What is an outcome of the combustion of fossil fuels?

The combustion of fossil fuels is a significant source of energy that also results in various environmental impacts. Among these, the release of sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere is a well-known and documented outcome. Fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, contain sulfur compounds. When these fuels are burned to produce energy, sulfur combines with oxygen to form sulfur dioxide (SO2), which then enters the atmosphere.

Sulfur dioxide is harmful to both human health and the environment. It can lead to acid rain, which can damage ecosystems, water sources, and man-made structures. This process significantly contributes to air pollution and has implications for climate change and global warming as well.

In contrast, the other options either do not occur as a direct result of fossil fuel combustion or are misleading. For instance, lower energy efficiency is not a result of combustion; rather, fossil fuels often provide high energy efficiency compared to some renewable sources. Production of biodegradable materials does not relate to the combustion of fossil fuels, as this process typically generates inert or harmful substances. Finally, the combustion process is well-known for increasing greenhouse gas emissions, rather than reducing them, particularly carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases.