The Ailing Planet: The Green Movement’s Role
UNDERSTANDING THE TEXT
1. Locate the lines in the text that support the title “The Ailing Planet”.
Answer: The following lines support the title “The Ailing Planet”:
- “The earth’s vital signs reveal a patient in declining health.”
- “Are we to leave our successors a scorched planet of advancing deserts, impoverished landscapes and an ailing environment?”
- “In large areas of the world, human claims on these systems are reaching an unsustainable level.”
- The text also describes the collapse of fisheries, disappearance of forests, deterioration of grasslands and declining productivity of croplands.
These lines clearly show that the Earth is being compared to a sick patient whose condition is steadily worsening.
2. What does the notice “The world’s most dangerous animal” at a cage in the zoo at Lusaka, Zambia, signify?
Answer: The notice is highly symbolic.
Inside the cage there is no wild animal, but a mirror. Anyone who looks inside sees his or her own reflection.
This suggests that human beings are the world’s most dangerous animals because they destroy forests, pollute the environment, overuse natural resources and damage the ecological balance of the planet.
Thus, the notice is a warning that mankind itself has become the greatest threat to the Earth.
3. How are the earth’s principal biological systems being depleted?
Answer: According to Lester R. Brown, the Earth has four principal biological systems:
- fisheries,
- forests,
- grasslands, and
- croplands.
These systems support the global economy by providing food and raw materials.
However, excessive human demands are pushing them beyond sustainable limits.
- Fisheries are declining because of overfishing.
- Forests are disappearing because of large-scale cutting for fuel and industrial use.
- Grasslands are becoming barren because of overuse.
- Croplands are losing productivity because of environmental pressure and overexploitation.
As a result, these biological systems are gradually being weakened and damaged.
4. Why does the author aver that the growth of world population is one of the strongest factors distorting the future of human society?
Answer: The author considers population growth a serious threat because an increasing population creates greater pressure on limited natural resources.
As population rises, the demand for:
- food,
- water,
- land,
- fuel,
- housing, and
- employment
also increases.
This leads to overuse of forests, croplands, fisheries and other resources.
Rapid population growth can also reduce the benefits of development because progress in education, health and income may be cancelled by the increasing number of people.
Therefore, population control and responsible family planning are important for reducing poverty and protecting the future of society.
TALKING ABOUT THE TEXT
1. “Laws are never respected nor enforced in India.” Discuss.
Answer: Laws are essential for maintaining order in society, but their effectiveness depends on proper implementation and public cooperation.
In many cases, people break traffic rules, environmental regulations or civic laws because they believe they can escape punishment.
Corruption and weak enforcement can also reduce respect for the law.
However, it would be unfair to say that laws are never respected. Many citizens follow laws responsibly, and institutions do take action in many cases.
The real need is for stronger enforcement, greater public awareness and a sense of civic responsibility.
People must understand that laws are made not merely to punish them but to protect society.
2. “Are we to leave our successors a scorched planet of advancing deserts, impoverished landscapes and an ailing environment?” Discuss.
Answer: The statement warns us about the environmental condition we may leave for future generations.
Deforestation, pollution, overuse of natural resources and destruction of ecosystems can turn fertile lands into wastelands and make the environment unhealthy.
If such damage continues, future generations may inherit a planet with fewer forests, poorer soil, polluted air and water, and reduced biodiversity.
The statement therefore urges us to act responsibly today.
We must conserve forests, reduce pollution, protect wildlife and use resources sustainably so that future generations inherit a healthy planet.
3. “We have not inherited this earth from our forefathers; we have borrowed it from our children.” Discuss.
Answer: This statement teaches us that the Earth does not belong permanently to any one generation.
We are only temporary users of its resources.
Therefore, we have a responsibility to protect the environment and hand over the planet to future generations in a healthy condition.
If we destroy forests, pollute rivers and exhaust natural resources, we are taking away what rightfully belongs to our children.
Thus, the statement promotes the idea of responsible environmental stewardship and sustainable development.
4. Discuss the problems of overpopulation that directly affect our everyday life.
Answer: Overpopulation affects daily life in many ways.
It creates:
- overcrowded roads and public transport,
- shortage of housing,
- unemployment,
- pressure on schools and hospitals,
- long queues for public services,
- increased waste and pollution,
- encroachment on forests and open spaces, and
- greater competition for food, water and other resources.
If population grows faster than the available resources and infrastructure, the quality of life declines.
Therefore, population growth must be balanced with proper planning and development.
THINKING ABOUT LANGUAGE
Meanings of some commonly used Latin expressions
1. Prima facie
Answer: At first sight or on first appearance.
2. Ad hoc
Answer: Created or arranged for a particular purpose.
3. In camera
Answer: In private, especially without the public being present.
4. Ad infinitum
Answer: Endlessly or without limit.
5. Mutatis mutandis
Answer: With the necessary changes having been made.
6. Caveat
Answer: A warning or caution.
7. Tabula rasa
Answer: A blank slate or a fresh beginning.
WORKING WITH WORDS
I. Explain the following phrases from the text.
1. Gripped the imagination of
Answer: Strongly attracted or captured people’s attention and interest.
2. Dawned upon
Answer: Became clear or suddenly understood.
3. Ushered in
Answer: Introduced or marked the beginning of something.
4. Passed into current coin
Answer: Became commonly accepted and widely used in ordinary language.
5. Passport of the future
Answer: Something that gives access to or makes the future possible.
II. Use the following words in literal and figurative senses.
Grip
Literal: She gripped the rope tightly.
Figurative: Fear gripped the entire village.
Dawn
Literal: We started our journey at dawn.
Figurative: It finally dawned on him that he had made a mistake.
Usher
Literal: The volunteer ushered the guests into the hall.
Figurative: The new policy ushered in a period of change.
Coin
Literal: He found a coin on the road.
Figurative: Writers often coin new words and expressions.
Passport
Literal: I need a passport to travel abroad.
Figurative: Education can be a passport to a better future.
THINGS TO DO
1. Make a poster to highlight the importance of the Green Movement.
Answer:
SAVE THE EARTH — SAVE OUR FUTURE
- Plant more trees.
- Protect forests and wildlife.
- Reduce plastic waste.
- Save water.
- Use resources wisely.
- Keep the environment clean.
- Think of future generations.
A Green Earth Means a Better Future.
2. Write a letter to a newspaper reporting an environmental problem in your locality.
Answer:
To
The Editor
The Assam Tribune
Guwahati
Subject: Uncontrolled cutting of trees and destruction of nearby hills
Sir,
Through your newspaper, I would like to draw the attention of the concerned authorities to the increasing cutting of trees and destruction of hills in our locality.
In recent months, several trees have been felled and parts of nearby hills have been cut for construction. During heavy rain, loose soil flows down and blocks the drains and roads. This causes waterlogging and increases the risk of soil erosion.
The loss of trees has also reduced the greenery of the area and disturbed the local environment.
I request the authorities to stop illegal hill cutting and tree felling and take immediate steps for plantation and environmental protection.
Yours faithfully,
A Concerned Citizen
IMPORTANT QUESTION AND ANSWER
1. Explain the significance of the Green Movement and its impact on society.
Answer: The Green Movement brought an important change in the way people viewed the Earth.
Earlier, nature was often treated mainly as a resource for human use. The Green Movement encouraged a more ecological view in which the Earth is understood as a living system whose balance must be protected.
It also helped popularise ideas such as environmental conservation and sustainable development.
Its greatest impact has been to make people aware that economic development cannot continue at the cost of the environment.
2. Discuss the role of the Brandt Commission in raising awareness about environmental concerns.
Answer: The Brandt Commission drew attention to major global problems, including environmental decline and the future of natural resources.
Its concerns highlighted the danger of leaving future generations a damaged planet with advancing deserts, poor landscapes and an unhealthy environment.
Thus, the Commission helped strengthen the debate on sustainable development and responsible use of resources.
3. What is meant by sustainable development, and why is it important for future generations?
Answer: Sustainable development means meeting the needs of the present without reducing the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
It requires us to use natural resources carefully and avoid unnecessary environmental damage.
Sustainable development is important because future generations also have a right to clean air, water, fertile land, forests and other natural resources.
4. Explain the concept of “life tenancy” in relation to the Earth.
Answer: The concept of “life tenancy” means that no generation owns the Earth permanently.
We are only temporary occupants and have a duty to maintain and repair it before passing it on to future generations.
Thus, human beings should behave like responsible caretakers rather than absolute owners of the planet.
5. Why is overpopulation considered a major factor in environmental degradation?
Answer: Overpopulation puts excessive pressure on natural resources.
A larger population needs more land, food, water, fuel, housing and energy.
This may lead to:
- deforestation,
- overfishing,
- soil degradation,
- pollution,
- loss of wildlife habitats, and
- overuse of water and other resources.
Therefore, rapid population growth can accelerate environmental degradation.
FILL IN THE BLANKS
1. The Green Movement started nearly __________ years ago.
Answer: twenty-five
2. The concept of __________ development was popularised by the World Commission on Environment and Development.
Answer: sustainable
3. According to Lester R. Brown, the earth’s four principal biological systems are fisheries, forests, __________ and croplands.
Answer: grasslands
4. The world’s tropical forests are eroding at the rate of about __________ million acres a year.
Answer: forty to fifty
5. In the zoo at Lusaka, Zambia, there is a cage carrying the notice “The world’s most __________ animal.”
Answer: dangerous
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
1. In which year was the first nationwide Green Party founded in New Zealand?
(a) 1970
(b) 1972
(c) 1975
(d) 1980
Answer: (b) 1972
2. The shift from a mechanistic view to a __________ view was considered revolutionary.
(a) psychological
(b) political
(c) ecological
(d) economic
Answer: (c) ecological
3. Sustainable development means meeting the needs of the present without compromising __________.
(a) industrial growth
(b) future generations
(c) population growth
(d) modern technology
Answer: (b) future generations
4. The Brandt Commission raised concern about __________.
(a) an ailing environment
(b) sports development
(c) tourism
(d) urban transport
Answer: (a) an ailing environment
5. “The world’s most dangerous animal” refers to __________.
(a) lions
(b) mankind
(c) snakes
(d) crocodiles
Answer: (b) mankind
6. Tropical forests are disappearing at the rate of about __________ million acres a year.
(a) 10–20
(b) 20–30
(c) 40–50
(d) 80–90
Answer: (c) 40–50
7. According to the text, the actual loss of forests in India may be about __________ times the officially reported rate.
(a) two
(b) four
(c) eight
(d) twelve
Answer: (c) eight
8. According to Lester R. Brown, which are the four principal biological systems?
(a) Fisheries, forests, grasslands and croplands
(b) Oceans, forests, deserts and rivers
(c) Wetlands, oceans, forests and mountains
(d) Forests, rivers, farms and cities
Answer: (a) Fisheries, forests, grasslands and croplands
9. Which biological system is affected by overfishing?
(a) Forests
(b) Fisheries
(c) Grasslands
(d) Croplands
Answer: (b) Fisheries
10. Which of the following can result from excessive pressure on biological systems?
(a) Increased biodiversity
(b) Collapse of fisheries and forests
(c) Greater forest cover
(d) Improved soil fertility
Answer: (b) Collapse of fisheries and forests
11. The term “life tenancy” is associated in the text with __________.
(a) Margaret Thatcher
(b) Lester R. Brown
(c) Edgar S. Woolard
(d) Dr. Myers
Answer: (a) Margaret Thatcher
12. According to the text, population growth mainly increases pressure on __________.
(a) natural resources
(b) literature
(c) sports
(d) entertainment
Answer: (a) natural resources
13. The Earth is described metaphorically as a __________.
(a) growing child
(b) patient in declining health
(c) powerful ruler
(d) machine in perfect condition
Answer: (b) patient in declining health
14. Which idea best expresses responsible environmental behaviour?
(a) Unlimited exploitation of resources
(b) Sustainable development
(c) Rapid deforestation
(d) Ignoring future generations
Answer: (b) Sustainable development
15. Which of the following systems can be impaired by human overuse?
(a) Fisheries
(b) Grasslands
(c) Croplands
(d) All of the above
Answer: (d) All of the above
Teacher Generate Question Answer
1. Locate the lines in the text that support the title “The Ailing Planet”.
Ans: Lines in the text that support the title “The Ailing Planet” are: “The earth’s vital signs reveal a patient in declining health”.
“….. biologists reckon that about three to a hundred million other living species still languish unnamed in ignominious darkness”.
“Are we to leave our successors a scorched planet of advancing deserts, impoverished landscapes and ailing environment?”
“……these systems are reaching an unsustainable level, a point where productivity is being impaired”.
“We see……. the survival not just of the people but of the planet”.
2. What does the notice “The world’s most dangerous animal’ at a cage in the zoo at Lusaka, Zambia, signify?
Ans: At Lusaka, there is a cage where the notice reads, “The world’s most dangerous animal.” There is no animal inside the cage except a mirror where you see yourself. The notice is very significant. It points an accusing finger at man. He is the real villain who has plundered the earth. Man is the most dangerous animal in the world. He has degraded, depleted and polluted the natural resources and the environment.
3. How are the earth’s principal biological systems being depleted?
Ans: Mr. Lester R.Brown has pointed out that there are four principal biological systems of the earth. They are fisheries, forests, grasslands and croplands. They are the foundation of the global economic system. They supply our food and provide raw materials for industry except minerals. But man’s demands on these systems are reaching an unsustainable level. Overfishing is very common. Local forests are disappearing to provide firewood and wood. The world is losing 40 to 50 million acres of forests a year. Similarly, grasslands and woodlands are being converted into deserts and wastelands.
4. Why does the author over that the growth of world population is one of the strongest factors distorting the future of human society?
Ans: Nani Palkhivala avers that population explosion will pose a great danger to the future of human society. Growing population makes nonsense of all progress and development. There is no alternative to voluntary family planning. The population of India is more than 100 crores today. It is more than the entire population of Africa and South America put together. No progress is possible here unless population control is given topmost priority. We have to make a choice-either control population or perpetuate poverty.
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