Correct Option
The correct option is (c) 2 and 3 only.
Explanation
Fossil fuels, such as coal, petroleum, and natural gas, are exhaustible natural resources formed from the dead remains of living organisms (fossils) over a geological timespan of millions of years. Their formation requires specific conditions of high temperature and pressure deep within the Earth.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Incorrect. The formation of fossil fuels is a very slow geological process that takes millions of years. The specific conditions of high temperature and pressure required for the conversion of dead organisms into fossil fuels cannot be artificially created in a laboratory to produce these fuels on a viable scale or timeframe.
- Statement 2 is Correct. The combustion of fossil fuels releases significant amounts of carbon dioxide ($CO_2$), a primary greenhouse gas responsible for global warming. Additionally, it releases oxides of nitrogen and sulphur, as well as particulate matter, which are major contributors to air pollution and respiratory ailments.
- Statement 3 is Correct. Fossil fuels are non-renewable resources. The known reserves of coal and petroleum are limited in quantity. At the current rate of consumption, these reserves are estimated to last only for a few hundred years.
Key Takeaway: Fossil fuels are non-renewable resources formed over millions of years; they cannot be synthesized artificially in laboratories, and their usage is a primary driver of air pollution and global climate change.