Class 12 Political Science - HARYANA
Environment and Natural Resources
The chapter 'Environment and Natural Resources' in Class 12 Political Science explores the growing significance of environmental issues in global politics since the 1960s. It highlights how ecological concerns transcend national borders, leading to global debates on sustainable development, resource distribution, and climate change. Students will learn about global commons, indigenous peoples' rights, and the differing responsibilities of the Global North and Global South in tackling environmental degradation. This chapter is vital for Haryana (BSEH) board exams as it tests analytical understanding of contemporary global issues, international treaties, and India's stance on conservation.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Global Commons
Resource areas that lie outside the sovereign jurisdiction of any one state, requiring common governance by the international community, such as Antarctica, the ocean floor, outer space, and Earth's atmosphere.
Common But Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR)
A principle from the 1992 Rio Earth Summit stating that all states are responsible for addressing global environmental degradation, but developed countries bear a greater historical and financial burden due to their higher emissions.
Rio Summit (Earth Summit)
A major UN conference held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 that formally linked economic development with environmental protection, leading to the adoption of Agenda 21 and conventions on climate change and biodiversity.
Indigenous Peoples
Communities who lived on their land before modern states were formed or before borders were drawn, whose traditional lifestyles and forest rights are often threatened by resource extraction and industrialization.
Kyoto Protocol
An international treaty agreed upon in 1997 setting binding emission reduction targets for industrialized countries to combat global warming.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Haryana (BSEH) Class 12 Political Science board exam, this chapter typically carries around 4 to 6 marks. Questions usually include 1-mark objective/multiple-choice questions, 2-mark short-answer questions defining key terms like CBDR or Global Commons, and 4-mark essay-type questions explaining India's environmental policies or the North-South divide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between the Global North and Global South regarding environmental issues?
The Global North focuses primarily on ozone depletion and global warming requiring immediate emission cuts, while the Global South emphasizes poverty alleviation, economic development, and argues that developed nations caused historical pollution and should bear greater responsibility.
Why are Antarctica and outer space called 'Global Commons'?
They are called Global Commons because they do not belong to any single country and require cooperative international governance to protect them for future generations.
What was the significance of the 1992 Earth Summit?
It brought environmental issues to the forefront of global politics, popularized the concept of sustainable development, and produced consensus on climate change, biodiversity, and forestry through Agenda 21.
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