As the global human population continues to grow, so does the demand for energy, food, water, and space. These demands place increasing pressure on Earth's natural systems. When resource use outpaces what ecosystems can replenish, communities risk exceeding Earth's carrying capacity—the limit of what the environment can sustainably support. Which strategy would best help communities avoid exceeding Earth's carrying capacity?
Answer
A
Communities should increase mining operations to extract more raw materials for energy production and infrastructure development.
B
Communities should adopt energy conservation practices and use cogeneration systems to reduce waste.
C
Communities should expand the use of fossil fuels to meet growing energy demands as quickly as possible.
D
Communities should invest in offshore drilling and hydraulic fracturing to extract additional fuel required to meet increasing energy demands.
Explanation
To stay within Earth's carrying capacity, communities need to use resources more efficiently and reduce pressure on natural systems. Energy conservation lowers demand, while cogeneration produces useful heat and electricity from the same fuel, reducing waste. Increasing mining or expanding fossil-fuel extraction may supply more resources in the short term, but it does not address unsustainable consumption.
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