IBPS PO General Awareness: Environment and Ecology questions with solutions

Q1. How was Earth Day 1970 received?

1. The United Nations lent its support to the cause
2. A demand for clean fuel resounded in people's voices
3. The initiative was supported by people regardless of social and political divisions
4. Industries adopted eco-friendly measures of operation

Answer: The initiative was supported by people regardless of social and political divisions

The passage states that Earth Day 1970 received rare support across the political spectrum and from people of different social groups. This means it was supported regardless of social and political divisions.

Q2. Climate activism is seen as just planting trees and engaging in clean-up drives. Those are important, but it is also about holding those in power accountable and asking whether they will leave indigenous people and their land alone, leave the coal in the ground, leave the rivers unpoisoned, and leave the trees standing. I. Climate activists should reach representatives at all levels of government to raise the issue of the environment due to their inaction. II. Climate activists should sympathise with those who fuel our destruction. III. Climate activists should volunteer with local organizations to make changes related to climate.

1. Only I
2. Only I & II
3. Only I & III
4. Only II & III

Answer: Only I & III

The passage emphasizes accountability, advocacy, and active participation in environmental protection. Statement I matches the idea of approaching representatives to raise environmental concerns, and statement III matches volunteering with local organizations for climate action. Statement II is contrary to the passage because it supports those who cause destruction.

Q3. Alok Sharma has taken sole charge as President of COP26, the United Nations Climate Summit, scheduled in which city?

1. Geneva
2. Bern
3. Glasgow
4. Beijing

Answer: Glasgow

COP26 refers to the 26th UN Climate Change Conference. It was held in Glasgow, Scotland, and Alok Sharma served as the President of COP26. Therefore, Glasgow is the correct answer.

Q4. How has urban expansion impacted the environment?

1. It has reduced pollution levels.
2. It has led to increased biodiversity.
3. It has contributed to habitat loss and increased pollution.
4. It has improved water quality.

Answer: It has contributed to habitat loss and increased pollution.

Urban expansion often converts forests, wetlands, and open land into built-up areas, causing habitat loss. It also increases air, water, and noise pollution due to higher population density and industrial activity.

Q5. The National Green Tribunal extended the time limit for the constitution of Biodiversity Management Committees and the preparation of People's Biodiversity Registers. Which among the following was the first state to form BMC?

1. Andhra Pradesh
2. Uttar Pradesh
3. Madhya Pradesh
4. Kerala

Answer: Kerala

Kerala is widely recognized as the first state to form Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs). The question refers to biodiversity governance under environmental policy and local biodiversity documentation.

Q6. Under which of the following industries has the maximum greenhouse gas emission taken place in India?

1. Construction
2. Fossil fuels
3. Industries
4. Agriculture, Forestry & other land use

Answer: Fossil fuels

In India, the largest share of greenhouse gas emissions comes from fossil fuel use, especially in energy production and transport. The other sectors contribute, but not as much as fossil fuels. Therefore, the correct answer is Fossil fuels.

Q7. Recently in May, India signed a Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) on Forest Landscape Restoration with

1. Germany
2. Australia
3. Bhutan
4. Nepal

Answer: Germany

India signed the Joint Declaration of Intent on Forest Landscape Restoration with Germany. This is an environmental cooperation initiative focused on restoring degraded forest landscapes.

Q8. National Mission for Clean Ganga organises the "Ganga Vriksharopan Abhiyan" in five Ganga basin states as an intervention under the Ganga, a major component of the Namami Gange Programme. These five states are Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and which of the following?

1. Assam
2. Jharkhand
3. Himachal Pradesh
4. Haryana

Answer: Jharkhand

The Ganga basin states covered under this initiative are Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. Hence, the missing state is Jharkhand.

Q9. What two types of alternative energy sources does the passage mention as part of the transition to green energy?

1. Biomass and geothermal
2. Solar and wind
3. Hydrogen and synthetic hydrocarbon fuels
4. Nuclear and tidal

Answer: Solar and wind

The passage explicitly refers to solar energy and wind energy as part of the transition to green energy. These are the two alternative energy sources mentioned together.

Q10. Happy at a permanent commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region and adjoining areas for better coordination, research, regulations, and resolution of problems surrounding the air quality index, experts are also wary of the fact that mere identification would not help in the long run.

1. a-c
2. b-d
3. a-d
4. b-C

Answer: a-d

The sentence has errors in parts (a) and (d). 'Happy at' is incorrect in context and should be something like 'hoping for' or 'with'; also 'mere identification' is not the right concluding idea in the given structure. Hence the correct pair is a-d.

Q11. Which of the following cities hosted the UN Climate Change Conference (COP 25) in December 2019?

1. Madrid
2. Barcelona
3. Paris
4. Rome

Answer: Madrid

COP 25 was originally planned for Chile but was shifted to Madrid, Spain, in December 2019. Hence, Madrid is the correct answer.

Q12. In which five states is the 'Ganga Vriksharopan Abhiyan' being conducted under the Namami Gange Programme?

1. Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal
2. Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, West Bengal
3. Uttarakhand, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal
4. Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal

Answer: Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, West Bengal

The Ganga Vriksharopan Abhiyan is a plantation initiative under the Namami Gange Programme carried out in five Ganga-basin states. The states are Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, and West Bengal.

Q13. Statement: Other than being an essential source of water for Indian agriculture, the monsoon plays a critical role in flushing out pollutants over Asia. However, recently increased pollution, particularly from coal burning, could potentially weaken this ability of the monsoon. Question: Which of the following can be deduced from the given statement?

1. The unusually high concentration of particulate matter in the last few days in India clearly shows that air pollution is emerging as a big problem.
2. As the climate gets warmer and frequency of rains reduces, such spurts in coarse particles making breathing difficult will become a new normal and the government is not waking up to the alarm.
3. Both the periodicity and duration of dry spells in the country were rising as total rainfall events in a year had fallen even though the average rainfall in a year has not changed much, a direct consequence of climate change.
4. The annual average rainfall has remained the same because the frequency of heavy downpours increased in the past two decades.

Answer: Both the periodicity and duration of dry spells in the country were rising as total rainfall events in a year had fallen even though the average rainfall in a year has not changed much, a direct consequence of climate change.

The statement says the monsoon helps flush out pollutants and that increased pollution may weaken this ability. The correct deduction must remain consistent with this idea and with climate-related changes in rainfall patterns. Among the options, only option C presents a plausible inference related to changing rainfall and dry spells.

Q14. Fifty years after the launch of Project Tiger on April 1, 1973, India's tiger population today ranges from 2,500 to 3,000. When Project Tiger started, India had ______ tiger reserves. In 2023, India has ______ tiger reserves.

1. 9, 47
2. 9, 53
3. 9, 48
4. 9, 55

Answer: 9, 53

Project Tiger began in 1973 with 9 tiger reserves. By 2023, India had 53 tiger reserves. Therefore, the correct pair is 9, 53.

Q15. What does the author mean when he says, "Global warming counsels human humility"?

1. Global warming makes us forget our achievements and challenges us to do our best to deal with climate change
2. Global warming makes us realise that if we wish to survive on this planet, we need to be considerate and keep track of the activities that may be harmful to the environment
3. Global warming shows us how significant we are in the grand scheme of things
4. Global warming makes us realise that we are completely powerless when it comes to dealing with nature's wrath

Answer: Global warming makes us realise that if we wish to survive on this planet, we need to be considerate and keep track of the activities that may be harmful to the environment

The phrase means humans should be humble about their impact on nature and act responsibly. It does not imply total helplessness, but rather the need for caution and environmental responsibility.

Q16. Which of the following states ranked second in the number of tigers in India?

1. Madhya Pradesh
2. West Bengal
3. Karnataka
4. Assam

Answer: Karnataka

In India’s tiger population ranking, Madhya Pradesh generally holds the first position, while Karnataka is among the top states and is commonly cited as second in such exam questions. Therefore, Karnataka is the correct answer.

Q17. Ganga Vriksharopan Abhiyan was launched in which states?

1. Uttarakhand, UP, Odisha, Bihar, Chhattisgarh
2. Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar
3. Uttarakhand, UP, Odisha, Jharkhand, West Bengal
4. Uttarakhand, UP, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal

Answer: Uttarakhand, UP, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal

Ganga Vriksharopan Abhiyan is an afforestation campaign associated with the Ganga basin states. The correct list is Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal.

Q18. What was the rank of India in the 2019 Climate Change Performance Index?

1. 17
2. 11
3. 13
4. 15

Answer: 17

In the 2019 Climate Change Performance Index, India was ranked 17th. This is a commonly asked current-affairs fact in banking exams.

Q19. According to the UN World Meteorological Organization, how much increase in temperature will be observed by the end of the century?

1. 3-5 ℃
2. 1-3 °C
3. 2-5 °C
4. 4-6 °C

Answer: 3-5 ℃

The UN World Meteorological Organization has projected a significant rise in global temperature by the end of the century, commonly cited in the range of 3 to 5 degrees Celsius. Hence, the correct option is 3-5 ℃.

Q20. Which country among the following hosted World Environment Day 2022 in June 2022?

1. Switzerland
2. Sweden
3. Finland
4. Norway

Answer: Sweden

World Environment Day 2022 was hosted by Sweden. The event focused on ecosystem restoration and was observed globally on 5 June 2022.

Q21. Every year, people across the world celebrate Earth Day on April 22 to show their support for the protection of the earth and the environment. The first-ever Earth Day was celebrated in 1970 and is attributed to Gaylord Nelson, a U.S. politician. In 1969, a massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, California motivated Senator Nelson to work towards environmental protection. He partnered with Pete McCloskey for a teach-in on college campuses and roped in Denis Hayes to organise the lectures. Hayes later helped scale Earth Day 1990 and Earth Day 2000 globally. Which of the following options states Hayes' endeavours towards environmental protection?

1. Helped organise Earth Day 1990 and 2000 on a massive scale
2. Helped highlight the issue of environmental pollution
3. All of the above
4. Both (a) and (c)

Answer: All of the above

The passage states that Hayes helped organise Earth Day 1990 and Earth Day 2000 on a massive scale and also helped spread awareness about environmental pollution. Since both statements are true, the correct choice is 'All of the above'.

Q22. Where was the first Conference of the Parties (COP) of the Convention held?

1. Bonn, Germany
2. Kyoto, Japan
3. Berlin, Germany
4. Paris, France

Answer: Berlin, Germany

The first Conference of the Parties (COP1) to the UNFCCC was held in Berlin, Germany. The other options are later or unrelated COP venues.

Q23. Which Indian city generates the third-highest e-waste in the country and is set to get India's first government-run e-waste recycling unit?

1. Delhi
2. Mumbai
3. Chennai
4. Bengaluru

Answer: Bengaluru

Bengaluru is one of the largest generators of e-waste in India and was reported to get the country's first government-run e-waste recycling unit. Hence, the correct answer is Bengaluru.

Q24. With the permission of the Government of India, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) created a new tiger reserve in Madhya Pradesh. What is the name of the tiger reserve?

1. Rajaji
2. Kudremukh
3. Ratapani
4. Sunabeda

Answer: Ratapani

Ratapani was notified as a tiger reserve in Madhya Pradesh with approval from the Government of India/NTCA. The other options are tiger reserves in different states.

Q25. India has stated that it aims to reduce the emissions intensity of its GDP by 33–35% by 2030 from 2005 levels and achieve __________ of its cumulative electric power capacity of around 350 GW from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources, mainly renewable power.

1. 20%
2. 40%
3. 50%
4. 30%

Answer: 40%

India’s climate commitment includes reducing emissions intensity and achieving about 40% of installed electric power capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2030. This is part of its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Therefore, 40% is correct.