Underground coal mining increases pollution. Underground coal mining reduces habitat loss. Underground coal mining increases forest growth. Underground coal mining reduces animal populations.
I gave my students this multiple choice question: Some coal mining occurs underground and does not disturb the overlying land. How might coal mining that occurs underground be less harmful to the environment than surface mining?

Only one answer is correct among these 4 choices:
- Underground coal mining increases pollution.
- Underground coal mining reduces habitat loss.
- Underground coal mining increases forest growth.
- Underground coal mining reduces animal populations.

Could you tell me which one is correct?

Underground coal mining reduces habitat loss.