Introduction
Appalachia is a 205,000-square-mile region that follows the spine of the Appalachian Mountains stretching from southern New York to northern Mississippi. It is home to more than 25 million people.
Appalachia Mountains are rich in natural resources, containing an abundant number of coal, timber, oil, gas, and water (Daugneaux 1981). These natural resources have historically influenced the economic characteristics of the region. The region's economy has been highly dependent on mining, forestry, agriculture, chemical industries, and heavy industry, among which coal mining appears to be the largest financial contributor to the economy (Appalachia's Economy). However, the mining practice used to extract coal in Appalachia called …show more content…

The film also documents the reason for that government officials, politicians, and even leaders in the United Mine Workers of America promote coal mining as an economic savior for Appalachia. Few industries other than of coal mining are willing to locate to a mined community, where nature has already been severely damaged. So infrastructure construction and public services become reliant on the tax revenue received from mountaintop removal, which means less mining causes less money for these services. As a result, it is extremely difficult to oppose coal mining politically in Appalachia.
Conclusion
Conflicts between these groups arise because they have different uses for resources, and they value environment and economy differently. Appalachians need jobs, and the coal industry has historically been the main source of them. But, Appalachians also question, what good is a profession that destroys your home and your body? While environmental groups make the protection of people and the environment of the Appalachian region top priority, the mining companies focus on acting cheaply, not responsibly. And the policy government buried their heads in the sand because they seek benefits of steady jobs and tax revenue of coal mining