Q.1 Which of the following greenhouse gases has the highest global warming potential (GWP) over a 100-year period?
Carbon dioxide
Methane
Nitrous oxide
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
Explanation - CFCs, though present in smaller concentrations, have a GWP thousands of times higher than CO2, making them potent contributors to climate change.
Correct answer is: Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
Q.2 Which international agreement first recognized the need to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations to prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system?
Kyoto Protocol
Montreal Protocol
Paris Agreement
UNFCCC
Explanation - The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (1992) was the first to recognize the need for stabilizing greenhouse gases globally.
Correct answer is: UNFCCC
Q.3 What is the primary cause of ocean acidification?
Increased plastic pollution
Excess nitrogen runoff
Absorption of CO2 by oceans
Oil spills
Explanation - Oceans absorb large amounts of CO2, which reacts with seawater to form carbonic acid, leading to ocean acidification.
Correct answer is: Absorption of CO2 by oceans
Q.4 Which of the following is considered a short-lived climate pollutant (SLCP)?
Carbon dioxide
Methane
Nitrous oxide
CFCs
Explanation - Methane is a potent greenhouse gas with a much higher warming effect than CO2 but has a shorter atmospheric lifespan.
Correct answer is: Methane
Q.5 Which protocol is associated with phasing out ozone-depleting substances?
Kyoto Protocol
Montreal Protocol
Paris Agreement
Doha Amendment
Explanation - The Montreal Protocol (1987) successfully targeted substances that deplete the ozone layer, such as CFCs.
Correct answer is: Montreal Protocol
Q.6 The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was established by:
UNEP and WMO
UNFCCC and WHO
UNDP and UNEP
UNESCO and IUCN
Explanation - The IPCC was established in 1988 by the United Nations Environment Programme and the World Meteorological Organization.
Correct answer is: UNEP and WMO
Q.7 Which of the following gases is not controlled under the Kyoto Protocol?
Carbon dioxide
Methane
Water vapor
Nitrous oxide
Explanation - While water vapor is a natural greenhouse gas, it is not targeted by the Kyoto Protocol.
Correct answer is: Water vapor
Q.8 Which region is most vulnerable to sea level rise due to climate change?
Himalayan region
Small Island Developing States
Central Asia
Sahara Desert
Explanation - Small Island Developing States face existential threats from rising sea levels due to climate change.
Correct answer is: Small Island Developing States
Q.9 Which concept refers to the capacity of an ecosystem to absorb disturbances without shifting to an alternative state?
Resilience
Adaptation
Mitigation
Sustainability
Explanation - Resilience describes the ability of ecosystems to withstand shocks and maintain their structure and function.
Correct answer is: Resilience
Q.10 Which pollutant is primarily responsible for photochemical smog?
Carbon dioxide
Ozone
Sulfur dioxide
Particulate matter
Explanation - Ground-level ozone, formed by reactions of NOx and VOCs in sunlight, is the main component of photochemical smog.
Correct answer is: Ozone
Q.11 The Paris Agreement of 2015 aims to limit global temperature rise to well below:
3°C
2°C
1.5°C
4°C
Explanation - The Paris Agreement seeks to limit warming to below 2°C, with efforts to restrict it further to 1.5°C.
Correct answer is: 2°C
Q.12 Which country is the largest emitter of carbon dioxide as of the 2020s?
USA
India
China
Russia
Explanation - China is currently the world's largest CO2 emitter, followed by the USA and India.
Correct answer is: China
Q.13 Which gas is considered the primary contributor to stratospheric ozone depletion?
Carbon monoxide
CFCs
Nitrous oxide
Methane
Explanation - Chlorofluorocarbons release chlorine atoms in the stratosphere that destroy ozone molecules.
Correct answer is: CFCs
Q.14 Which term describes the large-scale destruction of forests for non-forest use?
Afforestation
Deforestation
Reforestation
Agroforestry
Explanation - Deforestation is the clearing of forested land for agriculture, settlements, or industries.
Correct answer is: Deforestation
Q.15 Which ecosystem service is most affected by acid rain?
Pollination
Soil fertility
Freshwater quality
Carbon sequestration
Explanation - Acid rain increases water acidity, damaging aquatic life and reducing freshwater quality.
Correct answer is: Freshwater quality
Q.16 Which gas is a major contributor to the formation of acid rain?
Carbon dioxide
Sulfur dioxide
Methane
Ozone
Explanation - Sulfur dioxide reacts with water vapor in the atmosphere to form sulfuric acid, leading to acid rain.
Correct answer is: Sulfur dioxide
Q.17 The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) is associated with which protocol?
Kyoto Protocol
Montreal Protocol
Paris Agreement
Basel Convention
Explanation - The Kyoto Protocol introduced CDM to allow industrialized countries to invest in emission reduction projects in developing countries.
Correct answer is: Kyoto Protocol
Q.18 Which global summit is also called the 'Earth Summit'?
Rio de Janeiro, 1992
Paris, 2015
Kyoto, 1997
Stockholm, 1972
Explanation - The 1992 Rio Summit is known as the Earth Summit, where Agenda 21 and UNFCCC were adopted.
Correct answer is: Rio de Janeiro, 1992
Q.19 Which of the following is the largest carbon sink?
Forests
Atmosphere
Oceans
Soil
Explanation - Oceans absorb about 25–30% of anthropogenic CO2 emissions, acting as the largest carbon sink.
Correct answer is: Oceans
Q.20 Which energy source is considered carbon neutral?
Coal
Natural gas
Biomass
Oil
Explanation - Biomass is carbon neutral because the CO2 released during combustion is offset by CO2 absorbed during plant growth.
Correct answer is: Biomass
Q.21 Which pollutant is primarily responsible for the thinning of the ozone layer?
Carbon dioxide
CFCs
Methane
Carbon monoxide
Explanation - CFCs release chlorine atoms that destroy ozone molecules, leading to ozone layer depletion.
Correct answer is: CFCs
Q.22 Which climate phenomenon is associated with warming of the central and eastern Pacific Ocean?
La Niña
El Niño
Indian Ocean Dipole
ENSO-neutral
Explanation - El Niño is characterized by warming of Pacific waters, disrupting global climate patterns.
Correct answer is: El Niño
Q.23 Which convention deals with the transboundary movement of hazardous wastes?
Basel Convention
Stockholm Convention
Rotterdam Convention
CITES
Explanation - The Basel Convention (1989) regulates the movement of hazardous wastes across borders.
Correct answer is: Basel Convention
Q.24 Which gas contributes most to the enhanced greenhouse effect?
Methane
Carbon dioxide
Ozone
Nitrous oxide
Explanation - Though less potent than methane, CO2 is the most significant contributor due to its abundance and persistence.
Correct answer is: Carbon dioxide
Q.25 Which environmental issue is most directly linked to excessive fertilizer use?
Ozone depletion
Eutrophication
Deforestation
Desertification
Explanation - Excess nutrients from fertilizers cause algal blooms, leading to eutrophication in water bodies.
Correct answer is: Eutrophication