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Environment and Natural Resources – Class 12 Political Science notes, important questions and MCQs

NCERT Class 12 Political Science, chapter 6. Notes, key terms, important questions with answers and MCQs.

Chapter overview

Environmental issues became a major part of world politics from the 1960s, as pollution, deforestation, ozone depletion and climate change were recognised as global problems. The Earth Summit in Rio (1992) and the Kyoto Protocol (1997) were landmark steps. Developed and developing countries differ on responsibility, leading to the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. Indigenous peoples and the global commons are also central concerns.

Environment in global politics

Concerns include shrinking cultivable land, water scarcity, loss of forests and biodiversity, ozone layer depletion and climate change.
The UN Conference on Environment and Development (Earth Summit) at Rio de Janeiro in 1992 produced the climate and biodiversity conventions and Agenda 21 on sustainable development.
Global commons are areas outside any single country's jurisdiction, such as the atmosphere, Antarctica, the ocean floor and outer space, which need shared management.

Common but differentiated responsibilities

Developed countries caused most historical emissions, so developing countries argue they should bear greater responsibility.
The Kyoto Protocol (1997) set binding emission targets for developed countries; the Paris Agreement (2015) asked all countries to set national contributions.
India supports this principle, stresses low per capita emissions and pursues renewable energy and sustainable development.

Resource geopolitics and indigenous peoples

Competition over resources such as oil, water and minerals has caused conflicts and shaped foreign policy.
Indigenous peoples often lose land and livelihoods to dams, mining and forest exploitation; they demand rights and recognition.
Environmental movements, such as the Chipko movement in India, show local resistance to environmental damage.

Key terms

Global commons: areas and resources outside any single country's jurisdiction
Earth Summit: the 1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development at Rio de Janeiro
Kyoto Protocol: a 1997 agreement setting emission targets for developed countries
Common but differentiated responsibilities: the principle that all states share responsibility for the environment but in different degrees
Sustainable development: development that meets present needs without harming future generations

Important questions with answers

What are global commons? Give examples.2 marks

Global commons are areas and resources that lie outside the jurisdiction of any single country and are shared by all, such as the Earth's atmosphere, Antarctica, the ocean floor and outer space.

Explain the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.3 marks

This principle means that all countries share responsibility for protecting the environment, but developed countries, which caused most historical emissions and have more resources, should take greater responsibility and help developing countries with finance and technology. It was accepted at Rio in 1992 and guided the Kyoto Protocol.

Why have environmental concerns become part of global politics? Explain with reference to major agreements and India's stand.5 marks

Environmental concerns entered global politics because problems such as pollution, deforestation, loss of biodiversity, ozone depletion and climate change cross national boundaries and cannot be solved by any one country. From the 1960s, studies and movements drew attention to these dangers. The UN Conference on Environment and Development at Rio de Janeiro in 1992, called the Earth Summit, produced conventions on climate change and biodiversity and Agenda 21 for sustainable development. The Kyoto Protocol of 1997 set binding targets for developed countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and the Paris Agreement of 2015 asked all countries to set nationally determined contributions. A key debate is between developed and developing countries: developing countries argue that developed countries caused most historical emissions and should bear greater responsibility, while developed countries want all major emitters to act. This led to the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. India supports this principle, points to its low per capita emissions, and argues that development needs of the poor must be protected, while expanding renewable energy and energy efficiency. Global commons such as the atmosphere and Antarctica, competition over resources, and the rights of indigenous peoples also make environment a political issue.

Quick revision

Global environmental concerns from the 1960s.
Earth Summit Rio 1992; Agenda 21.
Common but differentiated responsibilities; Kyoto, Paris.
Resource conflicts; indigenous peoples; movements.

Exam tips

Remember: Rio 1992, Kyoto 1997, Paris 2015.
Give two examples of global commons.

Practice MCQs

The Earth Summit was held in 1992 at
1. Kyoto
2. Rio de Janeiro
3. Paris
4. New Delhi
Show answer
Answer: (b) Rio de Janeiro. It was the UN Conference on Environment and Development.
Antarctica and outer space are examples of
1. global commons
2. national resources
3. private property
4. colonies
Show answer
Answer: (a) global commons. They are outside any single country's jurisdiction.
The Kyoto Protocol was adopted in
1. 1987
2. 1992
3. 1997
4. 2015
Show answer
Answer: (c) 1997. It set targets for developed countries.
The principle that developed countries should bear greater responsibility for emissions is
1. polluter pays only
2. no responsibility
3. equal shares for all
4. common but differentiated responsibilities
Show answer
Answer: (d) common but differentiated responsibilities. It is accepted in climate negotiations.
The Paris Agreement was adopted in
1. 1997
2. 2005
3. 2015
4. 2020
Show answer
Answer: (c) 2015. All countries set national contributions.
The Chipko movement was related to protection of
1. rivers
2. forests
3. wildlife sanctuaries alone
4. urban parks
Show answer
Answer: (b) forests. Villagers hugged trees to save them.
Why do developing countries stress historical emissions
1. they emitted most
2. developed countries caused most past emissions and should do more
3. emissions are not harmful
4. they wish to stop development
Show answer
Answer: (b) developed countries caused most past emissions and should do more. Responsibility follows contribution.
Which statement about global commons is correct
1. they require cooperative international management
2. they belong to one country
3. they need no rules
4. they are always unpolluted
Show answer
Answer: (a) they require cooperative international management. Shared resources need shared rules.

All chapters of Class 12 Political Science

Written by Kundali IQ from standard, well-established facts to help with revision. This is not an official NCERT publication; always read your textbook too.