Eric Reece explores the effects of mountain top removal in Kentucky in both an environmental and biological perspective. To start out he explains that mountain top removal is an issue that has long been a problem, and a problem that has continued to be ignored. It is an issue with so many devastating consequences yet many people around the country have no idea of it's significant and permanent effects. He discusses how one of the strongest consequences of coal extraction in these areas is the destruction on wildlife habitats. Every time land is removed from these areas, an animls home goes with it. This has a trickle down effect in that these animals then become prey to other animals because they are forced to live outside of their comfortable habitats. On top of that, coal extraction hurts plant populations because water in the region is significantly affected.
Of course, this environmental issue has a direct effect on humans as well. The extraction causes a release of sulfur and mercury into our environment. The sulfur breathed in can cause respiratory problems while mercury can cause birth defects. What a delight, right? And of course, who could forget that it also causes global warming. Therefore it s very important to keep these issues in our contiguous forests to a minimum.
I felt like I had no option but to side with Reece's view on mountain top removal. His overwhelming first hand evidence on the effects of coal extraction forces me to be against it. I completely agree that the use of coal is necessary in this country, but I do not agree with the way in which we are extracting it. There is absolutely no reason the average human should die by the age of 55 in his or her owns natural living environment. That is simply outrageous to me. This brings us right back to the argument of clean coal emissions removal and the urgency to implement new technology. If we can bring the emissions to a minimum, perhaps we can cut health issues while maximizing life expectancies for these regions of America. With those current conditions, I could never find it in me to raise a family in this area knowing that I am doing nothing but hurting the well being of my loved ones.
Of course, this environmental issue has a direct effect on humans as well. The extraction causes a release of sulfur and mercury into our environment. The sulfur breathed in can cause respiratory problems while mercury can cause birth defects. What a delight, right? And of course, who could forget that it also causes global warming. Therefore it s very important to keep these issues in our contiguous forests to a minimum.
I felt like I had no option but to side with Reece's view on mountain top removal. His overwhelming first hand evidence on the effects of coal extraction forces me to be against it. I completely agree that the use of coal is necessary in this country, but I do not agree with the way in which we are extracting it. There is absolutely no reason the average human should die by the age of 55 in his or her owns natural living environment. That is simply outrageous to me. This brings us right back to the argument of clean coal emissions removal and the urgency to implement new technology. If we can bring the emissions to a minimum, perhaps we can cut health issues while maximizing life expectancies for these regions of America. With those current conditions, I could never find it in me to raise a family in this area knowing that I am doing nothing but hurting the well being of my loved ones.
I completely agree with you. Reece really does a great job bringing the harmful effects of mining this way into perspective for people that are not exposed to the situation. I would also never move to this area knowing what I now know about how unhealthy the living conditions are. I think this makes it harder for the people living there to have better lives, because people are not willing to move to these areas to help these people out. No one would want to expose themselves or their families to this. Which also means no one will move there and start other companies that could allow these people better jobs and better pay to help keep their families safe.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your comment of "I have no option but to side with Reese's view". He has given a long list of negative effects of the strip mining. I also found it very shocking that the average age of death in that area is 55 due to environmental effect. In this age of great technology that does seem very unacceptable.
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