Daily Static Quiz (Environment) Nov 22, 2025

November 22, 2025 Sachin Siddharth

Daily Static Quiz (Environment) Nov 22, 2025

QUESTION 1

Among the following United Nations Climate Change Conferences (COPs), which one was held in Madrid, Spain?

(A) COP 21

(B) COP 23

(D) COP 25

QUESTION 2

Recent studies reveal that Earth’s rotational speed is being influenced by climate-related factors. Which of the following correctly explains the primary mechanism through which melting polar ice affects Earth’s rotation?

(A) Melting ice reduces atmospheric pressure, causing the planet to spin faster

(B) Water redistribution from poles to the equator increases Earth’s moment of inertia, slowing rotation similar to a figure skater extending their arms

(D) Increased ocean salinity from melting ice alters the Earth’s magnetic field, affecting rotation

QUESTION 3

Which of the following statements regarding the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) is INCORRECT?

(A) IBRD was established in 1944 with the primary objective of financing European reconstruction after World War II

(B) IBRD provides loans exclusively to low-income countries with no financial constraints

(D) IBRD has expanded its mandate to include environmental and sustainable development projects beyond infrastructure

QUESTION 4

Direct Air Capture (DAC) technology operates through chemical and physical processes to extract CO₂ directly from ambient air. Which of the following is NOT a documented application of captured CO₂ in DAC systems?

(A) Production of carbon-neutral synthetic fuels including gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel

(B) Enhanced oil recovery and carbon sequestration in geological formations

(D) Enrichment of air in greenhouses and improvement of concrete strength

QUESTION 5

Oceanic plankton exhibit remarkable diversity in form and function. Which of the following is the MOST accurate description of plankton classification?

(A) All plankton are microscopic single-celled organisms that serve as primary consumers in marine food webs

(B) Plankton includes both holoplankton (organisms spending entire life as plankton) and meroplankton (only larval stage as plankton), encompassing dinoflagellates, krill, jellyfish, and comb jellies

(D) Portuguese Man-O’-War is the largest known holoplankton organism and represents the typical size range of all plankton

QUESTION 6

Eutrophication in aquatic ecosystems represents one of the most significant forms of water pollution. Which statement most accurately describes both the causes and consequences of eutrophication?

(A) Eutrophication occurs primarily due to natural nutrient cycling and is reversible within a decade of pollution cessation

(B) Phosphorus and nitrogen from agricultural runoff, sewage, and atmospheric deposition cause excessive algal blooms, leading to oxygen depletion and ecosystem collapse

(C) Eutrophication benefits estuarine ecosystems by increasing biodiversity and creating ideal conditions for fish breeding

(D) Nutrient pollution is preventable only through complete elimination of agricultural practices in riparian zones

QUESTION 7

Project Snow Leopard represents India’s comprehensive approach to high-altitude carnivore conservation. Which of the following best describes the project’s core operational model?

(A) A fortress conservation model that restricts local community access to protected areas while focusing solely on snow leopard population counts

(B) A landscape-based approach involving local communities, scientific research, and participatory policies across Himalayan and trans-Himalayan regions spanning approximately 130,000 km²

(D) A program that prioritizes snow leopard protection over addressing human-wildlife conflict and livestock predation concerns

QUESTION 8

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) functions as a unique institutional mechanism for global renewable energy advancement. Which of the following statements about IRENA is INCORRECT?

(A) IRENA is headquartered in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi, and operates as the first international organization exclusively dedicated to renewable energy

(B) IRENA funding comes entirely from mandatory contributions by OPEC member states and petroleum corporations

(D) IRENA projects indicate that renewable energy could supply approximately 90% of global electricity needs by 2050

QUESTION 9

The Ozone Depleting Substances (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, establish India’s framework for environmental protection. What is the central objective of these regulations?

(A) Elimination of all industrial manufacturing to reduce carbon emissions

(B) Regulation of ozone-depleting substances like CFCs and HCFCs to meet India’s Montreal Protocol obligations while establishing phase-out schedules and production/consumption limits

(D) Compensation to industries for revenue losses due to ODS restrictions

QUESTION 10

The Biodiversity Conservation and Rural Livelihood Improvement Project (BCRLIP) integrates two seemingly competing objectives. What is its defining characteristic?

(A) Restriction of rural communities from accessing forest resources to maximize conservation outcomes

(B) Integration of biodiversity conservation with rural livelihood enhancement through sustainable practices like eco-tourism and agroforestry at landscape scale

(D) Prioritization of wildlife protection regardless of impacts on local economic sustainability

ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS

QUESTION 1 – ANSWER: (D)

Explanation:

COP 25 was held in Madrid, Spain, from December 2-13, 2019. The conference was originally planned to be held in Brazil but was relocated to Madrid due to political circumstances in Chile, the initially assigned host nation. The venue was the IFEMA facilities in Madrid.

The other conferences were held in:

COP 21 (2015) – Paris, France
COP 23 (2017) – Bonn, Germany
COP 24 (2018) – Katowice, Poland

This question tests factual knowledge of recent international environmental conferences and their specific host locations, which is essential for understanding the geopolitical dimension of climate negotiations.

QUESTION 2 – ANSWER: (B)

Explanation:

Recent research confirms that melting polar ice affects Earth’s rotation through mass redistribution. As ice melts at the poles, water flows toward the equator, increasing the mass distribution farther from Earth’s rotation axis. This increases the planet’s moment of inertia (resistance to rotational changes). According to the conservation of angular momentum principle, when moment of inertia increases, rotational velocity must decrease to maintain constant angular momentum.

The analogy of a figure skater is precise: when a skater extends their arms (increasing moment of inertia), they spin slower; when they pull their arms in (decreasing moment of inertia), they spin faster.

Why others are incorrect:

(A) Atmospheric pressure changes don’t directly affect rotation speed
(C) Ice melting doesn’t release energy opposing the Moon’s gravity in this manner
(D) Salinity changes don’t alter Earth’s magnetic field significantly enough to affect rotation

Studies indicate that if high emission scenarios continue, the Earth’s rotation could slow by 2.6 milliseconds per century due to this mechanism.

QUESTION 3 – ANSWER: (B)

Explanation:

The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) has a specific lending mandate that differs from other World Bank institutions.

Correct statements:

(A) Established in 1944, initially to finance European reconstruction after World War II, though its mandate has since expanded globally
(C) IBRD focuses on middle-income and creditworthy low-income countries, NOT exclusively on low-income countries
(D) IBRD’s mandate has expanded to include climate change, sustainable development, and environmental projects

Incorrect statement (B): IBRD does NOT provide loans exclusively to low-income countries. Rather, IBRD targets middle-income countries and a subset of low-income countries that have sufficient creditworthiness. The International Development Association (IDA)—a separate World Bank institution—provides concessional lending to the poorest countries. This institutional distinction is fundamental to World Bank group structure.

Countries transition from IDA eligibility to IBRD financing as they develop economically. The distinction ensures that limited concessional resources reach the poorest nations while IBRD mobilizes market-rate financing for countries capable of repaying.

QUESTION 4 – ANSWER: (C)

Explanation:

Direct Air Capture technology captures CO₂ for various documented applications:

Legitimate DAC applications:

Production of synthetic fuels (gasoline, diesel, jet fuel) through reactions with hydrogen
Enhanced oil recovery and geological sequestration (permanent storage)
Mineralization into concrete products
Greenhouse enrichment and agricultural applications

Incorrect option (C): “Direct combustion with atmospheric oxygen to create renewable heat energy” is scientifically implausible because:

CO₂ cannot be combusted to release usable energy through combustion
Burning consumed carbon-containing compounds (like fossil fuels) produces CO₂; CO₂ itself cannot be burned for energy
This misrepresents basic thermodynamic principles

QUESTION 5 – ANSWER: (B)

Explanation:

Understanding plankton taxonomy is essential for marine ecology:

Correct classification (B):

Holoplankton: Organisms spending their entire life cycle as plankton—includes most algae (dinoflagellates, diatoms), copepods, salps, jellyfish, and siphonophores
Meroplankton: Organisms with only larval or early life stages as plankton—includes larvae of fish, sea urchins, starfish, and crustaceans that develop into benthic or nektonic forms

Why others are incorrect:

(A) Plankton includes large organisms like jellyfish, siphonophores (some reach 150+ feet), and krill—not exclusively microscopic
(C) Plankton exist at various depths; mesopelagic plankton inhabit 200-1,000 meter depths in the twilight zone
(D) Portuguese Man-O’-War is a siphonophore, not the largest holoplankton; many siphonophores exceed 100 feet in length

Plankton diversity includes over 1,500 dinoflagellate species with flagella and numerous other diverse forms essential to marine food webs.

QUESTION 6 – ANSWER: (B)

Explanation:

Eutrophication represents one of the primary causes of aquatic ecosystem degradation worldwide:

Correct process (B):

Primary nutrient sources: Agricultural runoff (fertilizers, manure), municipal sewage, and atmospheric nitrogen deposition from industrial combustion
Excess nitrogen and phosphorus trigger explosive algal blooms
Algal die-off and decomposition consumes dissolved oxygen (creating hypoxic/anoxic zones)
Results in fish kills, loss of aquatic biodiversity, and habitat degradation
In freshwater systems, nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria often dominate; in estuaries, both N and P can be limiting

Why others are incorrect:

(A) Eutrophication is human-caused (cultural eutrophication) and extremely difficult to reverse; natural nutrient cycling doesn’t cause this ecological dysfunction
(C) Eutrophication devastates ecosystems; approximately 65% of US estuaries studied exhibit moderate to severe degradation from nutrient pollution
(D) Agricultural practices can be modified sustainably; complete elimination is not the only solution, though better nutrient management is essential

QUESTION 7 – ANSWER: (B)

Explanation:

Project Snow Leopard demonstrates India’s modern, participatory approach to high-altitude conservation:

Correct characteristics (B):

Landscape-based approach spanning approximately 130,000 km² across five states
Geographic coverage: Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh
Involves local communities as conservation partners, not as obstacles
Addresses human-wildlife conflict and retaliatory killings of snow leopards
Combines scientific research with participatory policies
Launched in 2009 by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change

Why others are incorrect:

(A) Fortress conservation model explicitly rejected; local communities are central stakeholders
(C) Project spans five states with long-term landscape approach, not limited to J&K short-term actions
(D) Project specifically prioritizes human-wildlife conflict resolution as central strategy

The project recognizes that snow leopard predation on livestock creates economic hardship, leading to retaliatory killings. By addressing livelihood security alongside conservation, Project Snow Leopard achieves sustainable coexistence. This represents the evolution from fortress conservation to community-based conservation models.

QUESTION 8 – ANSWER: (B)

Explanation:

IRENA operates as a unique global institution dedicated exclusively to renewable energy:

Correct statements:

(A) Headquartered in Masdar City (Abu Dhabi); first international organization solely focused on renewable energy
(C) Holds UN observer status; 163+ member countries including India, which joined in 2021
(D) IRENA’s Renewables 2050 outlook projects renewables could supply 90% of global electricity by mid-century

Incorrect statement (B): IRENA funding does NOT come exclusively from OPEC or petroleum corporations. Rather, IRENA is funded through member state contributions with a governance structure ensuring geographic equity. Funding from petroleum corporations would create fundamental conflicts of interest contrary to IRENA’s core mission of advancing global renewable energy transition.

IRENA governance:

Assembly: All member states participate; annual meetings
Council: 21 elected member states rotating every two years; ensures equitable representation

QUESTION 9 – ANSWER: (B)

Explanation:

The Ozone Depleting Substances (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, establish India’s domestic framework for meeting international environmental commitments:

Correct objective (B):

Enacted July 2000 under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
Implements India’s Montreal Protocol obligations to phase out ozone-depleting substances
Regulates production, trade, import, and export of CFCs, HCFCs, halons, and related substances
Establishes phase-out schedules aligned with Montreal Protocol timeline
Sets production and consumption limits based on calculated baselines
Rules revised periodically (2001, 2003, 2004, 2005) to facilitate transitions

Key regulated substances:

CFCs (Chlorofluorocarbons) – refrigerants, foam propellants
HCFCs (Hydrochlorofluorocarbons) – transition substitutes
Halons – fire extinguishing agents
Methyl Bromide – fumigant

Why others are incorrect:

(A) Regulations specifically target ODS, not all industrial manufacturing
(C) CFCs are precisely what these rules eliminate; they’re not promoted as safer alternatives
(D) Environmental regulations prioritize public health; industry compensation is secondary to ecological protection

QUESTION 10 – ANSWER: (B)

Explanation:

BCRLIP represents the integration of biodiversity conservation with rural livelihood development at landscape scale:

Correct approach (B):

Simultaneously pursues conservation AND livelihood improvement objectives
Landscape-level implementation across multiple land-use categories (protected areas, forests, agricultural land)
Sustainable practices promoted: Eco-tourism, agroforestry, sustainable harvesting of non-timber forest products
Local communities receive direct economic benefits from conservation
Acknowledges that sustainable conservation requires addressing poverty and livelihood insecurity
Builds upon earlier models (Joint Forest Management) while scaling to landscape level

Why others are incorrect:

(A) BCRLIP actively engages communities; exclusive access restriction contradicts its participatory design
(C) BCRLIP enhances JFM models through landscape scaling, not replacement with centralized approaches
(D) Project explicitly balances wildlife protection with livelihood sustainability; they’re treated as complementary, not competing objectives

Key principle: Conservation fails when it creates economic hardship for local communities. BCRLIP succeeds by ensuring that ecological protection generates economic opportunities through eco-tourism, sustainable harvesting, and agroforestry, making conservation economically rational for local stakeholders.

Ecosystem services motivation:

Carbon sequestration
Water purification and watershed management
Pollination and biological pest control
Habitat provision for biodiversity

Alignment with SDGs:

SDG 1 (No Poverty) through livelihood enhancement
SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption) through sustainable harvesting
SDG 13 (Climate Action) through carbon storage
SDG 15 (Life on Land) through biodiversity protection

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Daily Static Quiz (Environment) Nov 22, 2025