UPSC Prelims 2005 · General Studies
Question 6: Environment and Ecology
Consider the following statements :
- 1.Kyoto Protocol came into force in the year 2005
- 2.Kyoto Protocol deals primarily with the depletion of the Ozone layer.
- 3.Methane as a greenhouse gas is more harmful than carbon dioxide
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
AnswerThe answer is (b).
The Kyoto Protocol came into force on 16 February 2005, so statement 1 is right. It aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions, not to protect the ozone layer; ozone depletion is the subject of the Montreal Protocol. Methane traps far more heat than carbon dioxide molecule for molecule (about 25 times over a century), so statement 3 is right. Remember: Kyoto means greenhouse gases, Montreal means ozone.
- 1. The Protocol entered into force on 16 February 2005.
- 2. Kyoto targets greenhouse gases; the ozone layer is the Montreal Protocol's concern.
- 3. Methane has a much higher global warming potential than carbon dioxide.
How you could have got this
- If you were sure statement 1 is correct, (d) goes: it leaves 1 out.
What you needed to know: The Protocol entered into force on 16 February 2005.
- Then, if you were sure statement 3 is correct, (a) and (c) go: each of them leaves 3 out.
What you needed to know: Methane has a much higher global warming potential than carbon dioxide.
Only (b) is left. You didn’t need statement 2.
This follows an unofficial answer: UPSC has not published its key for this year, and if that answer is wrong, so is this path.
Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Statement 2 is false: Kyoto is about greenhouse gases, not the ozone layer.
- (b) Correct: statements 1 and 3 hold.
- (c) Misses statement 3: methane is the more potent greenhouse gas.
- (d) Misses statement 1: the Protocol entered into force in 2005.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2005, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.