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Q79 (IAS/2014) Environment & Ecology › Climate Change & Global Initiatives › Climate governance initiatives Official Key

Consider the following statements regarding 'Earth Hour' : 1. It is an initiative of UNEP and UNESCO. 2. It is a movement in which the participants switch off the lights for one hour on a certain day every year. 3. It is a movement to raise the awareness about the climate change and the need to save the planet. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Result
Your answer:  ·  Correct: C
Explanation

**Explanation:**

Statement 1 is **incorrect**. While UNEP and UNESCO work with young people on environmental issues, Earth Hour is not their initiative. The documents do not support the claim that Earth Hour is organized by UNEP and UNESCO.

Statement 2 is **correct**. Earth Hour is held annually by encouraging individuals, communities, and businesses to turn off non-essential electric lights for one hour, on a specific day towards the end [1]of March, typically on the last Saturday of March from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m.[2]

Statement 3 is **correct**. The movement aims to raise awareness about environmental issues, specifically highlighting the vulnerability of our planet, and the need to tackle climate change and protect nature[3].

Therefore, only statements 2 and 3 are correct, making option C the right answer.

Sources
  1. [1] https://abhipedia.abhimanu.com/Article/IAS/NzE3MDgEEQQVV/Consider-the-following-statements-regarding-39-Earth-Hour-39-1-It-is-an-initiative-of-UNEP-and-UNESC-Environment-and-Ecology
  2. [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth_Hour
  3. [3] https://www.wwf.org.uk/earth-hour/switching-off-earth-hour-can-help
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PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
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Q. Consider the following statements regarding 'Earth Hour' : 1. It is an initiative of UNEP and UNESCO. 2. It is a movement in which the p…
At a glance
Origin: Mostly Current Affairs Fairness: Low / Borderline fairness Books / CA: 0/10 · 6.7/10

This is a classic 'Agency Swap' trap. UPSC tests if you can distinguish between official UN mandates (UNEP/UNESCO) and major civil society campaigns (WWF). The question is fair because Earth Hour is a headline event, but it penalizes those who assume every 'Earth' title belongs to the UN.

How this question is built

This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.

Statement 1
Is Earth Hour an initiative of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and UNESCO?
Origin: Weak / unclear Fairness: Borderline / guessy
Indirect textbook clues
Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 28: International Organisation and Conventions > 28.1. UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME (UNEP) > p. 387
Strength: 5/5
“The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system, and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment.”
Why relevant

Defines UNEP as the leading global environmental authority that initiates and promotes global environmental agendas and programmes.

How to extend

A student could use this rule to ask whether Earth Hour fits UNEP's typical activities (global awareness/agenda-setting) and then check Earth Hour's organizer credits against UNEP's listed initiatives.

Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 24: Climate Change Organizations > UN-BEDD Programme > p. 347
Strength: 4/5
“• Administered by UNDP• Area of focus Mitigation REDD• Date operational zooS Three UN Agencies - United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) - have collaborated in the estabiishment of the UN-REDD programme, a multi-donor trust {und that allows donors to pool resources and provide funding with the-aim of significantly reducing global emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries. Through its nine initial country programme activities in Africa, Asia and Latin America, the UN-REDD Programme supports the capacity of national governments to prepare and implement national REDD strategies with the involvement of all stakeholders.”
Why relevant

Shows UNEP commonly collaborates with other UN agencies (e.g., UNDP, FAO) to create joint programmes.

How to extend

A student might consider whether Earth Hour is likely to be a joint-agency initiative and therefore look for multi-agency sponsorship/partnership statements for Earth Hour.

Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 24: Climate Change Organizations > i:r Efil{r=t#$.fificfl$ s!:J > p. 340
Strength: 4/5
“UNEP/WMO proposal for the sening up of the Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change (OPCC). i1 • It was established by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in 1988 to provide the governments of the world with a clear scientific view of what is happening to the world's climate. • The Secretariat coordinates all the IPCC work and liaises with Governments. The secretariat is supported by WMO and UNEP and hosted at WMO headquarters in Geneva. • It is open to all member countries of the United Nations (UN) and WMO.”
Why relevant

Gives an example where UNEP co‑established a major international body (IPCC) with another organization (WMO), illustrating UNEP's role in founding global environmental initiatives with partners.

How to extend

Use this pattern to ask whether Earth Hour was founded by UNEP alone or jointly, and then verify founding/organizing partners for Earth Hour.

Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 29: Environment Issues and Health Effects > 5. Biosphere > p. 433
Strength: 4/5
“Biosphere sites established by countries and recognized under UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme to promote sustainable development based on local community efforts and sound science. The programme of Biosphere Reserve was initiated by UNESCO in No: 1.; Name: Achanakamar Amarkantak; Iocation (State): Covers parts of Anupur and Diadori districts of M.P., and parts of Bilaspur districts of Chhattishgarh State. No: a; Name: Agasthyamalai; Iocation (State): Neyyar, Peppara and Shendurney wildlife Sanctuaries and their adjoining areas in Kerala, No: 3.; Name: Cold Desert; Iocation (State): Pin Valley National Park and surroundings; Chandratal and Sarchu & Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary in Himachal Pradesh No: ; Name: Gulf of Mannar; location (State): Indian part of Gulf of Mannar Mannar between India and Sri Lanka (Tamil Nadu).”
Why relevant

Describes UNESCO running environmental programmes (Man and the Biosphere) and recognizing sites, showing UNESCO also initiates and manages environmental initiatives.

How to extend

Apply this pattern to question whether UNESCO would be a plausible initiator of a global public-awareness event like Earth Hour and then check UNESCO's programme lists or announcements for Earth Hour.

Contemporary World Politics, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 6: Environment and Natural Resources > Environmental Concerns in Global Politics > p. 83
Strength: 3/5
“International agencies, including the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), began holding international conferences and promoting detailed studies to get a more coordinated and effective response to environmental problems. Since then, the environment has emerged as a significant issue of global politics. The growing focus on environmental issues within the arena of global politics was firmly consolidated at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in June 1992. This was also called the Earth Summit. The summit was Collect news clippings on reports linking environment and politics in your own locality.”
Why relevant

Explains that international agencies (including UNEP) convene conferences and promote coordinated global responses (e.g., Earth Summit), indicating such agencies lead large public/awareness environmental actions.

How to extend

From this, a student could infer that Earth Hour might be within the remit of such agencies and therefore look for official conference/initiative records to confirm the organizers.

Statement 2
Does Earth Hour involve participants switching off non-essential lights for one hour on a specific day each year?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"marked by landmarks and businesses switching off non-essential electric lights, for one hour from 8:30 to 9:30p.m., usually on the last Saturday of March"
Why this source?
  • Explicitly states Earth Hour is held annually.
  • Specifies landmarks and businesses switch off non-essential electric lights for one hour, usually on the last Saturday of March.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"it is held annually by encouraging individuals, communities, and businesses to turn off non-essential electric lights for one hour, on a specific day towards the end of March"
Why this source?
  • Describes Earth Hour as a worldwide movement organized by WWF held annually.
  • Says participants are encouraged to turn off non-essential electric lights for one hour on a specific day towards the end of March.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"All you need to do is switch off any non-essential lights for 60 minutes."
Why this source?
  • Provides practical instruction for participating in Earth Hour.
  • Specifically instructs people to switch off any non-essential lights for 60 minutes.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 17: Contemporary Issues > Energy > p. 90
Strength: 5/5
“• (i) Drive fewer miles. Ride your bike or walk. Use public transport system.• (ii) Replace lamps with smaller wattage light bulbs. Replace incandescent bulbs with compact 18-watt fluorescent ones. Turn off lights not being used. Switch to low-voltage exterior lightning.• (iii) Purchase energy efficient appliances and cars. Governmentmandated stickers on cars and appliances allow you to compare the amounts of energy each will use. Spend a bit more now to save a lot later.• (iv) Check insulation and weather stripping around your house, apartment, or room. Keep thermostat relatively high in summer, and low in winter.• (v) Check into alternative energy sources such as solar and wind”
Why relevant

Lists 'turn off lights not being used' as an explicit energy-saving action, showing the practice of switching off lights is a recognized conservation measure.

How to extend

A student could extend this by noting organised campaigns often adopt such recognized measures (turning off lights) as their core action and then check if Earth Hour matches this practice.

Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 19: The Motions of The Earth and Their Effects > 19.1. Rotation of Earth > p. 251
Strength: 4/5
“• The spinning movement of the earth is called rotation. The earth rotates around its axis in the west to east direction. It takes earth approximately 24 hrs (23 hours, 56 minutes, and 4 seconds) to complete one rotation.• Earth's axis is an imaginary line that is antipodal ― meaning it passes through the centre of the earth connecting two exactly opposite ends. It passes through the North Pole, the earth's centre, and the South Pole• Days and nights occur due to the rotation of the earth. The circle dividing day from night on the globe is called the circle of illumination.• Earth rotates on a tilted axis.”
Why relevant

Explains the Earth's rotation takes ~24 hours and defines an hour as a standard unit of daily time.

How to extend

Use this to interpret the phrase 'one hour' in campaigns (a conventional 60-minute period) and compare with event descriptions to see if Earth Hour uses that duration.

Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 19: The Motions of The Earth and Their Effects > Daylight Saving in Temperate Regions > p. 254
Strength: 4/5
“• Daylight saving time (DST) or summer time is the practice of advancing clocks during summer months by one hour or more. In DST, evening time is increased by sacrificing the morning hours. Typically, users in regions with summer time (countries in extreme north and south) adjust clocks forward one hour close to the start of spring and adjust them backwards in the autumn to standard time.• Normal days = Start office at 10 AM and close at 5 PM• DST = Start office at 9 AM and Close at 4 PM• Advantages: benefits retailing, sports, and other activities that exploit sunlight after working hours.”
Why relevant

Describes Daylight Saving Time as a coordinated clock change of one hour on specific dates, illustrating that social practices can schedule one‑hour adjustments on particular days.

How to extend

A student could generalise that environmental events might choose a fixed date for a one‑hour action, and thus check whether Earth Hour is similarly scheduled annually.

Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 19: The Motions of The Earth and Their Effects > 19.2. Revolution of Earth > p. 252
Strength: 3/5
“• While the Earth spins on its axis, it also orbits or revolves around the Sun. This movement is called revolution.• The plane in which the earth revolves around the sun is called an orbital plane or the ecliptic. It takes 365¼ days (one year) for the earth to complete one revolution around the sun.• Six surplus hours saved every year are added to make one day over a span of four years. This surplus day is added to the month of February. Thus, every fourth year, February is of 29 days instead of 28 days. Such a year with 366 days is called a leap year.”
Why relevant

States the Earth completes one revolution in one year, defining 'a year' as a standard time period used for annual events.

How to extend

A student could combine this with knowledge that many global events repeat yearly to infer that an event described as annual likely occurs on a specific day each year, then verify if Earth Hour is annual.

Statement 3
Is Earth Hour a movement aimed at raising awareness about climate change and the need to protect/save the planet?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"It highlighted the vulnerability of our planet, and the need to tackle climate change and protect nature."
Why this source?
  • Explicitly links Earth Hour to highlighting the planet's vulnerability and the need to tackle climate change.
  • States Earth Hour aims to protect nature and mobilize people and landmarks worldwide, supporting the awareness/planet-protection purpose.
Web source
Presence: 4/5
"change and the need to save the planet."
Why this source?
  • Describes Earth Hour as a worldwide movement organized by WWF that involves turning off lights as a symbolic commitment to the planet.
  • Frames the initiative as connected to saving/protecting the planet, aligning with raising awareness about climate issues.

Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 13: Our Home: Earth, a Unique Life Sustaining Planet > Ever heard of ... > p. 225
Strength: 5/5
“biodiversity is key as diverse ecosystems are stronger and more balanced. Local communities can play a big role in using natural resources sustainably. Everyone can help. Reusing, repairing, and recycling items like clothes and plastic reduce pollution and waste. Small actions like saving energy and water add up. Learning more, sharing ideas, and encouraging others also makes a difference. In conclusion, sustaining life on Earth needs action from all of us—from local communities to global leaders. By working together and living responsibly, we can protect this unique planet and its future.”
Why relevant

Describes that small actions like saving energy and water, reusing and recycling, and learning/sharing ideas help protect the planet — a pattern typical of public-awareness movements.

How to extend

A student could link this to Earth Hour (a widely known event where people switch off lights for an hour) as an example of an energy-saving awareness action aimed at protecting the planet.

Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 7: Climate Change > steps to reduce emission of greenhouse gases > p. 22
Strength: 4/5
“Such people need to be elevated above the poverty line to conserve the forests and other renewable and non-renewable resources.• (xi) Mass education about ecology and environment: Use of media, and organisation of conferences and seminars can train the students and masses to realise the signifcance of the environment. Conservation of resources and environment should be a habit to be developed right from the childhood. India is committed to reduce the greenhouse gases which are the main cause of climate change, and for this purpose, a number of legislations have been made. Tere is emphases in Indian Planning to protect the poor and vulnerable sections of the society through an inclusive and sustainable development strategy.”
Why relevant

Mentions mass education about ecology and use of media and events (conferences/seminars) to train citizens to realise environmental significance — indicating the role of organised awareness campaigns.

How to extend

One could infer that organised events using media to promote energy-saving and climate awareness (like Earth Hour) fit this listed method of raising awareness.

Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 24: Climate Change Organizations > 24.9 LIMA OUTCOMES,COP 2O,?'O14 > p. 330
Strength: 4/5
“• The Lima Climate Conference achieved 'firsts' in the history of the international climate process. • Pledges were made by both developed and developing countries prior to and during the COP that took the capitalization of the new Green Climate Fund (CCF) past an initial $10 billion target. • The Lima Ministerial Declaration on Education and Awareness-raising calls on governments to put climate change into school curricula and climate awareness into national development plans.”
Why relevant

Lima Ministerial Declaration calls on governments to put climate awareness into curricula and national plans — showing official emphasis on awareness-raising as a climate strategy.

How to extend

A student could reason that civil-society movements (e.g., Earth Hour) operate in the same awareness-raising space as these policy initiatives, aiming to influence public attitudes about climate action.

Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 13: Our Home: Earth, a Unique Life Sustaining Planet > 13.6 What Are the Threats to Life on Earth? > p. 223
Strength: 4/5
“We know that life on Earth depends on a delicate balance of living and non-living things working together. But human actions are disturbing this balance. Even small changes in global temperature, oxygen levels, or the ozone layer can put life at risk. Today, the biggest environmental challenges that we face are climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution—together known as the triple planetary crisis. Burning fossil fuels like coal and oil releases greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane. These trap even more heat in the atmosphere which causes global warming. Normally, Earth keeps a balance since trees, plants, and even tiny ocean planktons absorb carbon dioxide as they grow.”
Why relevant

Explains that burning fossil fuels causes greenhouse gases and that small changes in temperature threaten life — framing why awareness and action to protect the planet are needed.

How to extend

Connecting the problem description (need to reduce emissions) to grassroots awareness events, a student could see Earth Hour as a plausible public response to highlight such issues.

Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 1: Exploring the Investigative World of Science > Dear Young Scientists, > p. 5
Strength: 3/5
“Most importantly, the Earth lies at the perfect distance from the Sun, where water remains liquid, and it has an atmosphere that provides the oxygen we breathe while shielding us from harmful ultraviolet rays. But human activities on the planet can cause small changes in the temperature of the Earth, disrupting climate patterns, with dangerous consequences. At the heart of both the problem—and any possible solution—is us. We are the ones influencing Earth's climate. But we are also the ones who can—and must—use science to understand these changes and guide our actions. The same scientific principles that we have guided our journey through the middle stages—observing, measuring, experimenting—will be key in helping us protect the delicate balance on which life depends.”
Why relevant

States human activities influence Earth's climate and that science and actions by people are key to solutions — implying the usefulness of campaigns that inform and mobilise people.

How to extend

A student could extend this to view awareness movements (like switching off lights to symbolise action) as one behavioral/educational response to human-caused climate change.

Pattern takeaway: UPSC consistently creates false statements by swapping the 'Organizing Body'. If a statement links a famous initiative to a specific UN agency (like UNEP+UNESCO), treat it with high suspicion unless you have read that exact pairing.
How you should have studied
  1. [THE VERDICT]: Sitter for news-readers, Trap for guessers. Source: Standard Current Affairs / WWF Website.
  2. [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: Global Environmental Movements & Commemorative Days (Who organizes what?).
  3. [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Memorize the 'Parent Body' for these confusing siblings: Earth Hour (WWF) vs Earth Day (EARTHDAY.ORG) vs World Environment Day (UNEP) vs Earth Overshoot Day (Global Footprint Network) vs Living Planet Report (WWF).
  4. [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: When reading about a campaign, apply the 'Parent-Action-Goal' framework. Never assume an initiative is UN-led just because it sounds global. Explicitly check: Is this an NGO, a UN body, or a WEF initiative?
Concept hooks from this question
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP): role & mandate
💡 The insight

The statement attributes an initiative to UNEP; several references define UNEP as the UN's leading environmental authority and describe its programmes and actions.

High-yield for UPSC: questions frequently ask about mandates and functions of UN bodies. Understanding UNEP's remit helps evaluate whether an initiative (like Earth Hour) plausibly falls under its activities, and links to topics on global environmental governance and international cooperation. Prepare by reviewing UNEP's mandate, flagship programmes, and examples of initiatives.

📚 Reading List :
  • Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 28: International Organisation and Conventions > 28.1. UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME (UNEP) > p. 387
  • Contemporary World Politics, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 6: Environment and Natural Resources > Environmental Concerns in Global Politics > p. 83
🔗 Anchor: "Is Earth Hour an initiative of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) a..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 UN environmental conferences — Earth Summit (UNCED) and Agenda 21
💡 The insight

The evidence highlights major UN environmental conferences (Rio 1992 / Earth Summit) and Agenda 21, which contextualizes how UN-led environmental action is organised.

Frequent UPSC theme: international environmental agreements and conferences. Mastering Earth Summit and Agenda 21 clarifies how global environmental initiatives are launched and the distinction between UN policy frameworks and non-UN campaigns. Study summit outcomes, key documents, and their implications for national policy.

📚 Reading List :
  • Contemporary World Politics, Textbook in political science for Class XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 6: Environment and Natural Resources > Environmental Concerns in Global Politics > p. 83
  • Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 21: Sustainable Development and Climate Change > THE EARTH SUMMIT > p. 597
🔗 Anchor: "Is Earth Hour an initiative of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) a..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 UNESCO programmes — Man and the Biosphere (MAB) & sector-specific initiatives
💡 The insight

The references show UNESCO running specific environment-related programmes (MAB biosphere reserves), highlighting that UNESCO's environmental role is programme-specific rather than universally encompassing all environmental initiatives.

Useful for UPSC to distinguish mandates across UN agencies (UNEP vs UNESCO). Many questions probe which agency handles which domain (education/culture vs environment). Focus on memorising core UNESCO programmes and how they differ from UNEP-led actions; use comparative tables and past papers for retention.

📚 Reading List :
  • Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 29: Environment Issues and Health Effects > 5. Biosphere > p. 433
🔗 Anchor: "Is Earth Hour an initiative of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) a..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Daylight saving time (DST) and shifting of usable evening daylight
💡 The insight

DST is about shifting clock hours to extend evening daylight, which is conceptually related to reducing artificial lighting demand during evening hours.

High-yield for UPSC: DST links physical geography (seasonal daylight changes) with policy choices that affect energy use and daily life. Questions may ask about rationale, advantages/disadvantages, and impacts on energy consumption. Master by studying DST mechanics and practicing policy-impact questions.

📚 Reading List :
  • Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 19: The Motions of The Earth and Their Effects > Daylight Saving in Temperate Regions > p. 254
🔗 Anchor: "Does Earth Hour involve participants switching off non-essential lights for one ..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Earth's rotation, day–night cycle and hour as time unit
💡 The insight

Understanding why the Earth has 24-hour days and how hours relate to rotation helps interpret events described as 'one hour' and links timing of public actions to natural daylight.

Core geography concept: repeatedly tested (day/night, time zones, longitude calculations). Useful for questions on temporal coordination of national/global events and energy-use timing. Learn by mastering rotation, 24-hour division, and practice problems on time differences.

📚 Reading List :
  • Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 19: The Motions of The Earth and Their Effects > 19.1. Rotation of Earth > p. 251
  • Science-Class VII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 12: Earth, Moon, and the Sun > 12.1 Rotation of the Earth > p. 172
🔗 Anchor: "Does Earth Hour involve participants switching off non-essential lights for one ..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Household/sectoral energy-saving measures (turning off lights)
💡 The insight

Practical tips like 'turn off lights not being used' directly relate to the behavioural action implicit in switching off lights to save energy.

Relevant for contemporary issues and environment/energy sections in UPSC: connects micro-level actions to broader energy conservation policy. Expect questions on demand-side measures and low-cost interventions; revise common measures and their effectiveness using case examples.

📚 Reading List :
  • Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 17: Contemporary Issues > Energy > p. 90
🔗 Anchor: "Does Earth Hour involve participants switching off non-essential lights for one ..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S3
👉 Human influence on climate & planetary risks
💡 The insight

The statement concerns climate awareness; several references describe how human activities disturb Earth's temperature, threaten life, and create a ‘triple planetary crisis'.

High-yield for UPSC environment/GS papers: explains the anthropogenic basis of contemporary climate debates and frames policy responses. Useful for questions on causes/impacts of climate change and for linking science to policy. Prepare by consolidating causes, key impacts, and examples from syllabus texts to answer analytical and demand‑type questions.

📚 Reading List :
  • Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 1: Exploring the Investigative World of Science > Dear Young Scientists, > p. 5
  • Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 13: Our Home: Earth, a Unique Life Sustaining Planet > 13.6 What Are the Threats to Life on Earth? > p. 223
  • Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 13: Our Home: Earth, a Unique Life Sustaining Planet > 13.4.4 The importance of balance > p. 219
🔗 Anchor: "Is Earth Hour a movement aimed at raising awareness about climate change and the..."
🌑 The Hidden Trap

Since Earth Hour is by WWF, the next logical question is on WWF's other flagship: The 'Living Planet Report' and the 'Living Planet Index'. Also, remember 'Earth Overshoot Day' is calculated by the Global Footprint Network, not the UN.

⚡ Elimination Cheat Code

The 'Bureaucratic Mismatch' Hack: UNEP (policy/science) and UNESCO (culture/education) rarely co-brand a simple 'switch off lights' campaign. That is a grassroots/activist style, typical of NGOs like WWF or Greenpeace. Formal UN initiatives usually involve 'Conventions', 'Frameworks', or 'Decades', not catchy hourly events.

🔗 Mains Connection

Connect this to GS-3 Environment (Conservation) and the 'LiFE' (Lifestyle for Environment) movement launched by India. Earth Hour is a prime example of 'Nudge Theory' in environmental behavioral change—using symbolic acts to drive policy awareness.

✓ Thank you! We'll review this.

SIMILAR QUESTIONS

IAS · 2022 · Q94 Relevance score: -0.31

With reference to the "G20 Common Framework", consider the following statements : 1. It is an initiative endorsed by the G20 together with the Paris Club. 2. It is an initiative to support Low Income Countries with unsustainable debt. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

CAPF · 2011 · Q10 Relevance score: -0.42

Which of the following statements regarding United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is/aro correct ? 1. The theme for the year 2011 is 'Forest : Nature at Your Service*. 2. It underscores link between quality of life and health and forest ecosystem. 3. India is declared as a global host of World Environment Day 201 1. Select the corrcct answer using the code given below :

CDS-I · 2005 · Q1 Relevance score: -0.56

Consider the following statements: 1. The United Nations has declared the year 2005 as the International Year of Physics. 2. The 22nd of April every year is observed as the Earth Day. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

IAS · 2022 · Q52 Relevance score: -1.17

Consider the following statements: 1. "The Climate Group" is an international non-profit organization that drives climate action by building large networks and runs them. 2. The International Energy Agency in partnership with the Climate Group launched a global initiative "EP100". 3. EP100 brings together leading companies committed to driving innovation in energy efficiency and increasing competitiveness while delivering on emission reduction goals. 4. Some Indian companies are members of EP100. 5. The International Energy Agency is the Secretariat to the "Under2 Coalition". Which of the statements given above are correct?

IAS · 2025 · Q33 Relevance score: -1.40

Consider the following statements : Statement I : Scientific studies suggest that a shift is taking place in the Earth's rotation and axis. Statement II : Solar flares and associated coronal mass ejections bombarded the Earth's outermost atmosphere with tremendous amount of energy. Statement III : As the Earth's polar ice melts, the water tends to move towards the equator. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?