Question

X is a big country with large mineral reserves and coal deposits. X has been using coal to generate electricity for hundreds of years. In 2019, the people of X started protesting against the policymakers of the country. They demanded that their country's policymakers should increase the adoption of alternative sources of energy soon. Select the option that may not explain the reason for the people's protest in Country X.

• A. Coal is a non-renewable resource and has limited supply.
• B. The rate of consumption of coal in X exceeded the rate of its replenishment, leading to the depletion of the coal reserves.
• C. The use of coal for a long period of time leads to severe levels of air pollution, which was also responsible for the declining respiratory health of many of the citizens of Country X.
• D. Coal was getting replenished in this country at a previously unseen rate.

Answer 1

The correct option is D Coal was getting replenished in this country at a previously unseen rate.

There may have been multiple reasons for the people of X launching a mass agitation to support the adoption of alternative sources of energy. The unsustainable use of coal for hundreds of years may have increased the pollution to alarming levels. The people of X understood that coal is a non-renewable resource. They realised that the current levels of consumption would gradually lead to a big environmental disaster. Thus, they wanted the country's policymakers to act, before it was too late.