Which statement is true about energy resources' environmental implications?

Which statement is true about energy resources' environmental implications?

• A. Renewables emit zero greenhouse gases.
• B. Non-renewables are finite and typically emit more CO2 than renewables.
• C. Renewables have no habitat or land-use impacts.
• D. All energy sources have identical environmental impacts.

Answer: (B)

When we look at how energy resources affect the environment, the key idea is that fossil fuels are finite and their use releases a lot of carbon dioxide, driving climate change. In contrast, renewable energy sources—like wind, solar, and hydro—generally produce far less greenhouse gas over their lifetimes, even though they aren’t completely emission-free because of manufacturing, construction, and some operational aspects. So the statement that non-renewables are finite and typically emit more CO2 than renewables captures both the scarcity of fossil fuels and their higher emissions relative to renewables. The idea that renewables emit zero greenhouse gases isn’t accurate, and renewables can have habitat or land-use impacts as well as other environmental effects. Not all energy sources have identical environmental impacts either.