Class 11 English Hornbill(Reading Skills) Chapter 4 The Ailing Planet: the Green Movement’s Role

Key Concept: Forest Erosion

c) Forty to fifty million acres a year

[Solution Description]

The text states that the world’s ancient patrimony of tropical forests is now eroding at the rate of forty to fifty million acres a year.

Key Concept: Concept: Sustainable Development Definition

c) Development that meets current needs without harming future generations

[Solution Description]

The World Commission on Environment and Development defined sustainable development as “Development that meets the needs of the present, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.” This means ensuring that current resource use does not deplete resources needed by future generations.

Key Concept: Environmental Issues

d) Petroleum-derived synthetics

[Solution Description]

The earth’s principal biological systems are fisheries, forests, grasslands, and croplands. These systems provide food and raw materials for industry. Minerals and petroleum-derived synthetics are not part of these principal biological systems.

Key Concept: Sustainable Development

b) Development that meets the needs of the present without harming future generations

[Solution Description]

The concept of sustainable development was popularised in 1987 by the World Commission on Environment and Development. It is defined as “Development that meets the needs of the present, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs”. This means ensuring that current development does not deplete resources needed by future generations.

Key Concept: Green Movement, Biological Systems

b) Forests, grasslands, croplands, and fisheries

[Solution Description]

In his book “The Global Economic Prospect,” Lester R. Brown identified four principal biological systems that form the foundation of the global economic system: fisheries, forests, grasslands, and croplands. These systems are crucial for sustaining life and economic activities.

Key Concept: Sustainable Development

c) Preserving resources for future generations

[Solution Description]

The concept of sustainable development was popularised in 1987 by the World Commission on Environment and Development. It aims to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This ensures that natural resources are preserved for future use.

Key Concept: Development and Population Control

c) Development

[Solution Description]

The syllabus explicitly states that development is the best contraceptive, as fertility falls with rising incomes, education, and health improvements.

Key Concept: Forest Depletion

c) 3.7 million acres a year

[Solution Description]

According to reliable data, India is losing its forests at the rate of 3.7 million acres a year.

Key Concept: Forest Depletion, Population Growth

b) 3.7 million acres, driven by rising population demands

[Solution Description]

India is losing its forests at a rate of 3.7 million acres per year. This depletion is exacerbated by population growth, as increasing human demands for resources like firewood and agricultural land lead to deforestation. The relationship between population growth and forest loss highlights the unsustainable pressure on natural ecosystems.

Key Concept: Role of Industry

c) A crucial role

[Solution Description] Industry has a most crucial role to play in the new Era of Responsibility, as highlighted by the Chairman of Du Pont, Mr Edgar S. Woolard, who emphasized the need for excellence in environmental performance for the continued existence of leading manufacturers.

Key Concept: Uncatalogued Species

b) 3 to 100 million

[Solution Description]

Biologists estimate that the number of uncatalogued living species ranges from 3 to 100 million. This estimation is based on scientific studies and research findings.

Key Concept: Constitutional Provisions

d) Casteism, untouchability, and bonded labour

[Solution Description]

The Constitution of India mandates the abolition of casteism, untouchability, and bonded labour. However, despite these provisions, these practices continue to exist even after forty-four years of the operation of the Constitution, as mentioned in the syllabus.

Key Concept: Sustainable Development

b) Development that meets the needs of the present, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs

[Solution Description]

The World Commission on Environment and Development defined sustainable development as “Development that meets the needs of the present, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.” This means ensuring that current development does not deplete resources needed by future generations.

Key Concept: Deforestation Rate

b) 3.7 million acres

[Solution Description]

The text mentions that India is losing its forests at the rate of 3.7 million acres a year. This information is directly provided in the passage.

Key Concept: Failure of Law Implementation

a) Casteism and untouchability

[Solution Description]

The Constitution of India provides for the abolition of casteism, untouchability, and bonded labour, but these practices continue to persist even after decades of its operation.

Key Concept: Environmental Degradation

d) Deserts

[Solution Description]

Lester R. Brown identified four principal biological systems: fisheries, forests, grasslands, and croplands. These systems form the foundation of the global economic system by providing food and raw materials. The option that does not belong to these four systems is the correct answer.

Key Concept: Environmental Awareness

b) Coexisting and collaborating with nature

[Solution Description]

The shift from domination to partnership implies moving away from exploiting nature towards coexisting and collaborating with it to ensure sustainability and balance.

Key Concept: Sustainable Development

b) To ensure that current needs are met without harming future generations

[Solution Description]

The primary goal of sustainable development, as defined by the World Commission on Environment and Development, is to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This means ensuring that natural resources are used responsibly and preserved for future generations, avoiding actions that would deplete or degrade these resources.

Key Concept: Population Control

c) Voluntary family planning

[Solution Description]

The syllabus explicitly mentions that “there is no alternative to voluntary family planning without introducing an element of coercion.” This indicates that voluntary family planning is considered the most effective method for controlling population without resorting to coercive measures.

Key Concept: Concept: Ethical Obligations

d) Borrow it from our children

[Solution Description]

Mr. Lester Brown emphasized that we have not inherited the Earth from our forefathers but borrowed it from our children. This highlights our ethical obligation to act as responsible stewards of the planet for future generations.

Key Concept: Environmental Awareness

d) Humans are the most dangerous animals impacting the environment.

[Solution Description]

The notice in the zoo at Lusaka, Zambia, reads “The world’s most dangerous animal.” Inside the cage, there is a mirror where visitors see themselves, symbolizing that humans are the most dangerous animals due to their destructive impact on the environment.

Key Concept: Forest Depletion

c) 3.7 million acres per year

[Solution Description]

The syllabus highlights the near catastrophic depletion of India’s forests over the last four decades. Reliable data indicates that India is losing its forests at the rate of 3.7 million acres per year. This loss has significant implications for biodiversity and ecological balance.

Key Concept: Population Growth

d) 40 days

[Solution Description]

To solve this problem, we know that the world population increases by one million every four days. We need to find out how many days it will take for the population to increase by 10 million.

Let’s denote:

$x$ = number of days required to increase the population by 10 million

Since the population increases by one million every four days, we can set up the equation:

$\frac{x}{4} = 10$

Solving for $x$:

$x = 10 \times 4 = 40$ days

So, it will take 40 days for the population to increase by 10 million.

Key Concept: Overfishing and Deforestation

b) 3.7 million acres

[Solution Description] The passage states that India is losing its forests at the rate of 3.7 million acres a year. This information is explicitly mentioned, so no further calculations are needed.

Key Concept: Transition from Mechanistic to Ecological View

c) Nicolaus Copernicus

[Solution Description]

The current ecological view represents a shift in human perceptions as revolutionary as that introduced by Copernicus in the sixteenth century. Copernicus taught that the Earth and other planets revolve around the sun, fundamentally changing humanity’s understanding of the cosmos.

Key Concept: Concept: Environmental Awareness

b) Humans are responsible for environmental destruction.

[Solution Description] The primary message of the notice is to make humans aware of their role as the most dangerous animals on Earth due to their harmful actions towards the environment and other species. It serves as a call for environmental consciousness and responsibility.

Key Concept: Rate of Forest Loss in India

b) 3.7 million acres

[Solution Description]

The passage states that India is losing its forests at the rate of 3.7 million acres a year. Therefore, the correct answer is 3.7 million acres.

Key Concept: Protein-conscious World

c) Due to increased demand for fish as a protein source

[Solution Description]

In a protein-conscious and protein-hungry world, the demand for fish as a source of protein leads to over-fishing.

Key Concept: Impact of Industrialization

b) Collapse of fisheries and disruption of marine ecosystems

[Solution Description]

Over-fishing leads to the collapse of fisheries, which are one of the earth’s principal biological systems. This collapse disrupts the global economic system and threatens food security, especially in protein-hungry regions. It also contributes to the loss of biodiversity and the imbalance of marine ecosystems.

Key Concept: Holistic and Ecological View

c) Integration of the world as a whole

[Solution Description]

The holistic and ecological view emphasizes seeing the world as an integrated whole rather than a dissociated collection of parts. It advocates for respecting and preserving the earth’s metabolic needs and vital processes, recognizing the interconnectedness of all living beings within the ecosystem.

Key Concept: Vocabulary

c) Development that balances economic growth, environmental protection, and social well-being

[Solution Description]

Sustainable development refers to meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It aims to balance economic growth, environmental protection, and social well-being.

Key Concept: Conceptual Awareness

a) Humans are the most dangerous animals

[Solution Description]

The notice in the cage highlights that humans are the most dangerous animals due to their actions and behaviors. It emphasizes the need for a shift from domination to partnership with nature.

Key Concept: Meaning of Latin Expressions

a) On the face of it

[Solution Description]

The Latin expression prima facie means “at first sight” or “on the face of it.” It is used to describe something that appears to be true at first glance.

Key Concept: Forest Depletion

b) 3.7 million acres

[Solution Description]

According to reliable data mentioned in the syllabus, India is losing its forests at the rate of 3.7 million acres per year. Thus, the correct answer is 3.7 million acres.

Key Concept: Impact of Human Activities

c) Conversion into barren wastelands

[Solution Description]

Overuse of grasslands for agricultural purposes leads to soil degradation and loss of natural fertility. When grasslands are intensively farmed without proper management, the soil loses its nutrients, leading to barren wastelands. This process is accelerated by practices like overgrazing and deforestation, which further deplete the soil’s ability to support vegetation.

Key Concept: The Brandt Commission

c) A planet with advancing deserts and impoverished landscapes

[Solution Description]

The First Brandt Report raised concerns about leaving future generations with a planet suffering from environmental degradation, including advancing deserts and impoverished landscapes. The correct answer directly relates to this concern.

Key Concept: Forest Depletion

c) 3.7 million acres per year

[Solution Description]

Reliable data indicates that India is losing its forests at the rate of 3.7 million acres per year. This rapid depletion has significant environmental and economic consequences.

Key Concept: Sustainable Development

b) Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising future generations

[Solution Description]

The World Commission on Environment and Development defined sustainable development as “Development that meets the needs of the present, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.” This means using resources in a way that does not deplete them for future generations.

Key Concept: Population Control and Poverty

c) Control of population is necessary to prevent the continuation of poverty

[Solution Description] The text argues that “the choice is really between control of population and perpetuation of poverty.” This means that controlling population growth is essential to prevent the continuation of poverty.

Key Concept: Tropical Forests

c) 40 to 50 million acres

[Solution Description]

The text mentions that the world’s ancient patrimony of tropical forests is eroding at the rate of forty to fifty million acres a year. Therefore, the annual erosion rate is 40 to 50 million acres.

Key Concept: Era of Responsibility

c) Taking responsibility for the planet’s survival

[Solution Description] The Era of Responsibility is characterized by a holistic and ecological view of the world, where humans take responsibility for the survival of the planet. This era emphasizes partnership over domination, ensuring the planet’s health and resources are preserved for future generations.

Key Concept: Concept: Importance of Environmental Performance

c) Environmental performance

[Solution Description] Mr Edgar S. Woolard stated that the company’s continued existence as a leading manufacturer requires excelling in environmental performance. This highlights the critical role of environmental responsibility in sustaining business success.

Key Concept: Poverty and Population Control

c) Between controlling population and perpetuating poverty.

[Solution Description]

The syllabus states that the choice is between controlling population and perpetuating poverty. If population growth is unchecked, it will lead to continued poverty. Hence, the correct answer captures this critical dilemma.

Key Concept: Sustainable Development

c) Development that meets the needs of the present, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs

[Solution Description]

The World Commission on Environment and Development defined sustainable development as “Development that meets the needs of the present, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs”. This means using resources in a way that ensures future generations can also benefit from them.

Key Concept: Quote Meaning

b) Each generation has temporary responsibility over the Earth

[Solution Description]

The phrase “No generation has a freehold on this earth” implies that no generation owns the Earth outright; instead, each generation has a temporary responsibility to care for it, as explained by Margaret Thatcher.

Key Concept: Deforestation in India, Legal Framework

a) 0.53%

[Solution Description]

Step 1: Identify the annual loss of forests in India.

The annual loss is given as 3.7 million acres.

Step 2: Identify the total forest area of India.

The total forest area is assumed to be 700 million acres.

Step 3: Calculate the percentage of forest lost annually.

The formula for percentage loss is:

$\left(\frac{\text{Loss}}{\text{Total Area}}\right) \times 100$.

Substituting the values:

$\left(\frac{3.7 \times 10^6}{700 \times 10^6}\right) \times 100 = 0.52857\%$.

So, approximately 0.53% of India’s forest area is lost annually.

Key Concept: Constitutional Provisions

c) Protection and improvement of the environment

[Solution Description]

Article 48A focuses on the protection and improvement of the environment, as well as safeguarding the forests and wildlife of the country.

Key Concept: Holistic View of Sustainable Development

b) As an integrated whole with interconnected systems

[Solution Description]

The holistic view of sustainable development emphasizes seeing the world as an integrated whole rather than a dissociated collection of parts. This ecological perspective encourages responsible stewardship of the planet and recognizes the interconnectedness of all environmental, social, and economic systems.

Key Concept: Green Movement Impact

c) It has spread rapidly across the globe.

[Solution Description] Since the founding of the world’s first nationwide Green party in New Zealand in 1972, the Green Movement has gained global momentum and has become a significant force in environmental activism and policy-making worldwide.

Key Concept: Population Impact

c) 920 million

[Solution Description]

The passage states that the population of India is estimated to be 920 million today.

Key Concept: Environmental Stewardship

c) Lester Brown

[Solution Description]

The statement “We have not inherited this earth from our forefathers; we have borrowed it from our children” was made by Mr Lester Brown.

Key Concept: Environmental Protection

c) Article 48A

[Solution Description]

Article 48A of the Indian Constitution mandates that the State shall endeavor to protect and improve the environment and safeguard forests and wildlife. This is explicitly mentioned in the text.

Key Concept: Holistic View of Environmental Issues

c) A holistic view of environmental sustainability

[Solution Description] The “Era of Responsibility” signifies a shift towards a holistic view of environmental issues. It emphasizes seeing the world as an integrated whole and taking responsibility for the survival of both humanity and the planet.

Key Concept: Forest Depletion

c) 3.7 million acres a year

[Solution Description]

According to reliable data, India is losing its forests at the rate of 3.7 million acres a year.

Key Concept: Corporate Environmental Responsibility

c) Chief Environmental Officer

[Solution Description]

Mr. Edgar S. Woolard declared himself to be the Company’s “Chief Environmental Officer” five years ago. This statement emphasizes the importance of environmental responsibility in corporate leadership.

Key Concept: Overfishing

c) Overfishing

[Solution Description] Overfishing is one of the main causes of fisheries collapse, as it leads to the depletion of fish populations faster than they can reproduce. This disrupts the balance of marine ecosystems and reduces fish stocks significantly.

Key Concept: Forest Depletion

b) 3.7 million acres

[Solution Description]

The text states that India is losing its forests at the rate of 3.7 million acres per year. This is the correct answer based on the provided information.

Key Concept: Population Growth

d) Growth of world population

[Solution Description]

The growth of world population is identified as one of the strongest factors distorting the future of human society. Therefore, the correct answer is the growth of world population.

Key Concept: Concept: Environmental Laws in India

c) To protect and improve the environment

[Solution Description]

Article 48A of the Indian Constitution mandates that the State shall endeavor to protect and improve the environment and safeguard forests and wildlife. This directly implies the State’s responsibility towards environmental conservation and sustainable development.

Key Concept: Concept of Sustainable Development

b) To meet present needs without harming future generations’ ability to meet theirs

[Solution Description]

The primary goal of sustainable development is to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This concept was popularized by the World Commission on Environment and Development in 1987.

Key Concept: Green Movement History

b) 1972

[Solution Description]

The world’s first nationwide Green party was founded in 1972 in New Zealand. This marked the beginning of the Green Movement.

Key Concept: Population Growth

b) 2 billion

[Solution Description]

According to the syllabus, it took mankind more than a million years to reach the first billion by the year 1800. By the year 1900, a second billion was added. Therefore, the world population in the year 1900 was approximately 2 billion.

Key Concept: Focus of Sustainable Development

b) Ensuring future generations can meet their needs

[Solution Description]

A key focus of sustainable development is to ensure that natural resources are not depleted so that future generations can also meet their needs.

Key Concept: About the Author

b) Environmental issues

[Solution Description] The primary concern of Nani Palkhivala’s article is the declining health of the earth, which continues to be relevant.

Key Concept: Development and Population Control

c) It raises incomes, spreads education, and improves health

[Solution Description]

The text explains that fertility falls as incomes rise, education spreads, and health improves. Therefore, development is considered the best contraceptive because it naturally reduces population growth by improving living conditions.

Key Concept: Population Control

c) To ensure the well-being of the population

[Solution Description] The syllabus mentions that without population control being given topmost priority, the hope of the people would die in their hungry hutments. This indicates the necessity of population control for the well-being of the population.

Key Concept: Forest Depletion

c) 3.7 million acres

[Solution Description]

According to reliable data, India is losing its forests at the rate of 3.7 million acres a year. This highlights the critical issue of forest depletion in the country.

Key Concept: Population Growth and Development

d) Development

[Solution Description]

The text mentions that fertility falls as incomes rise, education spreads, and health improves. This indicates that development, which includes economic growth, better education, and improved healthcare, leads to a decline in fertility rates. Therefore, the primary reason for the decline in fertility rates is development.

Key Concept: Forest Depletion Rate

b) 37 million acres

[Solution Description]

To calculate the total forest loss over a decade, multiply the annual loss by the number of years in a decade. The annual loss is 3.7 million acres, and a decade consists of 10 years. Thus, the total loss over a decade is calculated as follows:

$3.7 \, \text{million acres/year} \times 10 \, \text{years} = 37 \, \text{million acres}$

Therefore, 37 million acres of forest will be lost in the next decade if the current rate continues.

Key Concept: Development and Population

c) It decreases fertility rates

[Solution Description]

Development impacts fertility rates by causing them to fall as incomes rise, education spreads, and health improves. This is explicitly stated in the syllabus: “Fertility falls as incomes rise, education spreads, and health improves.”

Key Concept: Environmental Protection

b) To safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country

[Solution Description]

According to Article 48A, the primary responsibility of the State is to safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country.

Key Concept: Sustainable Development

b) Meeting the needs of both present and future generations without depleting resources

[Solution Description]

The concept of sustainable development was popularised in 1987 by the World Commission on Environment and Development. It defines sustainable development as “Development that meets the needs of the present, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.” This means using resources in a way that ensures future generations can also meet their needs.

Key Concept: Biological Systems

d) Deserts

[Solution Description]

In his book, The Global Economic Prospect, Lester R. Brown identifies four principal biological systems: fisheries, forests, grasslands, and croplands. These systems form the foundation of the global economic system.