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English | Class 11th | Hornbill | NCERT
The Ailing Planet: The Green Movement’s Role | Lesson 4 | Summary | Questions and Answers |
Short Summary
"The Ailing Planet: The Green
Movement’s Role" by Nani Palkhivala highlights the
environmental degradation caused by human activities and emphasizes the urgent
need for ecological conservation. The essay discusses the Green Movement, which
began in 1972 and raised global awareness about the importance of protecting
the environment. Palkhivala refers to Earth as a "patient" suffering
from exploitation, including deforestation, pollution, and depletion of natural
resources.
The essay stresses the
shift in perception from viewing the planet as a resource for exploitation to
recognizing it as a living organism that must be cared for. It calls for
sustainable development, responsible resource management, and policies that
prioritize ecological health over unchecked industrial growth. Palkhivala also
stresses the need for population control and emphasizes the role of humans as
trustees of the Earth, responsible for its future survival.
Understanding the Text
Question 1. Locate the lines in the text
that support the title ‘The Ailing Planet’.
Answer:
The lines that support the title *"The Ailing Planet"* include:
"The earth’s vital signs reveal a patient in
declining health."
"The environment has deteriorated so badly that
it is becoming increasingly difficult for the planet to support life."
These lines emphasize the declining state of the Earth due to environmental degradation, which justifies referring to the planet as "ailing."
Question 2. What does the notice ‘The
world’s most dangerous animal’ at a cage in the zoo at Lusaka, Zambia, signify?
Answer:
The notice at the zoo in Lusaka, Zambia, which says *"The world’s most
dangerous animal,"* refers to humans. Inside the cage is a mirror,
reflecting the image of the person looking into it. This signifies that humans
are responsible for much of the environmental destruction and are considered
the most dangerous species for the planet due to their exploitative actions.
Question 3. How are the earth’s
principal biological systems being depleted?
Answer:
The Earth's four principal biological systems—fisheries, forests, grasslands,
and croplands—are being depleted by overuse. Overfishing has led to a collapse
in fish stocks, deforestation is depleting forests at an alarming rate,
overgrazing is turning grasslands into deserts, and unsustainable agricultural
practices are eroding soil fertility. These systems, which provide food and raw
materials, are under immense strain, threatening global ecological balance.
Question 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 argues that the rapid growth of the world population is a major
factor distorting the future because it increases pressure on the Earth's
natural resources. With more people, there is greater demand for food, water,
energy, and land, leading to overexploitation and depletion of the planet’s
resources. This unsustainable growth worsens environmental degradation and
compromises the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Palkhivala
highlights that unchecked population growth exacerbates poverty, reduces the
quality of life, and threatens ecological balance.
Talking about the text
Discuss in groups of four.
1. Laws are never respected nor enforced
in India.
Answer:
In discussing this statement, one can argue that India has a robust legal
framework for environmental protection and resource management, such as the
Environment Protection Act and the Wildlife Protection Act. However, the
enforcement of these laws often falls short due to various factors:
Corruption:
Bribes and political pressure often weaken the enforcement of environmental
regulations.
Lack of awareness: Many
citizens and industries are unaware of environmental laws or disregard them for
economic gain.
Judicial delays:
Legal proceedings in environmental cases often take years, diminishing the
effectiveness of the laws.
Poor implementation:
Authorities sometimes lack the will, resources, or infrastructure to implement
and monitor laws effectively.
While India has good laws on paper, their respect
and enforcement remain inconsistent, affecting efforts to protect the
environment and ensure sustainable development.
2. “Are we to leave our successors a
scorched planet of advancing deserts, impoverished landscapes and an ailing
environment?”
Answer:
This question reflects concern over the current trajectory of environmental
degradation. If present trends of deforestation, pollution, and resource
depletion continue, future generations may inherit a planet with:
Desertification:
Overuse of land and water resources can lead to desert-like conditions in
previously fertile regions.
Impoverished
landscapes: Deforestation and urbanization strip
ecosystems of their natural richness, resulting in barren landscapes.
Ailing environment:
Rising pollution levels, climate change, and the loss of biodiversity pose
severe threats to the health of the planet.
The group can discuss the responsibility of current
generations to act immediately through sustainable development, stricter
environmental laws, and awareness to prevent such a bleak future for the next
generation.
3. “We have not inherited this earth
from our forefathers; we have borrowed it from our children”.
Answer:
This phrase emphasizes the idea of intergenerational responsibility, suggesting
that the earth is not a possession to be exploited but a shared resource that
must be protected for future generations. The group can reflect on:
Stewardship: Humanity
has a moral duty to preserve the environment for the well-being of future
generations.
Sustainable practices:
The need for practices that minimize harm to the environment and ensure that
future generations can meet their own needs.
Global perspective:
As a collective global community, all nations must take responsibility for
reducing their ecological footprint and safeguarding natural resources.
The discussion could explore examples of sustainable
and unsustainable practices, debating the balance between economic growth and
environmental conservation.
4. The problems of overpopulation that
directly affect our everyday life.
Answer:
Overpopulation poses numerous challenges that directly impact daily life,
especially in countries like India:
Resource scarcity:
Increased demand for food, water, and energy strains natural resources, leading
to shortages, higher prices, and conflicts over access.
Pollution:
More people generate more waste, increasing air, water, and land pollution,
which affects public health and the environment.
Unemployment and
poverty: Overpopulation leads to a larger labour force, but
not enough jobs, contributing to poverty and social inequality.
Overburdened
infrastructure: Public services like healthcare,
education, and transportation struggle to meet the demands of a growing
population, resulting in lower quality and accessibility.
The group can discuss
solutions like family planning, education, and government policies that can
help manage population growth and reduce its negative impacts on everyday life.
These topics encourage a broader discussion about
the interconnectedness of environmental issues, population dynamics, and the
responsibility of individuals and societies to work toward a sustainable
future.
Thinking about language
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. in camera
4. ad infinitum
5. mutatis mutandis
6. caveat
7. tabula rasa
Answer:
Here are the meanings
of the Latin phrases:
1. Prima facie:
At first glance or on the face of it. It refers to something that
appears to be true based on initial evidence, though it may be disproved later.
2. Ad hoc: For
this or for a specific purpose. It refers to something
created or done for a particular situation or task, usually temporary or
improvised.
3. In camera: In
private or in a closed session. It refers to a legal
proceeding or discussion that happens privately, not in public.
4. Ad infinitum:
To infinity or endlessly. It describes something that continues
indefinitely without limit.
5. Mutatis mutandis:
With the necessary changes having been made. It is used when comparing
two situations, meaning that although the contexts may differ, the general
principle applies.
6. Caveat:
Let him/her beware. It refers to a warning or cautionary statement,
often about a particular condition or limitation.
7. Tabula rasa:
Blank slate. It refers to the idea that individuals are born without
built-in mental content, and their knowledge comes from experience or
perception.
These Latin expressions are frequently used in
legal, philosophical, or academic contexts in English.
Working with words
I. Locate the following phrases in the
text and study their connotation.
1. gripped the imagination of
2. dawned upon
3. ushered in
4. passed into current coin
5. passport of the future
Answer:
I. Connotations of the
phrases:
1. Gripped the
imagination of:
Connotation:
This phrase means to captivate or strongly influence someone's thoughts and
ideas. It suggests that something has caught widespread interest or
fascination.
2. Dawned upon:
Connotation:
Refers to the moment of realization or understanding. It suggests that
something previously unclear or unknown has suddenly become clear or evident.
3. Ushered in:
Connotation:
This phrase means to introduce or mark the beginning of something new. It is
often used to signify the start of a significant event or era.
4. Passed into current
coin:
Connotation:
This phrase refers to an idea or term that has become widely accepted or
commonly used in everyday language or understanding.
5. Passport of the
future:
Connotation:
Refers to something that will provide access or opportunities in the future,
often symbolizing advancement, security, or qualification for future success.
II. The words ‘grip’, ‘dawn’, ‘usher’,
‘coin’, ‘passport’ has a literal as well as a figurative meaning. Write pairs
of sentences using each word in the literal as well as the figurative sense.
Answer:
II. Literal and
Figurative Uses of the Words:
1. Grip
Literal:
She held the rope with a firm grip to avoid falling.
Figurative:
The suspenseful movie gripped the audience from start to finish.
2. Dawn
Literal:
The sun rose at dawn, bathing the sky in soft colours.
Figurative:
It finally dawned on him that he had been wrong all along.
3. Usher
Literal:
The usher guided us to our seats in the theatre.
Figurative:
The invention of the internet ushered in a new era of communication.
4. Coin
Literal:
He dropped a coin into the vending machine to buy a snack.
Figurative:
The author coined the term “social media” to describe online platforms.
5. Passport
Literal:
He showed his passport at the airport before boarding the flight.
Figurative:
A good education is the passport to a successful career.
Each of these words can take on both a physical,
literal meaning and a broader, symbolic meaning, depending on the context.
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