Surface Mining and Poverty in Appalachia- Infographic

 

The negative ecological impact of surface coal mining, particularly on water and plant resources, have been well-known and publicized for years; the practice's human impact, on the other hand, is less widely-discussed. Surface mining is typically the dominant industry in areas where it is practiced, and generally employs a large percentage of people in its locale. This infographic shows the correlation of poverty rates from a decade ago in the Appalachian area; this graphic shows the rates two years later and this one shows the general poverty rates from 2005-2009 without the mining correlation; comparison of the maps shows that this is clearly a continuing problem. Given other complications that come with the life of a miner, such as coal dust-related illnesses and injuries, the correlation of areas with high poverty rates and the dominance of strip mining in these locations is a reality riddled with disastrous effects with limited opportunity for improvement or industry change.