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Set 5 | Important Environment and Sustainable Development MCQs
Important Environment and Sustainable Development MCQs. Environment and Sustainable Development are pivotal aspects of Environment and Ecology, serving as a cornerstone for success in competitive exams like Civil Services, State exams, SSC, Railways, Banking, and more. Mastering these subjects offers a unique advantage, allowing you to gain invaluable insights into the country’s environmental legacy. With a focus on Environment, Biodiversity, and Ecology, this knowledge not only sharpens your competitive edge but also equips you to excel in these challenging exams.
| MCQs on Environment and Sustainable Development – Objective Questions and Answers |
Q41. Which of the following is not a function of the tree? (R.A.S./R.T.S. (Pre) 1993)
[A] Absorption of carbon dioxide
[B] Absorption of noise
[C] Air pollution
[D] Releasing oxygen
View Explanation
Correct Answer is C.
- Trees contribute to the environment by providing oxygen, improving air quality, climate amelioration, conserving water, preserving soil and supporting wildlife.
- Hence they clean the environment and are not the reason behind air pollution. In addition to this, trees on both sides of roads reduce the sound pollution by reducing the intensity of sound by 10 to 15 decibels.
Q42. Consider the following : (I.A.S (Pre) 2014, I.A.S. (Pre) 2011)
1. Photosynthesis 2. Respiration
3. Decay of organic matter 4. Volcanic action
Which of the above add carbon dioxide to the carbon cycle on Earth?
[A] 1 and 4
[B] 2 and 3
[C] 2, 3 and 4
[D] 1, 2, 3 and 4
View Explanation
Correct Answer is C.
- The decay of organic matter, volcanic action, respiration and burning of fossil fuel etc contribute carbon dioxide to the carbon cycle, whereas plants use carbon dioxide in the process of photosynthesis.
- Thus plants do not add carbon dioxide to the carbon cycle rather they release oxygen and consume carbon dioxide. Three natural allotropes of elemental carbon are – fullerene, graphite and diamond. Besides, as a compound, it is found as carbon dioxide, carbonate and Hydrogen carbonate.
Q43. Which of the following does not add the carbon dioxide to carbon cycle on the planet Earth? (U.P.P.C.S. (Mains 2012))
[A] Respiration
[B] Photosynthesis
[C] Decay of organic matter
[D] Volcanic action
View Explanation
Correct Answer is B.
- By converting carbon dioxide from the atmosphere into organic matter, plants and trees use a process called photosynthesis. The carbon cycle is not enhanced by it.
- In the carbon cycle, carbon dioxide is added by volcanic eruptions, burning fossil fuels, organic matter decomposition, and animal and plant respiration.
Q44. The concept of weathering relates to – (Uttarakhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2006)
[A] Deposition of decomposed material
[B] Change in weather conditions day to day
[C] Natural process leading to the decomposition of rocks
[D] None of the above
View Explanation
Correct Answer is C.
- Weathering is defined as mechanical disintegration and chemical decomposition of rocks through the actions of various elements of weather and climate. Weathering processes are conditioned by many complex geological, climatic, topographic and vegetative factors.
Q45. The Headquarter of World Meteorological Organization is located at – (U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2010)
[A] Geneva
[B] Rome
[C] Sidney
[D] Tokyo
View Explanation
Correct Answer is A.
- The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) provides a framework for international cooperation in the development of meteorology and operational hydrology and their practical application.
- WMO originated from the International Meteorological Organization (IMO) which was founded in 1873 to facilitate the exchange of weather information across national borders.
- WMO became a specialized agency of the United Nations on 17 March, 1951. Notably, World Meteorological Convention was implemented on 23 March, 1950. It has its headquarter in Geneva, Switzerland.
Q46. The headquarter of U.N.E.P. is located at – (U.P.P.S.C. (GIC) 2010, U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2010)
[A] Geneva
[B] Kathmandu
[C] Nairobi
[D] New Delhi
View Explanation
Correct Answer is C.
- UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme ) was established in 1972. Its headquarter is in Nairobi (Kenya).
- Nairobi, Kenya: UNEP is the only significant UN agency with a headquarters in Africa, and it is housed in Nairobi. This highlights the organization’s dedication to tackling environmental problems globally, especially in developing nations.
- Environmental Protection: The goal of UNEP is to advance sustainable development by fostering international collaboration in the areas of climate change mitigation, natural resource management, and environmental protection.
Q47. Where is the headquarter of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)? (Jharkhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2016)
[A] The Hague
[B] Nairobi
[C] New York
[D] Washington D.C.
View Explanation
Correct Answer is B.
- Nairobi, Kenya: The only significant UN agency having its headquarters in Africa is UNEP, which has its headquarters in Nairobi. This highlights how dedicated the organization is to tackling environmental problems worldwide, especially in developing nations.
- Established in 1972: After the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm, Sweden, UNEP was founded. It was established to plan the worldwide response to environmental emergencies.
Q48. Where was the 4th session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-4) held recently? (65th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2019)
[A] Paris-France
[B] Ulaanbaatar-Mongolia
[C] Beijing – China
[D] Nairobi-Kenya
[E] None of the above/More than one of the above
View Explanation
Correct Answer is D.
- The fourth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-4) took place from 11-15 March 2019 in Nairobi, Kenya. The theme of UNEA-4 was “Innovative solutions for Environmental Challenges and Sustainable Consumption and Production”.
- It is noteworthy that the fifth session of UNEA took place (Virtually) in Nairobi in February 2021, under the theme, ” Strengthening Actions for Nature to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals”. A resumed in-person session of UNEA-5 is scheduled to take place from 28th February-2 March, 2022.
Q49. What does EPA stand for – (Uttarakhand U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2003)
[A] Environment Pollution Agency
[B] Environmental Prohibition Agency
[C] Environment Protection Agency
[D] None of these
View Explanation
Correct Answer is C.
- Environment Protection Agency (EPA) is an agency of the Federal Government of the United States which was created for the purpose of protecting human health and the environment by writing and enforcing regulations based on laws passed by the Congress.
- It was established on 2 December 1970.
Q50. In which of the following institutes, the Environmental Information System (ENVIS)’s ‘Centre on Population and Environment’ is located? (U.P. P.C.S. (Mains) 2017)
[A] I.I.T. Kharagpur
[B] I.I.T. New Delhi
[C] I.I.P.S. Mumbai
[D] N.I.R.S. Dehradun
View Explanation
Correct Answer is C.
- The Environmental Information System (ENVIS)’s ‘Centre on Population and Environment’ is located in International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS), Mumbai.
- IIPS contributes significantly to population and environmental research and data collection, which is in line with the goals of the ENVIS program, which is to disseminate environmental information and encourage sustainable development.
