41-2
Chapter One
The Contribution of Renewables
to Society
Göran Berndes
1.1 Introduction
Stocks and flows of biomass are vital components of the biogeochemical system of the
Earth. Biomass builds up the ecosystem, which contains the reservoir of genetic and
species diversity and provides environmental services such as water purification,
waste assimilation, soil fertility rehabilitation, water runoff regulation and flood
control. Biomass is also crucial for human subsistence in other ways as it serves as
food, and can be used for energy purposes and for the production of, e.g., sawn wood,
paper, and various chemicals. Throughout history, human societies have ultimately
depended on the management and harvest of biological (land and water) resources,
and their inability to sustain their productivity have led to the end of their civilizations
(Ponting, 1992).
Thus, human beings have always influenced their habitats, and still today the
conversion of ecosystems to land for biomass product ... read full excerpt from Renewables-Based Technology: Sustainability Assessment ebook
