Luke Popovich
National Mining Association
101 Constitution Avenue, NW
Suite 500 East,
Washington, DC 20001-2133
Dear Mr. Popovich:
I am writing to express my disapproval of mountaintop removal in mining. I recently read that religious groups, which are increasingly becoming more outspoken stewards of the environment, have been speaking out against this practice.
The blasting of mountaintops not only destroys the beauty of the land, but reportedly creates flooding hazards for area residents. Working in an underground mine is clearly a dangerous job. I believe that thorough measures should be taken to ensure these workers’ safety. I do not believe, however, that the fact that removing mountaintops is less risky for the workers makes it okay. Some have claimed that forbidding the practice would deny potential jobs for workers. Well, there are many ways that jobs could be created and the economy could be boosted that are not particularly good for anything else. If a factory is polluting the surrounding rivers but says that it cannot afford to clean up its operation without laying off workers, do we say, “oh, sorry, carry on then”?
You are quoted as saying that “human welfare depends on the rational exploitation of nature.” I am very curious as to what boundaries encompass “rational exploitation.” It seems to me that the degree to which we in the developed world are burning up our nonrenewable resources has become anything but rational. What would be rational would be to pool our vast knowledge in research and technology and develop more sustainable fuel sources that mirror the balance of the ecosystem that has come to suffer so greatly under humanity’s reign.
Truly,
Liz Mann
