CSE

Energy, Environment, and Ecology (MC-3):

Questions and Answers:

  1. What is sustainable development?

    • Sustainable development is meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, balancing economic growth, environmental protection, and social equity.

  2. Explain the greenhouse effect.

    • The greenhouse effect is the warming of Earth's surface caused by greenhouse gases (like CO2 and methane) trapping heat in the atmosphere. This process is essential for maintaining life but can lead to global warming when intensified by human activities.

  3. What are renewable energy sources?

    • Renewable energy sources are energy sources that can be replenished naturally over time, such as solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, and biomass.

  4. What is ecological footprint?

    • An ecological footprint measures the demand on Earth's ecosystems by quantifying the area of biologically productive land and water needed to produce the resources consumed and to absorb the waste generated.

  5. Define biodiversity.

    • Biodiversity refers to the variety of life forms on Earth, including species diversity, genetic diversity, and ecosystem diversity. It is crucial for ecosystem resilience and function.

  6. What are the main causes of deforestation?

    • Main causes of deforestation include agricultural expansion, logging, infrastructure development, and urbanization, leading to habitat loss and biodiversity decline.

  7. Explain the concept of ecological succession.

    • Ecological succession is the process by which ecosystems change and develop over time, often following a disturbance. It can be primary (starting from bare rock) or secondary (following a disturbance in an existing ecosystem).

  8. What is the significance of the carbon cycle?

    • The carbon cycle is essential for regulating Earth's climate and supporting life. It describes how carbon atoms move between the atmosphere, land, ocean, and living organisms, influencing energy flow and nutrient cycling.

  9. What are the consequences of climate change?

    • Consequences of climate change include rising global temperatures, sea-level rise, extreme weather events, shifts in ecosystems, and threats to food security and human health.

  10. Define ecological resilience.

    • Ecological resilience is the ability of an ecosystem to absorb disturbances and reorganize while undergoing change, maintaining its essential functions and processes.