Which would least likely have an impact on global climate changes?

• A. producing energy using hydroelectric plants
• B. producing energy using coal
• C. producing energy using oil
• D. producing energy using natural gas

Answer: (A)

Greenhouse gas emissions from energy production drive climate change. Hydroelectric power uses flowing water to turn turbines and does not burn fuel, so it releases very little carbon dioxide during operation. The other energy sources rely on burning fossil fuels, which releases large amounts of CO2 and other greenhouse gases, with coal producing the most emissions, oil more than natural gas, and natural gas less than coal but more than zero. Therefore, generating energy with hydroelectric plants would have the smallest impact on climate change among these options, even though reservoirs can cause other environmental effects.