Which of the following practices can help reduce carbon emissions in energy production?

Increasing reliance on natural gas can help reduce carbon emissions in energy production compared to other fossil fuels like coal. Natural gas burns more cleanly than coal and emits significantly less carbon dioxide (CO2) per unit of energy produced. This is due to its higher hydrogen content and lower carbon content, which results in fewer overall carbon emissions when combusted.

Additionally, transitioning from coal to natural gas can serve as a transitional strategy towards adopting renewable energy sources. Whenever possible, natural gas can be paired with technology such as carbon capture and storage (CCS) to further minimize emissions. It can also act as a backup energy source to complement intermittent renewable energy supplies, helping to stabilize the grid while supporting the shift towards more sustainable practices.

In contrast, using coal as a primary energy source, burning more fossil fuels, and restricting renewable energy sources all lead to higher carbon emissions, which is counterproductive to efforts aimed at mitigating climate change. Each of those practices exacerbates environmental degradation and increases greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere, highlighting the importance of adopting cleaner energy alternatives like natural gas in the transition towards more sustainable energy systems.