Precautionary principle application – UGC NET Question

The precautionary principle states that lack of full scientific certainty should not be used as a reason to postpone cost effective measures to prevent environmental degradation when there is a threat of serious or irreversible damage. The stem highlights preventive action under uncertainty,which captures this idea precisely. Therefore the correct answer is the precautionary principle.

Option A:
Sustainable use refers to using resources in a way that does not compromise their availability for future generations. While related to long term thinking,it does not explicitly address acting in advance of full certainty as described in the question.

Option B:
Efficiency focuses on achieving objectives with minimal input or cost. It is an important economic consideration but does not capture the risk averse stance embedded in the precautionary principle.

Option C:
The precautionary principle shifts the burden of proof toward proponents of potentially harmful activities,encouraging safer alternatives. This feature aligns with the stem’s emphasis on avoiding serious harm even when knowledge is incomplete.

Option D:
Equity concerns fairness in the distribution of benefits and burdens,such as intergenerational and intragenerational justice. While equity considerations can support precaution,they are not the specific principle described in the stem.