ESE 2017

UPSCENGINEERINGSERVICESEXAMINATION

Preliminary Examination

Paper

General Studies and

Engineering Aptitude

6
Basics of Energy
and Environment
Comprehensive Theory with Practice Questions
As per new syllabus of ESE 2017

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ESE-2017 : Preliminary Examination

Paper-I : General Studies and Engineering Aptitude

Basics of Energy and Environment

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Preface
The compilation of this book Basics of Energy and
Environment was motivated by the desire to provide a
concise book which can benefit students to understand
the concepts of energy and environment topics.
This textbook Basics of Energy and Environment
provides all the requirements of the students, i.e.
comprehensive coverage of theory, fundamental
concepts and objective type questions articulated in a
lucid language. The concise presentation will help the readers grasp the theory of this subject with
clarity and apply them with ease to solve objective questions quickly. This book not only covers the
syllabus of ESE but also addresses the need of many other competitive examinations. Topics like
Energy & its Conservation, Environment & its Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation,
Climate Change, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) are given full emphasis, keeping in mind
of our research on their importance in competitive examinations.
We have put in our sincere efforts to present detailed theory and MCQs without compromising the
accuracy of answers. For the interest of the readers, some notes, do you know and interesting facts
are given in the comprehensive manner. At the end of each chapter, sets of practice question are
given with their keys, that will allow the readers to evaluate their understanding of the topics and
sharper their question solving skills.
Our team has made their best efforts to remove all possible errors of any kind. Nonetheless, we would
highly appreciate and acknowledge if you find and share with us any printing and conceptual errors.
It is impossible to thank all the individuals who helped us, but we would like to sincerely thank all
the authors, editors and reviewers for putting in their efforts to publish this book.
With Best Wishes
B. Singh
CMD, MADE EASY

General Studies and

Engineering Aptitude

Contents

Basics of Energy and Environment

Chapter 1

Energy & its Conservation 1

2.3.1 Structure of Ecosystem.....................................25

2.3.2 Types of Ecosystem............................................27

1.1.1 Types of Energy Resources................................ 1

2.3.3 Ecological Pyramid.............................................28

1.2 Renewable Energy Resources........................................ 2

2.3.4 Food Chain ...........................................................31

1.1 Introduction......................................................................... 1

2.3 Ecosystem...........................................................................25

1.2.1 Solar Energy............................................................ 2

2.3.5 Ecotone..................................................................31

1.2.2 Wind Energy........................................................... 4

2.3.6 Biological Spectrum.........................................32

1.2.3 Ocean Energy......................................................... 4

2.3.7 Ecological Niche..................................................32

1.2.4 Hydro Energy......................................................... 8

2.3.8 Ecological Footprint...........................................33

1.2.5 Biomass Energy..................................................... 9

2.3.9 Carbon Footprint................................................33

1.2.6 Geothermal Energy............................................12

2.3.10 Biotic Succession................................................33

1.3 Non-renewable Energy Resources.............................13

2.4 Biome
...................................................................................34

1.3.1 Coal..........................................................................13

1.3.2 Petroleum..............................................................14

1.3.3 Natural Gas............................................................14

2.5.1 Extent and Magnitude of Biodiversity........35

1.3.4 Nuclear Energy....................................................14

2.5.2 Biodiversity Regions of India:.........................36

1.4 Chemical Sources of Energy.....................................15

2.5.3 Loss of Biodiversity............................................36

2.4.1 Types of Biome....................................................34

2.5 Biodiversity.........................................................................35

1.4.1 Fuel Cells................................................................15

2.5.4 Biodiversity Hotspot..........................................37

1.4.2 Hydrogen...............................................................15

2.5.5 Conservation of Biodiversity..........................41

1.4.3 Biofuels...................................................................16

2.5.6 Environmental Movements and

1.5 Energy Conservation......................................................16

Personalities.........................................................42

1.5.1 Some Energy Conservation Techniques.....17

2.5.7 Environmental Institutions in India..............42

1.5.2 Energy Conservation in India.........................17

2.5.8 Wetlands................................................................43

2.5.9 Mangrove..............................................................44

2.5.10 Coral Reef..............................................................45

Objective Brain Teasers....................................................18

Chapter 2

Environment & its Conservation21

2.1 Introduction.......................................................................21

2.1.1 Nature of Relationship between

Man & Environment...........................................21

2.1.2 Environmental Factors......................................22

2.2 Ecology................................................................................24

2.6 Environmental Degradation........................................46

2.6.1 Bioremediation....................................................46

2.7 Conservation of Environment.....................................47

2.7.1 Indian Organisations for Conservation

of Environment ...................................................47

2.7.2 International Conventions on

Conservation of Environment.......................48

2.2.1 Ecological Principles..........................................25

2.8 Environmental Events....................................................51

2.2.2 Significance of Ecology ..................................25

Objective Brain Teasers....................................................52

Chapter 3

Environmental Pollution and

Degradation58

4.4.1 Natural Causes.....................................................87

4.4.2 Anthropogenic Causes.....................................88

4.4.3 Terrestial Causes..................................................89

3.1 Introduction.......................................................................58
3.1.1 Pollutant.................................................................58

4.5 Evidences of Climate Change......................................89

3.2 Classifications of Pollution............................................58

4.6 Conventions on Climate Change...............................90

4.4 Causes of Climate Change............................................87

3.2.1 Air Pollution..........................................................59

3.2.2 Water Pollution....................................................66

3.2.3 Soil Pollution........................................................71

4.6.2 Kyoto Protocol.....................................................91

3.2.4 Noise Pollution....................................................73

4.6.3 Durban Summit...................................................92

3.2.5 Bio Pollution.........................................................74

4.6.4 COP-21....................................................................93

3.2.6 Radiation Pollution............................................74

4.6.1 United Nations Framework Convention

on Climate Change (UNFCCC)........................90

4.7 National Action Plan on Climate Change................94

Objective Brain Teasers....................................................94

3.3 Environmental Laws for Controlling Pollution......75

Objective Brain Teasers....................................................76

Chapter 5

Climate Change81

Environmental Impact Assessment

(EIA)98

5.1 Introduction.......................................................................98

5.2 EIA Regulations.................................................................99

5.3 Steps in Environmental Impact Assessment

Chapter 4
4.1 Introduction.......................................................................81

4.1.1 Difference Between Climate

and Weather.........................................................81

Process.............................................................................. 100

4.2 Greenhouse Gases...........................................................82

4.2.1 Types of Greenhouse Gases............................82

4.2.2 Effects of Greenhouse Gases..........................83

4.2.3 Largest Emitters of Greenhouse Gases.......84

5.4 Roles of Parties in EIA Process ................................. 102

4.3 Global Warming................................................................84

5.5 Forms of Impact Assessment.................................... 103

5.3.1 Environmental Appraisal Committee

4.3.1 Possible Effects of Global Warming..............84

4.3.2 Approaches to Deal with

5.5.1 Strategic Environment Assessment

(SEA)..................................................................... 103

Global Warming..................................................85

5.6 Benefits of EIA................................................................ 103

4.3.3 Ozone Layer..........................................................85

5.7 Limitations of EIA.......................................................... 104

(EAC)..................................................................... 101

Objective Brain Teasers................................................. 104

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