Final answer:
The Industrial Revolution led to significant environmental degradation and pollution, affecting both urban and rural areas through air and water pollution, chemical contamination, and habitat loss.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Industrial Revolution had a profound effect on the environment, leading to widespread environmental degradation and pollution. The use of fossil fuels such as coal and petroleum for powering factories and vehicles introduced substantial air pollution, including the buildup of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, contributing to global climate change.
Toxic chemicals were released into water sources and soils, causing harm to local ecosystems. Urban and rural environments both faced the consequences; cities experienced intense pollution, and rural areas were transformed by industrial agriculture, mining, and deforestation.
This period of rapid industrialization and technological advancements came at a significant environmental cost, affecting biodiversity and the health of both local and global ecosystems.The industrial revolution had a significant impact on the environment, leading to widespread environmental degradation and pollution (option C).