Environment & Ecology MCQs - 2026-04-02

The National Green Hydrogen Mission was officially launched by the Indian government in January 2023.

The mission is projected to boost the economy by creating numerous employment opportunities and reducing the import bill for fossil fuels, thereby improving the trade balance.

The mission prioritizes the use of green hydrogen in hard-to-abate sectors like petroleum refining, fertilizer production, and steel manufacturing, where decarbonization is challenging.

Green hydrogen is defined by its production method, which involves using electricity generated from renewable sources (like solar and wind) to electrolyze water, splitting it into hydrogen and oxygen.

The mission's core aim is to establish India as a leading global player in the green hydrogen value chain, encompassing production, domestic use, and international trade.

Early trials of the bio-concrete technology have been conducted in the Indo-Pacific region, showing promising results for coral recruitment and growth.

Coral reefs act as natural barriers, dissipating wave energy and protecting coastlines from erosion and the impact of storm surges.

The analogy 'rainforests of the sea' is used to highlight the extraordinary biodiversity and ecological complexity of coral reefs, similar to terrestrial rainforests.

The bio-concrete is engineered to be pH-neutral, which helps mitigate the negative effects of ocean acidification on young corals, a major threat to reef survival.

The bio-concrete is designed to mimic the natural calcium carbonate structure of coral skeletons, providing a more suitable substrate for coral larvae to settle and grow, leading to higher recruitment rates and faster growth.