Climate Change: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Environment and Ecology)
2 previous year UPSC Prelims questions on Climate Change (Environment and Ecology). Choose an option to see the answer and explanation.
Explanations state facts as of the year each question was asked; words like “recently” refer to that year.
Showing 1–2 of 2 questions
UPSC 2012Environment and Ecology · Climate Change
Q1. Consider the following statements: Chlorofluorocarbons, known as ozone-depleting substances, are used: 1. In the production of plastic foams. 2. In the production of tubeless tyres. 3. In cleaning certain electronic components. 4. As pressurizing agents in aerosol cAns: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Chlorofluorocarbons, Hydrochlorofluorocarbons, Carbon tetrachloride, Methyl chloroform, Methyl chloroform, Ha-lons, Methyl bromide, etc. are Ozone Depleting Substances. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) also referred to as ozone depleting materials, are used to make plastic foams, cleaning electronic components, and pressurising aerosol cAns: They are non-toxic, nonflammable chemicals containing atoms of carbon, chlorine and fluorine. Statements 1, 3 and 4 are correct: Chlorofluorocarbons, known as ozone-depleting substances, are used in the production of plastic foams, in cleaning electronic components, and as pressurising agents in aerosol.
Statement 2 is incorrect: Chlorofluorocarbons are not used in the production of tubeless tyres. Tubeless tyre is basically a clincher tyre inflated onto a rim with no inner tube. Instead of an inner tube holding the air pressure, an airtight chamber is created with a tubeless-specific tyre, developed with a special (commonly carbon) bead, and a compatible rim.
UPSC 2012Environment and Ecology · Climate Change
Q2. The increasing amount of carbon dioxide in the air is slowly raising the temperature of the atmosphere, because it absorbs
Explanation
Greenhouse Effect is a naturally occurring phenomenon that warms and covers the lower atmosphere of the planet, keeping it at a temperature where life may survive. The earth’s cooling and warming are balanced by them. Without this, the current 15 degrees Celsius average temperature of the earth’s surface would be -19 degrees Celsius. Human-induced greenhouse gas emissions upset the natural balance & lead to increased warmth.
Option (d) is correct: Carbon dioxide absorbs the infrared (IR) radiation emitted by the Earth’s surface. When sunlight reaches the Earth it warms the surface, which then re-emits this energy as infrared radiation. CO₂ molecules absorb this IR radiation, trapping heat in the atmosphere and causing the temperature to rise.The increasing amount of carbon dioxide in the air is slowly raising the temperature of the atmosphere because it absorbs the infrared part of the solar radiation. It absorbs energy with a wavelength of 15 m (micrometres).
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
1
2012
(c) 1, 3 and 4 only
2
2012
(d) The infrared part of the solar radiation.
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on Climate Change?
This page covers 2 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on Climate Change (Environment and Ecology), asked from 2008 to 2025. Each has the correct answer and an explanation.
How should I use previous year UPSC questions for Prelims?
Attempt each question first, then open the answer and read the explanation for every option. Repeat by chapter, and track which statements UPSC reuses across years. Previous year questions show the exam pattern and difficulty level.
Which years are covered for Climate Change?
Questions on Climate Change (Environment and Ecology) are available for 14 years, from 2008 to 2025. Use the Year filter to practise a single paper.
