Biomass is renewable organic matter that is used as fuel. This organic matter may come from plants or animals. Using biomass enables less emissions, or gasses, to be released than when fossil fuels are used.

Question

Biomass 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. And, best of all, it greatly reduces the waste that ends up in landfills.

Question
Use the passage to answer the question.

A student is developing a counterclaim to this argument. Which counterclaim is the most fair and effective?

(1 point)
Responses

Healthy ecosystems are forever destroyed when forests are cut down, which must be done in order to produce biomass from wood.
Healthy ecosystems are forever destroyed when forests are cut down, which must be done in order to produce biomass from wood.

Most biomass is produced by burning wood, and since wood is a less energy-dense fuel, it creat

Answer 1

es more emissions than other renewable energy sources.

Burning biomass can release carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, potentially negating the environmental benefits of using it as an energy source.

The production of biomass can lead to competition for land, impacting food production and contributing to food insecurity.

Since biomass production often requires large amounts of water, it may lead to water scarcity in certain regions.

Among these options, the most fair and effective counterclaim would likely be:

"Healthy ecosystems are forever destroyed when forests are cut down, which must be done in order to produce biomass from wood."

This counterclaim effectively highlights a significant environmental concern associated with biomass production, providing a clear and relevant counterpoint to the argument made in the passage.