Environment and Natural Resources – NCERT Class XII Political Science, Contemporary World Politics, Chapter 6

This chapter examines the increasing significance of environmental and resource issues in world politics, reviewing major environmental movements from the 1960s onwards, concepts of global commons and common property resources, India’s stance on environmental issues, geopolitics of resource competition, and the rights of indigenous peoples. It highlights the political dimensions of environmental degradation, the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, and global cooperation challenges.

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Categories: NCERT, Class XII, Political Science, Contemporary World Politics, Chapter 6, Environment, Natural Resources, Environmental Movements, Global Commons, Resource Geopolitics, Indigenous Rights, India, Sustainable Development, Summary, Questions, Answers

Tags: Environment, Natural Resources, Climate Change, Global Commons, Sustainable Development, Environmental Movements, Indigenous Peoples, Resource Geopolitics, Kyoto Protocol, Rio Summit, UNFCCC, India, NCERT, Political Science, Class 12, Contemporary World Politics, Chapter 6, Summary, Questions, Answers

Environment and Natural Resources - Class 12 Political Science Chapter 6 Ultimate Study Guide 2025

Full Chapter Summary & Detailed Notes - Environment and Natural Resources Class 12 NCERT

Overview & Key Concepts

Chapter Goal: Examines environmental/resource issues in world politics; compares movements since 1960s; assesses common property/global commons; India's stance; resource geopolitics; indigenous voices. Exam Focus: Earth Summit, sustainable development, North-South divide, Kyoto Protocol; 2025 Updates: Links to COP29, climate finance debates, India’s renewable push. Fun Fact: 1992 Rio Earth Summit attended by 170 states, birthing Agenda 21. Core Idea: Environment politicized via power inequities—who pollutes, who pays? Real-World: Ties to SDGs, green diplomacy. Expanded: All subtopics point-wise with evidence (e.g., timelines, stats from HDR 2016), examples (e.g., Chipko), debates (e.g., CBDR equity); added post-2022 Ukraine energy crisis, Amazon fires context.
Wider Scope: From degradation to global governance; sources: UN reports, cartoons, maps.
Expanded Content: Include timeline table, diagram desc, movement impacts; multi-disciplinary (e.g., ecology in geopolitics).

Rainforest and Mangroves Images Description

Two panels: 1. Dense rainforest canopy with mist (symbolizing biodiversity loss). 2. Mangrove roots in coastal waters (ecosystem vulnerability). Credits: Earth Summit visuals. Represents global commons urgency.

Environmental Concerns in Global Politics

Scope Expansion: Beyond wars/treaties to poverty/epidemics; now environment as shared responsibility, no single state fix.
Key Issues: Declining cultivable land/fertility; overgrazed grasslands/overharvested fisheries; water depletion/pollution (663M no safe water, 2.4B no sanitation, 3M child deaths/year per HDR 2016).
Biodiversity/Climate Threats: Forest loss displaces people, destroys habitats; ozone hole endangers health/ecosystems; coastal pollution from land activities.
Politicization: Governments' steps have consequences; questions of causation (who degrades?), cost (who pays?), access (who uses resources?) raise power inequities.
Awareness Rise: 1960s onward; Club of Rome's 1972 Limits to Growth on resource depletion/population; UNEP conferences/studies.
Earth Summit 1992: Rio de Janeiro, 170 states/NGOs/MNCs; Brundtland Report (1987) warned unsustainable growth; North (ozone/warming) vs. South (development-environment link).
Outcomes: Conventions on climate/biodiversity/forestry; Agenda 21 for sustainable practices; consensus on growth+ecology but biased toward growth per critics.
Expanded: Evidence: Aral Sea disaster (fishing collapse, salt soil, refugees); debates: Natural vs. political? Real ex: Local news clippings activity.

Aral Sea Image Description

Shrunk lake with abandoned ships in desert (toxic waters destroyed industry); locals joke on studies. Source: gobartimes.org. Symbolizes overexploitation.

Global Warming Cartoon Description

Hands as chimneys lighting Earth-lighter (fingers pollute globe). © Ares, Cagle. Critiques industrialized emissions.

The Protection of Global Commons

Definition: Shared resources outside sovereignty (atmosphere, Antarctica, ocean floor, outer space); require international governance.
Challenges: Consensus hard on vague science/timeframes; ozone hole (1980s) showed opportunities/dangers.
Agreements: 1959 Antarctic Treaty (research/fishing/tourism limits); 1987 Montreal Protocol (ozone); 1991 Antarctic Protocol (waste/oil spill protections).
North-South Inequities: Tech/industry gaps in space/ocean/atmosphere; unequal benefits for generations.
Antarctica Specifics: 14M sq km, 90% ice/70% freshwater; limited life (algae/lichen/krill); climate regulator; claims by 7 states vs. commons view; protected since 1959.
Expanded: Evidence: Polar rules prevent degradation; debates: Exploitation future? Real: Space debris as modern commons issue.

Antarctica Box Image Description

Icy continent map with research stations; highlights wilderness/ocean extent. Source: Text box. Emphasizes global heritage.

Common but Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR)

North-South Divide: North wants equal responsibility; South blames North's industrialization for degradation, seeks exemptions for development.
Principle Acceptance: Rio 1992 Declaration: States cooperate per contributions/capabilities; developed bear more due to historical emissions/tech/finance.
UNFCCC 1992: Protect climate on equity/CBDR; developed historical emitters; low per capita in South exempts (e.g., China/India from Kyoto targets).
Kyoto Protocol 1997: Binding cuts for industrialized (CO2/CH4/HFCs); based on UNFCCC; Japan host.
Expanded: Evidence: Per capita low in South; debates: Fairness vs. future emissions? Real: Paris 2016 ratification by India.

Drought in Africa Image Description

Cracked earth in five countries (Sahel 1970s); coined 'environmental refugees'. Source: gobartimes.org. Illustrates South vulnerabilities.

Common Property Resources

Concept: Group-shared with rights/duties; norms via mutual understanding (e.g., Indian villages).
Decline Causes: Privatization, intensification, population, degradation; reduces poor access.
Sacred Groves Example: South India forest belts; community-managed for deities; preserve biodiversity/culture; size varies; religious basis over scarcity; encroached by settlements/policies.
Challenges: State vs. community ownership/control; differing norms/motives.
Expanded: Evidence: Hindu tree worship origins; debates: Cultural vs. legal protection? Real: Latin America river sales critique.

Sacred Groves Box Image Description

Forest parcels near temples; uncut vegetation for spirits. Text-based; symbolizes traditional conservation.

India’s Stand on Environmental Issues

Kyoto Ratification: Signed 2002; exempt as low historical emitter; per capita tiny fraction of developed.
Historical Responsibility: UNFCCC basis; development priority for South; wary of binding cuts on industrializing states.
Projections: Emissions to 1.6t/capita by 2030 (< half world avg); G8 2005: Curbs on developed first.
Domestic Efforts: Auto-fuel policy (cleaner fuels); Energy Conservation Act 2001; Electricity Act 2003 (renewables); natural gas/clean coal; biodiesel mission (11M ha); Paris 2016 ratification; largest renewable program.
1997 Rio Review: No progress on finance/tech transfer; demands concessional aid; SAARC common position for regional voice.
Expanded: Evidence: 2030 low emissions; debates: Equity vs. leadership? Real: India’s solar alliances.

India Map on Troubled Waters Description

Map highlights pollution/overfishing/dams (e.g., Ganga/Yamuna chemical, coastal issues); icons for industrial/agri pollution. Source: Adapted gobartimes.org. Shows domestic water politics.

Environmental Movements: One or Many?

Diversity: Vibrant global responses; local/international; reinvent politics; long-term visions.
South Forest Movements: Mexico/Chile/Brazil/Malaysia/Indonesia/Africa/India; peopled forests vs. North wilderness; resist clearing despite activism.
Minerals Industry Resistance: Powerful extraction/chemicals/pollution/displacement; e.g., Philippines vs. WMC (anti-nuclear/indigenous rights).
Anti-Dam/Pro-River: Global opposition to mega-dams; sustainable valley management; North start (1980s Franklin River, Australia); South spurt (Narmada Bachao Andolan, India—non-violence key).
Wilderness vs. Peopled: North: Humans outside nature (parks); South: People integral; campaigns on species (tigers/elephants) funded by WWF.
Expanded: Evidence: Chipko (tree-hugging); debates: Biodiversity sell in South? Real: Phulbari coal protests (2006 Bangladesh women).

Are Forests "Wilderness"? Box Image Description

Cartoon ecologists as intruders in forest; debates human-nature separation. © Ares, Cagle. Critiques North views.

Phulbari Protest Image Description

Women/infant chanting against open-cast coal mine (2006 Dinajpur, Bangladesh). Symbolizes community resistance.

Resource Geopolitics

Core Questions: Who gets what/when/where/how; historical European expansion motives.
Historical: Trade/war/power via overseas resources/maritime; naval timber key (17th c.); oil critical in WWI/WWII.
Cold War Strategies: North military near sites/stockpiles/friendly govts/MNCs/agreements; Gulf oil/S. Africa minerals vs. Soviet threat.
Post-Cold War: Supply security for minerals (esp. radioactive); oil dominant; Gulf 30% production/64% reserves (Saudi 25%, Iraq 2nd).
Oil Politics: Wealth wars (West Asia/Central Asia); distant consumers (US/EU/Japan/India/China).
Water Conflicts: Scarcity potential 'water wars'; riparian disputes (upstream dams/pollution); ex: Israel-Syria-Jordan 1950s-60s, Turkey-Syria-Iraq Euphrates.
Expanded: Evidence: 20th c. oil economy (95% transport); debates: Neo-colonialism? Real: 2022 energy crisis.

Crude Oil Cartoon Description

Comic strip: Sheikh Petrodollar (armed dictator), Mr. Bigoil (CEO exploiting), Gobbledoo (consumers), Errorists (rebels). © Andy Singer. Satirizes oil geopolitics.

Water Scarcity Cartoon Description

Land oversized vs. small water drop; highlights freshwater crisis. © Ares, Cagle.

The Indigenous Peoples and Their Rights

UN Definition: Descendants of pre-colonial inhabitants; conform to own customs vs. national institutions.
Global Scale: ~300M; examples: Cordillera (Philippines 2M), Mapuche (Chile 1M), Chittagong (Bangladesh 0.6M), North American natives (3.5M).
Common Interests: Admission as equals; land/economic base loss threatens survival; 'since time immemorial' occupancy.
Worldviews: Similar land/life reverence; autonomy tied to resources.
India Context: Scheduled Tribes ~8% pop; land cultivators; colonial dispossession; development displaced (largest group); constitutional protection but uneven benefits.
Movements: 1970s global contacts; 1975 World Council of Indigenous Peoples (UN consultative); anti-globalization focus.
Expanded: Evidence: Steps activity (daily resource use); debates: Media bias? Real: Adivasi rights in India.

Spoonful of Ecology Cartoon Description

Urban man greedily scooping nature; critiques developed consumption. © Ares, Cagle.

Summary

Environment central to politics via inequities; Rio/CBDR key; movements diverse; resources fuel geopolitics; indigenous marginalized. Interlinks: To Ch7 globalization impacts.
Evidence: Stats, maps; debates: Sustainable balance.

Why This Guide Stands Out

Comprehensive: Point-wise all subtopics, 18+ diagram desc; 2025 with COP links, movement timelines for holistic view.

Key Themes & Tips

Aspects: North-South, commons governance, movements agency.
Tip: Memorize CBDR/Rio; map water issues; debate movements unity.

Exam Case Studies

Narmada Bachao; Aral Sea; Indigenous in India.

Project & Group Ideas

Timeline of summits/movements poster.
Debate: CBDR fairness.
Map global commons conflicts.

Key Definitions & Terms - Complete Glossary

All terms from chapter; detailed with examples, relevance. Expanded: 40+ terms grouped by subtopic; added advanced like "sustainable development", "global commons" for depth/easy flashcards.

Earth Summit

1992 Rio conference on environment/development. Ex: Agenda 21. Relevance: North-South agenda clash.

Global Commons

Shared resources outside jurisdiction. Ex: Antarctica. Relevance: Governance challenges.

CBDR

Common but Differentiated Responsibilities. Ex: Kyoto exemptions. Relevance: Equity principle.

Sustainable Development

Growth with ecological responsibility. Ex: Brundtland Report. Relevance: Rio consensus.

Kyoto Protocol

1997 GHG cuts for industrialized. Ex: CO2 targets. Relevance: UNFCCC implementation.

Common Property Resources

Group-shared with rights/duties. Ex: Sacred groves. Relevance: Community management.

Sacred Groves

Protected forests for deities. Ex: South India. Relevance: Biodiversity/cultural preservation.

Resource Geopolitics

Competition over access/control. Ex: Oil in Gulf. Relevance: Trade/war motives.

Indigenous Peoples

Pre-colonial descendants. Ex: Scheduled Tribes India. Relevance: Rights to land/autonomy.

UNFCCC

1992 Climate Change Framework. Ex: Equity basis. Relevance: CBDR enshrinement.

Agenda 21

Rio development practices list. Ex: Sustainable list. Relevance: Implementation guide.

Montreal Protocol

1987 ozone protection. Ex: CFC phase-out. Relevance: Successful commons treaty.

Ozone Hole

Stratospheric depletion. Ex: Antarctic 1980s. Relevance: Global danger alert.

Brundtland Report

1987 Our Common Future. Ex: Unsustainable growth warning. Relevance: Sustainable dev coinage.

Limits to Growth

1972 Club of Rome book. Ex: Resource depletion. Relevance: 1960s awareness.

UNEP

UN Environment Programme. Ex: Conferences. Relevance: Coordinated response.

Global North

Developed countries. Ex: Ozone focus. Relevance: Different agenda.

Global South

Developing countries. Ex: Development anxiety. Relevance: Equity demands.

Greenhouse Gases

CO2/Methane/HFCs. Ex: Warming cause. Relevance: Kyoto targets.

Per Capita Emissions

Individual country output. Ex: India low. Relevance: CBDR basis.

Hyperinflation

No direct; but resource shocks. Ex: Oil prices. Relevance: Geopolitics impact.

Water Wars

Conflicts over shared rivers. Ex: Euphrates. Relevance: 21st c scarcity.

Riparian State

River-sharing countries. Ex: Upper/lower disputes. Relevance: Dams/pollution.

Environmental Refugees

Displacement by degradation. Ex: Aral/Sahel. Relevance: Human cost.

Chipko Movement

1970s India tree-hugging. Ex: Non-violence. Relevance: Forest activism.

Narmada Bachao Andolan

Anti-dam India. Ex: Pro-river. Relevance: Sustainable management.

Biodiversity Loss

Habitat destruction. Ex: Forests. Relevance: Species rich areas.

Wilderness

North view: Human-free nature. Ex: Parks. Relevance: Vs. South peopled forests.

Mega-Dams

Large hydro projects. Ex: Narmada. Relevance: Displacement resistance.

Near Abroad

Russia's ex-republics; but here resources. Ex: Oil access. Relevance: Competition.

Hydrocarbons

Oil/gas. Ex: Gulf reserves. Relevance: Geopolitical core.

Naval Timber

Strategic wood. Ex: 17th c Europe. Relevance: Historical power.

Neo-Colonialism

Resource exploitation. Ex: Oil deals. Relevance: Cartoon critique.

Scheduled Tribes

India indigenous. Ex: 8% pop. Relevance: Displacement victims.

World Council of Indigenous Peoples

1975 NGO. Ex: UN status. Relevance: Global advocacy.

Paris Agreement

2015 climate pact. Ex: India 2016. Relevance: Post-Kyoto.

Biodiesel Mission

India renewable. Ex: 11M ha. Relevance: Efforts.

Auto-Fuel Policy

Cleaner vehicles. Ex: 2001. Relevance: Domestic action.

SAARC Position

Regional unity. Ex: Environment voice. Relevance: Greater weight.

Tip: Group by section (commons/movements/geopolitics); examples for recall. Depth: Debates (e.g., CBDR future). Errors: Confuse North/South. Historical: 1960s rise. Interlinks: To Ch7 anti-globalization. Advanced: Stats (e.g., 663M water access). Real-Life: COP events. Graphs: Emissions timeline. Coherent: Evidence → Interpretation. For easy learning: Flashcard per term with example.

60+ Questions & Answers - NCERT Based (Class 12) - From Exercises & Variations

Based on chapter + expansions. Part A: 10 (1 mark, one line in black), Part B: 10 (4 marks, five lines in black), Part C: 10 (6 marks, eight lines in black). Answers point-wise in black text.

Part A: 1 Mark Questions (10 Qs - Short)

1. What brought environmental issues to the center-stage of global politics in 1992?

1 Mark Answer: The Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro.

2. According to HDR 2016, how many people lack safe water?

1 Mark Answer: 663 million in developing countries.

3. What is the principle accepted at Rio 1992 for environmental responsibilities?

1 Mark Answer: Common but Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR).

4. Name the 1972 Club of Rome book on resource limits.

1 Mark Answer: Limits to Growth.

5. What are global commons examples?

1 Mark Answer: Atmosphere, Antarctica, ocean floor, outer space.

6. Which protocol protected the ozone layer?

1 Mark Answer: 1987 Montreal Protocol.

7. What exempts India from Kyoto targets?

1 Mark Answer: Low historical emissions under CBDR.

8. Name an Indian anti-dam movement.

1 Mark Answer: Narmada Bachao Andolan.

9. What resource accounts for 64% of known reserves in Gulf?

1 Mark Answer: Oil.

10. What defines indigenous peoples per UN?

1 Mark Answer: Descendants of pre-colonial inhabitants with own customs.

Part B: 4 Marks Questions (10 Qs - Medium, Exactly 5 Lines Each)

1. Explain why environmental issues are political in global politics.

4 Marks Answer:

No single government can fully address transboundary degradation.
Steps by governments have political consequences.
Questions of who causes pollution, who pays, who accesses resources raise power inequities.
Deeply political: Reflects global North-South divides in responsibility.
Awareness politicized since 1960s via Limits to Growth and UNEP.

2. Describe the outcomes of the 1992 Earth Summit.

4 Marks Answer:

Conventions on climate change, biodiversity, forestry.
Agenda 21: List of sustainable development practices.
Consensus on combining economic growth with ecological responsibility.
Introduced sustainable development approach.
Left North-South differences unresolved; critics note growth bias over conservation.

3. What are global commons, and why is their protection difficult?

4 Marks Answer:

Resources outside sovereignty: Atmosphere, Antarctica, ocean floor, space.
Require international community governance.
Consensus hard on vague science and timelines.
North-South inequalities in tech/development affect management.
Examples: Antarctic Treaty 1959 limits activities; Montreal 1987 for ozone.

4. Explain the principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities.

4 Marks Answer:

Accepted at Rio 1992: States cooperate per contributions and capabilities.
Developed countries bear more due to historical degradation and resources.
UNFCCC: Equity basis; low per capita in South exempts from cuts.
Kyoto: Industrialized targets; China/India exempt.
Implementation: Finance/tech transfer to South for commitments.

5. How has India responded to global environmental commitments?

4 Marks Answer:

Ratified Kyoto 2002; exempt but emphasizes historical responsibility.
Domestic: Auto-fuel policy, Energy Act 2001, renewables push.
Paris 2016 ratification; biodiesel mission on 11M ha.
1997 Rio review: Demands finance/tech; SAARC common position.
G8 2005: Per capita low; developed curb first.

6. Describe the diversity of environmental movements.

4 Marks Answer:

Vibrant global; local/international; reinvent politics with visions.
South forests: Peopled resistance to clearing (India Chipko).
Minerals: Anti-extraction (Philippines vs. WMC).
Anti-dam: Pro-river (Narmada Bachao, non-violence).
North wilderness vs. South integrated human-nature.

7. What is resource geopolitics, with examples?

4 Marks Answer:

Who gets what/when/where/how of resources; trade/war/power driver.
Historical: European expansion, naval timber, WWI/II oil.
Cold War: Military/stockpiles/friendly govts for Gulf oil/Africa minerals.
Post: Supply security; Gulf 64% reserves (Saudi/Iraq).
Water: Riparian disputes (Euphrates dams).

8. Discuss common property resources and sacred groves.

4 Marks Answer:

Group-shared with rights/duties; declining due to privatization/population.
Sacred groves: South India deity forests; community-managed.
Preserve biodiversity/culture; religious basis; sizes vary.
Encroached by settlements/policies; state-community conflicts.
Model for sustained harvest; potential for diversity.

9. Why are indigenous peoples' rights marginalized?

4 Marks Answer:

~300M global; pre-colonial descendants with own customs.
Land loss threatens survival/autonomy; 'immemorial' occupancy.
India: Tribes 8%; development displaced; constitutional but uneven.
1975 World Council; anti-globalization focus.
Media bias; voices for equality in world community.

10. How do North and South differ in forest perspectives?

4 Marks Answer:

North: Wilderness as human-free (parks for protection).
South: Peopled forests; humans part of nature.
Campaigns: North species focus (tigers/elephants WWF-funded).
South: Resist clearing for communities.
Biodiversity rebrand to sell in South.

Part C: 6 Marks Questions (10 Qs - Long, Exactly 8 Lines Each)

1. Discuss the growing concerns about the environment and their political nature.

6 Marks Answer:

Degradation pervasive: Land fertility loss, overgrazing, water pollution (3M child deaths/year).
Forest/biodiversity decline, ozone hole, coastal pollution from settlements.
Political: Transboundary; no single fix; government actions consequential.
Power questions: Who degrades/pays/uses? Inequities politicize.
1960s rise: Limits to Growth, UNEP studies.
Rio 1992 consolidated; North ozone vs. South development.
Sustainable dev consensus but growth-biased per critics.
Examples: Aral Sea refugees, global clippings activity.

2. Analyze the North-South divide at the Earth Summit.

6 Marks Answer:

North (developed): Ozone depletion/global warming focus.
South (developing): Economic development-environment management link.
Brundtland 1987: Unsustainable North growth pressures South industrialization.
Rio: 170 states/NGOs/MNCs; conventions on climate/biodiversity.
Agenda 21 sustainable practices; unresolved differences.
CBDR: Developed more responsible for historical emissions.
Critics: Biased to growth over conservation.
Cartoon: Rich/poor hands saving planet differently.

3. Explain global commons protection with Antarctica example.

6 Marks Answer:

Shared beyond sovereignty: Atmosphere/Antarctica/ocean/space.
Cooperation hard: Vague evidence; North-South tech gaps.
Ozone hole: 1980s opportunity/danger in agendas.
Agreements: Antarctic Treaty 1959 (research limits), Montreal 1987, Protocol 1991.
Antarctica: 14M sq km ice/wilderness; 7 claims vs. commons; krill ecosystem.
Climate info from cores; protected from oil/waste.
Space: Unequal exploitation benefits.
Debate: Future mining vs. preservation.

4. How does CBDR apply to climate conventions?

6 Marks Answer:

Rio Declaration: Cooperate per contributions; developed acknowledge pressures/resources.
UNFCCC 1992: Equity/CBDR; protect system per capabilities.
Historical/current emissions from developed; low per capita South.
Kyoto 1997: Industrialized cuts (CO2 etc.); South exempt (China/India).
India: Ratified 2002; per capita 0.9t (2000) to 1.6t (2030 < avg).
G8 2005: Developed curb first.
Implementation: Finance/tech to South.
Like reservations: Equity for development.

5. Evaluate India's environmental efforts and stance.

6 Marks Answer:

Exempt Kyoto; historical responsibility; development priority.
Wary binding cuts; emissions low vs. accumulated North.
Domestic: Cleaner fuels, energy efficiency, renewables, clean coal, biodiesel.
Paris 2016; largest renewable program.
1997 review: No finance/tech progress; demands aid.
SAARC unity for voice; G8 per capita argument.
Map: Water pollution/dams issues highlight needs.
Debate: Leadership vs. equity balance.

6. Discuss the diversity and significance of environmental movements.

6 Marks Answer:

Not governments but volunteers; local/global; vibrant/powerful.
South forests: Peopled vs. North wilderness; resist clearing.
Minerals: Anti-MNC (Philippines WMC nuclear/indigenous).
Anti-dam: Pro-river equity (Franklin/Narmada non-violence).
Ideas: Sustainable harvest; biodiversity rebrand.
Chipko: Tree-hugging example.
Phulbari: Women coal protests.
Reinvent politics; long visions.

7. Analyze resource geopolitics focusing on oil and water.

6 Marks Answer:

Access/control struggles; European expansion motives.
Cold War: Military/friendly govts for Gulf oil/Africa minerals.
Oil: 20th c fuel (95% transport); Gulf 64% reserves; Saudi/Iraq key.
Wealth wars: Distant consumers (US/India/China).
Water: Scarcity 'wars'; riparian (dams/pollution ex: Euphrates).
Cartoon: Neo-colonial deals.
Post: Radioactive concerns; hydrocarbon competition.
India map: Domestic fishing/dams parallels.

8. How are common property resources managed, with sacred groves?

6 Marks Answer:

Rights/duties for group; mutual norms (Indian villages).
Decline: Privatization/population/degradation; poor hit.
Sacred groves: Deity forests; community-protected.
Biodiversity/cultural; religious reverence basis.
Sizes: Trees to acres; encroached by policies/settlements.
State-community conflicts in control.
Model: Ecologically sustained harvest.
Debate: Sellable rivers in Latin America?

9. Examine indigenous peoples' struggles and rights.

6 Marks Answer:

300M; pre-colonial with customs; land loss survival threat.
Examples: Philippines Cordillera, Chile Mapuche, India tribes.
Worldviews: Land reverence; autonomy-physical tie.
India: 8% tribes; colonial dispossession; development displaced.
1970s contacts; 1975 Council UN status.
Anti-globalization focus; media bias.
Voices: Equals in community; immemorial lands.
Steps: Daily resource calc for awareness.

10. Why have environmental protection issues become priority since 1990s?

6 Marks Answer:

Rio consolidated global politics arena.

Degradation dangerous: Biodiversity/ozone/water crises.

Transboundary: Collective action needed.

North-South: CBDR equity debates.

Movements: Grassroots pressure (Chipko/Narmada).

Geopolitics: Resource wars (oil/water).

Indigenous: Marginal voices amplified.

Compromise: Sustainable dev balance growth/environment.

Tip: Diagrams for maps/timelines; practice lines. Additional 30 Qs: Variations on movements, commons.

Key Concepts - In-Depth Exploration

Core ideas with examples, pitfalls, interlinks. Expanded: All concepts with steps/examples/pitfalls for easy learning. Depth: Debates, analysis.

Environmental Politicization

Steps: 1. Degradation transboundary, 2. Power inequities (cause/pay/use), 3. Global agendas (Rio), 4. Movements pressure. Ex: Aral Sea. Pitfall: View as natural only. Interlink: CBDR. Depth: 1960s awareness to 1990s priority.

Global Commons

Steps: 1. Define shared (Antarctica), 2. Agreements (Montreal), 3. Challenges (consensus), 4. Inequities (tech). Ex: Ozone hole. Pitfall: Ignore North-South. Interlink: Geopolitics. Depth: Protection vs. exploitation debate.

CBDR

Steps: 1. Rio acceptance, 2. UNFCCC equity, 3. Kyoto exemptions, 4. Finance/tech demands. Ex: India low per capita. Pitfall: Equal responsibility assume. Interlink: India stance. Depth: Historical fairness vs. future burdens.

Sustainable Development

Steps: 1. Brundtland warning, 2. Rio Agenda 21, 3. Growth+ecology, 4. Critics growth bias. Ex: Paris efforts. Pitfall: Overlook South needs. Interlink: Movements. Depth: Achievable balance?

Common Property Resources

Steps: 1. Group rights/duties, 2. Decline factors, 3. Sacred groves model, 4. Conflicts state-community. Ex: India villages. Pitfall: Privatization inevitability. Interlink: Indigenous. Depth: Cultural preservation potential.

Environmental Movements

Steps: 1. Diversity (forests/minerals/dams), 2. Local visions, 3. Non-violence (Narmada), 4. North-South views. Ex: Chipko hugging. Pitfall: Uniform assume. Interlink: Geopolitics resistance. Depth: Reinvent politics.

Resource Geopolitics

Steps: 1. Historical expansion, 2. Cold War strategies, 3. Oil dominance (Gulf), 4. Water wars. Ex: Euphrates dams. Pitfall: Ignore human cost. Interlink: Commons. Depth: Neo-colonial critiques.

Indigenous Rights

Steps: 1. UN definition, 2. Land loss threat, 3. Global council, 4. India tribes displacement. Ex: Mapuche. Pitfall: Media overlook. Interlink: Movements. Depth: Autonomy-survival link.

Earth Summit Legacy

Steps: 1. 1992 consolidation, 2. Conventions, 3. CBDR birth, 4. Ongoing divides. Ex: Agenda 21. Pitfall: Implementation ignore. Interlink: UNFCCC. Depth: From awareness to action.

North-South Divide

Steps: 1. Different agendas (ozone vs. dev), 2. Historical blame, 3. Exemptions, 4. Finance demands. Ex: G8 2005. Pitfall: Equal treat. Interlink: CBDR. Depth: Equity evolution.

Biodiversity Conservation

Steps: 1. Habitat loss, 2. Movements protect, 3. Sacred groves, 4. Wilderness debates. Ex: Tigers WWF. Pitfall: South sell difficulty. Interlink: Commons. Depth: Cultural vs. species focus.

Water Resource Conflicts

Steps: 1. Scarcity rise, 2. Riparian disputes, 3. Dams/pollution, 4. Potential wars. Ex: Jordan River. Pitfall: Internal only. Interlink: Geopolitics. Depth: 21st c flashpoints.

Advanced: Steps math (e.g., emissions calc), conflict maps. Pitfalls: Static views. Interlinks: Ch7 globalization. Real: 2025 climate pacts. Depth: 12 concepts details. Examples: Real events. Graphs: Timelines. Errors: Confuse CBDR/sustainable. Tips: Steps evidence; compare tables (North/South).

Solved Examples - From Text with Simple Explanations

Expanded with evidence, calcs; focus on applications, analysis. Added CBDR application, movement impacts.

Example 1: CBDR Application

Simple Explanation: Equity in action.

Step 1: Assess historical emissions (North high).
Step 2: Exempt South (low per capita).
Step 3: Developed cuts/finance (Kyoto).
Step 4: India: Efforts without bindings.
Simple Way: Like reservations for disadvantaged.

Example 2: Earth Summit Outcomes

Simple Explanation: Global blueprint.

Step 1: Conventions (climate/biodiversity).
Step 2: Agenda 21 practices.
Step 3: Sustainable consensus.
Step 4: Unresolved divides.
Simple Way: Roadmap with gaps.

Example 3: Sacred Groves Management

Simple Explanation: Traditional sustain.

Step 1: Deity protection norms.
Step 2: Community harvest rules.
Step 3: Biodiversity preserve.
Step 4: Encroachment threats.
Simple Way: Faith as fence.

Example 4: Oil Geopolitics

Simple Explanation: Black gold wars.

Step 1: Reserves control (Gulf 64%).
Step 2: Distant demand (US/China).
Step 3: Military/deals secure.
Step 4: Wealth conflicts.
Simple Way: Fuel for power.

Example 5: Narmada Movement

Simple Explanation: River rights.

Step 1: Dam displacement resist.
Step 2: Non-violence protests.
Step 3: Sustainable valley demand.
Step 4: Global anti-dam wave.
Simple Way: People vs. mega-projects.

Example 6: Indigenous Land Loss

Simple Explanation: Survival base.

Step 1: Pre-colonial occupancy.
Step 2: Development displaces (India tribes).
Step 3: Rights advocacy (1975 Council).
Step 4: Global equality call.
Simple Way: Land = identity.

Tip: Practice timelines; troubleshoot (e.g., why CBDR vital?). Added for commons, indigenous.

Quick Revision Notes & Mnemonics

Concise for all subtopics; mnemonics. Covers overview, concerns, commons, CBDR, property, India, movements, geopolitics, indigenous. Expanded all.

Overview & Concerns

Rio 1992 center; degradation stats (663M water) ( "R D S" - RDS). Political: Cause/pay/use power ( "CPU Power" - CPU).

Global Commons

Shared: Atmos/Ant/Ocean/Space ( "AAOS" - AAOS). Agreements: 59 Treaty/87 Montreal ( "TM" - TM). Challenges: Consensus/inequity ( "CI" - CI).

CBDR & Kyoto

Rio equity; UNFCCC low per cap ( "R U L" - RUL). Exempt South; developed cuts ( "E D C" - EDC). Like reservations ( "LR" - LR).

Common Property

Rights/duties decline priv ( "RD DP" - RD). Sacred groves: Deity bio/cult ( "D B C" - DBC). Encroach state-comm ( "ES C" - ESC).

India Stance

Kyoto exempt hist; per cap low ( "K H L" - KHL). Efforts: Fuels/renew/Paris ( "F R P" - FRP). SAARC voice ( "S V" - SV).

Movements

Diverse: Forests/min/dams ( "F M D" - FMD). Chipko/Narmada non-viol ( "C N NV" - CNN). North wild/South peopled ( "N W S P" - NWSP).

Geopolitics

Oil Gulf 64% res; water riparian ( "O G W R" - OGWR). Historical timber/wars ( "T W" - TW). Neo-col cartoon ( "NC" - NC).

Indigenous

Pre-col land loss; 300M ( "P L 3" - PL3). India tribes 8% displ ( "I T D" - ITD). Council 75 advo ( "C A" - CA).

Overall Mnemonic: "Concerns Commons CBDR Property India Movements Geo Indigenous" (CCCP IM GI). Flashcards: One per subtopic. Easy: Bullets, bold keys; steps acronyms.

Key Terms & Processes - All Key

Expanded table 40+ rows; quick ref. Added advanced (e.g., riparian, neo-colonialism).

Term/Process	Description	Example	Usage
Earth Summit	1992 Rio conference	Agenda 21	Global politics
Global Commons	Shared resources	Antarctica	Governance
CBDR	Differentiated responsibilities	Kyoto exempt	Equity
Sustainable Development	Growth+ecology	Brundtland	Rio consensus
Kyoto Protocol	GHG cuts industrialized	CO2 targets	UNFCCC
Common Property	Group rights/duties	Sacred groves	Management
Sacred Groves	Deity forests	South India	Preservation
Resource Geopolitics	Access competition	Gulf oil	Power
Indigenous Peoples	Pre-colonial descendants	Tribes India	Rights
UNFCCC	Climate framework	Equity CBDR	Conventions
Agenda 21	Sustainable list	Rio practices	Implementation
Montreal Protocol	Ozone protection	CFC phase	Success
Ozone Hole	Depletion danger	Antarctic	Alert
Brundtland Report	Common Future	Unsustainable	Sustainable coin
Limits to Growth	1972 resource book	Depletion	Awareness
UNEP	Environment Programme	Conferences	Coordination
Global North	Developed	Ozone focus	Agenda
Global South	Developing	Dev anxiety	Demands
Greenhouse Gases	Warming culprits	CO2 Methane	Kyoto
Per Capita Emissions	Individual output	India low	CBDR
Environmental Refugees	Degradation displaced	Aral Sahel	Cost
Chipko Movement	Tree hugging	1970s India	Forest
Narmada Bachao	Anti-dam	Pro-river	Equity
Biodiversity Loss	Habitat destroy	Forests	Rich areas
Wilderness	Human-free nature	North parks	Vs peopled
Mega-Dams	Hydro projects	Narmada	Resistance
Water Wars	River conflicts	Euphrates	Scarcity
Riparian State	River sharer	Upper/lower	Disputes
Neo-Colonialism	Exploitation	Oil deals	Critique
Hydrocarbons	Oil/gas	Gulf res	Dominant
Naval Timber	Strategic wood	17th c	Historical
Scheduled Tribes	India indigenous	8% pop	Displaced
World Council Indigenous	1975 NGO	UN status	Advocacy
Paris Agreement	2015 pact	India 2016	Post-Kyoto
Biodiesel Mission	Renewable land	11M ha	Efforts
Auto-Fuel Policy	Cleaner vehicles	2001	Domestic
SAARC Position	Regional unity	Environment	Voice
Antarctic Treaty	1959 limits	Research	Commons
Hyperinflation	Price surge indirect	Resource shocks	Impact
Mafia Economy	Indirect extraction	Minerals control	Inequality