Which statement about fossil fuels is NOT true?

Which statement about fossil fuels is NOT true?

• A. They include coal, oil, and natural gas
• B. They are ancient remains of plants and animals
• C. They are a major source of emissions such as CO2
• D. They do not require any environmental regulation

Answer: (D)

Fossil fuels are carbon-based energy sources formed from ancient plants and animals, and burning them releases CO2, making them a major contributor to climate change. The statement that they do not require any environmental regulation is not true because governments implement rules to limit emissions, control extraction, and prevent spills and other environmental harms. For example, rules curb smokestack and vehicle emissions, regulate methane leaks from natural gas, oversee oil drilling and mining practices, require spill prevention and cleanup plans, and set safety and waste-handling standards. The other statements reflect widely accepted facts about fossil fuels: they include coal, oil, and natural gas, they come from ancient organic matter, and they contribute substantially to CO2 emissions.

Fossil fuels are carbon-based energy sources formed from ancient plants and animals, and burning them releases CO2, making them a major contributor to climate change. The statement that they do not require any environmental regulation is not true because governments implement rules to limit emissions, control extraction, and prevent spills and other environmental harms. For example, rules curb smokestack and vehicle emissions, regulate methane leaks from natural gas, oversee oil drilling and mining practices, require spill prevention and cleanup plans, and set safety and waste-handling standards. The other statements reflect widely accepted facts about fossil fuels: they include coal, oil, and natural gas, they come from ancient organic matter, and they contribute substantially to CO2 emissions.