Which of the following changes would most likely increase the rate at which a resource is consumed? a. decreased desire for the resource b. increased population c. decreased population d. increased conservation of the resource

Option B Increased population. An increase in population would increase the rate at which a resources are used. Rapid human population has a variety of consequences and this is one of them. Increase in population without commensurate increase in resources seems to aggravate the forces behind global warming, environmental pollution, intensive farming practices, etc. An increase in population also means there'll be more demand for food, clothes, energy and homes. This, of course, gives rise to shortage of resources. This shortage may also come in the form of degradation of the environment due to frequent demand for natural resources like coal, wood etc.