What is a major disadvantage of using fossil fuels for electricity generation?

The major disadvantage of using fossil fuels for electricity generation is environmental pollution. Fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, release a significant amount of greenhouse gases, particularly carbon dioxide (CO2), when burned for energy. This contributes to air pollution and is a major factor driving climate change. Additionally, the extraction and transportation of fossil fuels can also result in environmental degradation, including oil spills and habitat destruction.

In contrast, while efficiency in energy production and operational costs can be favorable for fossil fuel power plants, these aspects do not mitigate the negative environmental impacts. The reliability of energy supply is generally an advantage of fossil fuels, as they can provide consistent power generation. However, the predominant concern remains the detrimental effects they have on the environment, making pollution a critical drawback in evaluating electricity generation methods.