Here's where the idea began:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/13/us/13lindytown.html?_r=2&hp
This article briefly identifies the problem at hand. Page 4 of the article by Dan Barry of the New York Times mentions that community health issues linked to coal mining practices has become a growing concern. He cites an investigation by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that indicates that health problems in Appalachia are worse in areas near mountaintop removal mines.
This EPA report does directly mention health concerns for residents near a coal mine:
http://water.epa.gov/lawsregs/guidance/cwa/dredgdis/upload/Spruce-No-1-Mine-Recommended-Determination.pdf#page=73
From page 73-74, this EPA document states how there is a potential for "disproportionately high and adverse impact on the low income population affected by the mining activity." It also hints at the issues that this group faces in confronting these concerns as a marginalized group. They are often left out of the processes of decision making about these things, and therefore their concerns are often left unheard.
So, is coal mining causing health problems for the residents of nearby towns? The answer--We don't know. There are many other studies and sources that point to inconclusive speculations about whether or not these health issues are related to coal mining.
As if destroying natural habitats, flora, and fauna wasn't enough. As if encroaching on the property of thousands of people weren't bad enough. As if the contaminated well water and paltry solutions weren't enough to get the ball rolling, this should be. Why is it okay for any corporation to usurp anything? We know it happens all the time, but can we really accept that a company can be accused of potentially ruining the health of the people around them with impunity?
Granted, we do not know conclusively whether or not these health problems are directly related to coal mining activities. However, that becomes our goal. We need organization to push the government to recognize these problems and sponsor scientific and medical investigation into whether or not these problems can and should be directly and conclusively linked to coal mining. After this is done, and if and when health concerns are conclusively linked to coal mining, we must move to the next step to remedy the problem.
This blog is designed for many purposes:
1. To allow viewers to post their story and open the door for contact and communication between individuals, communities, and organizations willing to address the problem.
2. To serve as a source of information for interested parties.
3. To document and suggest social movement activities aimed at remedying this problem.
I think this is very much a worthwhile cause. CNN recently reported that Apple has one of the worst pollution rates of large computer companies. They require a lot of fuel to store and transmit data, and in terms of clean fuel (such as solar power or wind power) and dirtier power (such as coal and fuel), Apple has only a 5% clean rate for as much energy as they use. This means that 95% of all of their energy harms the planet.
ReplyDeleteThe link I found it on is here:
http://www.cnn.com/2011/TECH/web/04/22/greenpeace.apple.dirtiest/index.html?iref=allsearch
I think it is important to note that we as a country often stop to think about pollution in terms of aerosol, or even cars, but we often don't think about pollution in a sense that it impacts the people living next to plants.
The movie Erin Borokovich, which is based on a true story, highlights some of the very issues that come from living near plants. People were sick enough it led to cancer, and other dangerous diseases. Some of these were then spread to the children at birth and caused a higher rate of miscarriages, still births, and birth defects.
I think that in any area where large amounts of fuel are used as a source of energy, there is an increased risk of illness to the people who live locally. All it takes is one wrong dump site, or one bad move- and suddenly people everywhere have side effects and diseases they would otherwise not have.
As a country, I feel we pay so much attention to larger companies (such as Apple) that we often forget about the smaller businesses (such as coal mining in Appalachia).
I wish you the absolute best in trying to promote knowledge and wellness; if there is ANYTHNG that I can do to help, please let me know. I side by you and your cause 100% and hope that this blog turns into a movement that then causes real change. All it takes is one domino to start a chain effect, and I hope that you are what sheds light on the smaller industries. Good luck!