Question

Two statements are given below. They are Assertion (A) and Reason (R).
Read both the statements carefully and choose the correct option :
Assertion (A) : The concept of ‘sustainable development’ emerged in 1990’s.
Reason (R) : General awareness about environmental issues originated during 1960’s in the western world.

• A. \( \text{Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).} \)
• B. \( \text{Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is \textbf{not} the correct explanation of (A).} \)
• C. \( \text{(A) is correct but (R) is incorrect.} \)
• D. \( \text{(A) is incorrect but (R) is correct.} \)

Hint:

Sustainable development integrates environmental protection with economic and social equity.
Early environmentalism (1960s) focused on pollution, while sustainable development (1990s) focused on long-term resource viability.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Concept:
• Sustainable development is defined as development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
• Environmentalism evolved through distinct stages, from early awareness of pollution to the formalization of global development goals.

Step 1: Analyze Assertion (A)
The assertion states that the concept of ‘sustainable development’ emerged in the 1990s.
While the Brundtland Report defined it in 1987, it reached global prominence and political consensus during the 1990s, specifically following the Earth Summit in Rio (1992).
Thus, Assertion (A) is considered true in the context of its global emergence as a paradigm.

Step 2: Analyze Reason (R)
The reason states that general awareness about environmental issues originated during the 1960s in the western world.
This is historically true, marked by events like the publication of Rachel Carson's 'Silent Spring' (1962) and the first wave of modern environmental movements.
Thus, Reason (R) is true.

Step 3: Establish the relationship
The awareness in the 1960s led to general environmentalism, but it did not directly "explain" why the specific multidimensional concept of 'Sustainable Development' crystallized in the 1990s.
The later emergence was a response to the perceived failure of traditional economic models and the need for a balanced global framework.
Therefore, while both are true, (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).