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Anganwadi Supervisor Paper-1 Top-ups · Chapter 2

Environment, Sustainable Development, SDGs and Climate

What to remember

  • Sustainable development means meeting the needs of today without harming the ability of future generations to meet theirs. The idea comes from the 1987 Brundtland report, "Our Common Future".
  • The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted by the UN in 2015 for the period up to 2030. They replaced the 8 Millennium Development Goals (2000-2015).
  • Climate change is caused mainly by greenhouse gases from burning fuels, farming and land use change. The Paris Agreement (2015) aims to keep warming well below 2 degrees Celsius and to try for 1.5 degrees.

Basic concepts

  • Environment: all living and non-living things around us. Ecosystem: a community of living things and their surroundings acting together.
  • Pollution: harmful change in air, water or soil. Pollutant: the substance causing it.
  • Carrying capacity: the largest population that the environment can support. Ecological footprint: the land and water a person or community needs for its needs and waste.
  • Biodiversity: variety of life at gene, species and ecosystem levels. India has several hotspots: the Himalaya, the Indo-Burma region, the Western Ghats and Sri Lanka, and the Nicobar part of Sundaland.
  • Principles of environmental law: polluter pays, precautionary principle, and fairness between generations.
  • The 3Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

Types of pollution

TypeMain sourcesEffects
AirVehicles, industries, burning of waste and crop residueLung disease, smog, acid rain
WaterSewage, factory waste, fertiliser run-offDisease, eutrophication (excess algae)
SoilPlastic, chemicals, mining wastePoor crops, toxic food
NoiseTraffic, loudspeakersStress, hearing loss

Acid rain is caused mainly by sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. Eutrophication is the overgrowth of algae in water that has too many nutrients, which lowers the oxygen for fish. India's Air Quality Index (AQI) was launched in 2014 to tell people about air quality in simple categories. The National Clean Air Programme began in 2019.

Indian laws and institutions

Law or bodyPoint
Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972Protects wild animals, sanctuaries and national parks
Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974Created Central and State Pollution Control Boards
Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980Controls use of forest land for other purposes
Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981Controls air pollution
Environment (Protection) Act, 1986Umbrella law, passed after the Bhopal gas disaster of 1984
Biological Diversity Act, 2002Conservation and fair sharing of benefits of biological resources
Forest Rights Act, 2006Recognises forest rights of tribal and forest-dwelling communities
National Green Tribunal Act, 2010Set up the National Green Tribunal for fast environmental cases

Constitutional links: Article 48A (Directive Principle: State to protect environment) and Article 51A(g) (duty of citizens to protect nature) were added by the 42nd Amendment (1976). The Supreme Court has read a right to a clean environment into Article 21. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change is the central ministry. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) checks the effects of big projects before approval.

Famous movements: Chipko (1973, Himalayan villagers hugging trees), Appiko in Karnataka, Silent Valley and Narmada Bachao Andolan. Project Tiger started in 1973. Project Elephant started in 1992.

Sustainable development and the SDGs

Three pillars: economic growth, social inclusion and environmental protection.

Milestones:

YearEvent
1972Stockholm Conference; World Environment Day is 5 June
1987Brundtland Report; Montreal Protocol on ozone-depleting substances
1992Rio Earth Summit: Agenda 21, UNFCCC, Convention on Biological Diversity
1997Kyoto Protocol (came into force in 2005)
2000Millennium Development Goals
2015SDGs adopted; Paris Agreement at COP21

The 17 SDGs:

  • 1. No poverty
  • 2. Zero hunger
  • 3. Good health and well-being
  • 4. Quality education
  • 5. Gender equality
  • 6. Clean water and sanitation
  • 7. Affordable and clean energy
  • 8. Decent work and economic growth
  • 9. Industry, innovation and infrastructure
  • 10. Reduced inequalities
  • 11. Sustainable cities and communities
  • 12. Responsible consumption and production
  • 13. Climate action
  • 14. Life below water
  • 15. Life on land
  • 16. Peace, justice and strong institutions
  • 17. Partnerships for the goals

There are 169 targets. The slogan is "Leave no one behind". In India, NITI Aayog leads SDG monitoring and publishes the SDG India Index. For an Anganwadi Supervisor, SDG 2 (nutrition), SDG 3 (health), SDG 4 (early education) and SDG 5 (gender equality) are the closest links.

Climate change

  • Greenhouse effect: gases in the air trap heat from the Earth's surface and keep the planet warm. Without it, life would be hard. Global warming is the extra warming caused by more greenhouse gases.
  • Main greenhouse gases: carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, CFCs and water vapour. Methane comes from paddy fields, cattle and landfills. Carbon dioxide comes mainly from burning coal, oil and gas.
  • Effects: melting ice, sea-level rise, stronger cyclones, floods, droughts, heat waves, loss of species and pressure on health and food supply.
  • Ozone layer: a layer in the stratosphere that blocks harmful ultraviolet rays. CFCs damage it. The Vienna Convention (1985) and the Montreal Protocol (1987) protect it.
  • IPCC: set up in 1988 by WMO and UNEP to assess climate science.
  • UNFCCC: treaty from 1992. Countries meet each year at the Conference of the Parties (COP).
  • Paris Agreement: each country sets its own plan, called a Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), and reviews it over time.
  • India's steps: National Action Plan on Climate Change (2008) with eight missions, including the National Solar Mission. International Solar Alliance (launched with France in 2015). A long-term goal of net zero emissions by 2070. Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) promotes simple, eco-friendly habits.
  • Mitigation reduces emissions. Adaptation helps people live with the changes. A carbon sink absorbs more carbon than it releases, such as forests and oceans.

Environment in Andhra Pradesh

  • AP has a long coast, large deltas of the Godavari and Krishna rivers, and the Eastern Ghats.
  • Kolleru Lake is a large freshwater lake and Ramsar site. Pulicat Lake is a brackish lagoon shared with Tamil Nadu. Coringa has mangroves on the Godavari delta. The Ramsar Convention (1971) protects wetlands of international importance.
  • Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve is one of the largest tiger reserves in India.
  • Red sanders is a prized tree found in the Seshachalam hills of the Eastern Ghats. It is protected from illegal felling.
  • The coast is prone to cyclones, so disaster readiness is an environmental need too.
  • AP has promoted natural farming and water conservation drives such as Neeru-Chettu. Check the latest official release for current programmes.

Waste, energy and daily action

  • Solid waste is handled by segregation at source into wet, dry and hazardous waste. Wet waste can become compost. Dry waste can be recycled. India has rules for solid waste, plastic waste, e-waste and bio-medical waste. Check the latest official text for current rules.
  • Renewable energy comes from sources that renew themselves: sun, wind, water, biomass and geothermal heat. Non-renewable sources are coal, oil and natural gas. Switching to renewables lowers carbon emissions.
  • Clean cooking and safe water protect the health of women and young children. This links the environment to nutrition and child health.
  • Afforestation means planting trees where there were none. Deforestation is clearing of forests. Both change the carbon balance.
  • Simple habits such as saving water, using cloth bags, and planting trees in the Anganwadi compound teach children respect for nature.

Exam traps

  • Sustainable development idea: Brundtland (1987). Not Stockholm (1972).
  • MDGs are 8 goals up to 2015. SDGs are 17 goals up to 2030.
  • Kyoto is about cutting greenhouse gases. Montreal is about the ozone layer.
  • Ramsar is about wetlands. CITES is about trade in endangered species.
  • UNFCCC is the treaty. IPCC is the science panel.
  • Mitigation is reducing. Adaptation is adjusting.
  • The Environment (Protection) Act is 1986. The Water Act is 1974 and the Air Act is 1981.
  • Article 48A is a Directive Principle. Article 51A(g) is a Fundamental Duty.

One-liners

  • 1. World Environment Day is on 5 June.
  • 2. The Brundtland Report was titled "Our Common Future".
  • 3. The Rio Summit was held in 1992.
  • 4. The Kyoto Protocol was adopted in 1997.
  • 5. The Montreal Protocol protects the ozone layer.
  • 6. The Paris Agreement was adopted at COP21 in 2015.
  • 7. There are 17 SDGs and 169 targets.
  • 8. SDG 13 is climate action.
  • 9. India has set a net zero goal for 2070.
  • 10. The Environment (Protection) Act followed the Bhopal disaster.
  • 11. Chipko began in 1973.
  • 12. Kolleru is a Ramsar wetland in Andhra Pradesh.

Practice questions

  1. The report 'Our Common Future' (1987) popularised the idea of

    1. Sustainable development
    2. Green revolution
    3. Carbon trading
    4. Ecological footprint
    Answer

    A. Sustainable development

    The Brundtland Commission defined sustainable development.

  2. World Environment Day is observed on

    1. 16 September
    2. 22 April
    3. 21 March
    4. 5 June
    Answer

    D. 5 June

    It commemorates the 1972 Stockholm Conference.

  3. How many Sustainable Development Goals are there?

    1. 17
    2. 12
    3. 8
    4. 20
    Answer

    A. 17

    There are 17 goals and 169 targets.

  4. The Millennium Development Goals were

    1. 8 in number, for 2000 to 2015
    2. 12 in number, for 2005 to 2020
    3. 17 in number, for 2015 to 2030
    4. 10 in number, for 1990 to 2000
    Answer

    A. 8 in number, for 2000 to 2015

    The SDGs replaced the MDGs.

  5. SDG 2 aims at

    1. No poverty
    2. Gender equality
    3. Quality education
    4. Zero hunger
    Answer

    D. Zero hunger

    Goal 2 deals with food security and nutrition.

  6. SDG 5 deals with

    1. Clean water
    2. Gender equality
    3. Reduced inequalities
    4. Peace and justice
    Answer

    B. Gender equality

    Goal 5 is about gender equality and empowering women and girls.

  7. The Paris Agreement was adopted at

    1. COP3
    2. COP11
    3. COP21
    4. COP26 only
    Answer

    C. COP21

    It was adopted in 2015.

  8. Which protocol protects the ozone layer?

    1. Montreal Protocol
    2. Kyoto Protocol
    3. Cartagena Protocol
    4. Nagoya Protocol
    Answer

    A. Montreal Protocol

    The Montreal Protocol of 1987 phases out ozone-depleting substances.

  9. The Kyoto Protocol deals mainly with

    1. Trade in wildlife
    2. Wetland protection
    3. Hazardous waste movement
    4. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions
    Answer

    D. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions

    It set targets for developed countries.

  10. The Ramsar Convention is about

    1. Desertification
    2. Ozone layer
    3. Whaling
    4. Wetlands
    Answer

    D. Wetlands

    Ramsar is the 1971 treaty on wetlands.

  11. Which gas is mainly produced from paddy fields and cattle?

    1. Nitrogen
    2. Methane
    3. Oxygen
    4. Argon
    Answer

    B. Methane

    Methane is a strong greenhouse gas from farming and landfills.

  12. The ozone layer is found in the

    1. Stratosphere
    2. Troposphere
    3. Mesosphere
    4. Exosphere
    Answer

    A. Stratosphere

    It absorbs harmful ultraviolet radiation.

  13. Acid rain is mainly caused by

    1. Sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides
    2. Helium and neon
    3. Methane and hydrogen
    4. Carbon monoxide and argon
    Answer

    A. Sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides

    These gases form acids in the atmosphere.

  14. The Environment (Protection) Act was passed in

    1. 1981
    2. 2002
    3. 1974
    4. 1986
    Answer

    D. 1986

    It followed the Bhopal gas disaster.

  15. The Water Pollution Control Act was passed in

    1. 1986
    2. 1974
    3. 1981
    4. 1972
    Answer

    B. 1974

    It created the pollution control boards.

  16. The National Green Tribunal was established under an Act of

    1. 1986
    2. 2010
    3. 2006
    4. 2002
    Answer

    B. 2010

    The NGT Act is of 2010.

  17. The Forest Rights Act of 2006 recognises the rights of

    1. Timber traders
    2. Hotel owners
    3. Forest-dwelling communities
    4. Mining companies
    Answer

    C. Forest-dwelling communities

    It recognises individual and community forest rights.

  18. Article 48A of the Constitution directs the State to

    1. Promote cottage industries
    2. Separate judiciary from executive
    3. Provide free legal aid
    4. Protect and improve the environment
    Answer

    D. Protect and improve the environment

    Article 48A is a Directive Principle added in 1976.

  19. Chipko movement began in

    1. 1973
    2. 1953
    3. 1985
    4. 1999
    Answer

    A. 1973

    Villagers in the Himalaya hugged trees to stop felling.

  20. Which lake in Andhra Pradesh is a Ramsar wetland?

    1. Chilika
    2. Hussain Sagar
    3. Kolleru
    4. Dal
    Answer

    C. Kolleru

    Kolleru is a large freshwater lake and Ramsar site.

  21. Pulicat is a

    1. Desert salt lake
    2. Brackish water lagoon
    3. Himalayan glacier lake
    4. Man-made reservoir
    Answer

    B. Brackish water lagoon

    Pulicat lies on the coast and is shared with Tamil Nadu.

  22. Red sanders in Andhra Pradesh is mainly found in the

    1. Seshachalam hills
    2. Aravalli hills
    3. Nilgiri hills
    4. Vindhya hills
    Answer

    A. Seshachalam hills

    It is endemic to a part of the Eastern Ghats.

  23. A village reduces its crop-residue burning to improve air quality. This is an example of

    1. Mitigation
    2. Adaptation only
    3. Eutrophication
    4. Acid rain
    Answer

    A. Mitigation

    Mitigation cuts the sources of pollution or emissions.

  24. A fishing community builds raised houses to cope with rising seas. This is

    1. Carbon trading
    2. Afforestation
    3. Mitigation
    4. Adaptation
    Answer

    D. Adaptation

    Adaptation adjusts to climate change effects.

  25. Excess nutrient run-off makes algae grow and fish die in a pond. This process is

    1. Desertification
    2. Eutrophication
    3. Salinisation
    4. Biomagnification
    Answer

    B. Eutrophication

    Algae use up the oxygen in the water.

  26. The 'polluter pays' principle means

    1. Citizens pay for all pollution
    2. The government never charges polluters
    3. Only imports are taxed
    4. The one who causes pollution bears the cost of repair
    Answer

    D. The one who causes pollution bears the cost of repair

    It makes polluters responsible for damage and cleanup.

  27. India's announced goal for net zero emissions is for the year

    1. 2047
    2. 2100
    3. 2070
    4. 2030
    Answer

    C. 2070

    This was announced by India in 2021.

  28. International Solar Alliance was launched by India along with

    1. France
    2. Japan
    3. Brazil
    4. Germany
    Answer

    A. France

    It was launched in 2015 at the Paris climate conference.

  29. The body set up by WMO and UNEP in 1988 to assess climate science is the

    1. CITES
    2. IPCC
    3. UNFCCC
    4. IUCN
    Answer

    B. IPCC

    The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reviews climate science.

  30. Consider the statements: 1. SDGs were adopted in 2015. 2. The SDGs have 169 targets. Which is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    C. Both 1 and 2

    Both facts are correct.

  31. Consider the statements: 1. UNFCCC is a scientific panel. 2. IPCC is a treaty. Which is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    D. Neither 1 nor 2

    UNFCCC is a treaty; IPCC is a scientific panel, so both statements are reversed.

  32. Consider the statements: 1. Article 51A(g) is a Fundamental Duty to protect nature. 2. Article 48A is a Directive Principle. Which is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    C. Both 1 and 2

    Both were added by the 42nd Amendment.

  33. Consider the statements: 1. The Montreal Protocol is about the ozone layer. 2. The Ramsar Convention is about wetlands. Which is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    C. Both 1 and 2

    Both are correct.

  34. Consider the statements: 1. Mitigation means reducing the causes of climate change. 2. Adaptation means reducing emissions only. Which is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    A. 1 only

    Adaptation means adjusting to the changes, not just cutting emissions.

  35. Consider the statements: 1. Kolleru Lake lies in Andhra Pradesh. 2. Coringa has mangrove forests. Which is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    C. Both 1 and 2

    Both are standard facts about AP wetlands.

  36. Consider the statements: 1. The Brundtland Report was released in 1987. 2. The Rio Earth Summit was held in 1972. Which is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    A. 1 only

    The Rio Summit was in 1992; 1972 was Stockholm.

  37. Consider the statements: 1. Methane is a greenhouse gas. 2. Water vapour is also a greenhouse gas. Which is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    C. Both 1 and 2

    Both trap heat in the atmosphere.

  38. Match: A. SDG 3 1. Good health and well-being B. SDG 4 2. Quality education C. SDG 6 3. Clean water and sanitation Which is the correct order (A-B-C)?

    1. 3-2-1
    2. 1-2-3
    3. 1-3-2
    4. 2-1-3
    Answer

    B. 1-2-3

    The goals are numbered as listed.

  39. Match the year with the event: A. Montreal Protocol 1. 1987 B. Rio Summit 2. 1992 C. Kyoto Protocol 3. 1997 Which is the correct order (A-B-C)?

    1. 3-2-1
    2. 1-3-2
    3. 2-1-3
    4. 1-2-3
    Answer

    D. 1-2-3

    Montreal 1987, Rio 1992, Kyoto 1997.

  40. Match the law with its year: A. Wildlife Protection Act 1. 1972 B. Forest Conservation Act 2. 1980 C. Air Act 3. 1981 Which is the correct order (A-B-C)?

    1. 1-3-2
    2. 1-2-3
    3. 3-2-1
    4. 2-1-3
    Answer

    B. 1-2-3

    Wildlife 1972, Forest Conservation 1980, Air Act 1981.

  41. Consider the statements: 1. Project Tiger began in 1973. 2. Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam is a tiger reserve in AP. Which is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    C. Both 1 and 2

    Both are correct.

  42. Consider the statements: 1. The Environment (Protection) Act was passed after the Bhopal disaster. 2. It is an umbrella law. Which is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    C. Both 1 and 2

    Both are correct.

  43. Consider the statements: 1. The Paris Agreement uses Nationally Determined Contributions. 2. It aims to limit warming well below 2 degrees Celsius. Which is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    C. Both 1 and 2

    Both are correct.

  44. Which of these is a renewable source of energy?

    1. Natural gas
    2. Coal
    3. Petroleum
    4. Solar energy
    Answer

    D. Solar energy

    Solar energy is renewed naturally and gives no carbon emissions while generating power.

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