Which of the following was the first official international step to protect the environment?

Correct option is C

The correct answer is:(c) Stockholm Conference

Explanation:

• The 1972 Stockholm Conference (United Nations Conference on the Human Environment) was the first major international event focused on global environmental issues and marked the beginning of modern international environmental diplomacy.

Information Booster:

• Held in Stockholm, Sweden, from 5–16 June 1972.

• Led to the creation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

• Addressed issues like pollution, biodiversity, and natural resource management.

• Introduced the concept of "Only One Earth" as a unifying environmental theme.

• It was attended by 113 countries and produced the Stockholm Declaration with 26 principles.

• It laid the foundation for all future global environmental agreements.

Additional Information:

• Vienna Convention (1985): Related to protecting the ozone layer, came much later.

• Earth Summit (1992): Also called the Rio Summit, focused on sustainable development and led to Agenda 21.

• Nairobi Declaration (1982): Focused on strengthening UNEP but was not the first international step.