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.
Q71. Given below are two statements, one labelled as Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R): Assertion (A): The Paris Agreement represented a shift from the rigid, top-down approach of the Kyoto Protocol to a more flexible, bottom-up approach. Reason (R): Under the Paris Agreement, emission reduction targets (NDCs) are self-determined by each individual country based on their national circumstances. Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
Explanation
The transition to the Paris Agreement marked a significant change in international climate policy. By moving away from the rigid targets of the Kyoto Protocol, the agreement adopted a bottom-up model. This allows each nation to determine its own contributions based on local capacity and priorities. This flexibility was essential for achieving near-universal participation, ensuring that both developed and developing countries contribute.
Q72. Which of the following statements concerning the global extent of deforestation is INCORRECT?
Explanation
While tropical regions have historically faced the highest rates of forest loss, Boreal forests in Russia and Canada are not immune to human impacts. These areas are subject to significant commercial logging for timber and paper industries. Additionally, climate-induced factors like increased pest outbreaks and more frequent wildfires also threaten these ecosystems. Understanding that all forest types face pressures is vital for global conservation.
Q73. Identify the odd one out among the following regions/annexes regarding the implementation focus of the UNCCD.
Explanation
The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification operates through regional implementation annexes that cover Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and parts of Europe. These regions contain the vast majority of the world’s arid and semi-arid lands where populations are vulnerable to degradation. Antarctica, being a polar desert without a resident human population or agricultural activity, is not a focus.
Q74. Consider the following statements regarding the structure and function of the ozone layer: I. It absorbs 97-99% of the Sun’s medium-frequency ultraviolet light (UV-B). II. Without the ozone layer, UV radiation would cause widespread genetic damage to living organisms. III. The concentration of ozone in the stratosphere is uniform and constant throughout the year at all latitudes. IV. Ozone molecules in the stratosphere undergo a continuous cycle of creation and destruction. Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The stratospheric ozone layer is vital for protecting life by absorbing most harmful UV-B radiation. This prevents genetic damage and other health issues in organisms. Ozone levels are not uniform; they vary by latitude and season due to atmospheric circulation and chemical cycles.
Q75. Approximately what percentage of the world’s remaining tropical rainforests is contained within the Amazon Basin?
Explanation
About half of the world’s remaining tropical rainforest lies in the Amazon Basin, which is why its loss is so important for the global climate.
Answer key for these questions
Q
Correct answer
71
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
72
(c) The Boreal forests are entirely immune to human-induced deforestation and logging.
73
(a) Antarctica
74
(b) I, II and IV
75
(c) 50%
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.
