Precautionary Principle and Its Implications

The video introduces the precautionary principle, tracing its origins from Germany in the 1960s to its international recognition in the 1980s. It explains the principle's core idea of erring on the side of caution in environmental protection and contrasts it with traditional reactive approaches. The video discusses two key definitions from the Rio Declaration and the Wing Spread Statement, highlighting the principle's application in India through the Velour case. A critical analysis addresses debates on the principle's definition and the burden of proof.

What is the origin of the Precautionary Principle?

• United States in the 1980s

• France in the 1960s

• West Germany in the 1970s

• United Kingdom in the 1990s

Which international convention first formally acknowledged the Precautionary Principle?

• Kyoto Protocol

• Montreal Protocol

• Vienna Convention

• Paris Agreement

What is the main advice conveyed by the Precautionary Principle?

• Act only when there is full scientific certainty

• Err on the side of caution

• Wait for conclusive evidence

• Ignore potential threats

How do traditional regulatory practices differ from precautionary measures?

• Traditional practices are reactive

• Traditional practices are proactive

• Precautionary measures are reactive

• Precautionary measures ignore potential threats

According to the Rio Declaration, what should not be used as a reason for postponing measures to prevent environmental degradation?

• Lack of full scientific certainty

• Government approval

• High costs

• Public opinion

What does the Wingspread Statement emphasize about the burden of proof?

• It should be on the proponent of the activity

• It should be on the government

• It should be on the public

• It should be on environmental agencies

In which case was the Precautionary Principle first invoked in India?

• Bhopal Gas Tragedy Case

• Taj Trapezium Case

• Velour Citizens Welfare Forum vs. Union of India

• Narmada Bachao Andolan Case

What was the court's directive regarding the burden of proof in the Tamil Nadu Tenaris case?

• It should be on the public

• It should be on the state

• It should be on environmental NGOs

• It should be on the industrialist or developer

What is a major criticism of the Precautionary Principle?

• It does not consider risk aversion

• It is a single, clear idea

• It is too well-defined

• It is a cluster of vaguely related intuitions

What is a contentious aspect of the Precautionary Principle regarding the burden of proof?

• It should always be on the government

• It should be on anyone making a claim

• It should be on environmental agencies

• It should be on the public