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Sustainable Development and Global Warming, ISC 11

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EconomicsISC Class 11 · Economic Growth and Sustainable Development

Environment, Sustainable Development and Global Warming (ISC Class 11 Economics)

Updated 17 October 2026 · Draft, not yet fact-checked

The environment supplies resources, absorbs waste, sustains life and gives aesthetic services; development can overload these functions when demand exceeds its carrying capacity. Sustainable development meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs. Global warming is the rise in the earth's average temperature due to greenhouse gases from human activities.

Remember the four functions the environment performs, and that overloading them beyond carrying capacity causes damage.

Illustration drawn for QuestionBuddy.

Understand Environment, Sustainable Development and Global Warming

Functions of the environment. (1) Supplies resources (renewable and non-renewable). (2) Assimilates waste. (3) Sustains life (biodiversity, climate). (4) Provides aesthetic services (scenery, recreation).

Carrying capacity. The limit up to which the environment can supply resources and absorb waste without lasting damage. Problems arise when the demand for resources exceeds supply and waste exceeds assimilative capacity.

Effects of development on resources and the environment. Depletion of non-renewable resources (coal, oil, minerals); over-use of renewable resources (groundwater, forests, fish); air, water and land pollution; loss of biodiversity; waste (solid, e-waste); climate change.

Air, water and food. Air: vehicles, industry, crop-residue burning raise particulate matter and gases; health and productivity suffer. Water: sewage and industrial effluents pollute rivers; over-extraction lowers groundwater. Food: chemical residues and contaminated water lower safety and soil fertility.

Sustainable development (Brundtland Commission, 1987). Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own. Ideas: inter-generational equity; use renewable resources within their regeneration rate; keep waste within assimilative capacity; balance economy, society and environment.

Strategies. Renewable energy (solar, wind), cleaner fuels, energy efficiency, organic farming, integrated pest management, rainwater harvesting, afforestation, waste recycling, public transport.

Global warming. Gradual rise in the average temperature of the earth's surface caused by greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, chlorofluorocarbons) that trap heat. Causes: fossil fuels, deforestation, methane from paddy and livestock, fertilisers. Effects: melting glaciers and rising sea levels, extreme weather, impacts on agriculture, health and biodiversity. Remedies: cut emissions, expand renewable energy, protect forests, adapt (flood defences, drought-resistant crops).

Environment, Sustainable Development and Global Warming: key facts

Sustainability rule
Use of renewables <= Regeneration rate | Waste <= Assimilative capacity
Sustainable use.
Emissions per head
Per capita emissions = Total emissions / Population | Compare across countries
Used in problems.
Percentage change
Change % = (New - Old) / Old x 100 | Used for emissions targets
Targets.

How to answer Environment, Sustainable Development and Global Warming questions

Link each environmental problem to the function that is overloaded and to a sustainable remedy.

  1. 1Identify the function of the environment overloaded.
  2. 2Name the effect on resources, air, water or climate.
  3. 3State the sustainable remedy.
  4. 4For numbers, compute per capita or per cent change.

Environment, Sustainable Development and Global Warming in real life

The idea, met in an everyday situation. Answer the question in your own words, then compare with the model answer. The one-line hook is what to remember.

Carrying capacity

Suppose a lake supports a village's fishing: 5,000 kg of fish grow back every year, but fishermen take 7,000 kg a year.

What happens over time and what rule restores sustainability?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. The harvest exceeds regeneration by 2,000 kg a year, so the stock falls.
  2. Sustainability needs a harvest not above 5,000 kg a year.

Answer: The fish stock declines; harvest must be kept at or below regeneration.

Memory hook: Take only what grows back.

Tricks to remember Environment, Sustainable Development and Global Warming

Short memory aids. Say each one aloud once, then use it on a question the same day.

  • S-A-S-A

    Supplies, Assimilates, Sustains life, Aesthetic.

    Use it when: Functions.

  • Present without hurting future

    Brundtland in one line.

    Use it when: Definition.

  • Greenhouse gases: CO2, CH4, N2O, CFC

    Four main gases.

    Use it when: Global warming.

Environment, Sustainable Development and Global Warming: solved examples

Ordered from board level to HOTS. Try each one before you open the solution.

Example 1: Definition · 1 mark · MCQBoard level

Sustainable development means meeting the needs of the present without:
(a) using any resources (b) compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs (c) growth (d) trade

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Brundtland definition.

Answer: (b) compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs

Example 2: Functions · 4 marks · Short answerBoard level

Explain the four functions of the environment. (4 marks)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Supplies resources.
  2. Absorbs waste.
  3. Sustains life.
  4. Provides aesthetic services.

Answer: The environment supplies resources, assimilates waste, sustains life and provides aesthetic services such as scenery.

Example 3: Emissions numerical · 6 marks · Long answerHarder board level

A country emits 2,400 million tonnes of carbon dioxide a year with a population of 1,200 million, and another emits 1,500 million tonnes with a population of 100 million. Find per capita emissions. If the first plans a 25% cut in total emissions in 10 years with population growth to 1,300 million, find the new total and the new per capita emission. (6 marks)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. First: 2,400 / 1,200 = 2 tonnes per person; second: 1,500 / 100 = 15 tonnes per person.
  2. 25% cut: 2,400 x 0.75 = 1,800 million tonnes.
  3. New per capita = 1,800 / 1,300 = 1.38 tonnes.
  4. The second country emits about 7.5 times as much per person as the first.

Answer: 2 and 15 tonnes per person; new total 1,800 million tonnes and per capita about 1.38 tonnes (these are hypothetical figures).

Example 4: Sustainable yield · 5 marks · Long answerHarder board level

A forest has 10,00,000 trees and regrows 4% a year. A timber company fells 60,000 trees a year. Find the annual regrowth, the net change in stock in the first year, and the number of years before the stock is zero if the harvest and regrowth stay the same (regrowth is on the opening stock, ignore changes in regrowth). (5 marks)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Regrowth = 4% of 10,00,000 = 40,000.
  2. Net change = 40,000 - 60,000 = -20,000 trees.
  3. At constant regrowth of 40,000, the stock falls 20,000 a year: 10,00,000 / 20,000 = 50 years (in fact faster, as regrowth falls with the stock).
  4. Sustainable harvest = 40,000 trees a year.

Answer: Regrowth 40,000 trees a year; net change in year 1 = -20,000 trees; stock reaches zero in about 50 years at constant regrowth (an upper bound: in practice sooner, as regrowth falls with the stock); sustainable harvest = 40,000 trees a year.

Example 5: Evaluate trade-offs · 4 marks · Short answerHOTS / competency

A city builds a coal power plant to provide cheap power for new factories, adding jobs but also pollution. A solar plant would cost 30% more per unit now. Evaluate using sustainable development: list two benefits, two costs, and an alternative approach. (4 marks)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Benefits of coal: cheap power and jobs.
  2. Costs: air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, health costs, resource depletion.
  3. Sustainable approach: mix of solar and efficient plants, with pollution control; consider future costs.
  4. Balance growth, equity and the environment.

Answer: Coal is cheap now but carries heavy environmental and health costs; a mix with renewables serves sustainable development.

Where students lose marks in Environment, Sustainable Development and Global Warming

The slips examiners see most often, and what to write instead.

  • Mistake: Equating sustainable development with no development

    Misreading.

    Wrong working

    Stop growth to protect the environment

    Right working

    Growth that meets present needs without harming future needs

    Do this: Use the definition.

    Usually costs: 1-2 marks.

  • Mistake: Naming only CO2 as a greenhouse gas

    Limited recall.

    Wrong working

    CO2 only

    Right working

    CO2, methane, nitrous oxide, CFCs

    Do this: List four.

    Usually costs: 1 mark.

  • Mistake: Per capita without dividing by population

    Using totals.

    Wrong working

    1,800 million

    Right working

    1,800 / 1,300

    Do this: Divide by population.

    Usually costs: 1-2 marks.

Exam tips

  • Quote the Brundtland definition in your own words.
  • Give a cause and a remedy for each environmental problem.
  • State that figures in numericals are illustrative.

Practice questions on Environment, Sustainable Development and Global Warming

Write each answer on paper first. Open the hint only if you are stuck, and the answer only when you have finished.

  1. Q1 · 1 mark · MCQBoard level

    Which activity adds methane to the atmosphere?
    (a) running solar panels (b) rice paddies and livestock (c) rainwater harvesting (d) planting trees

    Hint

    A farm source.

    Answer

    (b) rice paddies and livestock

  2. Q2 · 3 marks · Short answerBoard level

    State the meaning of carrying capacity and why development can exceed it. (3 marks)

    Hint

    Supply and waste limits.

    Answer

    Carrying capacity is the limit to which the environment can supply resources and absorb waste without lasting damage. Development can exceed it when resources are used faster than they regenerate and waste exceeds assimilative capacity.

  3. Q3 · 4 marks · Short answerHarder board level

    Explain any four strategies of sustainable development with an example each. (4 marks)

    Hint

    Energy, farming, water, waste.

    Answer

    Renewable energy (solar panels); organic farming (compost and crop rotation); rainwater harvesting (recharging groundwater); recycling of waste (paper and plastic).

  4. Q4 · 6 marks · Long answerHarder board level

    A city's particulate pollution (PM2.5) averages 120 micrograms per cubic metre and a target is 60. Policy A reduces it by 12 per year (linear) and policy B by 15% of the current level each year. Find the level after 3 years under each and which policy reaches the target sooner in terms of years (nearest year). (6 marks)

    Hint

    B: 120 x 0.85 each year.

    Answer

    A: 120 - 36 = 84 after 3 years; it reaches 60 in exactly 5 years. B: 120 x 0.85 = 102; 86.7; 73.7 after 3 years; then 62.6 at year 4 and 53.2 at year 5. B crosses 60 when 120 x 0.85^t = 60, so t = ln2 / ln(1/0.85) ≈ 4.27 years, which is about 4 years to the nearest year. So B reaches the target sooner than A (about 4 years against 5). B falls fast at first, but its yearly fall shrinks, while A falls by a steady 12 a year.

  5. Q5 · 4 marks · Short answerHOTS / competency

    A country argues it should burn coal because developed countries did the same earlier. Evaluate with two arguments for and two against using sustainable development and global warming. (4 marks)

    Hint

    Equity between countries and generations.

    Answer

    For: need for cheap energy for poverty reduction and the historic responsibility of rich countries. Against: coal raises greenhouse gases that harm everyone and future generations; cleaner technologies are now available. Sustainable development requires growth with lower emissions.

Test your recall

Answer in your head or on paper first, then open the card. Pulling an answer out of memory makes it stick far better than re-reading.

  1. 1.Four functions of the environment?Show answer

    Supply resources, absorb waste, sustain life, aesthetic services.

  2. 2.Who defined sustainable development?Show answer

    Brundtland Commission, 1987.

  3. 3.A greenhouse gas?Show answer

    Carbon dioxide or methane.

  4. 4.Global warming effect?Show answer

    Rising sea level.

  5. 5.A strategy?Show answer

    Renewable energy.

Environment, Sustainable Development and Global Warming: frequently asked questions

Is sustainable development against growth?

No, it balances growth with the environment.

What is a renewable resource?

One that regenerates, like forests.

What is the AQI?

An index of air quality.

Can individuals help?

Yes, by saving energy and water.