Which statement best explains an environmental outcome of using fossil fuels for energy, is it when fossil fuels are burned, hazardous ashes created, and carried through the environment by wind, and dropped into nearby, lakes and ponds or is it when fossil fuels are burned they released toxic gases into the air that caused pollution and increased global warn me or is it fossil fuels release carbon dioxide which plants used to make food or is it fossil fuels produce waste that exposes humans to dangerous levels of radiation?
The statement that best explains an environmental outcome of using fossil fuels for energy is: "When fossil fuels are burned, they release toxic gases into the air that cause pollution and increase global warming."
The statement that best explains an environmental outcome of using fossil fuels for energy is:
"When fossil fuels are burned, they release toxic gases into the air that cause pollution and increase global warming."
Burning fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, releases carbon dioxide and other harmful gases into the atmosphere. These gases contribute to air pollution, including the formation of smog, acid rain, and the greenhouse effect, leading to global warming. This process has negative environmental impacts, including detrimental effects on human health, ecosystem balance, and climate change.
The statement that best explains an environmental outcome of using fossil fuels for energy is when fossil fuels are burned, they release toxic gases into the air that cause pollution and increase global warming.
To arrive at this answer, we can examine each statement and evaluate its accuracy and relevance to the environmental impacts of using fossil fuels:
1. When fossil fuels are burned, hazardous ashes are created, carried through the environment by wind, and dropped into nearby lakes and ponds: While ashes can be produced as a byproduct of burning fossil fuels, their specific effects on lakes and ponds are not as significant as the release of toxic gases into the atmosphere. Therefore, this statement does not best explain the environmental outcome of using fossil fuels.
2. Fossil fuels release toxic gases into the air that cause pollution and increase global warming: This statement accurately reflects one of the main environmental outcomes of using fossil fuels. The combustion of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, emits pollutants like carbon dioxide (CO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter. These pollutants contribute to air pollution, leading to health issues and environmental degradation. Additionally, the emission of CO2 acts as a greenhouse gas, contributing to global warming and climate change.
3. Fossil fuels release carbon dioxide, which plants use to make food: While it is true that plants require carbon dioxide for photosynthesis, this statement does not address the overall environmental impact of using fossil fuels. It focuses more on the role of CO2 in the natural carbon cycle rather than the negative consequences of its release into the atmosphere due to burning fossil fuels.
4. Fossil fuels produce waste that exposes humans to dangerous levels of radiation: This statement is not accurate when it comes to the general environmental impact of using fossil fuels. Fossil fuels do not naturally produce radiation. However, mining and processing certain radioactive minerals, such as uranium and thorium, which can be found in some fossil fuel deposits, may result in radiation exposure for workers in those specific industries.