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UGC NET Paper 1 Unit 9: People, Development & Environment — Notes

This unit connects human development with environmental sustainability, blending core environmental science with global policy frameworks. It rewards candidates who stay current with environment and development news alongside the fixed factual content.

Environmental Issues and Pollution

Environmental issues operate at local, regional, and global levels. Key pollution categories include air pollution, water pollution, soil pollution, noise pollution, and waste (solid, liquid, biomedical, hazardous, and electronic) — each with distinct sources, health impacts, and control measures.

Natural and Energy Resources

Renewable energy sources — solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, and biomass — are replenished naturally and don’t deplete with use, unlike finite fossil fuels. Forests function as both a resource and a critical carbon sink, making deforestation a major driver of climate change.

Natural Hazards and Mitigation

Natural hazards and disasters require mitigation strategies that reduce vulnerability before an event occurs, rather than only responding after — a growing focus in national and international policy.

Key International Agreements

• Environmental Protection Act (1986) — India’s umbrella environmental legislation.
• Montreal Protocol — targets substances that deplete the ozone layer.
• Rio Summit and Convention on Biodiversity — foundational global frameworks for sustainable development and biodiversity protection.
• Kyoto Protocol and Paris Agreement — international climate treaties setting emission reduction and temperature-limit commitments.
• International Solar Alliance — promotes solar energy adoption globally.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The UN adopted 17 SDGs in 2015 (replacing the earlier 8 MDGs), targeted for completion by 2030 — covering poverty, education, climate action, and more. SDG 4 specifically targets “Quality Education.”

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