(I put this in the environmental section but no one commented on it. This is a HUGE issue and people need to be aware of it)

Mountaintop removal is a horrible new form of coal mining that is occuring today. In simple terms this is what happens... instead of mining by digging into a mountain, coal companies are clear cutting the mountains and blowing the entire mountain up to recieve the thin amount of coal that is being stored inside the mountain. The tons and tons of mountaintop (dirt, rocks, dust, etc) that are left over are push down into valley's and over rivers and streams. This changes the ecosystem and is harmful to both animals and humans alike by releasing poisons into water sources, the air, and the soil. If not stopped this practice will kill one of the most ecologically diverse places left in the country and world. Not to mention its affect on Appalachian cultures of the Southeast US and the high probability of people in the area getting cancer or asthma.

It has recently come to the world's attention that people have been dying in coal mines but it is nothing compared to what is happening thanks to mountaintop removal.

We can't just sit around and watch our country be destroyed.

Opinions? Want to join the fight?! Come on... you know you want to!

For everyone that hates coal mining...heres an idea turn your power off for a week and see how you li ke it. Coal keeps the lights on and its here to stay for a very long time

There's not much to know about it. The very name speaks for itself.

And yes, I know that strip mining and MTR sites can be remade, but that costs a hell of a lot of money. It's like digging up your entire backyard to get some old coins. Sure, you found some old coins, but now you have to pay to get new grass planted. MTR is the same way. I mean, unless these mountains are completely made of coal...

I'm not saying it's a horrible thing that should be stopped immediately. I'm just saying that we shouldn't settle for something like MTR. I think we both agree that alternatives to fossil fuels need to be found, so let's leave it at that.

quote:

Originally posted by clpo13:
50-100 years isn't exactly that long. That's within the lifespans of most people on YN.

If we're going to mine coal, it should be done a little less invasively. The scars left by most mining operations are less than appealing...

No it's not that long, but until there's an alternative solution then we should get what we can out of coal.

I live on a former mountain top removal site, so maybe I'm missing something. It's not always about what the liberal hippie douches throw in your face on a TV screen. It's what is really happening. And 99% of people against MTR don't have a clue about it at all, except that it "destroys" the earth.

50-100 years isn't exactly that long. That's within the lifespans of most people on YN.

If we're going to mine coal, it should be done a little less invasively. The scars left by most mining operations are less than appealing...

quote:

Originally posted by clpo13:
Or we can keep doing it and run out. Then we'd be in the same predicament. Lovely little dilemma, isn't it?

Yeah but we're not as close as people think to running out. I agree that an alternative must be found, but most mines that I know of have a 50-100 year reserve life on them, mining at 20-30 million tons per year.

Or we can keep doing it and run out. Then we'd be in the same predicament. Lovely little dilemma, isn't it?

Because of coal you're lazy ass is sitting there typing on the computer about Mountain top removal. Yeah, let's stop MTR for a little while and see how well the nation works. Over half would be without power.

These people are losing their livlihood, their culture, and it is horribly affecting our environment. Strip mining may not be something new but it is still a huge issue that needs to be fought against. Just like "surburban sprawl". Why can't we fight both?

Mountaintop removal is hardly new and isn't anything worse than what the coal companies have done in the past. Strip mining has been going on for over a century now. This country is more threatened by suburban sprawl than by mountaintop removal.