Final answer:
Burning fossil fuels releases carbon into the atmosphere, causing climate change and global warming. It also leads to environmental damage, such as water contamination and habitat destruction. The transition away from fossil fuels presents challenges due to our reliance on them for various aspects of our daily lives.
Step-by-step explanation:
Burning fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, releases carbon into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change. Increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere traps heat, leading to global warming and its associated impacts, such as rising sea levels and extreme weather events.
In addition to climate change, the extraction and use of fossil fuels have negative environmental consequences. Oil spills, coal mining, and fracking can contaminate water sources and harm wildlife habitats.
The dependence on fossil fuels also poses a challenge for transitioning to alternative energy sources in the future, as we currently rely on them for various aspects of our modern lifestyle, such as transportation.