(a) “It is not enough to talk about peace, one must believe in it; and it is not enough to believe in it, one must act upon it.” In the present context, the major weapon industries of the developed nations are adversely influencing continuation of number of wars for their own self-interest, all around the world. What are the ethical considerations of the powerful nations in today’s international arena to stop continuation of ongoing conflicts? (b) Global warming and climate change are the outcomes of human greed in the name of development, indicating the direction in which extinction of organisms including human beings is heading towards loss of life on Earth. How do you put an end to this to protect life and bring equilibrium between the society and the environment?
Approach · directive: “what / how”
What it asks · (a) Identify the moral duties of powerful states when arms trade and self-interest prolong wars; (b) propose ethical and practical ways to curb greed-driven climate change.
The question has 2 parts — answer each
- (a) Identify the ethical considerations for powerful nations to stop the continuation of ongoing conflicts that arms industries prolong for self-interest
- (b) Suggest how to end greed-driven global warming and climate change so as to protect life and restore equilibrium between society and the environment
Open with · Peace and sustainability fail for the same reason — narrow gain placed above shared life; both need belief turned into action.
Cover
- (a) Duties: value human life over profit, protect civilians, and honour the UN Charter's renunciation of force.
- (a) Arms restraint: no transfers that fuel atrocities, transparent defence exports, an end to proxy wars and selective sanctions.
- (a) Act, not talk: mediation, humanitarian corridors, ceasefire diplomacy and a more representative Security Council.
- (b) Root cause: consumerism and short-termism — Gandhi's reminder that the earth has enough for need, not greed.
- (b) Individual and institutional: mindful consumption, carbon pricing, renewables, and a just transition for workers.
- (b) Global: common but differentiated responsibilities, climate finance, and justice to future generations and other species.
- (a) Consistency: the same standard for allies and rivals — selective outrage and selective sanctions discredit the peace-maker.
Close with · Both demand a move from self-interest to enlightened interest — treating peace and a liveable planet as shared global goods.
Add value (verified)
- The UN Charter opens with the resolve to spare future generations from war. United Nations Charter (full text), Preamble ↗“to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind”
- India's Mission LiFE urges mindful use over wasteful consumption. PIB — PM launches ‘LiFE Movement’ (June 2022) ↗“The idea promotes an environmentally conscious lifestyle that focuses on ‘mindful and deliberate utilisation’ instead of ‘mindless and wasteful consumption’.”
- US President Dwight D. Eisenhower's Farewell Address of 17 January 1961 is famed for its reference to the 'military-industrial complex'. Farewell Address — Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library (US National Archives) ↗“President Dwight D. Eisenhower's Farewell Address, famed for its reference to the "military-industrial complex," is one of the most famous speeches in American history. Its meaning has been analyzed and debated by historians ever since. President Eisenhower delivered the speech on January 17, 1961.”
- The UN Charter's principles bind members to settle disputes by peaceful means and to refrain from the threat or use of force against any state's territorial integrity or political independence. Charter of the United Nations, full text (Article 2) — United Nations ↗“All Members shall settle their international disputes by peaceful means in such a manner that international peace and security, and justice, are not endangered. All Members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state”
- India's updated NDC (approved 3 August 2022): cut the emissions intensity of GDP by 45% by 2030 from 2005 levels, and reach about 50% of installed power capacity from non-fossil sources by 2030. Cabinet approves India's Updated Nationally Determined Contribution — PIB, 3 August 2022 ↗“As per the updated NDC, India now stands committed to reduce Emissions Intensity of its GDP by 45 percent by 2030, from 2005 level and achieve about 50 percent cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2030.”
- The updated NDC is a step towards India's long-term goal of net zero by 2070 and translates the 'Panchamrit' announced at COP26. Cabinet approves India's Updated Nationally Determined Contribution — PIB, 3 August 2022 ↗“This update to India’s existing NDC translates the ‘Panchamrit’ announced at COP 26 into enhanced climate targets. The update is also a step towards achieving India’s long term goal of reaching net-zero by 2070.”
- In M.K. Ranjitsinh v. Union of India (2024) the Supreme Court recognised a right to be free from the adverse effects of climate change under Articles 14 and 21. Indian Supreme Court declares protection from climate change a fundamental right — Health and Human Rights Journal (Harvard FXB Center), blog ↗“For the first time, the Court recognized that the “right to be free from the adverse effects of climate change” is integral to the fundamental rights enshrined under Articles 21 and 14 of the Indian Constitution”
Question: UPSC's CS (Main) 2024, GS Paper IV — paper ↗. Approach: Minimalist IAS, checked 1 Oct 2026 (how we verify) — UPSC publishes no model answers. ·
Model answer · 423 words (UPSC limit 150) · Minimalist IAS
(a) Ethical duties of powerful nations to stop ongoing wars
The quotation sets a ladder: talk, belief, action. Powerful states that preach peace while their arms exports keep distant wars alive stop at the first rung. US President Eisenhower's farewell address of 17 January 1961 is famed for naming the 'military-industrial complex'.
- Life over profit: no defence contract outweighs a civilian life; a state that licenses arms into an active war shares responsibility for the deaths that follow.
- Fidelity to the UN Charter: members must settle disputes by peaceful means and refrain from the threat or use of force; the Charter opens with the resolve to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war.
- Consistency: one standard for allies and rivals; selective outrage and selective sanctions discredit the peace-maker.
- Restraint in transfers: no weapons where they may be turned on civilians, transparent export licensing under legislative scrutiny, and an end to proxy wars.
- Action, not statements: mediation, ceasefire diplomacy, humanitarian corridors, funding for reconstruction, and a more representative Security Council.
Security bought with other people's wars is neither ethical nor lasting; here conscience and enlightened self-interest point the same way.
(b) Ending greed-driven climate change to protect life and restore balance
The oft-repeated saying that the earth has enough for every person's need but not for every person's greed names the root cause. The cure must change values, laws and technology together.
| Level | Ethical shift | Concrete action |
|---|---|---|
| Individual | Need, not greed | Mission LiFE: mindful use |
| Nation | Growth within limits | NDC: 45% intensity cut by 2030 |
| World | Climate justice | Shared but differentiated duties |
- Mindful living: Mission LiFE urges 'mindful and deliberate utilisation' over 'mindless and wasteful consumption': less waste, reuse, public transport, energy thrift.
- National resolve: India's updated NDC (2022) commits to cut the emissions intensity of GDP by 45% by 2030 from 2005 levels and reach about 50% non-fossil power capacity, on the way to net zero by 2070.
- Right to life: in M.K. Ranjitsinh (2024) the Supreme Court recognised a right to be free from the adverse effects of climate change under Articles 14 and 21.
- Fair burden-sharing: under common but differentiated responsibilities, high emitters finance adaptation and share clean technology; carbon pricing and a just transition protect workers.
- Duty to the unborn and other species: forests, wetlands and rivers are commons held in trust for future generations, not real estate.
Equilibrium returns when progress is measured by well-being within nature's limits. Peace and a liveable planet ask the same of the powerful: restraint of greed for the sake of shared life.
Written by Minimalist IAS from facts checked at source (how we verify) — a little fuller than exam length, so every part of the question is covered; in the hall, keep the structure and trim the detail. UPSC publishes no model answers: compare your structure and coverage with this, then write your own.