What is a significant environmental concern related to fossil fuel consumption?

The significant environmental concern related to fossil fuel consumption is climate change. The burning of fossil fuels releases large quantities of greenhouse gases, particularly carbon dioxide and methane, into the atmosphere. These gases trap heat, leading to an increase in global temperatures, a phenomenon commonly referred to as climate change. This results in a range of impacts, including more extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and disruptions to ecosystems and agriculture.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately capture the effects of fossil fuel consumption. Improvement in air quality generally results from reducing fossil fuel use rather than from its consumption. An increase in biodiversity is often seen in conjunction with conservation efforts and sustainable practices, which are not outcomes of fossil fuel use. Similarly, a decrease in water usage is not a direct consequence of fossil fuel consumption; rather, many fossil fuel extraction processes, including fracking, can actually lead to increased water usage and contamination. Thus, climate change stands out as the core issue associated with fossil fuel consumption.