The correct Answer is B
Explanation
International environmental agreements and protocols address various global environmental challenges through multilateral cooperation. These agreements often focus on specific thematic areas such as biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation, ozone layer protection, and regional environmental management.
Statement-wise Analysis
- 1959 Antarctic Treaty - Regional activity limitations: Correct. The Antarctic Treaty, signed in 1959, designates Antarctica as a scientific preserve, establishes freedom of scientific investigation, and bans military activity on the continent. This effectively places limitations on activities within the Antarctic region.
- 1987 Montreal Protocol - Stratospheric ozone protection: Correct. The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer is an international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of numerous substances responsible for ozone depletion.
- 1991 Antarctic Environmental Protocol - Environmental safeguards: Correct. The Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty, also known as the Madrid Protocol, was signed in 1991. It designates Antarctica as a "natural reserve, devoted to peace and science" and sets out comprehensive environmental protection principles and mandatory rules for all activities in Antarctica.
- UNFCCC - Immediate emission cuts for all countries: Incorrect. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), adopted in 1992, is an international environmental treaty to combat "dangerous human interference with the climate system". It sets an ultimate objective of stabilizing greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere but does not mandate immediate emission cuts for all countries. Instead, it established a framework for negotiating specific protocols (like the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement) that set binding emission reduction targets for developed countries or nationally determined contributions for all parties.
Key Takeaway
International environmental agreements have specific thematic focuses, and their mandates regarding emission reductions or activity limitations vary significantly.