Read the passage and answer the questions:
The developed countries of the North want to discuss the environmental issue as it stands now and want everyone to be equally responsible for ecological conservation. The developing countries of the South feel that much of the ecological degradation in the world is the product of industrial development undertaken by the developed countries. If they have caused more degradation, they must also take more responsibility for undoing the damage now. Moreover, the developing countries are in the process of industrialisation and they must not be subjected to the same restrictions, which apply to the developed countries. Thus the special needs of the developing countries must be taken into account in the development, application, and interpretation of rules of international environmental law. This argument was accepted in the Rio Declaration at the Earth Summit in 1992 and is called the principle of ‘common but differentiated responsibilities’. The Rio Summit produced conventions dealing with climate change, biodiversity, forestry, and recommended a list of development practices called “Agenda 21.” There was a consensus on combining economic growth with ecological responsibility. This approach to development is commonly known as ‘sustainable development’. Some critiques have pointed out that Agenda 21 was biased in favour of economic growth rather than ensuring ecological conservation.
Which one of the following statements correctly depicts the perspective of the South?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → The South sees ecological degradation as the product of industrial development undertaken by the developed countries.
Option (1) Equal distribution of responsibility for ecological conservation — Incorrect. This is the North’s position: everyone equally responsible for ecological conservation.
Option (2) The South should take up more responsibility for the damages done in the North — Incorrect. The South argues the reverse: those who caused more degradation, the developed countries, must take more responsibility for undoing it.
Option (3) The South wants the North to reduce industrialisation. — Incorrect. The South does not ask the North to stop industrialising; it asks that its own industrialisation, still under way, not face the same restrictions as the developed countries.
Option (4) The South sees ecological degradation as the product of industrial development undertaken by the developed countries. — Correct. The developing countries of the South feel that much of the ecological degradation in the world is the product of industrial development undertaken by the developed countries.
NCERT (2025-26): “Common but Differentiated Responsibilities … We have noted above a difference in the approach to environment between the countries of the North and the South. The developed countries of the North want to discuss the environmental issue as it stands now and want everyone to be equally responsible for ecological conservation. The developing countries of the South feel that much of the ecological degradation in the world is the product of industrial development undertaken by the developed countries. If they have caused more degradation, they must also take more responsibility for undoing the damage now. Moreover, the developing countries are in the process of industrialisation and they must not be subjected to the same restrictions, which apply to the developed countries. Thus the special needs of the developing countries must be taken into account in the development, application, and interpretation of rules of international environmental law. This argument was accepted in the Rio Declaration at the Earth Summit in 1992 and is called the principle of ‘common but differentiated responsibilities’.…” |