Question

which of the following statements about resource use is true?
a. the use of renewable resources has no inherent costs.
b. resource use, whether renewable or nonrenewable, must be carefully managed to reduce the impact on the environment.
c. nonrenewable resources are used for energy, because there are no renewable resources that can be used as a source of energy.
d. the overuse of nonrenewable resources is less environmentally damaging than the overuse of renewable resources.

Explanation:

• Option a is false: Renewable resource use has inherent costs, like habitat disruption from hydroelectric dams or deforestation for biofuels.
• Option b is true: Even renewable resources (e.g., freshwater, forests) can be depleted or damaged if overused, so all resource types need careful management to minimize environmental harm.
• Option c is false: There are renewable energy resources (solar, wind, hydro), so nonrenewables are not the only energy source.
• Option d is false: Overuse of nonrenewable resources (e.g., fossil fuels causing climate change, mining pollution) is often more environmentally damaging than overuse of renewables, which can sometimes recover with management.

Answer:

b. Resource use, whether renewable or nonrenewable, must be carefully managed to reduce the impact on the environment.