A repost from 2015
I'd like to share something to do with the Mountain Top Removal in our Appalachian Mountains. It's awful, to say the least, just to garner a few more tons of coal.
The effort by environmentalists, neighbors, health care workers, and anyone against using limited resources and leaving a wasteland, has been politicized for the last few years. These efforts are beginning to make a difference. But not before many mountains are ruined.
 | ||||
Appalachian Voices's photo |
61% of North Carolina's electricity comes from coal, and half of that from mountaintop removal. Today, state Rep. Pricey Harrison introduced legislation to phase out the use of mountaintop removal coal in N.C. Show your support for this important action!
NOTE from 2023...
I haven't kept up with the NC power plants, but I believe a lot (in 2023) are switching to natural gas. It's just another fossil fuel in my mind! The GOP which runs our state legislature wants more of those, and maybe some nuclear power plants, but isn't interested in wind or solar. They are looking at who elected them last and trying to keep those people's jobs secure, or perhaps they've received campaign funds from corporations which do the mining!
It is good to hear the efforts to stop the coal mining is doing some good. The politicians only care about the money, certainly not the environment or the health of the miners. Take care, have a great day and happy week!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it sad that people supposedly elect the politicians? Well they certainly don't represent me.
Delete...coal mining has forever changed the face of the earth in many ways.
ReplyDeleteAnd we have options that are sustainable and won't use fossil fuels at all. Wind and solar power can provide the electricity we need.
DeleteI hear you. Sadly, our premier cancelled all the wind farms contracts, at great expense, in Ontario. Many of us are angry.
ReplyDeleteOh geese, that's terrible. These cretans with their heads up their ...ok, I'll just say they are so backward thinking!!
DeleteHi Barbara, At least natural gas doesn't require the removal of mountaintops... Unfortunately, every action...in this case replacing coal and other carbon fuels...initiates the 'butterfly effect', setting other issue and challenges in motion. Thousands of coal mining jobs are gone...and not replaced. Whole towns have been decimated. Coal mining around the world has allowed people to live better lives and greatly enhanced the economy. I do agree that coal and other carbon fuels need to be replaced but its not a simple or painless task. Wind and sunshine won't get the job done by themselves. Nuclear, tides, hydrogen and other sources will be needed...and each of those leaves 'footprints' environmentally, albeit smaller ones. The issue of batteries with mining, power needed to charge them and their eventual disposal will be our next big environmental issue. To be honest, plastics are my larger immediate concern. We have polluted the planet including the oceans with micro plastics...and we're consuming them in our foods. The fact is that humans have been so successful at surviving and expanding that we are now the engines of destruction. Cheerful aren't I? Hope all is well. Take Care, Big Daddy Dave
ReplyDeleteThere already have been thousands of coal miners getting re-educated to new skill sets...and I see that as the way all big old plant closures need to be addressed. A nearby small town of Canton just closed it's paper mill, which was the backbone of its community. There are lots of re-training opportunities available. Even closer to me is the unincorporated town of Swanannoa, which used to depend upon a blanket mill. Been closed since the 60s I think, so it's now a feeder for Asheville jobs. I am not an economist, but I do believe that people can work at a number of jobs in their lifetimes now...as I have. I agree totally about plastics...that's why we're supporting an effort in Buncombe County to be free of single-use plastics...especially grocery bags and take out utensils and containers. Keep up working on that! Excellent start to save our earth!
DeleteOh, it’s the money! We see similar dynamics in West Virginia, where politicians are still supporting dirty energy although about 18,000 people are employed in clean energy.
ReplyDelete