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Generate QuizEnvironment – GK Questions
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Which of the following is a key objective of India's 'Perform, Achieve and Trade' (PAT) scheme?
- Promoting fossil fuel subsidies
- Improving energy efficiency in energy-intensive industries through market-based mechanisms
- Banning all industrial production
- Increasing coal imports
Answer: Improving energy efficiency in energy-intensive industries through market-based mechanisms
PAT, under the National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency, sets specific energy consumption targets and allows trading of energy savings certificates.
Sustainable development seeks to balance economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental protection.
- True
- False
Answer: True
The three pillars of sustainability—economic, social, and environmental—must be integrated to meet present needs without compromising future generations.
Which of the following is a challenge in valuing ecosystem services?
- Easy quantification of all benefits
- Many services are non-market goods with no direct price
- Universal agreement on valuation methods
- Abundance of market data for all services
Answer: Many services are non-market goods with no direct price
Services like pollination, climate regulation, or cultural values lack market prices, requiring complex methods like contingent valuation for estimation.
The 'Payment for Ecosystem Services' (PES) approach compensates landowners for managing land to provide _____ benefits.
- Industrial
- Environmental
- Urban
- Financial
Answer: Environmental
PES schemes incentivize conservation by paying providers for services like watershed protection, carbon sequestration, or biodiversity conservation.
Which of the following is an example of a non-renewable natural resource?
- Solar energy
- Wind power
- Coal
- Biomass
Answer: Coal
Coal is a fossil fuel formed over millions of years; its extraction and use deplete finite reserves, classifying it as non-renewable.
The 'Tragedy of the Commons' describes a situation where individuals acting in self-interest deplete a shared resource, harming collective welfare.
- True
- False
Answer: True
This concept, illustrated by overgrazing of common land, highlights the need for collective action, property rights, or regulation to manage common-pool resources.
Which of the following is a market-based instrument for environmental management?
- Command-and-control regulations
- Tradable pollution permits (Cap-and-Trade)
- Technology standards
- Direct government provision
Answer: Tradable pollution permits (Cap-and-Trade)
Cap-and-trade sets an overall emissions limit and allows trading of permits, achieving reductions at lowest cost through market flexibility.
A 'Carbon Tax' is a fiscal policy instrument that charges emitters for each ton of _____ released into the atmosphere.
- Methane
- Carbon dioxide equivalent
- Nitrous oxide
- Sulphur dioxide
Answer: Carbon dioxide equivalent
Carbon taxes internalize the social cost of carbon emissions, incentivizing reduction through market mechanisms and generating revenue for green investments.
The 'Green GDP' concept attempts to account for environmental degradation and resource depletion in national income accounting.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Green GDP adjusts conventional GDP by subtracting the costs of environmental damage and resource depletion, promoting sustainable development metrics.
Which of the following best describes the concept of 'Externalities' in environmental economics?
- Costs or benefits of an economic activity that affect third parties not directly involved
- Government subsidies for industries
- International trade tariffs
- Stock market fluctuations
Answer: Costs or benefits of an economic activity that affect third parties not directly involved
Negative externalities like pollution impose costs on society not reflected in market prices, justifying policy interventions like taxes or regulations.
Which of the following is a key feature of the 'National Clean Air Programme' (NCAP) in India?
- Banning all vehicles in cities
- City-specific action plans to reduce PM2.5 and PM10 levels by 20-30% by 2024
- Closing all industries permanently
- Exporting air pollution to neighboring countries
Answer: City-specific action plans to reduce PM2.5 and PM10 levels by 20-30% by 2024
NCAP, launched in 2019, targets 132 non-attainment cities with tailored strategies for air quality improvement through multi-sectoral interventions.
Citizen science initiatives involve the public in collecting environmental data, such as bird counts or water quality testing.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Citizen science engages volunteers in scientific research, expanding data collection capacity and raising environmental awareness among communities.
Which of the following is an application of drone technology in environmental conservation?
- Mining exploration only
- Monitoring wildlife, detecting illegal logging, and mapping habitats
- Advertising campaigns
- Food delivery only
Answer: Monitoring wildlife, detecting illegal logging, and mapping habitats
Drones provide cost-effective, high-resolution aerial data for biodiversity monitoring, anti-poaching efforts, and habitat assessment.
The 'India Water Portal' is an initiative that provides information on water resources, quality, and management, hosted by _____.
- ISRO
- The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI)
- Ministry of Railways
- Reserve Bank of India
Answer: The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI)
India Water Portal, supported by Arghyam and managed by TERI, serves as a knowledge platform for water-related information and best practices.
Which of the following is a common method for monitoring water quality in rivers?
- Measuring seismic activity
- Testing for parameters like pH, DO, BOD, and coliform bacteria
- Counting bird species only
- Measuring soil temperature
Answer: Testing for parameters like pH, DO, BOD, and coliform bacteria
Water quality monitoring assesses physical, chemical, and biological parameters to evaluate pollution levels and ecosystem health.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) can be used to map and analyze spatial patterns of environmental pollution.
- True
- False
Answer: True
GIS integrates spatial data with attribute information, enabling visualization, analysis, and decision-making for environmental management and planning.
Which of the following technologies is used for real-time monitoring of air quality in urban areas?
- Seismographs
- Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS)
- Sonar systems
- Radio telescopes
Answer: Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS)
CAAQMS use automated analyzers to measure pollutants like PM2.5, PM10, NO2, SO2, CO, and O3 continuously, providing real-time data for public awareness.
The 'National Air Quality Monitoring Programme' (NAMP) in India is implemented by the _____.
- ISRO
- Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
- DRDO
- Ministry of Agriculture
Answer: Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
CPCB coordinates NAMP through a network of monitoring stations across India to assess ambient air quality and trends of key pollutants.
Remote sensing involves collecting information about an object or area from a distance, typically using satellites or aircraft.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Remote sensing uses sensors to detect and record reflected or emitted energy, enabling large-scale environmental monitoring without physical contact.
Which satellite system is used by India for remote sensing and environmental monitoring?
- GPS
- IRS (Indian Remote Sensing)
- GLONASS
- Galileo
Answer: IRS (Indian Remote Sensing)
The IRS satellite series by ISRO provides data for agriculture, forestry, water resources, disaster management, and environmental studies.