Band 5+: The diagram shows the consumption of renewable energy in the USA from 1949-2008. Write a 150-word report for a university lecturer identifying the main trends and making comparisons where relevant.

The line graph shows data on renewable energy which was consumed in the USA over the period of 60 years from 1949 to 2008. Looking at the chart from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that while the number of major sources slightly grew, the sum of consumption remarkably increased.

In 1949, people in the USA used these types of energy approximately 3 quadrillions btu. From 1949 to 2008, this consumption recorded a growth of more than doubled, hit the highest point of 7 quadrillions btu although it fluctuated continuously during the surveyed period.

It is also interesting to note that these figures for the major sources of renewable energy witnessed an upgrade trend. Specifically, there was a rise in general in the values of wood and hydroelectric power expenditure, about half of quadrillion btu. Meanwhile, not until 1980 did these figures for wind and biofuels started to slowly rise at about under 0.1 quadrillions per year.