Q.1 Which concept emphasizes the moral value of all living beings, not just humans?
Anthropocentrism
Ecocentrism
Technocentrism
Capitalism
Explanation - Ecocentrism values ecosystems and all living beings, unlike anthropocentrism which prioritizes humans.
Correct answer is: Ecocentrism
Q.2 What does 'sustainability' primarily aim to balance?
Economic growth, social equity, environmental protection
Political stability and military power
Cultural traditions and modern lifestyles
Religious values and secular governance
Explanation - Sustainability seeks to balance these three pillars for long-term well-being.
Correct answer is: Economic growth, social equity, environmental protection
Q.3 Which political theory argues that future generations have rights to natural resources?
Utilitarianism
Intergenerational justice
Authoritarianism
Realism
Explanation - Intergenerational justice emphasizes fairness between present and future generations regarding resource use.
Correct answer is: Intergenerational justice
Q.4 Which movement is most associated with opposing large-scale industrial exploitation of nature?
Deep ecology
Neoliberalism
Feminism
Marxism
Explanation - Deep ecology advocates a fundamental shift in valuing nature intrinsically, opposing industrial exploitation.
Correct answer is: Deep ecology
Q.5 Who coined the term 'tragedy of the commons'?
John Locke
Garrett Hardin
Rachel Carson
Thomas Hobbes
Explanation - Garrett Hardin introduced the concept in 1968 to describe overuse of shared resources.
Correct answer is: Garrett Hardin
Q.6 What does environmental justice primarily address?
Unequal access to natural beauty
Unequal environmental burdens across social groups
Global warming solutions
Recycling techniques
Explanation - Environmental justice examines how marginalized communities often face greater environmental harms.
Correct answer is: Unequal environmental burdens across social groups
Q.7 Which concept critiques human-centered environmental thought?
Ecocentrism
Anthropocentrism
Egalitarianism
Cosmopolitanism
Explanation - Ecocentrism critiques anthropocentrism by advocating nature-centered ethics.
Correct answer is: Ecocentrism
Q.8 Which of these is a principle of sustainable development?
Meeting current needs without compromising future generations
Maximizing short-term economic profits
Eliminating all environmental laws
Prioritizing industry over environment
Explanation - This is the core definition of sustainable development from the Brundtland Report (1987).
Correct answer is: Meeting current needs without compromising future generations
Q.9 What is 'ecofeminism'?
A movement connecting gender equality and environmental concerns
A new branch of socialism
A type of authoritarian governance
A scientific theory of ecosystems
Explanation - Ecofeminism highlights parallels between the exploitation of women and nature.
Correct answer is: A movement connecting gender equality and environmental concerns
Q.10 Which philosopher is most associated with the idea of 'land ethic'?
Aldo Leopold
John Stuart Mill
Karl Marx
Thomas Malthus
Explanation - Aldo Leopold’s 'land ethic' stresses humans as part of a broader ecological community.
Correct answer is: Aldo Leopold
Q.11 Which global agreement first set legally binding targets to reduce greenhouse gases?
Rio Earth Summit
Kyoto Protocol
Paris Agreement
Montreal Protocol
Explanation - The Kyoto Protocol (1997) was the first legally binding treaty on greenhouse gas reductions.
Correct answer is: Kyoto Protocol
Q.12 What is 'anthropocene' commonly used to describe?
A new political ideology
The human-dominated geological epoch
An ancient civilization
A theory of democracy
Explanation - Anthropocene suggests humans have become the dominant force shaping Earth’s systems.
Correct answer is: The human-dominated geological epoch
Q.13 Which political concept critiques consumerism’s impact on ecology?
Green political theory
Conservatism
Liberalism
Fascism
Explanation - Green political theory critiques consumerist practices that undermine environmental health.
Correct answer is: Green political theory
Q.14 What is the central idea of 'precautionary principle' in environmental politics?
Act only if evidence is conclusive
Prevent harm even without full scientific certainty
Prioritize short-term economic benefits
Delay policies until consensus is reached
Explanation - The precautionary principle advocates action despite uncertainty to avoid irreversible harm.
Correct answer is: Prevent harm even without full scientific certainty
Q.15 Which environmental thinker wrote 'Silent Spring'?
Rachel Carson
Aldo Leopold
Garrett Hardin
E.F. Schumacher
Explanation - Rachel Carson’s 'Silent Spring' (1962) exposed the dangers of pesticides.
Correct answer is: Rachel Carson
Q.16 Which type of justice focuses on fair distribution of environmental benefits and burdens?
Distributive justice
Procedural justice
Restorative justice
Reparative justice
Explanation - Distributive justice addresses how environmental goods and harms are allocated.
Correct answer is: Distributive justice
Q.17 What does 'greenwashing' mean?
A political system based on ecology
False claims of being environmentally friendly
Natural purification of water
The study of plants
Explanation - Greenwashing is when companies mislead consumers about their environmental practices.
Correct answer is: False claims of being environmentally friendly
Q.18 Which theory emphasizes cooperation over competition in addressing ecological crises?
Ecological modernization
Realism
Anarchism
Social Darwinism
Explanation - Ecological modernization suggests that innovation and cooperation can solve ecological issues.
Correct answer is: Ecological modernization
Q.19 Which UN conference popularized the phrase 'sustainable development'?
Stockholm Conference 1972
Rio Earth Summit 1992
Kyoto Protocol 1997
Paris Agreement 2015
Explanation - The 1992 Rio Summit emphasized sustainable development as a global goal.
Correct answer is: Rio Earth Summit 1992
Q.20 What is 'environmental citizenship'?
Voting for green parties
Engaging in responsible environmental practices as citizens
Owning land in eco-zones
Joining international treaties
Explanation - Environmental citizenship involves individuals acting responsibly for ecological well-being.
Correct answer is: Engaging in responsible environmental practices as citizens
Q.21 Which ideology critiques industrial society for alienating humans from nature?
Social ecology
Liberalism
Neoconservatism
Fascism
Explanation - Social ecology (Murray Bookchin) critiques hierarchy and industrialism as causes of ecological crisis.
Correct answer is: Social ecology
Q.22 What is the main focus of 'environmental ethics'?
Moral relationship between humans and nature
Economic pricing of natural goods
Military defense of natural resources
Scientific measurement of biodiversity
Explanation - Environmental ethics studies how humans ought to treat the natural world.
Correct answer is: Moral relationship between humans and nature
Q.23 Which of the following is a critique of anthropocentrism?
It undervalues non-human entities
It promotes equal rights for all species
It supports climate policies
It emphasizes human cooperation
Explanation - Critics argue anthropocentrism ignores intrinsic value of non-human life.
Correct answer is: It undervalues non-human entities
Q.24 Which global initiative succeeded the Kyoto Protocol?
Montreal Protocol
Paris Agreement
Stockholm Declaration
Rio Declaration
Explanation - The 2015 Paris Agreement replaced Kyoto with broader commitments to limit warming.
Correct answer is: Paris Agreement
Q.25 What is meant by 'climate justice'?
Ensuring fair trials for climate activists
Fair distribution of climate change burdens and benefits
Scientific research on global warming
Political unity against climate change
Explanation - Climate justice emphasizes equity in dealing with climate impacts and responsibilities.
Correct answer is: Fair distribution of climate change burdens and benefits