Kerala Plus One Economics Chapter Wise Previous Questions Chapter 9 Environment Sustainable Development
Question 1.
Give two examples of Misuse of natural resources. (March 2009)
Answer:
Misuse of natural resources
- Misuse of water
- Deforestation
- Energy wastage
Question 2.
Do you think the following factors contribute to the environmental crisis in India? What problems do they pose for the Government? (March 2009)
- Rising population
- Air pollution
- Water contamination
- Illiteracy
- Industrialisation
- Urbanisation
- Reduction of forest coverage
Answer:
Yes. The following factors contribute to the environmental crisis in India. Many of these factors cause pollution. They compel the government to work more and create more facilities. Urbanisation and industrialisation pollute the environment.
Question 3.
Pick the odd one out and justify your answer. (Say 2009)
Answer:
Firewood. Others are non-conventional energy sources.
Question 4.
Activities of the present generation should not interfere with the development path of the future generation. Prepare a seminar report on the various strategies for attaining sustainable development. (Say 2009)
Answer:
Strategies for attaining sustainable development
Introduction
The plus one commerce batch of GHSS Kozhikode conducted a seminar on the topic “Strategies for attaining sustainable development on 10.09.17. The class was divided into 4 groups. Each group presented two pointed each about the topic. After the presentation, there was a discussion section. The teacher modified and provided further information about the topic.
Contents
The major strategies of sustainable development are given below. (explain in detail)
- Use of non-conventional energy sources.
- Use of LPG, gobar gas
- CNG in urban areas
- Wind power
- Solar Energy
- Mini tidal plants
- Bio-composting
- Bio-pest control
Conclusion
All the groups presented 2 points each. There was a question-answer section after the presentation. The teacher gave further clarification on the topic. The seminar ended at 12.30 p.m. On the whole, the seminar was a big success.
Question 5.
“Sustainable development requires an eco-friendly technology”. Discuss. (March 2010)
Answer:
Eco-friendly technology is otherwise known as organic farming. Organic agriculture is a whole system of farming that restores, maintains, and enhances the ecological balances. There is an increasing demand for organically grown food to enhance food safety throughout the world.
Question 6.
Find the odd one out and justify your answer. (March 2011)
Forests, water, fossil fuel, wind.
Answer:
Fossil fuel.
Question 7.
UNCED stands for (March 2012)
a) United National Committee on Environment and Development
b) United Nations Conference on Environment and Development
c) United Nations Committee on Environment and Development
d) None of these
Answer:
b) United Nations Conference on Environment and Development
Question 8.
Distinguish between conventional farming and organic farming. (March 2012)
Conventional farming | Organic farming |
1. | 1. |
2. | 2. |
Answer:
Conventional farming | Organic farming |
1. Synthetic chemicals are made use of to increase the growth of cultivation. | 1. Use of organic wastes and compost in the form of fertilizers. |
2. Make use of pesticides or insecticides. | 2. The organic farming would also go through to destroy the mating season of the pests, or even go in for trapping the pests rather than making use of chemicals. |
Question 9.
List four non-conventional sources of energy. (Say 2012)
Answer:
Non-conventional energy sources are
- Solar energy
- Wind energy
- Biogas
- Tidal energy
- Wave energy
Question 10.
Just like human beings, the environment also performs several important functions. What are these functions? (Say 2012)
Answer:
The environment performs four vital functions which are listed out below:
1) It supplies resources: resources here include both renewable and non-renewable resources.
Renewable resources are those which can be used without the possibility of the resource becoming depleted or exhausted. That is, a continuous supply of the resource remains available. Examples of renewable resources are the trees in the forests and the fishes in the ocean.
Non-renewable resources, on the other hand, are those which get exhausted with extraction and use, for example, fossil fuel
2) it assimilates wa$te
3) it sustains life by providing genetic and biodiversity and
4) it also provides aesthetic services like scenery etc.
Question 11.
Choose the correct boxes to suit the ideas given in (a) and (b). (March 2013)
a) Non-commercial energy sources.
b) Non-conventional energy
- Coal, Petroleum, Electricity
- Solar, Wind, Tidal
- Firewood, dried dung, agricultural waste
Answer:
a) Non-conventional energy source: firewood, dried dung, agricultural waste.
b) Non-conventional energy: solar energy, wind energy, tidal energy.
Question 12.
The concept of sustainable development is getting importance today. Can you prepare a seminar paper on the various strategies of sustainable development?
OR
Prepare a report regarding the challenges in India’s environment. (March 2013)
Answer:
“Strategies for Sustainable Development”
Introduction: The plus one commerce batch of (Name of school) conducted a seminar on the topic “Strategies for Sustainable Development” on 12/09/ 2017 at 11.0 a.m with the ample guidance of our economics teacher. Our class was divided into five groups to cover the entire area of the topic. Each group focused on two points each. They focused on the area given to them and the group leader presented the seminar paper after required preparation.
Content: Sustainable development is, in this sense, a development that meets the basic needs of all, particularly the poor majority, for employment, food, energy, water, housing, and ensures the growth of agriculture, manufacturing, power and services to meet these needs.
Strategies For Sustainable Development
Use of Non-conventional Sources of Energy: India, as you know, is hugely dependent on thermal and hydropower plants to meet its power needs. Both of these have adverse environmental impacts. Thermal power plants emit large quantities of carbon dioxide which is a greenhouse gas. It also produces fly ash which, if not used properly, can cause pollution of water bodies, land and other components of the environment.
LPG, Gobar Gas in Rural Areas: Households in rural areas generally use wood, dung cake or other biomass as fuel. This practice has several adverse implications like deforestation, reduction in green cover, wastage of cattle dung and air pollution. To rectify the situation, subsidized LPG is being provided. In addition, gobar gas plants are being provided through easy loans and subsidy. As far as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is concerned, it is a clean fuel – it reduces household pollution to a large extent. Also, energy wastage is minimized.
CNG in Urban Areas: In Delhi, the use of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as fuel in the public transport system has significantly lowered air pollution and the air has become cleaner in the last few years.
Wind Power: In areas where speed of wind is usually high, windmills can provide electricity without any adverse impact on the environment. Wind turbines move with the wind and electricity is generated.
Solar Power through Photovoltaic Cells: India is naturally endowed with a large quantity of solar energy in the form of sunlight. With the help of photovoltaic cells, solar energy can be converted into electricity. These cells use special kind of materials to capture solar energy and then convert the energy into electricity.
Mini-hydel Plants: In mountainous regions, streams can be found almost everywhere. A large percentage of such streams are perennial. Mini-hydel plants use the energy of such streams to move small turbines.
Traditional Knowledge and Practices: Traditionally, Indian people have been close to their environment. They have been more a component of the environment and not its controller. If we look back at our agriculture system, healthcare system, housing, transport etc., we find that all practices have been environment friendly. Only recently have we drifted away from the traditional systems and caused large scale damage to the environment and also our rural heritage.
Bio-composting: In our quest to increase agricultural production during the last five decades or so, we almost totally neglected the use of compost and completely switched overto chemical fertilizers.
Bio-pest Control: With the advent of green revolution, the entire country entered into a frenzy to use more and more chemical pesticides for higher yield. Soon, the adverse impacts began to show; food products were contaminated, soil, water bodies, and even groundwater were polluted with pesticides.
Conclusion: All five groups presented their topics with the necessary facts and figures. After the presentation, there was a question-answer session. The active participation of everyone made this session live and interesting. On the whole, the seminar was a big success.
Question 13.
Classify the following sources of energy into conventional and non-conventional.
Coal, Sun, Wind, Petroleum. (Say 2013)
Answer:
Conventional: Coal, Petroleum
Non-conventional: Sun, Wind
Question 14.
Sustainable development requires some new strategies for development. Identify any six of them. (Say 2013)
Answer:
Strategies for Sustainable Development
Strategies for sustainable development include the following.
- Use of Non-conventional Sources of Energy: LPG, Gobar Gas in Rural Areas:
- CNG in Urban Areas
- Wind Power
- Solar Power through Photovoltaic Cells:
- Mini-hydel Plants
- Traditional Knowledge and Practices:
- Bio-composting:
- Bio-pest Control
Question 15.
How do the following factors contribute to the environmental crisis in India? (March 2014)
a) Global warming and ozone depletion
b) Reduction of forest coverage
c) Rising population
d) Air and water pollution
Answer:
a) The major greenhouse gases (GHGs) consist of carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, water vapour and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). These gases allow sunlight to penetrate to the earth’s surface, yet prevent infrared radiant heat from escaping.
b) When forest cover is lost, runoff rapidly flows into streams, elevating river levels and subjecting downstream villages, cities, and agricultural fields to flooding, especially during the rainy season. During the dry season, such areas downstream of deforestation can be prone to months-long droughts which interrupt river navigation, wreak havoc on crops, and disrupt industrial operations.
c) Rapid human population growth has a variety of consequences. Population grows fastest in the world’s poorest countries. High fertility rates have historically been strongly correlated with poverty, and high childhood mortality rates. Falling fertility rates are generally associated with improved standards of living, increased life expectancy, and lowered infant mortality. Overpopulation and poverty have long been associated with increased death, and disease.
d) Air pollution has been linked to health problems like asthma and lung disease, as well as the deterioration of the ozone layer (which protects us from harmful UV rays) and the warming of the earth which may destroy the habitats of many animals.
Polluted waters aren’t safe to drink or swim in and can cause illness even years after you’re exposed, or you can feel the effects indirectly by eating seafood that has been poisoned by its environment.
Question 16.
Meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the needs of the future generation is called ______ (March 2015)
a) economics development
b) social development
c) sustainable development
d) economic growth
Answer:
c) sustainable development
Question 17.
a) Explain the functions of the environment. (Say 2015)
b) Distinguish between carrying capacity and absorptive capacity of the environment.
c) Explain the factors responsible for land degradation.
Answer:
a) The environment performs four vital functions which are listed out below:
1) It supplies resources: resources here include both renewable and non-renewable resources. Renewable resources are those which can be used without the possibility of the resource becoming depleted or exhausted. That is, a continuous supply of the resource remains available. Examples of renewable resources are the trees in the forests and the fishes in the ocean. Non-renewable resources, on the other hand, are those which get exhausted with extraction and use for example, fossil fuel
2) It assimilates waste
3) It sustains life by providing genetic and biodiversity and
4) It also provides aesthetic services like scenery etc.
b) Carrying capacity is the maximum population size of the species that the environment can sustain indefinitely, given the food, habitat, water, and other necessities available in the environment. On the other hand, absorptive capacity is the limit to the rate that the environment can absorb.
c) The following are the factors responsible for land degradation in India.
- loss of vegetation occurring due to deforestation.
- shifting cultivation.
- forest fires.
- unsustainable fuelwood extraction.
- overgrazing.
- non-adoption of soil conservation measures.
Question 18.
Define sustainable development. Describe the strategies for sustainable development. (Say 2015)
Answer:
Sustainable development is the development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of the future generation to meet their own needs.
Strategies For Sustainable Development
Use of Non-conventional Sources of Energy: India, as you know, is hugely dependent on thermal and hydropower plants to meet its power needs. Both of these have adverse environmental impacts. Thermal power plants emit large quantities of carbon dioxide which is a greenhouse gas. It also produces fly ash which, if not used properly, can cause pollution of water bodies, land, and other components of the environment.
LPG, Gobar Gas in Rural Areas: Households in rural areas generally use wood, dung cake or other biomass as fuel. This practice has several adverse implications like deforestation, reduction in green cover, wastage of cattle dung and air pollution. To rectify the situation, subsidized LPG is being provided. In addition, gobar gas plants are being provided through easy loans and subsidies. As far as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is concerned, it is a clean fuel – it reduces household pollution to a large extent. Also, energy wastage is minimized.
CNG in Urban Areas: In Delhi, the use of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as fuel in the public transport system has significantly lowered air pollution and the air has become cleaner in the last few years.
Wind Power: In areas where speed of wind is usually high, windmills can provide electricity without any adverse impact on the environment. Wind turbines move with the wind and electricity is generated.
Solar Power through Photovoltaic Cells: India is naturally endowed with a large quantity of solar energy in the form of sunlight. With the help of photovoltaic cells, solar energy can be converted into electricity. These cells use special kinds of materials to capture solar energy and then convert the energy into electricity.
Mini-hydel Plants: In mountainous regions, streams can be found almost everywhere. A large percentage of such streams are perennial. Mini-hydel plants use the energy of such streams to move small turbines.
Traditional Knowledge and Practices: Traditionally, Indian people have been close to their environment. They have been more a component of the environment and not its controller. If we look back at our agriculture system, healthcare system, housing, transport etc., we find that all practices have been environment friendly. Only recently have we drifted away from the traditional systems and caused large scale damage to the environment and also our rural heritage.
Bio-composting: In our quest to increase agricultural production during the last five decades or so, we almost totally neglected the use of compost and completely switched over to chemical fertilizers.
Bio-pest Control: With the advent of the green revolution, the entire country entered into a frenzy to use more and more chemical pesticides for higher yield. Soon, the adverse impacts began to show; food products were contaminated, soil, water bodies, and even groundwater were polluted with pesticides.
Conclusion: All five groups presented their topics with the necessary facts and figures. After the presentation, there was a question-answer session. The active participation of everyone made this session live and interesting. On the whole the seminar was a big success.
Question 19.
Kerala government initiates measures to encourage organic farming and appointed actress Manju Warrier as the brand ambassador of this programme. List the benefits of organic farming. (Say 2015)
Answer:
Benefits of Organic Farming:
- Organic agriculture offers a means to substitute costlier agricultural inputs (such as HYV seeds, chemical fertilizers, pesticides, etc.) with locally produced organic inputs that are cheaper and thereby generate good returns on investment.
- Organic agriculture also generates income through international exports as the demand for organically grown crops is on a rise.
- Studies across countries have shown that organically grown food has more nutritional value than chemical farming thus providing us with healthy foods.
- Since organic farming requires more labour input than conventional farming, India will find organic farming an attractive proposition.
- Finally, the produce is pesticide-free and produced in an environmentally sustainable way
Question 20.
a) Differentiate between commercial sources of energy and noncommercial sources of energy.
b) Write any two names of renewable sources of energy. (Say 2015)
Answer:
a) Commercial sources of energy: Commercial sources of energy include coal, petroleum and electricity. They could be bought and sold. They are generally exhaustible in nature. More than 60 percent of Indian households depend on the traditional source of energy.
Non-commercial sources of energy: Non-commercial sources of energy include firewood, agricultural waste and dried dung. They are found in nature or forests. Lesser number of persons use these resources.
b) Solar energy, wind energy
Question 21.
Write the conventional sources and non-conventional sources of energy. (March 2016)
Answer:
Energy is very vital for rapid economic growth. There is a big gap between consumer demand and the supply of electricity in India. Energy is a critical aspect of the development process of a nation. It is, of course, essential for industries.
Non-conventional Sources of Energy: There are commercial and non-commercial sources of energy. Commercial sources are coal, petroleum and electricity as they are bought and sold. Non-commercial sources of energy are firewood, agricultural waste and dried dung. These are non-commercial as they are found in nature/forests. While commercial sources of energy are generally exhaustible, noncommercial sources are generally renewable.
Both commercial and noncommercial sources of energy are known as conventional sources of energy. There are three other sources of energy which are commonly termed as non-conventional sources — solar energy, wind energy and tidal power.
Question 22.
Define sustainable development. Discuss the various strategies for sustainable development. (March 2016)
Answer:
Sustainable development is a development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of the future generation to meet their own needs.
Strategies For Sustainable Development
Use of Non-conventional Sources of Energy: India, as you know, is hugely dependent on thermal and hydropower plants to meet its power needs. Both of these have adverse environmental impacts. Thermal power plants emit large quantities of carbon dioxide which is a greenhouse gas. It also produces fly ash which, if not used properly, can cause pollution of water bodies, land, and other components of the environment.
LPG, Gobar Gas in Rural Areas: Households in rural areas generally use wood, dung cake or other biomass as fuel. This practice has several adverse implications like deforestation, reduction in green cover, wastage of cattle dung and air pollution. To rectify the situation, subsidized LPG is being provided. In addition, gobar gas plants are being provided through easy loans and subsidies. As far as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is concerned, it is a clean fuel – it reduces household pollution to a large extent. Also, energy wastage is minimized.
CNG in Urban Areas: In Delhi, the use of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as fuel in the public transport system has significantly lowered air pollution and the air has become cleaner in the last few years.
Wind Power: In areas where the speed of the wind is usually high, windmills can provide electricity without any adverse impact on the environment. Wind turbines move with the wind and electricity is generated.
Solar Power through Photovoltaic Cells: India is naturally endowed with a large quantity of solar energy in the form of sunlight. With the help of photovoltaic cells, solar energy can be converted into electricity. These cells use special kinds of materials to capture solar energy and then convert the energy into electricity.
Mini-hydel Plants: In mountainous regions, streams can be found almost everywhere. A large percentage of such streams are perennial. Mini-hydel plants use the energy of such streams to move small turbines.
Traditional Knowledge and Practices: Traditionally, Indian people have been close to their environment. They have been more a component of the environment and not its controller. If we look back at our agriculture system, healthcare system, housing, transport etc., we find that all practices have been environment friendly. Only recently have we drifted away from the traditional systems and caused large scale damage to the environment and also our rural heritage.
Bio-composting: In our quest to increase agricultural production during the last five decades or so, we almost totally neglected the use of compost and completely switched over to chemical fertilizers.
Bio pest Control: With the advent of the green revolution, the entire country entered into a frenzy to use more and more chemical pesticides for higher yield. Soon, the adverse impacts began to show; food products were contaminated, soil, water bodies, and even groundwater were polluted with pesticides.
Conclusion: All five groups presented their topics with the necessary facts and figures. After the presentation, there was a question-answer session. The active participation of everyone made this session live and interesting. On the whole, the seminar was a big success.
Question 23.
Connect column B with A. (Say 2016)
A | B |
Kyoto Protocol | Ozone depletion |
Organic fanning | Renewable resource |
Chipko movement | Reduction of greenhouse gases |
Solar energy | Protection of trees and forests |
Emission of CFCs | Bio composting |
Answer:
Kyoto Protocol – Reduction of greenhouse gases
Organic farming – Bio composting
Chipko movement – Protection of trees and forests
Solar energy – Renewable resources
Emission of CFCs – Ozone depletion
Question 24.
Differentiate between conventional and non-conventional sources of energy. Write examples. (Say 2016)
Answer:
Conventional sources of energy: Conventional energy is generally exhaustible. They cannot be renewable, e.g. coal, petroleum, and electricity.
Nonconventional sources of energy: Nonconventional sources of energy include three sources. They are,
- Solar energy
- Wind energy
- Tidal power
They can be renewable. India has an infinite potential for producing these types of energy.
Question 25.
a) Name the system of farming that restores, maintains, and enhances Ecological balance. (March 2017)
b) Point out any three merits of it.
Answer:
a) Organic farming system
b) i) It gives pesticide-free and environment friendly
ii) It provides good nutritional food grains and vegetables.
iii) It enhance the ecological balance of the earth e.g. fertility of the soil.
Question 26.
Define the term, ‘Sustainable development’. Suggest various strategies for attaining it in two pages. (March 2017)
Answer:
Sustainable development is defined as development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of the future generation to meet their own needs.
Development is essential. But which should be compatible with the environment for the following strategies are implementing for sustainable development which are they.
Use of conventional sources of energy
India should be depending on non-conventional sources of energy like wind, sunlight, tide, etc. should be used. They are cleaner and eco-friendly.
Wind power: The windmills can be used to generate electricity without any stress on the environment.
Solar power through photovoltaic cells. Under this system, solar energy can be converted into electricity with the help of photovoltaic cells. This technique is totally free from pollution.
Use of LPG, Gobar gas in rural areas LPG should be provided in rural areas at a subsidized rate. It reduces household pollution and energy wastage.
Use of CNG in urban areas Use of compressed natural gas in vehicles has lowered air pollution. In Delhi, it is already used in heavy vehicles.
Mini-hydel plants.
Mini hydel plants use energy and generate electricity. They are environment friendly. Traditional knowledge and practices with the help of traditional knowledge environment-friendly measures should be taken in the fields of agriculture system health care system, housing, transport, etc.
Biocomposting
Compost made from various bio-wastes is highly beneficial. Earthworms can change bio waste into compost quickly.
Bio pest control
We use organic pesticides and practice can be substituted for chemical pesticides. So adverse impact of the chemical pesticides can be substituted for chemical pesticides. So adverse impact of the chemical pesticides can be avoided to a large extent. Neem and tobacco have been used for the production of biopesticides moreover, mixed cropping and crop rotation on the same land have also helped farmers.