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Environment & EcologyHardAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2023, Paper I

What is 'Climate Neutral Now' initiative? 1. It encourages organizations and other interested stakeholders to act now in order to achieve a carbon neutral world by 2030. 2. It derives its aims from the Paris Agreement. Select the correct answer using the code given below :

  1. A.1 only
  2. B.2 only
  3. C.Both 1 and 2
  4. D.Neither 1 nor 2

Correct answer

B. 2 only

Explanation

The correct answer is B, 2 only. Climate Neutral Now takes its aim from the Paris Agreement, but the target it works towards is a climate-neutral world by the middle of the century, not by 2030.

The initiative was launched by the UNFCCC secretariat in 2015. It invites companies, organisations, governments and individuals to act now: measure their greenhouse gas emissions, reduce them as far as they can, and offset the rest, for example with certified emission reductions. Its stated goal is to help reach a climate-neutral world by mid-century, as the Paris Agreement envisages, which is why statement 1, with its 2030 date, is wrong.

A is wrong because statement 1 gives the wrong target year, 2030. C is wrong because only statement 2 is correct. D is wrong because statement 2 is correct; the initiative draws its purpose from the Paris Agreement.

Exam tip: Climate Neutral Now (UNFCCC, 2015): measure, reduce, contribute; target a climate-neutral world by mid-century.

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Q1.Environment & EcologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2021, GS Paper IMedium

How is permaculture farming different from conventional chemical farming?

1. Permaculture farming discourages monocultural practices but in conventional chemical farming, monoculture practices are predominant.

2. Conventional chemical farming can cause increase in soil salinity but the occurrence of such phenomenon is not observed in permaculture farming.

3. Conventional chemical farming is easily possible in semi-arid regions but permaculture farming is not so easily possible in such regions.

4. Practice of mulching is very important in permaculture farming but not necessarily so in conventional chemical farming.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

  1. A.1 and 3
  2. B.1, 2 and 4
  3. C.4 only
  4. D.2 and 3
Show answer
Correct answer: B. 1, 2 and 4

Permaculture avoids monoculture, does not build up salt in the soil and relies on mulching; only statement 3 is wrong.

Q2.Environment & EcologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2022, GS Paper IMedium

With reference to "Gucchi" sometimes mentioned in the news, consider the following statements:

1. It is a fungus.

2. It grows in some Himalayan forest areas.

3. It is commercially cultivated in the Himalayan foothills of north-eastern India.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. A.1 only
  2. B.3 only
  3. C.1 and 2
  4. D.2 and 3
Show answer
Correct answer: C. 1 and 2

Gucchi is the morel mushroom, a fungus that grows wild in Himalayan forests, but it is not commercially cultivated. Gucchi (Morchella esculenta) has a honeycomb-like cap and is one of the costliest mushrooms in the world, often selling for tens of thousands of rupees a kilogram.

Q3.Environment & EcologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2022, GS Paper IHard

In the context of WHO Air Quality Guidelines, consider the following statements:

1. The 24-hour mean of PM2.5 should not exceed 15 µg/m³ and annual mean of PM2.5 should not exceed 5 µg/m³.

2. In a year, the highest levels of ozone pollution occur during the periods of inclement weather.

3. PM10 can penetrate the lung barrier and enter the bloodstream.

4. Excessive ozone in the air can trigger asthma.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. A.1, 3 and 4
  2. B.1 and 4 only
  3. C.2, 3 and 4
  4. D.1 and 2 only
Show answer
Correct answer: B. 1 and 4 only

The 2021 WHO guidelines set PM2.5 at 15 µg/m³ for a 24-hour mean and 5 µg/m³ for the annual mean, and ground-level ozone is a known trigger of asthma attacks.

Q4.Environment & EcologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2023, GS Paper IHard

With reference to the role of biofilters in Recirculating Aquaculture System, consider the following statements :

1. Biofilters provide waste treatment by removing uneaten fish feed.

2. Biofilters convert ammonia present in fish waste to nitrate.

3. Biofilters increase phosphorus as nutrient for fish in water.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

  1. A.Only one
  2. B.Only two
  3. C.All three
  4. D.None
Show answer
Correct answer: A. Only one

Only statement 2 is correct: the biofilter's job in a Recirculating Aquaculture System is to turn toxic ammonia into much less harmful nitrate.

Q5.Environment & EcologyAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2023, Paper IHard

Which of the following statements is/are correct about 'Action for Climate Empowerment' (ACE)?

1. It is a term adopted by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

2. This term is related to the Paris Agreement.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

  1. A.1 only
  2. B.2 only
  3. C.Both 1 and 2
  4. D.Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Correct answer: C. Both 1 and 2

Action for Climate Empowerment is the UNFCCC's own name for its work on climate education and public awareness, and it covers the Paris Agreement too.