Model Answer

Introduction

Global warming and climate change, driven by human greed in the name of development, pose a severe threat to life on Earth. Unsustainable practices such as resource over-exploitation, pollution, and deforestation contribute significantly to environmental degradation, leading to the potential extinction of numerous species, including humans.

Human Activities and Their Consequences

Excessive Resource Exploitation

The relentless extraction of fossil fuels and minerals contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. For instance, coal accounts for 55% of India’s energy needs, significantly increasing carbon emissions.

Deforestation and Habitat Loss

Large-scale deforestation for agriculture and urbanization has resulted in the loss of approximately 20% of Amazonian forest cover since the 1960s, exacerbating CO₂ levels in the atmosphere.

Pollution from Industrial Activities

Unregulated industrial growth leads to severe air pollution. In Delhi, air quality regularly breaches WHO standards due to emissions from factories and vehicles.

Rapid Urbanization

The conversion of green spaces into urban areas creates heat islands, disrupting natural ecosystems and contributing to climate change.

The Threat of Extinction

Biodiversity Loss

Climate change has led to habitat destruction, threatening over 45,300 species with extinction according to the IUCN Red List.

Ocean Acidification

Increased CO₂ levels cause ocean acidification, resulting in coral bleaching in ecosystems like the Great Barrier Reef.

Disruption of Ecosystem Services

The decline of pollinators such as bees threatens global crop production, jeopardizing food security.

Water Scarcity

Climate change exacerbates water scarcity, leading to desertification. The Thar Desert in India is expanding, displacing rural populations.

Strategies for Restoration and Balance

1. Enhancing Regulatory Frameworks: Strengthening environmental laws, such as India’s Environment Protection Act, to control pollution (Source: Ministry of Environment, India).
2. Promoting Afforestation: Initiatives like India’s Green India Mission aim to restore degraded ecosystems and absorb CO₂ emissions.
3. Integrating Sustainability in Education: The National Education Policy 2020 includes climate education to foster environmental awareness.
4. Encouraging Renewable Energy: Supporting technologies like solar energy through India’s International Solar Alliance to reduce fossil fuel reliance.
5. International Cooperation: Engaging in global agreements like the Paris Agreement to collectively mitigate climate change impacts.
6. Adopting the 3Rs Principle: Emphasizing Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle to minimize waste and resource consumption.

Conclusion

To combat global warming and climate change, we must transition from a path of destruction to one of sustainability. By implementing robust regulations, promoting renewable technologies, and fostering international cooperation, we can protect life on Earth and restore equilibrium between society and the environment. Collective action is essential for a sustainable future.

Model Answer

Introduction

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into administrative decision-making has sparked significant ethical debates. While AI promises efficiency and objectivity, its application raises concerns regarding transparency, accountability, and bias.

Positive Aspects of AI

1. Data-Driven Efficiency: AI processes vast data sets quickly, leading to informed decisions. For instance, Singapore’s AI-driven urban planning enhances traffic management (Source: Singapore Urban Redevelopment Authority).
2. Cost Reduction: Automation of routine tasks through AI can significantly lower administrative costs. AI chatbots in e-governance exemplify this reduction (Source: Government of India).
3. Predictive Analytics: AI can forecast trends, aiding proactive decision-making, as seen during the COVID-19 pandemic when models predicted virus spread (Source: World Health Organization).
4. Consistency: AI ensures uniformity in public resource allocation, evident in direct benefit transfer schemes (Source: NITI Aayog).
5. Reducing Judicial Bias: AI tools like SUPACE assist in legal research, potentially minimizing human biases (Source: Supreme Court of India).

Ethical Concerns

1. Algorithmic Bias: AI can perpetuate existing biases if trained on flawed data. Predictive policing has faced criticism for disproportionately targeting minorities (Source: ProPublica).
2. Lack of Accountability: Automated decisions may escape accountability. For example, erroneous welfare decisions in the UK highlight this issue (Source: BBC News).
3. Ethical Dilemmas: AI struggles with moral complexity, particularly in healthcare, where critical patient prioritization raises ethical questions (Source: The Lancet).
4. Dependence on Technology: Overreliance on AI could diminish human oversight, leading to vulnerabilities (Source: Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency).
5. Job Displacement: Automation threatens jobs in administrative sectors, exacerbating socio-economic inequalities (Source: International Labour Organization).

Conclusion

The ethical implications of AI in administrative decision-making are complex. While AI can enhance efficiency and consistency, it poses significant risks related to bias, accountability, and human oversight. A balanced approach, emphasizing ethical standards and human involvement, is vital to ensure AI serves public welfare without compromising rights.