KFTC youth-planned, youth-led “I Love Mountains” meeting with Beshear administration.
Feb 22nd, 2010 by admin
Read more and see the videos at KFTC.org
As part of this year’s “I Love Mountains” day, more than 20 KFTC young people – all between the ages of 5 and 25 – met with five members of Governor Beshear’s staff. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss concerns about the harm that mountaintop removal coal mining creates as well as talk about creating a transition towards a clean and sustainable energy economy. The KFTC meeting was entirely youth-planned and youth-led.
Six-year old Makayla Urias from Pike County shared what it is like living next to a mountaintop removal operation. She talked about her polluted water, being scared from the large blasting noises, and having to cover her face when going outside because of the dust pollution. She even brought some of her dirty water to share with the Governor’s office.
The young KFTC members presented scientific information about the pollution and destruction created by mountaintop removal coal mining. They also presented information about the economic benefits and jobs that could be created in Eastern Kentucky and the rest of the state if Kentucky chose to invest in energy efficiency and renewable energy alternatives.
