Environment and Natural Resources
Class 12 Political Science Chapter 8 Notes
Here, we provide notes for the first chapter of Class 12 Political Science, “Environment and Natural Resources.” This chapter covers the key features of the environment and natural resources.
These notes will be useful for students preparing for this year’s board exams. Presented in simple and organized language, this material will help them quickly revise the chapter and remember key points.
Environment and Natural Resources Class 12 Political Science Chapter 8 Notes
class 12 Political Science chapter 8 notes
Meaning of Environment
Upper + cover means that the area which keeps together the flora and fauna present in our surrounding area is called environment.
natural resources
Things obtained from nature which are useful for humans are called natural resources.
Causes of environmental pollution in the world
- Rapid population growth.
- Deforestation is reducing green areas.
- Rapid growth of consumerist culture.
- Excessive exploitation of natural resources.
- Promotion of industrialization, leading to increased pollution on Earth.
- Rapid increase in air pollution due to increased means of transportation.
- Chlorofluorocarbon emissions from household appliances like ACs and refrigerators.
Rio Summit (Earth Summit)
- In 1992, the UNO organized a conference on environmental and development issues in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, called the Earth Summit.
- 170 countries participated in this conference, along with NGOs and MNCs from around the world.
- The main objective of this conference was to establish rules for the interrelationships between climate change, biodiversity, and forestry.
- Sustainable development was defined at this conference.
- This conference proposed some paths for development in the form of Agenda 21.
common property
Common property refers to resources that are not owned by any one person or country, but by society and the entire world. These include oceans, glaciers, the atmosphere, space, plains, rivers, etc. These include the seafloor, the Arctic, and the Antarctic.
Some agreements have also been made regarding common property:
i. Antarctic Treaty of 1959
ii. Montreal Protocol of 1981
iii. Antarctica Protocol of 1991
shared but differentiated responsibilities
- Developed and developing countries have different views on this matter.
- Developed countries want to share the responsibility for environmental protection equally among all countries.
- While developing countries believe that the country that is causing or has caused the most environmental damage should bear greater responsibility.
- Developed countries have achieved their own economic development by utilizing common resources, which is why developed countries play a greater role in polluting common resources.
- Developing countries are still in the process of development, so they cannot stop their programs midway. It is essential that developing countries should be given greater leeway in any guidelines designed to protect the environment.
- Based on the above statements, it can be concluded that developed countries have reached the pinnacle of development, and therefore, they will have to shoulder greater responsibility, while developing countries are still in the process of development, and therefore, they will have to utilize natural resources.
- Common property but differentiated responsibilities also indicate that all countries in the world should be given equal rights to development.
Kyoto Protocol
- In 1997, a world conference on environmental issues was held in Kyoto, Japan. This is known as the Kyoto Protocol.
- At this conference, the United Nations framework convention on climate change was signed, which came to be known as the Kyoto Protocol.
- India signed it in 2002.
- The Kyoto Protocol exempted India, China, and many developing countries from the obligations of the protocol.
- At this same conference, it was recognized that industrialization is the main cause of climate change and global warming.
Environmental Movement
- Environmental activists and governments are actively involved in numerous movements at the international and local levels, aimed at protecting the environment.
- Forest protests in southern countries such as Mexico, Chile, Brazil, Malaysia, Indonesia, African countries, and India are significant.
- Movements against mineral industries have been launched in Australia.
- When large dams were built in Thailand, South Africa, Indonesia, China, and India, the public launched environmental protests against the governments.
Climate change
- Climate change poses a significant threat to all living things on Earth.
- The general definition of climate has lost its meaning because it is not known when the weather changes, and its effects are visible on the environment. The main causes of climate change include excessive use of fossil fuels, excessive deforestation, overexploitation of natural resources, air pollution from transportation, and rapid industrialization.
- The consequences of climate change are extremely dangerous, including increased atmospheric warming, a hole in the ozone layer, rapid melting of glaciers, increased rainfall in many regions, and forest fires.
- The rate at which the Earth’s temperature is rising is very worrying. If this situation continues, the Earth’s average temperature could rise by 1-5 degrees in the next 15-20 years.
- Climate change is having the greatest negative impact on the agricultural sector, as farmers’ crops are destroyed by sudden rains or prolonged absence of rain. This can lead to food shortages.
- Climate change is the primary cause of the increasing levels of greenhouse gases on Earth.
- As the Earth’s temperature changes, it directly impacts the ozone layer, causing it to deplete and allowing the Sun’s ultraviolet rays to enter the Earth’s atmosphere.
- If climate change and global warming are not brought under control, the Earth’s end is near.
Global warming
- Global warming simply means that the average temperature of the Earth’s surface and atmosphere is gradually increasing.
- Increasing CO₂ levels in the atmosphere are also increasing the greenhouse gas effect.
- All these greenhouse gas factors, including water vapor, CO₂, methane, chlorofluorocarbons, and ozone, absorb more thermal radiation.
- Due to the global carbon cycle, a hole has formed in the ozone layer, which reduces UV rays reaching the Earth, leading to increased global warming.
- Global warming can be reduced by planting more trees, controlling population, and reducing the use of destructive technologies.
- Governments, private sectors, and NGOs in various countries are raising public awareness through various programs to gradually reduce global warming.
- If we want to save the Earth and its atmosphere, the most important thing is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
- As the temperature is increasing, its effect is clearly visible on the earth. Along with this, we will also have to look at the changes taking place in the environment due to climate change and take important steps in this direction.
The book "Limits to Growth"
A group of scholars concerned with global issues, known as the Club of Rome, wrote a book in 1972 called “Limits to Growth.” This book argued that as the world’s population grows, resources are becoming increasingly scarce.
The report titled "Our Common Future" issued a warning.
This report, published in 1987, suggested that the current methods of economic development would not be sustainable in the future.
Agenda-21
It was stated that the development process should be such that it does not harm the environment.
Criticism of Agenda 21
It was stated that Agenda 21 focuses less on the environment and more on development.
Geopolitics of resources
The main reason for the expansion of European countries has been the economic exploitation of subjugated nations. The more resources a country possesses, the stronger its economy will be.
1) Timber: Western countries seized forests in other countries to build ships, thereby strengthening their navies and increasing foreign trade.
2) Oil Reserves: After the World Wars, the importance of countries with uranium and oil resources increased. Developed countries deployed their military along sea routes to ensure an uninterrupted supply of oil.
3) Water: Wars have been fought over the control and distribution of water. Four states—Israel, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon—claim rights to the waters of the Jordan River.
Indigenous peoples and their rights
- The United Nations, in 1982, defined indigenous people as those who had been living in a particular country for a long time and were later subjugated by other cultures or ethnic groups. In India, the terms “tribe” or “tribal” are used for indigenous people. The World Council of Indigenous Peoples was formed in 1975.
- The main demands of indigenous people are that they be recognized as a distinct community with their own independent identity, and that attention be paid to the problems of displacement and development caused by projects implemented since independence.
- The objective of natural resource management and conservation is to protect and conserve flora and fauna to maintain balance in the ecosystem.
- Indigenous people inhabit regions in South America, Africa, Southeast Asia, and India, where they are referred to as tribals or tribal communities.
India's contribution to environmental protection
- 2002: Signing and ratification of the Kyoto Protocol.
- 2005: G-8 meeting emphasized the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by developed countries.
- Use of cleaner fuels in vehicles under the National Auto-Fuel Policy.
- 2001: Energy Conservation Act passed.
- 2003: Electricity Act promoted the use of renewable energy.
- A national mission on biodiesel is underway in India.
- India is working towards building a consensus on environmental protection among all nations at the SAARC forum.
- In 2010, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) was established in India for the protection and conservation of the environment.
- India is the first country in the world to have a separate ministry for the development of renewable energy.
- Low per capita contribution to carbon dioxide emissions
- (USA 16 tons, Japan 8 tons, China 6 tons, India 1.38 tons)
India signed the Paris Agreement on October 2, 2016. - By 2030, India aims to reduce its emissions intensity by 73-75% compared to 2005 levels.
- At COP-23, India pledged to create a carbon sink equivalent to 2.5 to 3 billion tons of CO₂ by 2030 through afforestation and increasing forest cover.
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