Despite the appeal of renewable energy sources, they currently comprise less than 14% of our global energy supply and generate less than 19% of our electricity. Moreover, the "new renewables" account for only a very small fraction of these numbers. The fact that renewables provide little of our energy is a dilemma with multiple causes and consequences. However, most renewable sources are now expanding quickly, and there are many ways in which we can encourage their development and spread.

Which of the following statements would you classify as consequences of the relatively low utilization of renewables in our energy mix? Select all that are true.

(1) inclusion of the environmental costs of fossil fuels in their price
(2) fossil fuel combustion creates smog and acid precipitation
(3) a shift of federal subsidies from fossil fuels to renewables
(4) fossil fuels are far cheaper than renewables
(5) fossil fuel industry receives government subsidies

The fact that renewables are not utilized to the extent they should can have very negative consequences on our environment and our lives. One negative effect of this is the fact that we continue to use fossil fuels due to the lack of an alternative. Because of this, fossil fuels continue creating smog and acid precipitation. Another negative consequence is the fact that, because renewables are not demanded, there is little competition among providers, which means that prices remain high, and fossil fuels continue to be far cheaper than renewables.