Passage

The main threat to maintaining progress in human development comes from the increasingly evident unsustainability of production and consumption patterns. Current production models rely heavily on fossil fuels. We now know that this is unsustainable because the resources are finite. The close link between economic growth and greenhouse gas emissions needs to be severed for human development to become truly sustainable. Some developed countries have begun to alleviate the worst effects by expanding recycling and investing in public transport and infrastructure. But most developing countries are hampered by the high costs and low availability of clean energy sources. Developed countries need to support developing countries' transition to sustainable human development.

Unsustainability in production pattern is due to which of the following? 1. Heavy dependence on fossil fuels 2. Limited availability of resources 3. Expansion of recycling Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 and 2 only ✓ UPSC's answer
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Why the answer is (a)

• The passage explicitly states that current production models rely heavily on fossil fuels, which is identified as a primary driver of unsustainability.

• It further explains that this reliance is unsustainable because the resources are finite, directly linking limited availability of resources to the problem.

• Expansion of recycling is mentioned in the text as a measure developed countries use to alleviate the worst effects, not as a cause of unsustainability.

• Therefore, only statements 1 and 2 are correct causes of unsustainability in production patterns.

• This leads to the conclusion that option (a) is the correct answer.

Why the other options are wrong

(b) 2 only: Option (b) is incorrect because it omits statement 1, which the passage explicitly identifies as a key factor in unsustainability.
(c) 1 and 3 only: Option (c) is incorrect because it includes statement 3, which is a mitigation strategy rather than a cause of unsustainability.
(d) 1, 2 and 3: Option (d) is incorrect because it includes statement 3, which is not a cause of unsustainability but a response to it.

Asked in the CSAT Paper II of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2022, held on 5 June 2022. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.