CBDR principle and global negotiations.

Conclusion:
Environmental politics is inseparable from justice, both globally and locally.