I think it's C., carrying genetic information.
It is observed that the human population keep increasing significantly and it began to increase noticeably around 10,000 years ago.The greatest factor of this increase is the rapid development of the agricultures in lands, as well as the domestication of animals. These are the reasons why population increases at that time.
I do not think the industrial and agricultural revolutions could have occurred without the environmental costs. The industrial revolution in the 18th century occurred at a time in history when people where not aware of the consequences of their actions or the consequences of the widespread use of fossil fuels. Even if they were aware the technology would not have been present to harness power from natural renewable sources of energy.