What is a major environmental impact of burning fossil fuels?

• A. Release of carbon dioxide contributing to climate change
• B. Disappearance of all oxygen from the atmosphere
• C. Creation of ozone without emitting any pollutants
• D. Immediate global cooling

Answer: (A)

Burning fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere. CO2 traps heat by absorbing infrared radiation, which strengthens the greenhouse effect and leads to warming of the planet. This warming is the major environmental impact because CO2 remains in the atmosphere for many centuries and its rising concentrations are closely linked to long-term changes in climate, including more extreme weather, melting ice, and rising sea levels. While other effects from fossil fuel use, like air pollution and related health issues, occur, they do not match the global and lasting influence of CO2-driven climate change. The idea that all oxygen would disappear is inaccurate, since the atmosphere contains abundant oxygen and combustion uses only a small portion. The notion of creating ozone without pollutants isn’t correct, because ozone formation depends on precursors and sunlight, and burning fossil fuels contributes to pollutants that drive ozone formation rather than generating it cleanly. Immediate global cooling is inconsistent with observed trends, which show warming overall.