Final answer:
The environmental costs of using fossil fuels include greenhouse gas emissions, oil spills, groundwater contamination, depletion of natural resources, and acid rain.
Step-by-step explanation:
The environmental costs of using fossil fuels for energy include:
- Emission of greenhouse gases: Fossil fuel combustion releases carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, contributing to global warming and climate change.
- Oil spills: Accidents during oil extraction and transportation can lead to oil spills, polluting water bodies and harming marine life.
- Groundwater contamination: Activities like fracking can contaminate drinking water sources with chemicals used in the process.
- Depletion of natural resources: Fossil fuel extraction depletes finite resources like coal, oil, and natural gas.
- Acid rain: Emissions from burning fossil fuels can react with atmospheric moisture to form acidic compounds, leading to acid rain.