This week a new documentary that reveals the shocking effects of mountaintop-removal coal mining, a process that blasts off the tops of mountains to expose the coal within, is debuting on your TV screen and at house parties across the nation.
The beauty of the Appalachian Mountains is threatened by coal mining. Photo Courtesy Sierra Club.
Coal Country, produced by Mari-Lynn Evans and Phylis Geller,reveals the hazards of mountaintop-removal mining pm the environment—including forest destruction and water pollution. The film follows Appalachia residents, miners and the activists protesting the practices of Appalachian coal companies.
In West Virginia, an increase in mountaintop removal mining has meant a decrease in jobs as people are replaced with machines. Photo By Mark Schmerling/Courtesy Sierra Club.
A 40-minute sneak preview of the documentary will be held November 9 through 15 at Coal Country house parties throughout the nation. Find a party near you on the Sierra Club’s website. Party attendees will watch the preview, discuss the film and have the opportunity to write a letter to the Obama administration calling for an end to mountaintop removal coal mining. Actress Ashley Judd will join the parties via telephone.
West Virginia's Kayford Mountain has been almost entirely destroyed by mountaintop removal coal mining. Photo By Mark Schmerling/Courtesy Sierra Club.
If you can’t attend a party, tune in to Planet Green on November 14 at 8 p.m. EST, November 15 at 12 p.m. EST, November 19 at 11 p.m. EST or November 20 at 3 p.m. EST.