Community Health and Big Coal--Activist Forum

In Appalachia, we hear a lot about coal mining and mountaintop removal from an environmentalist perspective. However, there are many people from coal mining communities who claim to have health problems linked to this pollution. We should focus on how these people are being affected and how community health is potentially at risk from coal mining done wrong. This blog is a starting point for organization and sharing in a social movement aimed at the investigation and resolution of these issues.

Monday, May 9, 2011

In case you aren't already seeing red...

Here are some of the images of mountaintop removal. As disturbing as it is to see little communities sprawled in the shadowy valleys below these mine sites, these images cannot capture the human toll these practices are taking.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nationalmemorialforthemountains/4534740551/lightbox/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rachelmolenda/3660732036/in/set-72157620552882734/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rachelmolenda/3659932919/in/set-72157620552882734/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rachelmolenda/3659931899/in/set-72157620552882734/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rachelmolenda/3660729440/in/set-72157620552882734/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rachelmolenda/3660730666/in/set-72157620552882734/
These courtesy of my good friend, Rachel Molenda! Thanks!!!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nationalmemorialforthemountains/4535374630/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nationalmemorialforthemountains/4534742719/
This is a 'reclaimed' mountain. Everything is back to normal, right?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nationalmemorialforthemountains/4534741523/
An interesting title: "Why East Kentucky Kids Use Orange Crayons to Draw Streams"

http://www.flickr.com/photos/97964364@N00/2291390736/
This looks safe...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nationalmemorialforthemountains/4614156145/
(AGREED)

1 comment:

UnknownMay 23, 2011 at 12:53 PM
I completely understand the dislike of mountain top removal. The proper term is surface mining. I love WV and it will always be my home, the mountains are beautiful and protect us from most of the elements. At the same time people are living longer and our population is growing, this means we need more land to live. It is true that some reclaimed surface mines are turned in to golf courses, but everywhere you see a walmart on top of a mountain, well that used to be a surface mine. I am a Mining Engineering Student who is going to specialize in Surface Mining. It is my goal to make these sites safer, more productive and look as good as they can when we are done mining them. I'm not on here trying to make enemies. I know the creator of this blog and she has asked me to give my two cents. Not everyone agrees with what everyone wants. I welcome any discussion, but not arguments.
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