Question

which would decrease the negative environmental impact of extracting minerals used in smartphones? (1 point)
properly disposing of mining waste
increasing the price of smartphones to cover habitat damage
increasing worker salaries
mining only in antarctica to avoid habitat loss

Explanation:

• For "properly disposing of mining waste": Mining waste can contaminate soil, water, etc. Proper disposal reduces pollution, thus decreasing negative environmental impacts from mineral extraction for smartphones.
• For "increasing the price of smartphones to cover habitat damage": Just covering damage financially doesn't reduce the environmental impact of extraction itself, like habitat destruction during mining.
• For "increasing worker salaries": This affects workers' income, not the environmental impact of mineral extraction.
• For "mining only in Antarctica to avoid habitat loss": Mining in Antarctica is restricted (due to treaties) and would likely cause severe habitat loss there, so this is not a valid solution.

Answer:

A. properly disposing of mining waste