Claim: Biomass, or organic matter used as fuel, is an excellent source of clean and renewable energy. It generates far fewer emissions than fossil fuels and reduces our nation’s reliance on foreign energy sources. Counterclaim: Most biomass is produced by burning wood, and since wood is a less energy-dense fuel, it creates more carbon emissions than coal does when producing electricity.

Question

The student who wrote the claim is developing a revised claim as a rebuttal to the counterclaim. Which is the best revision?

A. One type of biomass, that is charcoal produced from plant material,r, can also be used for enriching soil, as it prevents pesticides from leaching and running off.

B. Only two percent of the world’s energy is produced using biomass, so we are unaware of what its overall environmental impact will be.

C. Depending on how they are generated, geothermal and hydroelectric energy can create more emissions than coal when producing electricity.

D. A wide range of organic materials can be used to make biomass, and sources such as algae are far more energy-dense than wood.

Answer 1

The best revision for the claim as a rebuttal to the counterclaim is:

D. A wide range of organic materials can be used to make biomass, and sources such as algae are far more energy-dense than wood.

This revision directly addresses the counterclaim by highlighting that not all biomass is wood, and it introduces the idea that some biomass sources, like algae, are more energy-efficient and generate fewer emissions, thereby reinforcing the original claim about biomass being a cleaner and renewable energy source.