4. Deep wells (1 mile or more
deep) are drilled into Earth to
tap into underground
reservoirs of steam and hot
water to drive turbines linked to
electricity generators.
First geothermal electricity was
generated in Italy in 1904.
USA is worlds largest producer
Geothermal Power Plant, Reykjavik, Iceland of geothermal electricity.
Derived from active volcanoes and geysers
Advantages of geothermal: very little greenhouse gases produced, domestic
supply.
Problems with geothermal: some toxic metals can be contained in the hot water.
Some of these geothermal wells cool down after several decades and can no
longer be used to generate electricity, contain some CO2, H2S, CH4.
27. One proposed ecosystem-based management approach is to establish networks of
fully protected marine reserves within which no habitat destruction or resource
extraction would be allowed.
Kudos to “W”
In 2006, President Bush established the world’s
largest protected marine area when he
designated the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands
and surrounding waters (an area the size of
California) as a national monument. Such a
designation provides permanent funding to
manage and preserve the area.
