GREEN SKILLS II

NCERT/CBSE TEXTBOOK QUESTIONS

A. Multiple choice questions

Read the questions carefully and circle the letter (a), (b), (c) or (d) that best answers the question.
1. How many sustainable development goals are given by the United Nations?
(a) 18 (b) 17 (c) 15 (d) 20
Ans: (b) 17

2. Choose the option which defines sustainable development.

(a) Taking care of future generations
(b) Taking care of only ourselves
(c) Taking care of ourselves and the future generations
(d) Well-being of all
Ans: (c) Taking care of ourselves and the future generations

3. Which organisation has made the Sustainable Development Goals.

(a) United Nations
(b) League of Nations
(c) UNICEF
(d) World Health Organisation
Ans: (a) United Nations

4. Which of the following sources of energy is from a renewable source?

(a) Solar energy (b) Wood (c) Coals (d) Petrol
Ans: (a) Solar energy

5. Choose the option which is not a sustainable development goal according to United Nations.
(a) Clean Water and Sanitation
(b) Gender Equality
(c) Population
(d) Reduced Inequalities
Ans: (c) Population

B. Subjective Questions
1. What is the meaning of sustainable development?
Ans: Sustainable development is the development that satisfies the needs of the present without
compromising the capacity of future generations, guaranteeing the balance between economic
growth, care for the environment and social well-being

2. Why do you think the United Nations has made the 17 Sustainable Development Goals?
Ans: The 17 SDGs have been made to take care of important issues facing businesses, governments
and society. Some of these issues are poverty, gender equality, water use, energy, climate change and
biodiversity. Countries are now making policies and regulations that will promote sustainable systems
needed in all economic sectors to provide a secure, affordable and sustainable economy.

3. List some ways in which we can use resources sensibly

Ans: We can become responsible for our own environment by
1. reusing paper, glass, plastic, water, etc.
2. taking cloth bags to market carrying fruits and vegetables.
3. donate things we do not use such as clothes, books, furniture, food, etc.

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4. Buy and eat seasonal fruits and vegetables from local growers.
5. Repair leaking taps and pipes to avoid wasting water.
6. Sort and treat garbage before disposing of.

4. Explain the importance of education on sustainable development.

Ans: Education is the most important factors for sustainable development. Children who have gone to
school will be able to do jobs so that they can take care of themselves and their families. Education
helps us become aware of our role as a responsible citizen. We should
1. use the facilities present in our areas.
2. take our friends to school.
3. help friends study.
4. stop friends from dropping out of school.

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

1. The most significant environment problems are related to which type of resources?
Ans. The most significant environmental problems are associated with resources that are
renewable such as air and water. They have a finite capacity to assimilate emissions and wastes
but if pollution exceeds this capacity ecosystem will deteriorate rapidly at a huge pace.

2. Discuss the role of sustainable development to provide financial stability.

Ans. Sustainable development practices have the ability to create more financially sustainable
economies across the globe. Developing countries that cannot access fossil fuels can leverage
renewable forms of energy to power their economies. From the development of renewable energy
technologies, these countries can create sustainable jobs as opposed to finite jobs based on fossil
fuel technologies.

3. What are the forms of sustainable agriculture?

Ans. In sustainable agriculture the production of crops takes place with the efficient use of
resources without damaging the environment. Crop rotation, organic farming, use of bio-
fertilizers and bio-pesticides, combining animal farming with crop farming are some examples of
sustainable agricultural practices.

4. The achievement of sustainable development requires what?

Ans. The achievement of sustainable development requires the integration of economic,
environmental and social components at all levels.

5. Give the definition of sustainable development as suggested by Brundtland Report.

Ans. According to Brundtland report, development that meets the needs of the present, without
compromising the ability of future generation to meet their needs is sustainable development.

6. How does sustainable development helps to manage climate change?

Ans. Climate change can be mitigated through sustainable development practices. These practices
seek to reduce the use of fossil-based sources of fuel such as petrol, diesel, natural gas and coal.
Fossil fuels as sources of energy are unsustainable since they will be depleted at some time. Their
burning is also responsible for the emission of greenhouse gases and consequent global warming
and climate change.

7. Write any three challenges to sustainable development.

Ans. Three challenges to sustainable development are
(i) Rise in population level would lead to severe environmental degradation in the future.

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 (ii) Poor management of natural resources combined with growing economic activities will
continue to pose serious challenges to environment.
(iii) Due to rise in income, the demands for improvement in environmental quality will increase as
well as the resources available for investment but it is not mandatory in some cases as problems
are observed to get worse as income rise.

8. Which type of industries should be relocated outside the cities?

Ans. Polluting industries should be relocated outside the cities far away from the populated area.
These industries pollute both the water and air by disposing the waste in them. The polluted is
then used by animals for drinking and human beings for various activities, this leads to depletion
of their health. In humans, various health issues are raised in the course of time.

9. Write four development goals given by United Nations Sustainable Development Summit
2015.
Ans. Any four development goals given by United Nations Sustainable Development Summit
2015 are as follows
(i) Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.
(ii) Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all.
(iii) Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation.
(iv) Reduce inequality within and among countries.

10. How one can save forest from being cut?

Ans. Save and recycle paper to protect trees from being cut. Do not buy products obtained from
wild animals such as leather, fur and ivory. Collect honey without completely removing the
beehives.

11. What should be done to make efficient use of electricity?

Ans. To make efficient use of electricity are as follows
(i) Don’t waste electricity. Turn off lights and unplug appliances when not in use.
(ii) Select clean, renewable energy sources like solar lights.
(iii) Avoid cars or do car-pools and use cycles or public transport.

12. How one can save fisheries industry from being extinct?
Ans. In order to save fisheries industry from being extinct, one can follow a number of steps as
given below
(i) Creating awareness about the harmful consequences of over-fishing.
(ii) Educating people about the sustainable fishing practices that control fishing and provide
enough time for fish to breed and multiply.
(iii) Never buy endangered fish. Buy only those fish that are plentifully available and also in-
season (not during the breeding season).

13. State the points through which one can manage waste.
Ans. Some points which one can manage waste are as follows
(i) Reduce, reuse and recycle before throwing away things as waste.
(ii) Use environmentally-friendly methods of waste disposal.
(iii) Use appropriate methods for recycling or disposal of the electronic and hazardous waste.

14. Why there is a need for sustainable development? Give reasons.

Ans. Sustainable development is necessary for the maintenance of the environment. There is a
need of sustainable development because of the following reasons
(i) Sustainable development teaches people to make use of means and resources for the maximum
benefit without wastage.
(ii) Sustainable development brings about changes in people’s knowledge, attitude and skill.
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 (iii) Sustainable development aims at achieving the goal of economic and social development
without destroying the Earth’s means and resources.

15. What will happen, if we ignore the vital signs of an ailing environment?
Ans. The Earth’s vital signs reveal a patient in declining health. We need to realise our ethical and
moral obligations to the mother Earth. Human beings are caretakers of the planet and responsible
trustees of the legacy of future generations. Due to the realisation of importance of sustainable
development, now there is a transcending concern for survival of the people and planet. We need
to take a holistic view of the very basis of our existence. The environmental problem does not
necessarily signal our demise, rather it is our passport for the future.

16. ‘The concept of sustainable development is subject to criticism.’ Discuss.

Ans. Criticism is the final thing that appears on introducing a new concept, as wide acceptance is
almost rare. Turning the concept of sustainability into policy raises questions about how to assess
the well-being of present and future generations. The issue is more complicated because our
children do not just inherit environmental pollution and resource depletion, but also enjoy the
fruits of our labour, in the forms of education, skills and knowledge (i.e. human capital), as well
as physical capital. They may also benefit from investments in natural resources, improvement in
soil fertility and reforestation. Thus, in considering and calculating what we pass on to future
generations, we must take account of the full range of physical, human and natural capital.

17. ‘Total world consumption of cereals will almost double by 2030.’ Suggest measures to
maintain ‘sustainable development’ in the light of this development.
Ans. Total world consumption of cereals will have to almost double by 2030. To protect fragile
soils and natural habitats, almost all of this increase will have to be achieved by raising yields on
existing cropland rather than by extending the area under cultivation. At present we are losing the
forests at a fast pace. Thus, problems and challenges are formidable.

18. State the points through one can do water and forest management.
Ans. In order to do water management, one should follow the given points
(i) Use water wisely. Turn off the tap when you are not using it.
(ii) Get leaking taps and pipes fixed immediately.
(iii) Treat drain water properly before allowing it to flow into local water bodies.
In order to do forest management, one should follow the given points
(i) Save and recycle paper to protect trees from being cut.
(ii) Do not buy products obtained from wild animals such as leather, fur and ivory.
(iii) Collect honey without completely removing the beehives.

19. Explain the short-term solutions related to sustainable development.

Ans. The short-term solutions related to sustainable development are as follows
(i) The practice of illegal deforestation and smuggling of forest resources should be stopped.
(ii) Proper balance ought to be maintained between deforestation and afforestation.
(iii) Planning and building of industrial zones to manage and process are types of wastes.
(iv) Proper treatment system, recycling of waste and their proper disposal should be undertaken.
(v) Adoption of rainwater harvesting techniques, drip/sprinkler irrigation and use of alternative
sources of energy.
(vi) Less chemical fertilizers should be used along with environment-friendly pesticides and
weedicides.

20. How one can take care of the environment while travelling?
Ans. In order to take care of the environment while travelling, one should follow the given points
(i) While travelling, travel in groups, limit water and energy use and avoid wastage.

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 (ii) Practice eco-tourism (tourism that protects the environment) and make people aware of the
need of practicing eco-tourism.
(iii) Never litter around. Never damage or deface historical monuments.
(iv) Walk or cycle while going to nearby places.
(v) Use electric (battery-operated) vehicles if possible.

21. How did the idea of sustainable development originate?

Ans. The concept of sustainable forest management was developed in Europe during the 17th and
18th centuries.
The idea of sustainable development gained wide acceptance due to environmental concerns in
the 20th century.
The concept of sustainable development was popularised in 1987 by the “United Nations World
Commission on Environment and Development.” In Brundtland Report named as ‘Our Common
Future’, defines sustainable development as “development that meets the needs of the present,
without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs”, i.e without stripping
the natural world of resources future generations would need. This definition of sustainable
development, which is most widely accepted now, contains two key concepts
(i) The concept of needs, in particular, the essential needs of the world’s poor which should be
given top most priority.
(ii) The concept of limitations imposed by the state of technology and social organisation on the
environment’s ability to meet present and future needs.

LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

22. Describe any four major problems associated with sustainable development.
Ans. Four problems associated with sustained development are as follows
(i) The concept of sustainable development is subject to criticism. What, exactly, is to be
sustained in a sustainable development? Any positive rate of exploitation of a non-renewable
resource will eventually lead to exhaustion of Earth’s final stock.
(ii) Turning the concept of sustainability into policy raises questions about how to assess the well-
being of present and future generations. The issue is more complicated because our children do
not just inherit environmental pollution and resource depletion, but also enjoy the fruits of our
labour, in the forms of education, skills, and knowledge (i.e. human capital), as well as physical
capital.
(iii) Poor management of natural resources, combined with growing economic activities, will
continue to pose serious challenges to environment. The problem arises because people,
institutions and governments have failed to evolve mechanism and policies to strike a balance
between development and conservation of resources and preservation of environment.
(iv) The commonly held view that greater economic activity necessarily hurts the environment, is
based on static assumptions about technology, tastes and environmental investments. In reality,
the relationships between inputs and outputs and the overall effects of economic activities on the
environment, are continually changing.

23. Mention the main principles of sustainable development.

Ans. Main principles of sustainable development are
(i) Respect and care for all forms of life.
(ii) Improving the quality of human life.
(iii) Minimising the depletion of natural resources.
(iv) Conserving the Earth’s vitality and diversity.
(v) Enabling communities to care for their own environment.
(vi) Changing personal attitude and practices towards the environment.

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24. Why is it important to adopt sustainable development? Explain.
Ans. A three-year study using satellites and aerial photography undertaken by the United Nations
long ago warned that the environment had deteriorated so badly that it was ‘critical’ in many of
eighty-eight countries, investigated. In view of all these findings and problems, sustainable
development acquires much importance.
Nature and mankind live and die together.
The Earth’s vital signs reveal a patient in declining health. We need to realise our ethical and
moral obligations to the mother Earth. Human beings are caretakers of the planet and responsible
trustees of the legacy of future generations.
Due to the realisation of importance of sustainable development, now there is a transcending
concern for survival of the people and planet. We need to take a holistic view of the very basis of
our existence. The environmental problem does not necessarily signal our demise, rather it is our
passport for the future. To save ourselves and our future generations from catastrophe, we require
to take a holistic view, an ecological view, seeing the world as an integrated whole, rather than a
dissociated collection of parts.

25. Describe the meaning and importance of sustainable development.

Ans. Sustainable development refers to the process of economic development where resources are
used judiciously to satisfy needs of not only present generation but also to conserve them for the
use of future generations. Sustainable development takes place without depleting the present
natural resources.
The importance of sustainable development is discussed below
(i) It helps to conserve and make use of means and resources for the maximum benefit without
wastage.
(ii) It awares the people about the responsibility to use and preserve natural resources.
(iii) It creates the feeling that natural resources are the common property of all and nobody can
use the property according to his personal will. It helps to conserve natural and social
environment.
(iv) People’s participation is to be given priority in development work in order to achieve the
aim of sustainable development.
(v) It attempts to create the concept of maintaining the present work for the future and conserving
natural resources for future generation.

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