biomass energy
The stored chemical energy in organic matter or wastes is called biomass energy. The organic matter may be trees or other plants, or it may be wastes from homes and industries. When biomass is burned, it produces thermal energy that can be used for heating homes, cooking, or generating electricity. Biomassespecially woodis an important energy source in the poorer nations where most people cant afford fossil fuels. However, burning biomass releases air pollution and contributes to global climate change. Biomass can be used to make ethanol, a fuel that is added to gasoline. Although ethanol releases less pollution than gasoline, large areas of land are needed to grow the plants needed to make it see Figure below . This reduces the amount of land available for food production.