Q61. Which of the following represents the correct chronological stages of the global response to ozone depletion?
Environmental Issues: Desertification, Deforestation, Climate Change and Ozone Depletion: RAS Prelims MCQs
75 RAS Prelims MCQs on environmental issues cover desertification, deforestation, global warming, climate agreements and the ozone layer. Greenhouse gases, the IPCC, the Montreal Protocol, the Kigali Amendment, the Paris Agreement, the Great Green Wall and desertification in Rajasthan and India are asked as facts, dates and statements.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 61–70 of 75 questions
Q62. Consider the following statements regarding the recovery status of the ozone layer:
Statement I: As a direct result of the Montreal Protocol, the stratospheric ozone layer is showing signs of recovery.
Statement II: The Antarctic ozone hole is projected to fully recover to 1980 levels within the next 5 years.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Statement I: As a direct result of the Montreal Protocol, the stratospheric ozone layer is showing signs of recovery.
Statement II: The Antarctic ozone hole is projected to fully recover to 1980 levels within the next 5 years.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The ozone layer is showing signs of recovery because of the Montreal Protocol, so Statement I is correct. The Antarctic ozone hole is expected to recover to 1980 levels only around the middle of the century, not within five years, so Statement II is incorrect.
Q63. All of the following activities are considered primary direct drivers of deforestation EXCEPT:
Explanation
Pasture expansion, large monoculture plantations and unregulated logging are direct drivers of deforestation. Sustainable harvesting of non-timber forest products does not clear forest, so it is the exception.
Q64. Consider the following statements regarding the mechanisms of the Paris Agreement:
I. It includes a "Global Stocktake" every five years to assess collective progress toward its long-term goals.
II. Developing countries are explicitly prohibited from setting their own emission reduction targets.
III. It establishes a framework for voluntary cooperation and market mechanisms (Article 6).
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. It includes a "Global Stocktake" every five years to assess collective progress toward its long-term goals.
II. Developing countries are explicitly prohibited from setting their own emission reduction targets.
III. It establishes a framework for voluntary cooperation and market mechanisms (Article 6).
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The Paris Agreement has a Global Stocktake every five years and a framework for voluntary cooperation under Article 6. Developing countries are not prohibited from setting targets, since each country sets its own, so II is wrong.
Q65. In the context of global warming, what is the difference between eustatic and isostatic sea-level changes?
Explanation
Eustatic sea-level change is a change in the volume of ocean water, while isostatic change is a change in the level of the land, such as rebound after the ice melts.
Q66. According to recent Space Applications Centre (SAC) reports, approximately what percentage of the total geographical area of India is undergoing desertification/land degradation?
Explanation
According to the Space Applications Centre, around 30 per cent of India’s geographical area is undergoing land degradation and desertification.
Q67. Consider the following statements regarding strategies to combat climate change:
I. Mitigation involves taking action to reduce the emissions that cause climate change.
II. Adaptation involves adjusting to actual or expected future climate impacts.
III. Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is a widely deployed adaptation strategy in developing countries.
IV. Enhancing natural carbon sinks through afforestation is considered a mitigation strategy.
V. The Paris Agreement requires all countries to implement identical mitigation technologies regardless of their economic status.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. Mitigation involves taking action to reduce the emissions that cause climate change.
II. Adaptation involves adjusting to actual or expected future climate impacts.
III. Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is a widely deployed adaptation strategy in developing countries.
IV. Enhancing natural carbon sinks through afforestation is considered a mitigation strategy.
V. The Paris Agreement requires all countries to implement identical mitigation technologies regardless of their economic status.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Climate action involves both mitigation, which reduces emissions, and adaptation, which builds resilience to impacts. Afforestation is a key mitigation strategy as it enhances natural carbon sinks. However, complex technologies like Carbon Capture and Storage are not yet widely deployed in developing nations. Furthermore, the Paris Agreement recognizes different national circumstances, allowing for a variety of approaches rather than mandating identical technologies.
Q68. Enteric fermentation is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions. This process is primarily associated with:
Explanation
Enteric fermentation is a natural digestive process occurring in ruminant animals like cattle, sheep, and goats. Microorganisms in the rumen break down plant material, producing methane as a byproduct, which is then released into the atmosphere. This process is a significant anthropogenic source of methane, making livestock management a key area for reducing agricultural greenhouse gas emissions and addressing global warming.
Q69. Match List-I with List-II regarding the impacts of climate change on specific ecosystems:
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
| Ecosystem | Specific Impact |
|---|---|
| A. Coral Reefs | i. Widespread bleaching events due to thermal stress |
| B. Arctic Tundra | ii. Accelerated permafrost thaw releasing trapped greenhouse gases |
| C. Tropical Rainforests | iii. Increased vulnerability to sea-level rise and coastal squeeze |
| D. Coastal Mangroves | iv. Heightened risk of desiccation and increased frequency of forest fires |
Explanation
Different ecosystems face unique threats from climate change. Coral reefs are highly sensitive to thermal stress, leading to bleaching. The Arctic tundra is impacted by permafrost thaw, which releases greenhouse gases. Tropical rainforests face higher risks of fire and drying. Coastal mangroves are vulnerable to rising sea levels and limited space for landward migration. Recognizing these specific vulnerabilities is crucial for targeted conservation.
Q70. Which component of anthropogenic activities provides the single largest positive contribution to global radiative forcing (warming effect) since pre-industrial times?
Explanation
Since the industrial revolution, human activities have altered the Earth’s energy balance. While various factors like methane and aerosols contribute to radiative forcing, carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels provides the largest positive contribution. Its long atmospheric lifetime and high total emissions make it the primary driver of observed global warming. Reducing CO 2 levels is therefore the most critical priority for stabilizing the climate.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 61 | (b) Discovery of the Antarctic Ozone Hole, Adoption of Montreal Protocol, Kigali Amendment |
| 62 | (c) Statement I is correct, but Statement II is incorrect. |
| 63 | (b) Sustainable harvesting of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) |
| 64 | (c) I and III only |
| 65 | (a) Eustatic refers to ocean volume changes, while isostatic refers to land elevation changes. |
| 66 | (c) Around 30% |
| 67 | (a) I, II and IV only |
| 68 | (c) Digestive processes of ruminant livestock such as cattle, producing methane. |
| 69 | (a) A-i, B-ii, C-iv, D-iii |
| 70 | (d) The atmospheric accumulation of carbon dioxide from fossil fuel combustion |
Key facts from Environmental Issues: Desertification, Deforestation, Climate Change and Ozone Depletion
- Water vapour is the most abundant greenhouse gas, and the ozone layer lies in the stratosphere.
- The IPCC was established in 1988; the order is Montreal Protocol, IPCC, UNFCCC, Paris Agreement.
- The Kigali Amendment of 2016 targets the phase-down of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).
- The Amazon Basin has the highest absolute rate of tropical deforestation and holds about half the world’s remaining tropical rainforest.
- The Great Green Wall is an African initiative; about 30 per cent of India’s area is undergoing land degradation or desertification.
- In the Thar desert, wind erosion and shifting sand dunes are the most widespread problem; poor drainage in irrigated dry land causes salinisation.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Environmental Issues: Desertification, Deforestation, Climate Change and Ozone Depletion?
This page has 75 practice MCQs on Environmental Issues: Desertification, Deforestation, Climate Change and Ozone Depletion (World Geography). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
When was the IPCC established?
In 1988, by the World Meteorological Organization and the United Nations Environment Programme. It assesses the science of climate change and its reports guide the climate negotiations, including the Paris Agreement.
What does the Kigali Amendment target?
The phase-down of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are strong greenhouse gases used in cooling. It was adopted in 2016 as an amendment to the Montreal Protocol, which was originally made to protect the ozone layer.
What is the Great Green Wall?
An African initiative to restore land and plant a belt of trees across the Sahel, south of the Sahara. Its aim is to fight desertification, improve food security and support local communities.