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Generate QuizEnvironment – GK Questions
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Which international agreement succeeded the Kyoto Protocol in setting global climate targets?
- Montreal Protocol
- Paris Agreement
- Copenhagen Accord
- Basel Convention
Answer: Paris Agreement
The Paris Agreement (2015) replaced the Kyoto Protocol, with all nations submitting Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
La Niña is generally associated with increased monsoon rainfall in India.
- True
- False
Answer: True
La Niña, characterized by cooler Pacific waters, often strengthens the Indian monsoon, while El Niño tends to weaken it.
Which of the following sectors is the largest contributor to global anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions?
- Agriculture
- Transportation
- Energy (Electricity and Heat Production)
- Industrial Processes
Answer: Energy (Electricity and Heat Production)
Burning fossil fuels for electricity and heat accounts for the largest share of global GHG emissions, primarily CO2.
The term 'Net Zero' emissions refers to balancing the amount of greenhouse gases produced with the amount _____ from the atmosphere.
- Produced
- Removed
- Stored
- Converted
Answer: Removed
Net zero means any emissions are balanced by absorption/removal, often through forests, carbon capture, or other sinks.
Which of the following is a key objective of India's National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC)?
- Promoting fossil fuel subsidies
- Enhancing energy efficiency through the National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency
- Increasing coal production
- Reducing forest cover
Answer: Enhancing energy efficiency through the National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency
NAPCC includes eight missions; NMEEE aims to reduce energy intensity of the economy through market-based mechanisms.
Ocean acidification is primarily caused by the absorption of excess atmospheric carbon dioxide by seawater.
- True
- False
Answer: True
CO2 dissolves in seawater forming carbonic acid, lowering pH and threatening marine organisms with calcium carbonate shells.
Which of the following feedback mechanisms can accelerate global warming?
- Increased cloud cover reflecting sunlight
- Melting of Arctic sea ice reducing albedo
- Enhanced plant growth absorbing more CO2
- Formation of sulfate aerosols
Answer: Melting of Arctic sea ice reducing albedo
As ice melts, darker ocean water absorbs more solar radiation, causing further warming—a positive feedback loop.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was established by the United Nations Environment Programme and the _____ in 1988.
- World Bank
- World Meteorological Organization
- UNESCO
- WHO
Answer: World Meteorological Organization
IPCC assesses scientific information on climate change and provides policymakers with regular assessments to inform climate policy.
The term 'Carbon Footprint' refers to the total greenhouse gas emissions caused directly and indirectly by an individual, organization, or product.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Carbon footprint measures emissions of CO2 and other GHGs associated with activities, helping assess environmental impact.
Which of the following is a direct consequence of climate change?
- Increased seismic activity
- Rising sea levels due to thermal expansion and ice melt
- Decreased solar radiation
- Reduced volcanic eruptions
Answer: Rising sea levels due to thermal expansion and ice melt
Warming oceans expand and melting glaciers/ice sheets add water, causing sea levels to rise and threaten coastal areas.
Which of the following is a common indicator organism for fecal contamination of water?
- E. coli
- Salmonella
- Vibrio cholerae
- Streptococcus
Answer: E. coli
E. coli is used as an indicator because its presence suggests recent fecal contamination and potential presence of other pathogens.
Ozone at ground level is beneficial for human health as it protects against UV radiation.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Ground-level ozone is a harmful pollutant causing respiratory problems; stratospheric ozone protects against UV radiation.
Which gas is primarily responsible for the 'greenhouse effect' contributing to global warming?
- Oxygen
- Nitrogen
- Carbon dioxide
- Argon
Answer: Carbon dioxide
CO2 traps heat radiated from Earth's surface, preventing it from escaping into space, thus warming the atmosphere.
The phenomenon where pollutants become more concentrated at higher trophic levels in a food chain is called biological _____.
- Degradation
- Magnification
- Dilution
- Accumulation
Answer: Magnification
Biomagnification causes toxins like DDT or mercury to increase in concentration as they move up the food chain, affecting top predators most.
Which of the following is a primary source of indoor air pollution in rural India?
- Vehicle exhaust
- Burning of biomass fuels for cooking
- Industrial emissions
- Construction dust
Answer: Burning of biomass fuels for cooking
Use of firewood, dung cakes, and crop residues in traditional chulhas releases harmful pollutants like carbon monoxide and particulate matter indoors.
Particulate Matter (PM10) refers to particles with a diameter of 10 micrometers or less.
- True
- False
Answer: True
PM10 can penetrate the respiratory system; finer PM2.5 particles can enter the bloodstream, causing serious health issues.
Which of the following heavy metals is known to cause Itai-Itai disease?
- Mercury
- Lead
- Cadmium
- Arsenic
Answer: Cadmium
Itai-Itai disease, first identified in Japan, is caused by cadmium poisoning from contaminated water, leading to severe bone and kidney damage.
The Air Quality Index (AQI) in India categorizes air quality into _____ levels, ranging from 'Good' to 'Severe'.
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
Answer: 6
India's AQI has six categories: Good, Satisfactory, Moderately polluted, Poor, Very Poor, and Severe, based on pollutant concentrations.
Thermal pollution of water bodies can reduce the dissolved oxygen content, harming aquatic life.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Warmer water holds less dissolved oxygen; thermal discharge from industries can stress or kill fish and other aquatic organisms.
Which of the following pollutants is primarily responsible for the formation of photochemical smog?
- Sulphur dioxide and particulate matter
- Nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds
- Carbon monoxide and lead
- Methane and carbon dioxide
Answer: Nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds
Photochemical smog forms when sunlight triggers reactions between NOx and VOCs, producing ozone and other secondary pollutants.