Chapter 4: Essay-writing

English - Hornbill • Class 11

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Chapter Analysis

Intermediate6 pages • English

Quick Summary

The chapter entitled 'The Ailing Planet: the Green Movement’s Role' discusses the urgent need for environmental conservation and sustainable development. It emphasizes the realization of humanity’s ethical obligations to protect the Earth, highlighting issues like deforestation, overpopulation, and the depletion of natural resources. The text posits that despite the grim realities, the global shift towards a holistic ecological view offers hope for reversing environmental damage. By adopting a new Era of Responsibility, the imperative to safeguard our environment for future generations becomes clearer.

Key Topics

  • The Green Movement
  • Holistic ecological view
  • Sustainable development
  • Overpopulation
  • Depletion of biological systems
  • Environmental responsibility
  • Deforestation
  • Global ecological awareness

Learning Objectives

  • Understand the significance of the Green Movement in environmental conservation.
  • Explain the concept and importance of sustainable development.
  • Analyze the impact of human activities on the Earth's biological systems.
  • Discuss the role of overpopulation in environmental issues.
  • Explore the ethical responsibilities associated with ecological stewardship.
  • Reflect on ways to promote sustainable and responsible environmental policies.

Questions in Chapter

Locate the lines in the text that support the title ‘The Ailing Planet’.

Page 39

What does the notice ‘The world’s most dangerous animal’ at a cage in the zoo at Lusaka, Zambia, signify?

Page 39

How are the earth’s principal biological systems being depleted?

Page 39

Why does the author aver that the growth of world population is one of the strongest factors distorting the future of human society?

Page 39

Additional Practice Questions

What role does the Green Movement play in global ecology?

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Answer: The Green Movement plays a crucial role in raising awareness about environmental issues and fostering a global shift towards an ecological viewpoint that considers the Earth as a living organism. This perspective encourages sustainable practices and policies aimed at conserving natural resources and protecting the environment for future generations.

Discuss the concept of 'sustainable development' as presented in the chapter.

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Answer: Sustainable development is defined as development that meets current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It involves careful stewardship of the Earth's resources to ensure that these resources are available for future generations. The importance of this concept is emphasized in the context of preventing environmental degradation and ensuring ecological balance.

Explain the metaphor used with 'The world’s most dangerous animal'.

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Answer: The metaphor of 'The world’s most dangerous animal' refers to humans when they look into a mirror and see themselves. It signifies the destructive impact humans have on the planet due to irresponsible exploitation and environmental degradation, highlighting the need for individuals to acknowledge and change their ways for the planet's survival.

Why is there a concern about the depletion of the earth's biological systems?

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Answer: The depletion of the earth's biological systems such as fisheries, forests, grasslands, and croplands is concerning because these systems form the foundation of the global economy. Overuse and mismanagement lead to reduced productivity and failing ecosystems, which threaten biodiversity, food security, and the livelihoods of billions.

Discuss the impact of overpopulation on environmental degradation.

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Answer: Overpopulation exacerbates environmental degradation by increasing the demand for resources, leading to over-exploitation of natural systems. It causes deforestation, loss of biodiversity, pollution, and increased greenhouse gas emissions. To mitigate these effects, effective population control measures and sustainable resource management practices are necessary.