Chapter 14Chapter 14Key Issue 3Key Issue 3

Why Are Resources Reusable?Why Are Resources Reusable?

Renewing ResourcesRenewing Resources The leading renewable resources are biomass and The leading renewable resources are biomass and

hydroelectric power.hydroelectric power. Geothermal and wind power are also becoming important.Geothermal and wind power are also becoming important. Wood and plants are important forms of biomass that are Wood and plants are important forms of biomass that are

renewable resources if they are carefully harvested.renewable resources if they are carefully harvested. The energy of moving water has been used to generate The energy of moving water has been used to generate

hydroelectric power, which is the second most important hydroelectric power, which is the second most important source of electricity after coal.source of electricity after coal.

The biggest drawback with hydroelectric power is that it is The biggest drawback with hydroelectric power is that it is often generated by the building of dams that can cause often generated by the building of dams that can cause serious environmental damage.serious environmental damage.

Geothermal energy is generated from hot water or steam in Geothermal energy is generated from hot water or steam in volcanic areas, especially Iceland. volcanic areas, especially Iceland.

Solar EnergySolar Energy

Solar energy is potentially the most Solar energy is potentially the most important renewable resource. It can be important renewable resource. It can be harnessed either through passive or active harnessed either through passive or active means.means.

Passive solar energy systems capture solar Passive solar energy systems capture solar energy without any special devices, energy without any special devices, whereas active solar energy systems whereas active solar energy systems collect solar energy and convert it to heat collect solar energy and convert it to heat energy or electricity.energy or electricity.

Recycling ResourcesRecycling Resources

Recycling is the separation, Recycling is the separation, collection, processing, and reuse of collection, processing, and reuse of unwanted material.unwanted material.

Recycling has increased in the United Recycling has increased in the United States since 1970.States since 1970.

Recycled products are picked up, Recycled products are picked up, processed, and manufactured into processed, and manufactured into marketable products. marketable products.