The graph shows that while the usage of minerals in the U.S. increased by a large amount between 1900 and 2006, there were a few points in time during which usage briefly decreased. In recent times, these dips typically represent recessions, depressions, or other types of economic crisis. Which of the following most likely explains why mineral usage changes during times of economic crisis?
We could increase the percentage of minerals obtained through recycling. Doing so might help conserve the number of new minerals being extracted and used.
