Contemporary Environmental Issues

* Butterflies: Some butterfly species, like the Monarch butterfly, are poisonous. They consume milkweed during their larval stage, which makes them toxic to predators.

* Fish: Many fish species are poisonous, such as pufferfish, lionfish, and stonefish. They possess venom as a defense mechanism.

* Frogs: Poison dart frogs are a well-known example of poisonous frogs. Their skin secretes toxins that can be deadly.

_Therefore, all three groups have poisonous species._

The term "greenwashing" is best described as deceptively conveying a misleading impression that a company's products or practices are environmentally friendly.

Greenwashing is a marketing strategy where companies try to portray themselves as environmentally conscious, even if their actions don't necessarily reflect that commitment. It often involves using misleading language, imagery, or selective data to create a positive environmental image.


The goal is to gain a competitive advantage by appealing to consumers who are increasingly concerned about environmental issues.

Hedgehogs: Hedgehogs are small mammals have a unique defense mechanism where they roll up into a tight ball, using their sharp spines as a form of protection against predators. 

Marmots: Marmots do not roll up to protect themselves. Instead, they typically rely on burrows and their ability to give warning calls to avoid predators. 

Pangolins: Similar to hedgehogs, pangolins also roll up into a ball when threatened. They use their tough keratin scales as armor to protect their vulnerable parts. 

The Common Carbon Metric (CCM) is a protocol developed by the United Nations Environment Program's Sustainable Buildings & Climate Initiative (UNEP-SBCI) for measuring energy use and reporting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from building operations.

Its purpose is to support GHG emissions reductions through accurate measurement of energy efficiency. It is a universal method of measuring a building's carbon footprint and allows emissions from buildings around the world to be consistently assessed and compared.

Therefore, it is used for assessing the carbon footprint of building operations around the world.

The Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE) was established in response to the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD) 2012, also known as Rio+20, held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The Rio+20 conference aimed to reaffirm global commitment to sustainable development and highlight the importance of transitioning to green economies i.e. economic systems that promote environmental sustainability, social inclusion, and economic growth.

PAGE was launched as a collaborative initiative to support countries in developing policies and strategies for sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

Statement 1 is Incorrect: TEEB was launched in 2007 by Germany and the European Commission following a proposal by the G8+5 Environment Ministers (Potsdam meeting). While the TEEB office is hosted by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the initiative is not hosted by the IMF or the World Economic Forum.

Statement 2 is Correct: TEEB is a global initiative that focuses on drawing attention to the economic benefits of biodiversity. It aims to highlight the growing cost of biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation by bringing together expertise from science, economics, and policy.

Statement 3 is Correct: TEEB follows a tiered approach to help decision-makers recognize, demonstrate, and capture the value of ecosystem services and biodiversity. This helps in integrating these values into policy-making and economic accounting.

Biosphere reserves are the primary strategy for conserving biodiversity alongside traditional human life. Established under the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) program, they are designed to integrate conservation with sustainable development. This is achieved through a zonation system: the Core Zone is strictly protected for biodiversity; the Buffer Zone surrounds the core and allows for limited research and education; and the Transition Zone (or Area of Cooperation) is where traditional human settlements, cropping, and other economic activities are permitted and managed in harmony with conservation goals.

* Botanical gardens are for ex-situ conservation and do not involve human habitation. * National parks are strictly protected areas where human activities and settlements are generally prohibited. * Wildlife sanctuaries may allow certain limited rights like grazing or collection of minor forest produce, but they are not specifically designed to integrate and preserve 'traditional human life' as a core strategic objective in the way biosphere reserves are.

1. Terrace cultivation: This is a soil conservation technique used on sloping land. It involves creating leveled steps or terraces to reduce water runoff and soil erosion.

2. Deforestation: When trees are cut down, the soil loses the protection provided by their roots. This exposes the soil to wind and rain, making it more susceptible to erosion. Deforestation is a major driver of soil erosion in India.

3. Tropical climate: While heavy rainfall in tropical regions can contribute to soil erosion, it's not the sole factor. Deforestation and poor land management practices exacerbate the issue.

Thus, the correct answer is '2 only'.