The discussion notes how renewable energy sources reduce greenhouse gas emissions. What is the main idea?

The discussion notes how renewable energy sources reduce greenhouse gas emissions. What is the main idea?

• A. Renewable energy increases greenhouse gas emissions
• B. Fossil fuels have no greenhouse effect
• C. Global energy demand is unaffected by energy sources
• D. Renewable energy reduces greenhouse gas emissions

Answer: (A)

Renewable energy reduces greenhouse gas emissions. The essential idea is that electricity generated from renewables avoids burning fossil fuels, so it produces far fewer CO2 and other greenhouse gases during operation. Although there can be some emissions in manufacturing and installation, these are small compared with the emissions from fossil-fuel power plants over the same period. So, shifting to wind, solar, hydro, and other renewables lowers overall emissions from the energy system. The other statements don’t fit because they either claim the opposite, deny the greenhouse effect of fossil fuels, or say energy demand isn’t influenced by the energy source, which isn’t supported by how emissions are tied to energy production.

Renewable energy reduces greenhouse gas emissions. The essential idea is that electricity generated from renewables avoids burning fossil fuels, so it produces far fewer CO2 and other greenhouse gases during operation. Although there can be some emissions in manufacturing and installation, these are small compared with the emissions from fossil-fuel power plants over the same period. So, shifting to wind, solar, hydro, and other renewables lowers overall emissions from the energy system. The other statements don’t fit because they either claim the opposite, deny the greenhouse effect of fossil fuels, or say energy demand isn’t influenced by the energy source, which isn’t supported by how emissions are tied to energy production.