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Difficulty: MediumDebates about the Environment after 1900

“If the present growth trends in world population, industrialization, pollution, food production, and resource depletion continue unchanged, the limits to growth on this planet will be reached sometime within the next one hundred years. The most probable result will be a rather sudden and uncontrollable decline in both population and industrial capacity. It is possible to alter these growth trends and to establish a condition of ecological and economic stability that is sustainable far into the future.”

— Club of Rome, *The Limits to Growth*, 1972

Which of the following late-twentieth-century developments was most directly influenced by the arguments expressed in the passage?

  1. A
    The implementation of direct colonial administration over resource-rich territories in the Global South
  2. B
    The expansion of the Green Revolution as a strategy to combat global food shortages
  3. The emergence of green movements and political advocacy groups promoting ecological sustainabilityAnswer
  4. D
    The rise of mercantilist trade policies to secure state control over global natural resources

Answer

The emergence of green movements and political advocacy groups promoting ecological sustainability
The correct answer is correct because the growing concern over resource depletion, pollution, and the limits of industrial expansion, as exemplified by the Club of Rome, directly fueled the rise of the modern environmental movement. This movement led to the creation of green political parties, environmental NGOs, and international treaties aimed at promoting sustainable development and mitigating climate change.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the provided stimulus
The source is from the Club of Rome's 1972 report *The Limits to Growth*, which warns that unchecked population growth, industrialization, and resource depletion will lead to planetary collapse unless sustainable practices are adopted.
Understanding the core argument of the source is essential for contextualizing the question.
2
Connect the stimulus to historical trends in the late twentieth century
Recognize that warnings about resource limits and environmental destruction in the early 1970s catalyzed public awareness, leading to the formation of environmental organizations, international agreements, and green political parties.
This links the intellectual arguments of the source to the broader historical developments of the era.
3
Evaluate the choices to find the one that reflects these environmental movements
The option advocating for the emergence of green movements and ecological sustainability directly aligns with the shift toward environmental consciousness in the late twentieth century, whereas other choices represent earlier economic models, colonial practices, or different types of agricultural development.
This confirms the correct option based on historical causality.

Key Concept

Debates about the environment and the rise of environmental movements after 1900
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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Debates about the Environment after 1900

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