5.

THE AILING PLANET: THE GREEN MOVEMENT’S ROLE

- Nani Palkhivala
SUMMARY IN ENGLISH
The Green Movement started nearly twenty-five years ago. The world's first nationwide
Green party was founded in New Zealand in 1972. Since then, the movement has not looked back.
In fact, no other movement in world history has excited human race so much as the Green
Movement. For the first time, there is 'a' growing awareness that the earth itself is a living
organism. It has its own metabolic heeds And essential processes.
The signs pertaining to the Earth's life show a patient in declining health. People have now
fully realised their moral duty to be good custodians of the planet and responsible trustees of the
legacy to future generations.,.
The World Commission on Environment and Development popularized the concept of
sustainable development in 1987. It defined the idea as the development that meets the needs of
the present with out endangering the ability of future generations to meet their needs.
Man is the most dangerous animal in the world. Now he has realized the wisdom of shifting
from a system based on domination to one based on partnership. Scientists have arranged list of
1.4 million living species on earth besides man. About three to hundred million other living species
still stay unnamed in humiliating darkness.
The Brandt Commission was the first International Commission to deal with the question of
ecology and environment. The first Brandt report raised the question whether we were to leave our
successors a dried earth of increasing deserts, poor landscapes and ailing environment. Mr. Lester
R. Brown has listed Earth's four main biological systems. These are fisheries, forests, grasslands and
croplands. They form the basis of the world's economic system. They supply us food and raw
materials for industry. In large areas of the world, these systems are reaching unsustainable level.
Their productivity is being damaged. When this happens, fisheries break down, forests disappear,
grasslands are changed into barren wastelands and croplands become worse.
Overfishing is common in protein hungry world. In poor countries, local forest are destroyed
to obtain fuel for cooking. Tropical forests are wearing away at the rate of forty to fifty millions
acres a year. The growing use of dung for burning deprives the soil of an important natural
fertiliser. Over the last four decades 'India's forests have reached disastrous exhaustion. India is
losing its forests at the rate of 3.7 million acres a year. Large areas, officially named forest land, are
almost treeless. A UN study warns that the environment has deteriorated quite badly in many of
the eighty-eight countries investigated.
The growth of world population is one of the strongest factors distorting the future of
human society. Mankind reached the first billion mark in more than a million years. That was the
world population in the year 1800. By the year 1900, a second billion was added. The twentieth
century has added another 3.7 billion. The present world population is estimated at 5.7 billion.
Every four days the world population increases by one million.
Fertility falls as income rises, education spreads and health improves. Development is the
best contraceptive. However, development may not be possible if population goes on increasing at
this rate. The population of India is estimated to be 920 million in 1994. It is more than the entire
populations of Africa and South America put together. Unless population control is given top most
priority, the hope of the people would die in their hungry hutments. There is no alternative to
voluntary family planning without an element of coercion. The choice is really t between control of
population and continuation of poverty.
We notice a surpassing concern. People are worried not only about their own survival but
that of the planet as well. People have begun to take an over-all view of the very basis of life. The
environmental problem is our passport for the future. A new world vision has emerged. It has
ushered in the Era of Responsibility. It is a holistic view, an ecological view. We now see the world
as an integrated whole rather than separate parts.

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 Industry has very important role to play in this new Era of Responsibility. Leading
businessmen should excel in environmental performance. Then they can continue to exist as
leading manufacturers. The words of Margaret Thatcher are used frequently. She remarked: 'No
generation has a free hold on this earth. All we have is a life tenancy with a full repairing lease/ Mr.
Lester Brown, the author of 'The Global Economic Prospect' rightly observes, "We have not
inherited this earth from our forefathers, we have borrowed it from our children."
VOCABULARY
Recall—remember
Movement—(here) change in ideas/behaviour
Gripped—(here) excited; have powerful effect
Entire- total, complete;
Irrevocably—finally, in an unalterable manner
Holistic—considering a whole thing to be more than a collection of part
Ecological—connected with the relation of plants and living creatures to each other and to their
environment
Shift—(here) change; I Perceptions—ideas based on understanding
Revolutionary—pertaining to complete change
Consciousness—awareness
Organism—organised structure with many parts; a living being
Enormous—huge; very large;
Being— existence;
anything that exists
Metabolic—capable of change;
Vital—(here) pertaining to life
Declining—falling
Processes—operations
Respected—honoured
Preserved—kept safe
Realize—understand
Ethical—relating to morals
Obligations-duties
Stewards—custodians, caretakers;
Trustees—persons controlling the money or property put in trust for somebody;
Concept—idea, notion
Sustainable development—development that can be continued for a long time;
Popularised—made popular;
Compromising—(here) putting in danger; Heft
Stripping—(here) removing all thing;
Resources—supplies
Dawned—became obvious;
Domination—control, influence
Partnership—relationship
Catalogued—arranged in a list
Species—groups into which animals, plants etc (that are able to breed with each other) are divided;
Estimates—opinions or judgements about something without having exact details
Vary—differ
Reckon—think or have an opinion about something

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Languish—forced to stay somewhere
Ignominious—disgraceful; humiliating; I Inter alia—among other things
Ecology—the relation of plants and living creatures to each other and to their environment
Environment—the physical conditions that somebody/something exists in
Distinguished—eminent, remarkable
Successors—those who succeed others
Scorched— parched by heat; dried up
Advancing—spreading, increasing
Impoverished—made poor
Foundation—basis
Global—covering/ affecting the whole world
Virtually—almost
Derived—obtained
Synthetics—artificial
man-made
Unsustainable—that cannot be continued at the same level, rate
Impaired—damaged
Collapse—break down
Converted—changed
Deteriorate—to become worse
Decimated—destroyed
Procure—obtain
Tropical—coming from tropics
Evolution-gradual development of plants, animals etc
Extinction—stop existing
Precede—come before
Patrimony—inheritance
Eroding— gradually destroying; wearing away
Deprives—prevents from having
Cope with—deal with; manage
Endeavour—strive
Safeguard—protect
Flourish—thrive
Catastrophic depletion—disastrous exhaustion
Reliable—dependable
Data—facts or information
Designated—chosen, named
Statistics—collection of information shown in numbers
Satellites—an electronic device that is sent into space
Deteriorated—become worse
Critical—(here) serious, dangerous
Investigated—carefully examined
Distorting—changing shape
Billion— a million millions
Fertility—the state of being fertile
Contraceptive- drug, device or practice used to prevent pregnancy
Beget—produce
Condemns—dooms; forces them to accept difficult or unpleasant situation;
Compulsorily—forced by law
Sterilised—made unproductive

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 Alternative—offering a choice
Voluntary—acting by choice
Perpetuation—making something continue for a long time
Priority—something that you think is more important than other things and should be dealt with
first
Transcending—surpassing
Concern—anxiety
Survival—the state of continuing to live or exist;
Holistic—considering a whole thing to be more than a collection of parts;
Signal—to give a sign;
Demise—the end;
Passport—(here) a thing that makes it possible
Ushered in—made something new begin
Integrated—closely connected
Dissociated—separated, unconnected;
Crucial—important;
Transformation—changes;
Felicitous—chosen well; very suitable;
Free hold—owning for unlimited time;
Tenancy—the right to live or work in a rented building;
Lease—(here) use for a period of time:

NCERT TEXTBOOK QUESTIONS ANSWER

A. Understanding the Text (Word limit: 40 words)
1. Locate the lines in the text that support the title "The Ailing Planet".
Ans. The following lines in the text support the title "The Ailing Planet".
(a) "Are we to leave our successors a scorched planet of advancing deserts, impoverished
landscapes and ailing environment.
(b) A three-year study using satellites and aerial photography conducted by the United Nations,
warns that the environment has deteriorated so badly that it is 'critical' in many of the eighty-eight
countries investigated.
2. What does the notice "The world's most dangerous animals" at a cage in the zoo at Lusaka,
Zambia, signify?
Ans. The notice "The world's most dangerous animals" at a cage in the zoo at Lusaka, Zambia signifies
that man is solely responsible for all the deterioration in environment and depletion of natural
resources. Thus man is the world's most dangerous animal.
3. How are the earth's principal biological systems being depleted?
Ans. The earth's principal biological systems are being depleted by excessive use. Over fishing is quite
common. Forests are being cut to obtain firewood for cooking. Grasslands are turning into barren
wastelands and croplands are deteriorating as their productivity has been impaired.
4. Why does the author agree that the growth of world population is one of the strongest factors
distorting the future of human society?
Ans. The growth of world population puts a severe strain on the earth's principal biological systems. Due
to excessive human claims these reach an unsustainable level where their productivity is damaged.
Development is not possible if world population continues to grow so rapidly. Increasing population
brings hunger, poverty and unemployment.
B. TALKING ABOUT THE TEXT (PAGE 47) (Word limit: 150 words)
Discuss in groups of four:
1. Laws are neither respected nor enforced in India.
Ans. It is painful but true that laws are neither respected nor enforced in India. Let us take examples
from everyday life. Almost everyone is conversant with the rule of the road. Still there are cases of

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 wrong overtaking, lane jumping, signal jumping, over speeding and road rage. Our laws insist on
compulsory elementary education up to the age of fourteen. Yet we find many illiterate teenager
boys or girls of this age loitering around in lanes or employed in petty jobs in road side restaurants
or as domestic servants. Our Constitution insists on the protection and improvement of the
environment. The states have been given the responsibility of protecting forests and wildlife.
Forests are being cut and illegal shooting of wildlife goes on. Similarly, there are laws regarding
abolishing casteism, untouchability and bonded labour. But these remain on paper. In actual life,
these are never put into practice. Hence, it can be concluded that laws are neither respected nor
enforced in India.
2. "Are we to leave our successors a scorched planet of advancing desert, impoverished landscapes
and an ailing environment?"
Ans. I fully agree with the view contained in the statement. There is every likelihood of such an
eventuality occurring in future. There are solid reasons behind this apprehension. Our resources are
limited. They will not last indefinitely if we go on consuming them indiscriminately. Fisheries,
forests, grasslands and croplands form the basis of the global economic system. They supply us
food and raw materials for industry. Increasing population has put a severe pressure on them.
Excessive use of these resources have impaired their productivity. In large areas of the world these
systems have reached an unsustainable level. The results are awful and disastrous. The fisheries will
collapse, forests disappear, grasslands will become barren wastelands and croplands will lose their
fertility. Decimation of forests will increase dryness and heat and there will be less rainfall. Hence
there is a possibility of the earth becoming an overheated place full of increasing deserts, poor
landscapes and ailing environment in future.
3. We have not inherited this earth from our forefathers; we have borrowed it from our children'.
Ans. This is a revolutionary statement by Mr. Lester Brown. It focuses attention on the position of man
in this universe. People take it for granted that the earth is theirs as they have inherited it from
their forefathers. They forget the fact that the real owners of the land are our children. We are only
custodians or trustees and we must continue development that meets the needs of the present,
without compromising the ability of the future generations to meet their needs. We must not strip
the natural world of the resources future generations would need. In our effort to feed the
increasing millions, we are plundering the heritage of our children. We have been overusing natural
resources for our present purposes. Destruction of natural resources will create an ailing
environment. Our consumption of non-renewable resources should be checked. We must preserve
natural resources and hand them over to children intact as they are the real owners.
4. The problems of overpopulation that directly affect our everyday life.
Ans. Overpopulation causes many problems in every day life. The three basic human needs— food, cloth
and shelter have assumed alarming prepositions. Fisheries, forests, grasslands and croplands are
under severe strain. In many areas they have reached an unsustainable level. People resort to
overfishing to obtain protein. Forests are being destroyed to obtain firewood. Grasslands are
becoming deserts. Artificial fertilizers have improved the productivity of croplands. Overpopulation
hinders development and adversely affects the spread of education and health care among the
masses. It is observed that the poor beget more children. It only leads them to unending poverty.
More children does not mean more workers but merely more people without work. Thus over-
population leads to unemployment. Public transport proves insufficient. We see long queues
everywhere. In short, overpopulation leads to deterioration in environment and shortens our lives
by causing many diseases.

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C. THINKING ABOUT LANGUAGE (PAGE 48)
The phrase 'inter alia' meaning 'among other things' is one of the many Latin expressions
commonly used in English. Find out what these Latin phrases mean:
1. prima facie 2. ad hoc 3. ad infinitum
4. mutatis mutandis 5. caveat 6. tabula rasa
Answers
1. Prima facie "': on the first view
2. Ad hoc : for the special aim
3. Ad infinitum : up to infinity
4. Mutatis mutandis : with necessary changes
5. caveat : a warning that particular things needs to be considered before something can be done
6. Tabula rasa : a smootlk tablet
D. WORKING WITH WORDS (PAGE 48)
I. Locate the following phrases in the text and study their connotation:
(i) gripped the imagination of (ii) dawned upon
(iii) ushered in (iv) passed into current coin
(v) passport of the future AM.
ANS. (i) gripped the imagination of: have powerful effect on imagination
(ii) dawned upon: became obvious; began to realize for the first time
(iii) ushered in: to make something new begin
(iv) passed into current coin: become a part of current usage
(v) passport of the future: a thing that enables us to achieve something
II. The words grip, dawn, usher, coin, passport have a literal as well as a figurative meaning. Write
pairs of sentences using each word in its literal sense as well as the figurative sense.
Ans. 1.Grip (i) She gripped on to the railing with both hands.
(ii) Terrorism has gripped the country for the past five years.
2. Dawn (i) A new technological age has dawned.
(ii) It dawned on me that they couldn't possibly have met before.
3. Usher (i) The Secretary ushered me into his office.
(ii) The change of management ushered in fresh ideas and policies.
4. Coin (i) Every coin has two sides.
(ii) She coined a phrase to explain her meaning.
5. Passport (i) I showed my passport to the security officer.
(ii) Hard work alone is the passport to success.
E. Notice these expressions in the text. Guess their meaning from the context.
 a holistic and ecological view
 sustainable development
 languish
 ignominious darkness
 inter alia
 decimated
 catastrophic depletion
 transcending concern.
Ans. A holistic and ecological view: a complete view of the whole thing keeping in mind the inter
relationship of constituents among themselves and to environment.
 Sustainable development: development that can be continued for a long time.
 Languish : forced to stay somewhere.
 Ignominious darknes: disgraceful/humiliating darkness.
 Inter alia: among other things.
 Decimated: destroyed.
 Catastrophic depletion : disastrous exhaustion.
 Transcending concern : surpassing concern.

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F. THINGS TO DO
1. Make posters to highlight the importance of the Green Movement.
Ans.

2. Maintain a record of the trees cut down and the parks demolished in your area, or any other act
that violates the environment. Write to newspapers reporting on any such acts that disturb you.
Ans. Maintaining a record: left for self attempt
Letter to Editor: See the specimen given below: 271 Green Road, Silver City
20 March 20XX
The Editor
The National Herald
New City
Sub: Illegal felling of trees Sir,
May I use the columns of your daily to draw the attention of the public and the authorities
concerned towards an act that has caused severe violation of environment.
The central park adjacent to Green Road had many tall and beautiful trees which added to its glory.
Of late some people began to use it for hosting wedding parties or political functions. They caused
much damage to the environment by damaging the plants, flowers, young trees and grass growing
in the lawns as well as creating noise pollution through loudspeakers.
Yesterday, some enthusiastic members of the green club protested to the organiser of a political
assembly against the misuse of the park and the untold harm to environment. To our surprise, we
found that all the tall trees had been felled and cut down into logs overnight. We have lodged a
complaint with the local police station. We appeal to you to publish this letter of protest against the
illegal felling of trees with your comments and remind the authorities that it is the responsibility of
the state to preserve healthy environment. I am confident that you will take up this cause.
Yours faithfully
Deepak/Deepika
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS ANSWER
A. SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS (Word limit: 40 words)
1. Why is the earth said to be an ailing planet?
Ans. Due to the insensitive exploitation by humans for his survival and development, the earth has lost
almost all its vital resources. With drying rivers, depleted and polluted environment and

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 deteriorated forests and greenery, the earth is now breathing hard for its survival and thus it is an
ailing planet.
2. Which movement does Nani Palkhivala refer to? How popular do you think it is?
Ans. The author, Nani Palkhivala, refers to the 'Green Movement'. It has become very popular among
the people of all countries. It started nearly twenty five years ago but it has gripped the imagination
of the entire human race completely and quite rapidly.
3. How does the author point out the importance of Green Movement?
Ans. The author points out the importance of the Green Movement by comparing it to the revolutionary
ideas of Copernicus. He had taught mankind in the 16th century that the earth and the other
planets revolved round the sun.
4. "What goes under the pot now costs more than what goes inside it." Explain.
ANS. With a growing population and the pace of the global developments taking wings, the cost of food
touched a new height, all time high. Amazingly, the cost of cooking-gas overtook that of food-
grains, fish, meat and vegetables, thus the fuel to cook - gas, firewood and electricity - now costs
more than the raw-food.
5. What is the state of earth today? How should we act now?
Ans. The signs of the earth which are connected with life show that the earth is a patient in declining
health. We must realize our moral obligations to be good stewards of the planet. We must act as
responsible trustees of the legacy of future generations.
6. How has the concept of sustainable development been defined?
Ans. Sustainable development has been denned as the development that meets the needs of the
present without putting in danger the ability of future generations to meet their needs. In other
words, the present generation would not deprive the natural world of the resources the future
generations would need.
7. Who is 'the world's most dangerous animaP? What has he learnt?
Ans. Man is the most dangerous animal of the world. He has learnt a new awareness. He has acted
wisely. He has shifted from the system of domination to one based on partnership.
8. What does the empty cage and the board in the zoo in Lusaka mean?
Ans. In a zoo in Lusaka there is a mirror kept in one of the cages that is said to be the cage of the most
dangerous animal in the world. The visitor sees his own face in the mirror and realizes that he is
that most dangerous animal. The message is that human beings have won the infamous other than
that of a zoo animal. The board message conveyed is a warning to the most dangerous animal to
come in terms with the earth.
9. What do you know about the earth's biological systems and their functions?
Ans. The earth has four principal biological systems. These are : fisheries, forests, grasslands and
croplands. They form the basis of the world's economic system. They supply us food and raw
materials for industry.
10. What is the state of earth's biological systems now and why?
Ans. In many areas of the world, earth's biological systems have reached an unsustainable level. They
have reached a point where their productivity has been damaged. This is because of the excessive
pressure exerted by man on them.
11. How do the earth's biological systems behave on reaching an unsustainable level?
Ans. The productivity of the earth's biological systems is impaired on reaching an unsustainable level.
Fisheries collapse. Forests disappear. Grasslands turn into barren wastelands. Croplands become
worse.
12. How can over-fishing and decimation of forests prove harmful?
Ans. Over-fishing may lead to stripping the fisheries. Then man will lose a rich source of protein. The
decimation of forests will harm ecology. Moreover, several species of life that live in forest will face
extinction.

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13. What was the question raised by the First Brandt Commission? What does it suggest? What is the
significance of this question?
Ans. The first Brandt Report raised the question, "Are we going to leave behind for our successors a
scorched planet of advancing deserts, impoverished landscapes and ailing planet?" This question
finds an answer in our minds but we quite conveniently forget this answer. It has been proved in
the recent years that the earth is becoming hotter planet every year and another ice-age is under
way. This question is still significant and will remain significant until the only schooled animal of the
earth stops his war against the planet.
14. Why do we need to plant more forests in India?
Ans. According to official data, India is losing its forests at the rate of 3.7 million acres a year. The actual
loss of forests is estimated to be about eight times the rate indicated by government statistics.
Large areas, officially named forest land are already treeless. Moreover a five-fold increase in the
rate of forest planting is needed to cope with the expected fuel wood demand 5 years later.
15. How is the world population increasing over the years?
Ans. The world population is increasing at a rapid rate now-a-days. Every four days the world population
increases by one million. The world population was about one billion in 1800.
By 1900 another billion was added. However in the next 100 years 3.7 billion more were added.
This clearly indicates the pace of the growth of world population.
16. Why is population control essential in India?
Ans. The population of India was estimated to be 920 million in 1994. Overpopulation upsets all plans of
development and causes poverty and unemployment. So either population is controlled or people
would remain poor forever. Voluntary family planning helps population control in India.
17. What do you understand by the emerging new world vision?
Ans. The new world vision is a holistic view. It is also an ecological view. It considers the world as an
integrated whole—a global village, rather than a separated or isolated collection of parts. This
emerging new world vision has introduced the era of responsibility.
18. How can industry play its role in the new 'era of responsibility'?
Ans. It is well known that industries are a main source of causing environmental pollution. There will be
a great change in the preservation of environment if the industrialists become conscious of their
responsibilities and become environment friendly. Thus Industry has to play a very important role
in the new era of responsibility.
19. In what connection has the author mentioned Mr. Edgar S. Woolard?
Ans. Mr Edgar S. Woolard was the chairman of a famous industrial concern—Du Pont. Five years ago, he
declared himself to be the company's 'Chief Environmental Officer'. He said that their continued
existence as a leading manufacturer required that they excelled in environmental performance.
20. Why does the author quote the words of Mrs. Margaret Thatcher and Mr. Lester Brown?
Ans. The two statements quoted by the author support his point of view about the need to protect
environment. Both the statements lay stress on preservation of environment and holding it in trust
for the coming generations.
21. What is the significance of Green Movement in the modern world?
Ans. The Green Movement that was found in New Zealand in the year 1972 brought a great awareness
to the humanity. It taught us that we are just partners on the earth having equal rights to inhabit
this planet as any other living organism has. Having learnt this, human beings worldwide stopped
large amount of destruction that is used to cause upon the earth. People realized that the earth's
existence was threatened and began to do whatever was possible by each individual and each
nation.
22. How is human population explosion the biggest threat to the existence of the ailing earth?
Ans. Human population is the biggest threat to the existence of the earth. Though it reached a billion in
a million years, another billion was added to the world population in just another hundred years.
Every four or five days the world population increases by one million. The effects of this dangerous
increase on world population are endless yet the most catastrophic one is our present struggle for
existence.

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B. LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS (Word limit: 150 words)
1. Why does Nani Palkhivala call the earth 'The Ailing Planet'? How can the ailing planet survive?
Ans. The signs of the earth connected with life necessary for staying alive show that the earth is a
patient in declining health. Its deserts are advancing, landscapes are being impoverished and
environment is ailing. Aerial photography using satellites has revealed that the environment has
deteriorated very badly in many parts of the world. In fact, it has became critical in many of the
eighty eight countries investigated. The concept of sustainable development and green movement
can help the ailing planet to survive. People must discharge their moral responsibility as stewards of
the planet and trustees of the legacy of the future generations. The plundering of the natural
resources should be controlled. These must be preserved for the future generations.
2. What are the earth's principal biological systems? Why have they been depleted and how can
they be preserved?
Ans. The earth has four principal biological systems. These are: fisheries, forests, grasslands and
croplands. They form the basis of the world's economic system. They supply us food and raw
materials for industry.
These biological systems are being depleted by excessive use. Overfishing is quite common. Forests
are being destroyed to obtain firewood for cooking. In many areas of the world, these biological
systems have reached an unsustainable level. Grasslands are turning into deserts and produce from
croplands* is decreasing. It seems they have lost their productivity. The decimation of forests is
likely to cause extinction of several species. We must change our outlook and stop overusing the
natural resources. We have to hand them over to the coming generations in a healthy state so that
they can meet their needs. Consciousness of our moral responsibility as caretakers of the legacy of
our children can help to preserve these non-renewable resources.
3. "Forests precede mankind; deserts follow", Examine the validity of this remark in the light of
reading 'The Ailing Planet: The Green Movement's Role'.
Ans. Forests are one of the most important biological systems of the earth. They came into existence
much before mankind. In this sense forests precede mankind. We have inherited large tracts of
forests from our forefathers. Forests are the power house of evolution. Several species of life exist
in them. The world's ancient inheritance of tropical forests is now wearing away at the rate of forty
to fifty million acres per year. In poor countries, local forests are being destroyed to procure
fuelwood. It is estimated that a five fold increase in the rate of forest planting is needed to cope
with the expected fuel wood demand in the year 2000. It is the responsibility of the state to protect
and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife. However, large areas
named as the forest land are now treeless. As the forests disappear, deserts will follow. We must
take timely steps to prevent this.
4. "For the first time in human history we see a transcending concern—the survival not just of the
people but of the planet". Elucidate.
Ans. In the twentieth century, there has been a revolutionary change in human perceptions. We have
begun to take a holistic view of the very basis of our existence. The earth is now regarded as a living
organism of which we are parts. It has its own metabolic needs and processes necessary for staying
alive, which need to be respected and preserved. The environmental problem does not necessarily
indicate our death, it is our passport for the future. A new world vision has emerged. It is a holistic
view, an ecological view. This regards the world as a whole rather than a collection of isolated
parts. This vision has ushered in the Era of Responsibility. Industrialists, politicians and writers have
become environment friendly and realised their responsibility in preserving the non-renewable
natural resources.

Page 62
 Comprehension

1) One cannot recall any movement in world history which has gripped the imagination of the entire
human race so completely and so rapidly as the Green Movement which started nearly twenty-five
years ago. In 1972 the world's first nationwide Green party was founded in New Zealand. Since
then, the movement Has not looked back.
Questions:
(1) Which movement did start twenty years before and has gripped entire human race? the
_____
(A) Green party (B) Green movement
(C) Ailing planet protection movement (D) Environment protection movement
(2) What is the meaning of the phrase ‘not looked back’.
(A) not seen back (B) not stopped then (C) discontinued (D) overlooked
2) The earth's vital signs reveal a patient in declining health. We have begun to realize our ethical
obligations to be good stewards of the planet and responsible trustees of the legacy to future
generations. The concept of sustainable development was popularized in 1987 by the World
Commission on Environment and Development. In its report it defined the idea as "Development
that meets the needs of the present, without compromising the ability of future generations to
meet their needs", i.e., without stripping the natural world of resources future generations would
need.
Questions:
(1) What is the ethical obligation of present generation?______ .
(A) Sustainable development
(B) Not stripping of natural resources to be needed by future generations
(C) To be good stewards of the planet
(D) All of the above
(2) What is the meaning of 'legacy'?
(A) Inheritance (B) bequest (C) both above two (D) none of the above two
3) Scientists have catalogued about 1.4 million living species with which mankind shares the earth.
Estimates vary widely as regards the still-uncatalogued living species - biologists reckon that about
three to a hundred million other living species still languish unnamed in ignominious darkness.One
of the early international commissions which dealt, inter alia, with the question of ecology and
environment was the Brandt Commission which had a distinguished Indian as one of its members -
Mr L.K. Jha. The First Brandt Report raised the question - "Are we to leave our successors a
scorched planet of advancing deserts, impoverished landscapes and ailing environment?"
Questions:
(1) According to Brandt Commission what is the worry for successors?
(A) very dry planet with increase in desert area
(B) poor landscapes
(C) unhealthy environment
(D) All of the above
(2) What is the meaning of 'ignominious'?
(A) humiliating (B) disgraceful (C) respectful (D) Both (A) and (B)
4) When this happens, fisheries collapse, forests disappear, grasslands are converted into barren
wastelands, and croplands deteriorate. In a protein-conscious and proteirihungry world, overfishing
is common every day. In poor countries, local forests are being decimated in order to procure
firewood for cooking. In some places, firewood has become so expensive that "what goes under the
pot now costs more than what goes inside it". Since the tropical forest is, in the words of Dr Myers,
"the powerhouse of evolution", several species of life face extinction as a result of its destruction.
Questions:
(1) What is the power of evolution?
(A) wastelands (B) croplands (C) tropical forests (D) firewood

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 (2) What is the meaning of decimated?
(A) destroyed (B) to be reduced in great numbers
(C) disappeared (D) none of above
5) Article 48A of the Constitution of India provides that "the State shall endeavour to protect and
improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country". But what causes
endless anguish is the fact that laws are never respected nor enforced in India. (For instance, the
Constitution says that casteism, untouchability and bonded labour shall be abolished, but they
flourish shamelessly even after forty-four years of the operation of the Constitution.)
Questions:
(1) What is disrespect to the Article 48A to the Constitution of India?
(A) labour (B) casteism (C) untouehablilty (D) all of the above
(2) What is the opposite word of 'decimate'?___
(A) endeavour (B) anguish (C) flourish (D) improve
6) The population of India is estimated to be 920 million today - more than the entire populations of
Africa and South America put together. No one familiar with the conditions in India would doubt
that the hope of the people would die in their hungry hutments unless population control is given
topmost priority. For the first time in human history we see a transcending concern - the survival
not just of the people but of the planet. We have begun to take a holistic view of the very basis of
our existence. The environmental problem does not necessarily signal our demise, it is our passport
for the future. The emerging new world vision has ushered in the Era of Responsibility. It is a
holistic view, an ecological view, seeing the world as an integrated whole rather than a dissociated
collection of parts.
Questions:
(1) What is the reason for making of hungry hutments?
(A) Environment problem (B) Overpopulation
(C) Transcending concern (D) Holistic view
(2) What is synonym of 'death'?
(A) transcending (B) dissociated (C) ushered (D) demise

One word for:

1. In heritance of property from father's side – patrimony
2. Among other things - inter-alia
3. To be forced to be in an unnoticed or unpleasant situation -. Languish
4. A development strategy that takes care of the needs of the present generation without threatening
the needs of the future generation - sustainable development
5. A considerable amount of reduction or destruction – decimated
6. Connected to plants, living creatures and environment – ecological
7. That which brings a sudden but complete change – revolutionary
8. Different classes of living things – species
9. Scientists who study living beings – biologists

Idioms and Phrases

1. To grip the imagination - To catch or draw one's attention "
2. A holistic and ecological view - An all-inclusive view that take into consideration all life forms on the
earth
3. Ignominious darkness - To remain in darkness due to some disgrace or dishonor
4. Catastrophic depletion - A disastrous amount of destruction or reduction in count
5. Transcending concern - A worry or concern not only of the present but also of the future
6. Has not looked back - Has continued looking forward
7. Dawned upon - Came to be known or understood
8. Raised the question - Put forward a query
9. Ushered in - To begin something

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10. Massed into current coin - Brought to use
11. Passport of the future - A gateway or opportunity to a brighter future
12. To safeguard - to protect
13. Needed to cope - necessary to be handled
14. Reaching an unsustainable level - becoming unmanageable
15. Much closer to - quite near

 Rearrange the words and phrases to make meaningful sentences:

1. a. has/ the attention/ of/ the/ caught/ people / Green Movement
b. started/ ago/ was/ years/ it / twenty-five
c. founded/New Zealand/in/a/Green/was/Party
d. has/ back/ the/ not/ then/ movement/ looked/since
2. a. the/ at/ a/ cage/ there/ Lusaka/ in/ zoo/ is
b. the/most/animal/notice/world's/dangerous/a/reads
c. no/the/is/there/animal/cage/in
d. a mirror/ see yourself/ there/ where/ you/ is
Answers:
1. a. The Green Movement has caught the attention of people.
b. It was started twenty-five years ago.
c. A Green Party was founded in New Zealand.
d. The Movement has since then not looked back.
2. a. In the zoo at Lusaka there is a cage.
b. A notice reads the world's most dangerous animal.
c. There is no animal in the cage.
d. There is a mirror where you see yourself.
 Edit- Find out the error in each line and write the correct word:
Incorrect Correct
1. There is a zoo in Lusaka Zambia. a. ________ _______
There is a cage which had a notice. b. ________ _______
It reads-the world's more dangerous animal. c. ________ _______
Inside the cage there are no animal. d. ________ _______
Incorrect Correct
2. The Green Movement starts 25 years ago. a. ________ _______
It have gripped the imagination of the people. b. ________ _______
A Green Party was founded at New Zealand. c. ________ _______
The Movement has since than not looked back. d. ________ _______
Answers
1. a. in - at b. had - has c. more - most d. are - is
2. a. starts - started b. have - has c. at - in d. than – then
Transformation of Sentences
Voice
1. The concept of sustainable development was popularized in 1987 by the World Commission on •
Environment and Development.
2. Scientists have catalogued about 1;4 million living species with which mankind shares the earth.
3. It has been well said that forests precede mankind and deserts follow.
Simple
1. The earth has its own metabolic needs and vital processes which need1 to be respected and
preserved.
2. Scientists have catalogued about 1.4 million living species with which mankind shares the earth.
3. The rich get richer, and the poor beget children which condemns them to remain poor.

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Complex
1. In a protein-conscious and protein hungry world, over-fishing is common every day.
2. In poor countries, local forests are being decimated in order to procure firewood for cooking.
3. Large areas, officially designated as forest land, are already virtually treeless.
Compound
1. The earth has'its own metabolic needs and vital processes which need to be respected and
preserved.
2. Scientists have catalogued about 1.4 million living species with which mankind shares the earth.
3. In a protein-conscious and protein hungry world, over-fishing is common every day.
Affirmative
1. One cannot recall any movement in world history which has gripped the imagination of the entire
human race so completely and so rapidly as the Green Movement.
2. Inside the cage there is no animal but a mirror where you see yourself.
3. That laws are never respected nor enforced in India.
Negative
1. It has been well said that forests precede mankind'and deserts follow.
2. Every four days the world population increases by one million.
Question tag
1. We have shifted from the mechanistic view to a holistic and ecological view of the world.
2. The earth's vital signs reveal a patient in declining health.
3. In large areas of the world, human claims on these systems are reaching an unsustainable level.
Interrogative
1. We have shifted from the mechanistic view to a holistic and ecological view of the world.
2. The earth's vital signs reveal a patient in declining health.
3. In large areas of the world, human claims on these systems are reaching an unsustainable level:
Degree
1. It is a shift in human perceptions as revolutionary as that introduced by Copernicus.
2. In some places, firewood has become so expensive that what goes under the pot now costs more
than what goes inside it.
3. There can be no doubt that the growth of world population is one of the strongest factors
distorting the future of human society.
Unless If.
1. No one would doubt that the hope of the people would die in their hungry hutments unless
population control is given topmost priority.
Use too
1. In some places, firewood has become so expensive that what goes under the pot now costs more
than what goes inside it.
Answers - Transformation of Sentences
Voice
1. The World Commission on Environment and Development popularized the concept of sustainable
development in 1987.
2. About 1.4 million living species with which mankind shares the earth have been catalogued by
scientists.
3. They have well said that forests precede mankind and deserts follow.
Simple
1. The earth has its own metabolic needs and vital processes needing to be respected and preserved.
2. Scientists have catalogued about 1.4 million living species sharing the earth with mankind.
3. Besides the rich getting richer/the poor beget children condemning them to remain poor.
Complex
1. In a world which is protein-conscious and protein hungry, over-fishing is common every day.

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2. In countries which are poor, local forests are being decimated in order to procure firewood for
cooking.
3. Large areas which are officially designated as forest land, are already virtually treeless.
Compound
1. The earth has its own metabolic needs and vital processes so it needs to be respected and
preserved.
2. Scientists have catalogued about 1.4 million living species and mankind shares the earth with them.
3. This is a protein-conscious and protein hungry world so over-fishing is common every day.
Affirmative
1. One is unable to recall any movement in world history which has gripped the imagination of the
entire human race so completely and so rapidly as the Green Movement.
2. Inside the cage there is absence of any animal but a mirror where you see yourself.
3. That laws are both hardly ever respected or enforced in India.
Negative
1. It has not been better said that forests precede mankind and deserts follow.
2. Every four days the world population doesn't fail to increase by one million.
Question tag
1. We have shifted from the mechanistic view to a holistic and ecological view of the world, haven't
we?
2. The earth's vital signs reveal a patient in declining health, don't they?
3. In large areas of the world, human claims on these systems are reaching an unsustainable level,
aren't they?
Interrogative
1. Haven't we shifted from the mechanistic view to a holistic and ecological view of the world?
2. Don't the earth's vital signs reveal a patient in declining health?
3. Aren't human claims in large areas of the world, on these systems reaching an unsustainable level?
Degree
1. Copernicus didn't introduce more revolutionary perceptions than this shift in human perceptions.
2. In some places, firewood has become so expensive that what goes inside the pot doesn't cost as
much as what goes under it.
3. There can be no doubt that the growth of world population is stronger than many other factors
distorting the future of human society.
Unless ‘If'
1. No one would doubt that the hope of the people would die in their hungry hutments if population
control is not given topmost priority.
Use 'too'
1. In some places, firewood has become too expensive not to cost more what goes under the pot than
what goes inside it.

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