NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English (Hornbill) Chapter 5 The Ailing Planet – The Green Movement’s Role

Ans : A holistic and ecological view - It refers to the view that calls for the preservation of the planet. The holistic and ecological view refers to understanding the importance of earth'S resources and environment for the future generations. Sustainable development — A balanced development that meets the needs of the present while taking care of the needs of the future generations. 
Languish — lot of species are neglected or go unnoticed 
ignominious darkness — disgrace or dishonour as has knowledge about them or is enlightened about them 
inter alia — among other things 
decimated — to reduce drastically in number
catastrophic depletion — a disastrous and harmful reduction in the number of something 
transcending concern — a concern that surpasses generation. boundaries. It is not only about the present but also about future; not only about people but also about the planet. 

Ans : The lines that support the title of the chapter are given below. 
"The earth’s vital signs reveal a patient in declining health." 
"Are we to leave our successors a scorched planet of advancing deserts, impoverished landscapes and ailing environment? "
...the environment has deteriorated so badly that it is Critical' in many of the eighty-eight countries investigated”. 

Ans : The notice signifies that there is depletion of resources and deterioration of environment. Man is responsible for this and his own survival is threatened. 

Ans : There are four principal biological systems of the earth. These systems are fisheries, forests, grasslands and croplands. However, due to the increasing demand of human beings to such an 'unsustainable' extent. the productivity of these systems is being hampered. The excessive demand results in deterioration and depletion Of these resources. A country where protein is consumed on a large scale, overfishing is common, which leads to the collapse of fisheries in that area. Grasslands have been turned into deserts and production of crops is decreasing. The forests are destroyed in large proportions to obtain firewood. Depletion of tropical forests has also led to the extinction of several species. 

Ans : Overpopulation is one of the strongest factors responsible for a nation's poverty and unem oyment. It disturbs the earth' principal biological systems leading to degradation of environment. The author highlights the problem Of over-population ty pointing out the mental set-up Of the poor who feel more children means more workers to earn money. They do not realise that more children only means more unemployed people. He argues that development is the best contraceptive, which includes spread of education, improvement of health and rise in income. Spread of education leads to awareness among people, which in turn results in a fall in the 'fertility' rate. The author makes a comment which emphasises the never ending circle of population and poverty by asserting that the choice is really between control Of population and the perpetuation of poverty'