Document Type

Article

Domestic/International

Domestic

Location

Naoma, West Virginia

Publication Date

2024

Abstract

During my six-week internship with Coal River Mountain Watch in West Virginia, I gained firsthand experience in the fight against mountaintop removal coal mining. My primary role involved creating GIS maps of surface mine sites, which will be used to educate local communities about the extent of mining in their area. Living in the heart of coal country exposed me to the pervasive influence of the coal industry on daily life and the environmental degradation it causes. This experience reshaped my understanding of the region's challenges, altering my SDP focus from Appalachian music to the effects of mountaintop removal on poverty, health, and the environment. Ultimately, this internship highlighted the crucial importance of environmental regulations and scientific work in addressing the complex issues surrounding resource extraction in economically dependent regions.

Download
COinS
 

The views expressed in this paper are solely those of the author.