Why is energy consumption a concern in desalination processes?

The correct option is It increases the cost of water production. This answer is correct because it matches the approved learning objective to compare distillation and membrane processes such as reverse osmosis for desalination in the subtopic Potable water.

The correct option is It increases the cost of water production. It increases the cost of water production is correct because it directly supports the approved learning objective to compare distillation and membrane processes such as reverse osmosis for desalination. This belongs to the subtopic Potable water within Using the Earth's resources and obtaining potable water, so the explanation must stay tied to that curriculum context. The other options are incorrect because they either do not answer this learning objective, use a vague statement, or move away from Potable water.