Question.1. The most significant environment problems are related to which type of resources?
Answer. The most significant environmental problems are associated with resources that are renewable such as air and water. They have a finite capacity to assimilate emissions and wastes but if pollution exceeds this capacity ecosystem will deteriorate rapidly at a huge pace.

Question.2. Discuss the role of sustainable development to provide financial stability.
Answer. Sustainable development practices have the ability to create more financially sustainable economies across the globe. Developing countries that cannot access fossil fuels can leverage renewable forms of energy to power their economies. From the development of renewable energy technologies, these countries can create sustainable jobs as opposed to finite jobs based on fossil fuel technologies.

Question.3. What are the forms of sustainable agriculture?
Answer. In sustainable agriculture the production of crops takes place with the efficient use of resources without damaging the environment. Crop rotation, organic farming, use of biofertilizers and bio-pesticides, combining animal farming with crop farming are some examples of sustainable agricultural practices.

Question.4. The achievement of sustainable development requires what?
Answer. The achievement of sustainable development requires the integration of economic, environmental and social components at all levels.

Question.5. Give the definition of sustainable development as suggested by Brundtland Report.
Answer. According to Brundtland report, development that meets the needs of the present, without compromising the ability of future generation to meet their needs is sustainable development.

Question.6. How does sustainable development helps to manage climate change?
Answer. Climate change can be mitigated through sustainable development practices. These practices seek to reduce the use of fossil-based sources of fuel such as petrol, diesel, natural gas and coal. Fossil fuels as sources of energy are unsustainable since they will be depleted at some time. Their burning is also responsible for the emission of greenhouse gases and consequent global warming and climate change.

Question.7. Write any three challenges to sustainable development.
Answer. Three challenges to sustainable development are:

1. Rise in population level would lead to severe environmental degradation in the future.
2. Poor management of natural resources combined with growing economic activities will continue to pose serious challenges to environment.
3. Due to rise in income, the demands for improvement in environmental quality will increase as well as the resources available for investment but it is not mandatory in some cases as problems are observed to get worse as income rise.

Question.8. Which type of industries should be relocated outside the cities?
Answer. Polluting industries should be relocated outside the cities far away from the populated area. These industries pollute both the water and air by disposing the waste in them. The polluted is then used by animals for drinking and human beings for various activities, this leads to depletion of their health. In humans, various health issues are raised in the course of time.

Question.9. Write four development goals given by United Nations Sustainable Development Summit 2015.
Answer. Any four development goals given by United Nations Sustainable Development Summit 2015 are as follows:

1. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.
2. Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all.
3. Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation.
4. Reduce inequality within and among countries.

Question.10. How one can save forest from being cut?
Answer. Save and recycle paper to protect trees from being cut. Do not buy products obtained from wild animals such as leather, fur and ivory. Collect honey without completely removing the beehives.

Question.11. What should be done to make efficient use of electricity?
Answer. To make efficient use of electricity are as follows:

1. Don’t waste electricity. Turn off lights and unplug appliances when not in use.
2. Select clean, renewable energy sources like solar lights.
3. Avoid cars or do car-pools and use cycles or public transport.

Question.12. How one can save fisheries industry from being extinct?
Answer. In order to save fisheries industry from being extinct, one can follow a number of steps as given below:

1. Creating awareness about the harmful consequences of over-fishing.
2. Educating people about the sustainable fishing practices that control fishing and provide enough time for fish to breed and multiply.
3. Never buy endangered fish. Buy only those fish that are plentifully available and also inseason (not during the breeding season).

Question.13. State the points through which one can manage waste.
Answer. Some points which one can manage waste are as follows:

1. Reduce, reuse and recycle before throwing away things as waste.
2. Use environmentally-friendly methods of waste disposal.
3. Use appropriate methods for recycling or disposal of the electronic and hazardous waste.

Question.14. Why there is a need for sustainable development? Give reasons.
Answer. Sustainable development is necessary for the maintenance of the environment. There is a need of sustainable development because of the following reasons:

1. Sustainable development teaches people to make use of means and resources for the maximum benefit without wastage.
2. Sustainable development brings about changes in people’s knowledge, attitude and skill.
3. Sustainable development aims at achieving the goal of economic and social development without destroying the Earth’s means and resources.

Question.15. What will happen, if we ignore the vital signs of an ailing environment?
Answer. The Earth’s vital signs reveal a patient in declining health. We need to realise our ethical and moral obligations to the mother Earth. Human beings are caretakers of the planet and responsible trustees of the legacy of future generations. Due to the realisation of importance of sustainable development, now there is a transcending concern for survival of the people and planet. We need to take a holistic view of the very basis of our existence. The environmental problem does not necessarily signal our demise, rather it is our passport for the future.

Question.16. ‘The concept of sustainable development is subject to criticism.’ Discuss.
Answer. Criticism is the final thing that appears on introducing a new concept, as wide acceptance is almost rare. Turning the concept of sustainability into policy raises questions about how to assess the well-being of present and future generations. The issue is more complicated because our children do not just inherit environmental pollution and resource depletion, but also enjoy the fruits of our labour, in the forms of education, skills and knowledge (i.e. human capital), as well as physical capital. They may also benefit from investments in natural resources, improvement in
soil fertility and reforestation. Thus, in considering and calculating what we pass on to future generations, we must take account of the full range of physical, human and natural capital.

Question.17. ‘Total world consumption of cereals will almost double by 2030.’ Suggest measures to maintain ‘sustainable development’ in the light of this development.
Answer. Total world consumption of cereals will have to almost double by 2030. To protect fragile soils and natural habitats, almost all of this increase will have to be achieved by raising yields on existing cropland rather than by extending the area under cultivation. At present we are losing the forests at a fast pace. Thus, problems and challenges are formidable.

Question.18. State the points through one can do water and forest management.
Answer. In order to do water management, one should follow the given points:

1. Use water wisely. Turn off the tap when you are not using it.
2. Get leaking taps and pipes fixed immediately.
3. Treat drain water properly before allowing it to flow into local water bodies.

In order to do forest management, one should follow the given points:

1. Save and recycle paper to protect trees from being cut.
2. Do not buy products obtained from wild animals such as leather, fur and ivory.
3. Collect honey without completely removing the beehives.

Question.19. Explain the short-term solutions related to sustainable development.
Answer. The short-term solutions related to sustainable development are as follows:

1. The practice of illegal deforestation and smuggling of forest resources should be stopped.
2. Proper balance ought to be maintained between deforestation and afforestation.
3. Planning and building of industrial zones to manage and process are types of wastes.
4. Proper treatment system, recycling of waste and their proper disposal should be undertaken.
5. Adoption of rainwater harvesting techniques, drip/sprinkler irrigation and use of alternative sources of energy.
6. Less chemical fertilizers should be used along with environment-friendly pesticides and weedicides.

Question.20. How one can take care of the environment while travelling?
Answer. In order to take care of the environment while travelling, one should follow the given points:

1. While travelling, travel in groups, limit water and energy use and avoid wastage.
2. Practice eco-tourism (tourism that protects the environment) and make people aware of the need of practicing eco-tourism.
3. Never litter around. Never damage or deface historical monuments.
4. Walk or cycle while going to nearby places.
5. Use electric (battery-operated) vehicles if possible.

Question.21. How did the idea of sustainable development originate?
Answer. The concept of sustainable forest management was developed in Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries. The idea of sustainable development gained wide acceptance due to environmental concerns in the 20th century. The concept of sustainable development was popularised in 1987 by the “United Nations World Commission on Environment and Development.” In Brundtland Report named as ‘Our Common Future’, defines sustainable development as “development that meets the needs of the present, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs”, i.e without stripping the natural world of resources future generations would need. This definition of sustainable development, which is most widely accepted now, contains two key concepts:

1. The concept of needs, in particular, the essential needs of the world’s poor which should be given top most priority.
2. The concept of limitations imposed by the state of technology and social organisation on the environment’s ability to meet present and future needs.