Impact of Mountaintop Removal Coal Mining on the Web of Socio-Ecological Life
Added on 2023-01-24
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Anthropology
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Anthropology
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Introduction
The world today has undergone a lot of drastic and dramatic changes due to human
activities. We currently live in an “Anthropocene” era whereby humans are engaging in activities
that alter the ecological life-support system (Marley and Samantha 265) Traditional economic
models differ significantly with today’s concept since they were established in an empty world
with no human interruptions. With the increase in human population and activities, the
ecological system has been affected significantly. For instance, the mountaintop removal coal
mining in West Virginia has negatively affected the communities around that region as well as
the economy and environment. Human beings are dependent on social relations and the
economy is embedded in a society that is in turn embedded in an ecological life-support system
(Bell et al. 115). Therefore, it is important to understand how this interconnected system can be
improved. As such, this paper discusses the web of social-ecological life and material embedding
of capital accumulation, how the new shifts towards MTR has affected the web of social-
ecological life, effects of lack of regulation on MTR and coal burning and dumping, and the
coast associated with this form of capital accumulation.
Web of Social-ecological Life and Material Embedding of Capital Accumulation
Marxian theory brings out the concept of environmental concerns in regard to historical
origins that affects the ecosystem leading to ecological crisis (Foster 3). The connection between
human activities and nature results into advance consequences on the environment. For instance,
capital accumulation damage as well as devastation to the natural habitats. Due to different social
activities within a particular community, there arises uneven geographical developments
(Charnock and Guido 327). This is usually related to the manner in which the social groups
materially embed their way of sociality or manner of doing things into the web of life. Naturally,
Introduction
The world today has undergone a lot of drastic and dramatic changes due to human
activities. We currently live in an “Anthropocene” era whereby humans are engaging in activities
that alter the ecological life-support system (Marley and Samantha 265) Traditional economic
models differ significantly with today’s concept since they were established in an empty world
with no human interruptions. With the increase in human population and activities, the
ecological system has been affected significantly. For instance, the mountaintop removal coal
mining in West Virginia has negatively affected the communities around that region as well as
the economy and environment. Human beings are dependent on social relations and the
economy is embedded in a society that is in turn embedded in an ecological life-support system
(Bell et al. 115). Therefore, it is important to understand how this interconnected system can be
improved. As such, this paper discusses the web of social-ecological life and material embedding
of capital accumulation, how the new shifts towards MTR has affected the web of social-
ecological life, effects of lack of regulation on MTR and coal burning and dumping, and the
coast associated with this form of capital accumulation.
Web of Social-ecological Life and Material Embedding of Capital Accumulation
Marxian theory brings out the concept of environmental concerns in regard to historical
origins that affects the ecosystem leading to ecological crisis (Foster 3). The connection between
human activities and nature results into advance consequences on the environment. For instance,
capital accumulation damage as well as devastation to the natural habitats. Due to different social
activities within a particular community, there arises uneven geographical developments
(Charnock and Guido 327). This is usually related to the manner in which the social groups
materially embed their way of sociality or manner of doing things into the web of life. Naturally,
Surname 3
humans are made in such a way that they are consistently searching for novelty and ways to
sustain themselves. As such, the socio-ecological system is dynamic and is evolving everyday
leading to unintended consequences due to social actions. Sociologists, anthropologists,
historians, and geographers report that environmental shifts occur due to diverse human activities
(Harvey 6). In turn they lead to social struggle, capital accumulation as well as environmental
transformation.
The concept of web of social-ecological life that is materially embedded in capital
accumulation can be illustrated by the human activities that occurs around the Appalachia’s
coalfields of West Virginia. Due to the increasing mountaintop removal coal mining activities,
the ecological system has been affected significantly (Marley et al. 261). The human capital is
increasingly being sought and their coal mining activities as shaped and reshaped the mountains.
The activity has led to unequal region development whereby the coal mining industry and
organization are gaining much profits at the expense of the society and the environment. The
physical landscape is being eroded while the communities nearby being forced to move out due
to unbearable life threatening circumstances. The human and social life is dependent on the
natural world. Consequently, the natural capital is non-substitutable and, therefore, need to
balance between social activities and resources obtained from natural habitats to avoid depleting
them (Marley 237). Activities like extensive coal mining will ultimately cause decrease of
biodiversity and also threaten human survival.
How the new shifts towards MTR has affected the “web of socio-ecological life?”
Mountaintop Removal (MTR) is an ecological violence that occurs due to human
practices and activities. The trip to West Virginia exposed me to mining activities that goes on at
the Appalachia hills involving MTR. The communities around that region have complained of
humans are made in such a way that they are consistently searching for novelty and ways to
sustain themselves. As such, the socio-ecological system is dynamic and is evolving everyday
leading to unintended consequences due to social actions. Sociologists, anthropologists,
historians, and geographers report that environmental shifts occur due to diverse human activities
(Harvey 6). In turn they lead to social struggle, capital accumulation as well as environmental
transformation.
The concept of web of social-ecological life that is materially embedded in capital
accumulation can be illustrated by the human activities that occurs around the Appalachia’s
coalfields of West Virginia. Due to the increasing mountaintop removal coal mining activities,
the ecological system has been affected significantly (Marley et al. 261). The human capital is
increasingly being sought and their coal mining activities as shaped and reshaped the mountains.
The activity has led to unequal region development whereby the coal mining industry and
organization are gaining much profits at the expense of the society and the environment. The
physical landscape is being eroded while the communities nearby being forced to move out due
to unbearable life threatening circumstances. The human and social life is dependent on the
natural world. Consequently, the natural capital is non-substitutable and, therefore, need to
balance between social activities and resources obtained from natural habitats to avoid depleting
them (Marley 237). Activities like extensive coal mining will ultimately cause decrease of
biodiversity and also threaten human survival.
How the new shifts towards MTR has affected the “web of socio-ecological life?”
Mountaintop Removal (MTR) is an ecological violence that occurs due to human
practices and activities. The trip to West Virginia exposed me to mining activities that goes on at
the Appalachia hills involving MTR. The communities around that region have complained of
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