Tonkel+Coal+Country

1. Coal Country directed by Mari-Lynn Evans and Phylis Geller 2. The film is about the issues surrounding coal, from how it’s mined, to its burning in order to create energy. The main arguments of the film surround the coal industries effect on people (miners, unions, nearby residents and politicians). 3. The sustainability problems that are intertwined in the fight over the continued mining of coal are almost innumerous. There are the problems of pollution of both the nearby waters and air, the destruction of communities, the destruction of forest and ecosystems, the battles of industry vs. environment, the issues of fuel economy over ecology, the problems of political influence and power, and lastly the sustainability issue involved with knowledge and education. Many of the workers and miners for the coal companies support mountain top removal because of fear of losing their jobs. However, as some evidence suggests many protests to mining sites would not lose many jobs at all because of the industries heavy reliance on capital equipment. Secondly, by moving away from coal and investing in renewable energy many more jobs will be created and theoretically could last until the end of the earth because they are not dependent on a limited resource. 4. The most compelling part of the film for me was the interviews with Randall Maggard and the community meeting with all the coal workers. It was very interesting to see what types of points are brought up by the other side of argument. It’s also amazing to see what information people can be blind to when they believe in one side of an issue so strongly. Second to that, I think the next most compelling part of the film was the recap of positions of Governor Rockefeller. The film blatantly shows that for politicians being elected and staying in office is more important than the issues that they personally believe in. The governor is quoted as saying that supporting the anti – mining campaign was the cause of his first defeat when running for office and wanted to change his stance on the issue. 5. The one part of this film that I was not 100% convinced by was the issue of reclamation. I think the film could have spent more time discussing the impacts and changes to the surrounding environment that are caused by reclamation of a mountain top removal site. I also believe that it would have been a better use of the films time to talk more about the problems with reclamation from a regulation, enforcement, and corner cutting perspective. 6. The one thing I really want to find out after watching this film is the response a man like Randall Maggard would have to many of the facts and opinions this film addresses like how the poorest towns in the country are mining towns or how that him and his family are far more likely to get cancer because of the industry he works in and their practices. I can’t imagine that if this man watched this film that he would remain unconvinced that lowering and eventually dispelling the mining of coal is a terrible thing. I would love to sit down and talk with this man and try to convince him. Although he may make a valid point or two the evidence is so one sided I don’t know he can ignore it. I would imagine that all of these problems involving miners come down to the fact that people try to avoid talking about three things; money, religion and politics. Also after a person takes a stand on an issue he or she is usually so unopened to new ideas or ways of thinking. I can’t say that the same hasn’t happened to me, but it is important that we begin to cultivate open-mindedness in future generations. 7. I think this film is best suited for people who work in mines and for mining companies. Mostly the people who work in terrible conditions for just a few thousand dollars more than they would make working at a fast food restaurant. The film does a great job showing both sides of the argument and still manages to clearly show its points and be extremely persuasive. If many of these workers had much of this knowledge about what is really going on and how getting our country off of coal will only help our economy and environment, I believe that they would have to courage to find other jobs, and stand up for their communities. On another note, I loved how the film followed all the people who have become so fed up that they are now activist for this cause and their communities. It gives me hope because it shows how everyday people can take charge and fight for what they believe in when the circumstances present themselves. It’s so tough to look around at myself and everyone around me who is seemingly unaffected and therefore do nothing about the problems we may be aware of. 8. The points of action in this film were really clear; there are no simple and easy ways to fight big coal companies. To make change happen we need to protest, advocate change in our communities, and pressure our politicians to make the choices that reflect those of the public. 9. There isn’t much that could have been added to this film to enhance is environmental educational value. It clearly showed both sides of the argument, it addresses both simple logical and scientific evidence to make clear and distinct points and the film was effectively and logically put together to address each issue. If anything needs to be added I would have to say that at very end of the film certain organizations could have been mentioned that aloud viewers to give contributions or volunteer for.