Which statement describes environmental implications of relying on nonrenewable energy sources?

Which statement describes environmental implications of relying on nonrenewable energy sources?

• A. Higher greenhouse gas emissions and habitat disruption
• B. Lower emissions and less land use
• C. No emissions
• D. Abundant replenishment of resources

Answer: (A)

Relying on nonrenewable energy sources largely harms the environment through emissions released when fuels are burned and through the ecological impact of extracting those fuels. When fossil fuels are burned for electricity, heat, or vehicles, they emit greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. These gases trap heat in the atmosphere and drive climate change, while also contributing to air pollution that can affect health and ecosystems. At the same time, the process of obtaining these fuels—mining for coal, drilling for oil and gas, and building pipelines and refineries—disrupts habitats, fragments ecosystems, and risks spills and leaks that contaminate soil, groundwater, and surface water. Extraction often requires large land areas and can alter landscapes for long periods, further stressing biodiversity. The other statements don’t fit because nonrenewables do not offer lower emissions or less land use; they do not provide no emissions; and they are not resources that replenish over time, making abundant replenishment false.

Relying on nonrenewable energy sources largely harms the environment through emissions released when fuels are burned and through the ecological impact of extracting those fuels. When fossil fuels are burned for electricity, heat, or vehicles, they emit greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. These gases trap heat in the atmosphere and drive climate change, while also contributing to air pollution that can affect health and ecosystems. At the same time, the process of obtaining these fuels—mining for coal, drilling for oil and gas, and building pipelines and refineries—disrupts habitats, fragments ecosystems, and risks spills and leaks that contaminate soil, groundwater, and surface water. Extraction often requires large land areas and can alter landscapes for long periods, further stressing biodiversity.

The other statements don’t fit because nonrenewables do not offer lower emissions or less land use; they do not provide no emissions; and they are not resources that replenish over time, making abundant replenishment false.