मराठी

Overview of Environment and Natural Resources

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Estimated time: 32 minutes
CBSE: Class 12

Key Points: Environmental Concerns in Global Politics

  • Environmental issues like poverty, epidemics, and climate change are now part of global politics.
  • Agricultural land is shrinking and soil fertility is declining worldwide.
  • Water scarcity and lack of sanitation affect millions
  • Deforestation is causing biodiversity loss and displacement of people.
  • Ozone layer depletion threatens human health and ecosystems.
  • Coastal pollution and overuse are damaging marine environments.
  • Environmental problems are global and cannot be solved by one country alone.
  • International cooperation and sustainable development are essential to address these issues. 
CBSE: Class 12

Key Points: The Protection of Global Commons

  • Global commons are resources not owned by any one country but shared by all.
  • Includes the atmosphere, oceans, Antarctica, ocean floor and outer space.
  • These areas lie outside national jurisdiction and need international governance.
  • Cooperation is difficult because countries have different interests and capacities.
  • Treaties like the Antarctic Treaty and Montreal Protocol protect global commons.
  • Scientific uncertainty and long time frames
  • North–South inequality affects how benefits and responsibilities are shared.
  • Technology and industrial development often exploit global commons unevenly.
CBSE: Class 12

Key Points: Antarctica

  • Antarctica covers about 14 million sq km and holds 70% of Earth’s fresh water.
  • No permanent human population and very limited land life.
  • Antarctica is a global common, not owned by any single country.
  • The Antarctic Treaty (1959) allows only peaceful use and scientific research.
  • It plays a key role in climate regulation and environmental research.
CBSE: Class 12

Key Points: Common but Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR)

  • Developed countries caused most environmental damage.
  • All countries share responsibility, but not equally.
  • Developing countries need flexibility to grow and reduce poverty.
  • Principle accepted at Rio Earth Summit, 1992.
  • Reflected in UNFCCC and Kyoto Protocol, with higher duties on developed nations.
CBSE: Class 12

Key Points: Common Property Resources

  • Shared resources owned and used by a community.
  • Community members have both rights and responsibilities.
  • Factors like privatisation, population growth, and agriculture.
  • In India, village communities traditionally manage common property like sacred groves.
CBSE: Class 12

Key Points: India’s Stand on Environmental Issues

  • India supports climate action but stresses historical responsibility of developed countries.
  • Follows the principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR) under UNFCCC.
  • India was exempt from Kyoto Protocol targets due to low per capita emissions.
  • It opposes binding emission cuts on developing countries that may hurt growth.
  • India promotes clean energy and has ratified the Paris Climate Agreement (2016). 
CBSE: Class 12

Key Points: Sacred Groves in India

  • Sacred groves are patches of forest protected for religious and cultural reasons.
  • They help conserve biodiversity and ecological balance in a natural way.
  • Local communities manage them using traditional beliefs and customs.
  • Many temples and village traditions are linked to sacred groves.
  • Sacred groves face threats from urbanisation and weakening community control. 
CBSE: Class 12

Key Points: Environmental Movements: One or Many?

  • Environmental movements often arise from people and groups, not governments.
  • Operate at local, national, and international levels.
  • Movements promote new ideas about sustainable living.
  • They are diverse in goals, methods, and regions, not a single movement.
  • Forest movements oppose deforestation and displacement of communities.
  • Mining and mega-dam projects face resistance.
  • Many movements in the Global South challenge MNC-led development models.
  • Non-violence is a common and important principle. 
CBSE: Class 12

Key Points: Resource Geopolitics

  • Resource geopolitics is about who controls and accesses key resources like oil and water.
  • Control over resources has been a major source of power, rivalry, and conflict.
  • During the Cold War, countries used military presence and alliances to secure resource supplies.
  • Oil is the most important strategic resource.
  • Water scarcity is emerging as a major cause of future conflicts.
  • Resource conflicts show that economic needs strongly influence global politics and security.
CBSE: Class 12

Key Points: Indigenous Peoples and Their Rights

  • Indigenous peoples are the original inhabitants of a region with distinct cultures and traditions.
  • They live closely connected to land, nature, and traditional livelihoods.
  • Loss of land is the biggest threat to their survival and identity.
  • Indigenous groups demand recognition as equal communities, not minorities.
  • They seek rights over land, resources, and self-governance.
  • International attention to indigenous rights grew strongly after the 1970s.
  • The UN and global movements support protection of indigenous cultures and rights.
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