Environment – Easy Level – GK Questions

Natural gas is a hydrocarbon fossil fuel formed from ancient organic matter, unlike ethanol, hydrogen, or biodiesel which can be renewable.

Wind turbines capture kinetic energy from wind, rotating blades that drive a generator to produce electricity.

Although nuclear power produces low carbon emissions, uranium ore is finite and non-renewable on human timescales.

Solar power generation is affected by cloud cover, night time, and seasonal variations, requiring storage or backup systems.

Chilika is the largest coastal lagoon in India and the second largest in the world, designated a Ramsar site for its wetland significance.

Keoladeo Ghana National Park in Rajasthan is a UNESCO site and major wintering ground for migratory birds, including historically the Siberian Crane.

Manas is a UNESCO site for its biodiversity and also a Project Tiger reserve, though it faced challenges from insurgency in the past.

UNCCD addresses land degradation and drought, particularly in arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid areas, promoting sustainable land use.

NBA, headquartered in Chennai, regulates access to biological resources and ensures equitable benefit-sharing as per the Act.

The Act enables the creation of protected areas like National Parks, Sanctuaries, and Conservation Reserves for wildlife conservation.

The Paris Agreement (2015) replaced the Kyoto Protocol, with all nations submitting Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

Net zero means any emissions are balanced by absorption/removal, often through forests, carbon capture, or other sinks.

Carbon footprint measures emissions of CO2 and other GHGs associated with activities, helping assess environmental impact.

CO2 traps heat radiated from Earth's surface, preventing it from escaping into space, thus warming the atmosphere.

PM10 can penetrate the respiratory system; finer PM2.5 particles can enter the bloodstream, causing serious health issues.

India's AQI has six categories: Good, Satisfactory, Moderately polluted, Poor, Very Poor, and Severe, based on pollutant concentrations.

The program, a partnership between Assam Forest Department and conservation NGOs, targeted rhino population growth through translocation and protection.

The Great Indian Bustard is Rajasthan's state bird and is among the heaviest flying birds, now critically endangered due to habitat loss.

Gene banks preserve genetic material (seeds, tissues) outside natural habitats, making them a form of ex-situ conservation.

Biodiversity is measured at three levels: genetic variation within species, variety of species, and diversity of ecosystems.