Friday, 10 June 2022

The National Environmental Tribunal Act

 The National Environmental Tribunal Act was passed in :

(a) 1992

(b) 1995 è

(c) 1990

(d) 1994

Explanation

In 1995, the Central Government established the National Environment Tribunal (through the National Environment Tribunal Act 1995) to provide for strict liability for damage arising out of accidents caused from the handling of hazardous substances.

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Kyoto Protocol 1997

Green House Conference is also known

(a) Kyoto Conference è

(b) Stockholm Conference

(c) The Montreal Protocol

(d) All of the above.

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Kyoto Protocol 1997 = The Kyoto Protocol was an international treaty which extended the 1992 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change that commits state parties to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, based on the scientific consensus that global warming is occurring and that human-made CO₂ emissions are driving it.

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United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change was held in _____.

(a) 1993

(b) 1994

(c) 1997 è Kyoto Protocol

(d) 1992

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The Kyoto Protocol of 1997 is a part of the Convention on Climate Change adopted at -----------

A. China

B. USA

C. Italy

D. Japan è

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Kyoto Protocol was adopted in the year ______.

(a) 1996

(b) 1997 è

(c) 1998

(d) 1999

Explanation:

The Kyoto Protocol was adopted on 11 December 1997.

Owing to a complex ratification process, it entered into force on 16 February 2005.

Currently, there are 192 Parties to the Kyoto Protocol.

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Kyoto protocol is related to _____________ .

(a) Ozone depletion

(b) Global warming è

(c) Acid rain

(d) Climate change

Explanation:

The Kyoto Protocol is an international treaty adopted in 1997 that aimed to reduce the emission of gases that contribute to global warming. The protocol called for reducing the emissions of six greenhouse gases in 41 countries plus the European Union to 5.2 percent below 1990 levels.

As of June 2013, there are 192 parties to the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which aims to combat global warming.

 This total includes 191 states (189 United Nations member states as well as the Cook Islands and Niue) and one supranational union (the European Union).

On December 11, 1997, delegates from more than 150 countries signed the Kyoto Protocol, an agreement to lower the amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere.

Human activities release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, which have been proven to cause climate change.

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39. The concept of ‘carbon credit’ originated from which one of the following?

(a) Kyoto Protocol

(b) Earth Summit

c) Montreal protocol

d) G-8 summit

Carbon Credit:

According to the Corporate Credit Institute, a carbon credit is a tradable permit or certificate that provides the holder of the credit the right to emit one ton of carbon dioxide or an equivalent of another greenhouse gas.

The concept of carbon credits emerged during the Kyoto Protocol discussions and is an integral part of today's environmental economics.

Carbon credits basically refer to certificates giving the beholder the right to emit 1 tonne of carbon dioxide or its equivalent.

Carbon credits are measurable, verifiable emission reductions from certified climate action projects. These projects reduce, remove or avoid greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

In theory, carbon offsets help balance your carbon footprint by funding environmental projects that reduce greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

One carbon offset credit supposedly equals one metric ton of carbon dioxide, or a comparable amount of other greenhouse gases, removed from the air.

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Consider the following statements:

i) Kyoto Protocol came into force in year 2005.

(ii) Kyoto protocol primarily deals vis reducing overall green house missions

iii) Carbon dioxide is five times more effective as a greenhouse gas than methane.

Which of the above statements is/are correct

(a) (i), and (ii) è

(b) (ii) and (iii)

(c) (i) only

(d) (iii) only.

Methane is more than 25 times as potent as carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere.

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Environment Protection Act 1986

What is the objective of the Environment Protection Act 1986?

a) To implement decisions taken at the UN Conferences on Human Environment in Stockholm, 1972

b) To take appropriate steps in protection and improvement of human environment.

c) To prevent hazards to human being, living creatures, plans and property.

d) All of the above è

Explanation:

The Act covers all forms of pollution; air, water, soil and noise. It provides the safe standards for the presence of various pollutants in the environment.

It prohibits the use of hazardous material unless prior permission is taken from the Central Government.

The objective of EPA is to protect and improve the environment and environmental conditions.

It also implements the decisions made at the UN Conference on Human Environment that was held in Stockholm in the year 1972, to take strict actions against all those who harm the environment.

The EPA empowers the Centre to “take all such measures as it deems necessary” in the domain of environmental protection.

Under the law, it can coordinate and execute nationwide programmes and plans to further environmental protection.

It can mandate environmental quality standards, particularly those concerning the emission or discharge of environmental pollutants.

This law can impose restrictions on the location of industries.

The law gives the government the power of entry for examination, testing of equipment and other purposes and power to analyse the sample of air, water, soil or any other substance from any place.

The EPA explicitly bars the discharge of environmental pollutants in excess of prescribed regulatory standards.

There is also in place a specific provision for handling hazardous substances, which is prohibited unless in compliance with regulatory requirements.

The Act empowers any person, apart from authorised government officers, to file a complaint in a court regarding any contravention of the provisions of the Act.

The chief aims and objectives of the Environment Protection Act, 1986 are listed below.

1) Implementing the decisions made at the United Nations Conference on Human Environment held in Stockholm.

2) Creation of a government authority to regulate industry that can issue direct orders including closure orders.

3) Coordinating activities of different agencies that are operating under the existing laws.

4) Enacting regular laws for the protection of the environment.

5) Imposing punishments and penalties on those who endanger the environment, safety and health. For each failure or contravention, the punishment includes a prison term of up to five years or a fine of up to Rs. 1 lakh, or both. This can also be extended for up to seven years in cases.

6) Engaging in the sustainable development of the environment.

7) Attaining protection of the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution.

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The term Environment is defined under section _ of the Environment Protection Act 1986:

(a) 2(a) è

(b) 2(b)

(c) 2(aa)

(d) 2(c)

Definition of environment:

Environment includes water, air and land and the inter-relationship which exists among and between water, air and land, and human beings, other living creatures, plants, micro-organism and property;

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The Environment Protection Act was enacted in the year ______________ .

(a) 1988 (b) 1986 è

(c) 1991 (d) 1987

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The Indian Parliament enacted the Environment Protection Act in the year ______.

(a) 1981 (b) 1986 è

(c) 1984 (d) 1982

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Which Section defines 'Environment Pollutant' under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986?

A. Sec. 2(a)

B. Sec.2(b) è

C. Sec.2(c)

D. Sec.2(d)

Environmental pollutant means any solid, liquid or gaseous substance present in such concentration as may be, or tend to be, injurious to environment;

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Environment Protection Act is legislated in

A. 1974

B. 1972

C. 1986 ==>

D. 1984

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Environment has been defined as_________under the Environment Protection Act, 1986 –

a. ‘Environment’ includes water, air, land and the inter-relationship that exists between water, air and land and other human beings, other living beings, plants, micro-organisms and property è

b. ‘Environment’ includes water, air and land and the inter-relationship which exists between water, air and land and other human beings.

c. ‘Environment’ includes water, air and land and the inter-relationship with one another

d. ‘Environment’ includes water, air and land and human beings, other living creatures, plants, microorganisms and property.

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As per Sec. 2 (a) of The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 Environment refers to:

a. water, air and land;

b. the inter- relationship which exists among and between water, air and land, and human beings, è

c. other living creatures, plants, micro-organism and property;

d. Animals & plants

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Central Ganga Authority (CGA) came into existence under the Environment Protection Act 1986, headed by the Prime Minister of India.

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The Environment Protection Act, 1986 passed in May 1986, it came in to force on:

a. 1 April 1986

b. 1 July 1986

c. 19 November 1986 è

d. 1 January 1987

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The definition of ‘environmental pollution’ under the Environment (Protection Act) is:

(a) Any pollution of air, water and soil

(b) The presence of any solid, liquid or gaseous substance in the environment that causes injuries to man

(c) The presence in the environment of any environmental pollution è

(d) Any pollution in land, sea and air.

As per Section 2(c) of the Environment (Protection Act), 1986 ‘environmental pollution’ means the presence in the environment of any environmental pollutant;

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In the light of definition of “Environment pollutant” Environment Protection Act, 1986, which one of the following statements is not correct:

(a) Environment pollutant is any substance or preparation which may, by reason of its chemical or physio-chemical properties or handling is liable to cause harm

(b) Environmental pollutant is any solid, liquid or gaseous substance present in such concentration as may be or tend to be injurious to environment

(c) Environment pollutant is a substance, which is poisonous, hazardous and injurious to human safety

(d) Environment pollutant is a substance which is chemically explosive contagious, destructive or non-reactive and non-useful for the living being on earth è=

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Water-shed

Which one of the conference is regarded as “Water Shed” in the field of Environment that enables the International community and institutions to work without being bothered by the principle of State Sovereignty?

(a) Stockholm Conference

(b) Bali Conference

(c) Copenhagen Conference è

(d) Rio Conference.

Copenhagen Conference

The 2009 United Nations Climate Change Conference, commonly known as the Copenhagen Summit, was held at the Bella Center in Copenhagen, Denmark, between 7 and 18 December.

The Copenhagen Climate Change Conference raised climate change policy to the highest political level.

The Obama-BASIC meeting was a watershed. It saved Copenhagen from a complete collapse and also marked the emergence of the BASIC quartet as a major force in international climate policy diplomacy.

Bali Conference

The 2007 United Nations Climate Change Conference took place at the Bali International Conference Centre, Nusa Dua, in Bali, Indonesia, between December 3 and December 15, 2007.

Representatives from over 180 countries attended, together with observers from intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations.

A NUMBER OF BODIES (e.g., those that address technical matters and those that oversee implementation of the Convention and the Kyoto Protocol) meet during the two-week official conference period.

 There were other significant outcomes as well, particularly those related to adaptation and avoided deforestation, which are important for the sustainable development agenda.

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Vellore Citizens Case

The concept of Sustainable development was firstly adopted by the Indian Judiciary In

A. Ganga Pollution Case

B. Taj Mahal Pollution Case

C. Vellore Citizens Case è

D. Coca Cola Case

Explanation:

Vellore Citizens Case

In the case of Vellore Citizen Welfare Forum v. Union of Indiathe doctrine of Sustainable Development was implemented for the first time by the Supreme Court.

Sustainable Development and Indian Judiciary: Right to wholesome environment is a fundamental right protected under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.

The Petition was filed against the water pollution caused due to excessive release of pollutants by the tanneries and other industries in the State of Tamil Nadu into the river Palar.

It is known as Tamilnadu tanneries case.

The court in Vellore case, took an absolutist approach, i.e. the court held that once an activity is considered dangerous to the environment, it should be stopped immediately.

Ganga Pollution Case =

It is also M C Mehta Vs Union of India Case. Mehta I and Mehta II

Ganga receives large amounts of toxic waste from the city´s domestic and industrial sectors, particularly the leather tanneries of Kanpur.

In 1985, M.C. Mehta filed a writ petition in the nature of mandamus to prevent these leather tanneries from disposing off domestic and industrial waste and effluents in the Ganga river. This writ petition was bifurcated by the Supreme Court into two parts known as Mehta I and Mehta II.

Taj Mahal Pollution Case = The Taj Mahal Case, also known as the Taj Trapezium Case, was fought between M.C. Mehta and the Union of India. He filed a writ petition in 1986.

Coca Cola Case = Meanwhile, according to the Complaint, Coca-Cola is the world's leading plastic waste producer, generating 2.9 million tons of plastic waste per year. It uses about 200,000 plastic bottles per minute, amounting to about one-fifth of the world's polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle output.

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Sustainable Development

What’s Rio+20 Conference, often mentioned in the news?

(a) It is the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development è

(b) It is a Ministerial Meeting of the World Trade Organisation

(c) It is a Conference of the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change

(d) It is a Conference of the Member Countries of the Convention on Biological Diversity

Explanation:

Rio+20

The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, also known as Rio 2012, Rio+20, or Earth Summit 2012 was the third international conference on sustainable development aimed at reconciling the economic and environmental goals of the global community.

It is the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development.

Twenty years after the 1992 'Earth Summit' in Rio de Janeiro, the 2012 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio (also known as Rio+20) resulted in a document containing clear and practical steps for the implementation of sustainable development.

Key principles:

• Principle 5: The eradication of poverty as an indispensable requirement of sustainable development;

• Principle 6: Calls for attention to the special situation and needs of developing countries, particularly the least developed and those most environmentally vulnerable.

Principle 7 : States need to cooperate to protect and restore the health and integrity of the Earth’s ecosystems with developed countries holding a particular responsibility common but differentiated responsibility

• Principle 8 : Cooperation by states to reduce and eliminate unsustainable patterns of production and consumption.

• Principle 16: the polluter should, in principle, bear the cost of pollution;

• Principle 17: The precautionary approach;

• The definition of participation as the best way to handle environmental matters is contained in Principle 10.

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What was the title of the Rio-20 declaration?

(a) The future we went

(b) The future we seek è

(c) The future we have

(d) The future we see

(e) None of these.

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The concept of 'Sustainable Development' was firstly introduced in-

A. Rio Declaration

B. Stockholm Declaration

C. Brundtland Report è

D. World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED)

Explanation:

The Brundtland Report, published in 1987 by the United Nations World Commission on Environment and Development, coined the term "sustainable development" and defined it as "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."

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The basic idea behind 'Sustainable Development' is

A. Development at all cost

B. Environmental protection at all cost

C. Liberalisation, Privatisation, Globalisation (LPG) at all cost

D. Environment & Development should go hand in hand. è

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Which among the following is false about ‘the polluter pays principle’?

a. It finds its mention in Principle 16 of the Rio Declaration

b. It provides that producers of goods or other items should bear the financial and practical responsibility of preventing or remedying any pollution caused by their activity

c. It exposes the polluter to two fold liability, namely compensation to the victim of pollution and ecological restoration

d. This principle was to conceal the trade secrets of the manufacturing unit è

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Which of the following is an essential of the Polluter Pays Principle?

A. Duty to anticipate environmental degradation

B. Duty to take care

C. Duty to attack environmental pollution

D. All of the above è

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Protection of ozone layer

Which convention adopted for the protection of ozone layer?

a. Vienna Convention è

b. Basel Convention

c. Montreal Protocol

d. Stockholm Convention

Explanation:

a. Vienna Convention = The Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer = The Convention aimed to promote cooperation among nations by exchanging information on the effects of human activities on the ozone layer.

The objectives of the Convention are for Parties to promote cooperation by means of systematic observations, research and information exchange on the effects of human activities on the ozone layer and to adopt legislative or administrative measures against activities likely to have adverse effects on the ozone layer.

The Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer (the Convention) is a non-binding international agreement developed to address the problem of stratospheric ozone depletion.

The Convention was negotiated between 1981 and 1985 and has been ratified by 193 parties.

The Vienna Convention and the Montreal Protocol have been quite successful as of 2009 in addressing the global problem of stratospheric ozone layer depletion.

b. Basel Convention = The Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, usually known as the Basel Convention.

The Basel Convention regulates the transboundary movements of hazardous wastes and other wastes and obliges its Parties to ensure that such wastes are managed and disposed of in an environmentally sound manner.

The Convention covers toxic, poisonous, explosive, corrosive, flammable, ecotoxic and infectious wastes.

Though India is a party to the Basel Convention, it is yet to ratify the Ban Amendment.

c. Montreal Protocol = The Montreal Protocol is an international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of numerous substances that are responsible for ozone depletion.

It was agreed on 16 September 1987, and entered into force on 1 January 1989.

It culminated in 1987 with the U.N. Montreal Protocol, a landmark agreement banning CFCs and other ozone-depleting substances.

The agreement set a mandatory timetable for the phasing out of main ozone-depleting substances and provided money to developing countries to help them phase out these substances.

India, as Party to the Montreal Protocol since June 1992, has been successfully implementing the Montreal Protocol and its ozone depleting substances phase out projects and activities in line with the phase out schedule of the Protocol.

d. Stockholm Convention

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In 1987, Montreal protocol was signed for which of the following reasons ?

(a) To ban nuclear testing in tropical oceans

(b) To phase out the use of CFCs found to be causing depletion of ozone layer è

(c) To stop global trade in products made from endangered species

(d) All of the above

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Ozone Layer is found in _________ .

(a) Troposphere

(b) Stratosphere è

(c) Mesosphere

(d) Ionosphere

The ozone layer is the common term for the high concentration of ozone that is found in the stratosphere around 15–30km above the earth's surface.

It covers the entire planet and protects life on earth by absorbing harmful ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation from the sun.

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Ozone depletion causes _______.

(a) Global Warming

(b) Melting of ice on polar

(c) Green House Effect

(d) All the above è

However, scientists have discovered a hole in the ozone layer over Antarctica.

This has focussed their concern on various environmental issues and steps to control them. The main reasons for the ozone hole are chlorofluorocarbons, carbon tetrachloride, methyl bromide and hydrochlorofluorocarbons.

Ozone layer depletion is the gradual thinning of the earth’s ozone layer in the upper atmosphere caused due to the release of  chemical compounds containing gaseous bromine or chlorine from industries or other human activities.

Ozone-depleting substances are the substances such as chlorofluorocarbons, halons, carbon tetrachloride, hydrofluorocarbons, etc. that are responsible for the depletion of the ozone layer.

Humans will be directly exposed to the harmful ultraviolet radiation of the sun due to the depletion of the ozone layer. This might result in serious health issues among humans, such as skin diseases, cancer, sunburns, cataract, quick ageing and weak immune system.

Direct exposure to ultraviolet radiations leads to skin and eye cancer in animals.

Strong ultraviolet rays may lead to minimal growth, flowering and photosynthesis in plants. The forests also have to bear the harmful effects of the ultraviolet rays.

Planktons are greatly affected by the exposure to harmful ultraviolet rays. These are higher in the aquatic food chain. If the planktons are destroyed, the organisms present in the food chain are also affected.

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The outer layer of atmosphere protecting earth from ultraviolet rays of the sun is called ______.

(a) Chlorofluro carbon (b) Ozone layer è

(c) Troposphere (d) Stratosphere

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The _____ protects the earth from ultra-violet rays of Sun.

(a) Greenhouse gases

(b) Biosphere

(c) Stratosphere

(d) Ozone Layer è

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The most important layer of atmosphere for the survival of living organisms is

A. Ozone è

B. Troposphere

C. Stratosphere

D. Exosphere

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Which component of air protects Earth’s surface from severe radiation damage?

A. Oxygen

B. Carbon

C. Ozone è

D. Hydrogen

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Global Warming is due to

A. Depletion of Ozone layer

B. Greenhouse gases

C. Both A & B è

D. None of the above

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Ozone day is observed on

a. January 30

b. April 29

c. September 16 è

d. December 25

Ozone day is International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer.

International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer is celebrated on September 16 designed by the United Nations General Assembly.

This designation had been made in commemoration of the date, in 1987, on which nations signed the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.

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What is the main reason for ozone depletion?

a) Releasing of oxygen

b) Releasing of chemicals

c) Releasing of CFCs è

d) Releasing of nitrogen

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What is the main reason for ozone depletion?

a) Releasing of oxygen

b) Releasing of chemicals

c) Releasing of CFCs è

d) Releasing of nitrogen

CFC =ChloroFluroCarbon

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are nontoxic, nonflammable chemicals containing atoms of carbon, chlorine, and fluorine.

They are used in the manufacture of aerosol sprays, blowing agents for foams and packing materials, as solvents, and as refrigerants.

Once in the atmosphere, CFCs drift slowly upward to the stratosphere, where they are broken up by ultraviolet radiation, releasing chlorine atoms, which are able to destroy ozone molecules.

When chlorine and bromine atoms come into contact with ozone in the stratosphere, they destroy ozone molecules.

One chlorine atom can destroy over 100,000 ozone molecules before it is removed from the stratosphere.

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Which of the following component is more dangerous to ozone layer?

a) CFCs è

b) Nitrogen

c) Halons

d) Sulphur

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Which of the following facts are incorrect?

a) Global warming is the rise in the average temperature of the earth’s climate system

b) The greenhouse effect is a natural phenomenon

c) Ozone is harmless to breathe è

d) Organic food is dangerous to health

When inhaled, ozone can damage the lungs.

Relatively low amounts can cause chest pain, coughing, shortness of breath and throat irritation.

Ozone may also worsen chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma and compromise the ability of the body to fight respiratory infections.

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