Environment and Climate in News MCQs

Consider the following statements in respect of the United Nations' World Water Development Report, 2022: Statement I: According to the report, India extracts more than a quarter of the world's groundwater withdrawal each year. Statement II: India needs to extract more than a quarter of the world's groundwater each year to satisfy the drinking water and sanitation needs of almost 18% of world's population living in its territory. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

• ABoth Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II is the correct explanation for Statement I
• BBoth Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II is not the correct explanation for Statement I
• CStatement I is correct but Statement II is incorrectCorrect
• DStatement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct

Which one of the following best describes the term 'greenwashing'?

• AConveying a false impression that a company's products are eco-friendly and environmentally soundCorrect
• BNon-inclusion of ecological/environmental costs in the Annual Financial Statements of a country
• CIgnoring the disastrous ecological consequences while undertaking infrastructure development
• DMaking mandatory provisions for environmental costs in a government project/programme

Which of the following appliances is/are covered under the BEE star-labelling programme? 1. Ceiling fans 2. Electric geysers 3. Tubular fluorescent lamps Select the correct answer using the code given below.

• A1 and 2 only
• B3 only
• C2 and 3 only
• D1, 2 and 3Correct

Recently, for the first time in our country, which of the following States has declared a particular butterfly as 'State Butterfly'?

• AArunachal Pradesh
• BHimachal Pradesh
• CKarnataka
• DMaharashtraCorrect

With reference to the 'United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification', consider the following statements: 1. It aims to promote effective action through innovative national programmes and supportive international partnerships. 2. It has a special focus on South Asia and North Africa regions, and its Secretariat facilitates the allocation of major portion of financial resources to these regions. 3. It is committed to a bottom-up approach, encouraging the participation of local people in combating desertification. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

• A1 only
• B2 and 3 only
• C1 and 3 onlyCorrect
• D1, 2 and 3

The 'Sulina Channel', in environmental news in the context of Ukraine-related developments, connects:

• AThe Danube River to the Black SeaCorrect
• BThe Rhine River to the North Sea
• CThe Volga River to the Caspian Sea
• DThe Dnieper River to the Sea of Azov

Consider the following statements about the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), which was frequently in the news during 2023: 1. A positive IOD occurs when sea-surface temperatures are warmer than normal in the western Indian Ocean and cooler in the eastern Indian Ocean. 2. A positive IOD generally brings more rainfall to the Indian subcontinent. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

• A1 only
• B2 only
• CBoth 1 and 2Correct
• DNeither 1 nor 2

The 'Raimona National Park', which was in the news, is located in:

• AAssamCorrect
• BMeghalaya
• CArunachal Pradesh
• DNagaland

The 'Biological Diversity (Amendment) Act, 2023' introduced which of the following changes? 1. Replaced the term 'biological resources' with 'biological diversity' throughout the Act. 2. Decriminalised certain offences and replaced them with monetary penalties. 3. Facilitated access to biological resources for AYUSH practitioners. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

• A1 and 2 only
• B2 and 3 onlyCorrect
• C1 and 3 only
• D1, 2 and 3

The 'Climate Ambition Summit', convened by the UN Secretary-General in September 2023, was notable because:

• AOnly countries with credible new climate pledges were invited to speakCorrect
• BIt formally replaced the annual COP process
• CIt established a new climate court to enforce emission targets
• DIndia and China announced a joint net-zero-by-2050 commitment at the summit

The 'Global Shield against Climate Risks', launched at COP27, is designed to:

• AProvide pre-arranged climate risk finance and insurance to vulnerable developing countriesCorrect
• BBuild a physical barrier system to protect Small Island Developing States from sea-level rise
• CCreate a satellite warning system exclusively for tropical cyclones
• DFund military-grade disaster response teams for climate emergencies

The 'Amrit Dharohar' scheme, launched by the Government of India, is related to:

• AConservation and sustainable use of Ramsar wetland sitesCorrect
• BRestoration of heritage monuments under the Archaeological Survey of India
• CRevival of traditional water harvesting structures in arid regions
• DProtection of endangered medicinal plant species in the Western Ghats