Posts Categorized: Coal Mining
Earth Care Congregation Saint James stands with Lummi Nation
First Presbyterian Church of Elizabethtown, KY loves mountains!

I Love Mountains!
Birth Defects and Mountaintop Removal Coal Mining

Earlier this summer some shocking research was published on health risks associated with mountaintop removal coal mining (learn more about this practice). The study looked at 1.9 million live births from 1996 to 2003 in Central Appalachia. Separating births by counties with no mining, mountaintop removal mining, other mining, and, it was found that birth defects were more prevalent in counties with mountaintop removal mining.
After adjusting for other factors that may affect birth defect rates (such as mother’s age, prenatal care, etc.), it was found that birth defects were significantly higher in counties with mountaintop removal mining from both 1996-1999 and 2000-2003. In the later period, from 2000-2003, birth defects in counties with mountaintop removal mining were 42 percent higher.
The effect of mountaintop removal mining on birth defects is even stronger than the effect of a mother smoking during pregnancy. View a fact sheet with more information on this new MTR study from the Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition.
Read more »Mountaintop Removal DVD and Worship Resource
The National Council of Churches Eco-Justice Program sent the following email, announcing an exciting DVD giveaway opportunity, and a new worship resource. “The land is mine; with me you are but aliens and tenants.” Lev 25:23 God’s Creation is a…
Read more »Faith, Mountains and the Economy Trip of Perspective
The Faith and Money Network is planning a “Trip of Perspective” focused on Faith, Mountains and the Economy to Wise County, Virginia to explore the impact of mountaintop removal (MTR) coal mining. The trip aims to foster awareness of injustices…
Read more »Reject the Colombia Free Trade Agreement
Colleagues in the Presbyterian Hunger Program sent the following action alert regarding the Colombia Free Trade Agreement: Momentum is building fast in Washington to approve the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Colombia along with the Korea and Panama FTA. We…
Read more »Mountaintop Removal Mining Reflections
Sharman Chapman-Crane, a member of the Presbyterians for Earth Care Advocacy Committee, lives in Eastern Kentucky where mountaintop removal coal mining is an everyday reality. She contributed a moving reflection entitled “The Valley of the Shadow: Loving Neighbors and Mountain…
Read more »National Call-In Day to End Mountaintop Removal Coal Mining
Protecting God’s Creation extends to ensuring justice for God’s people, with a particular focus on the most vulnerable. Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) policies have consistently affirmed that as people of faith we are to seek environmental justice for low income communities…
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