So I have been watching a discussion about evolution on facebook (by the way, I am addicted to facebook…it’s madness! Look me up if you are on fb!) and it’s made me think about how things need to change in order to keep up. Regardless of whether you subscribe to macroevolution, I think most folks accept microevolution where small changes occur that benefit a species. That made me think about West Virginia in particular. For so long, we have been a coal state. In fact, WV produces 15% of all coal in the United States and leads in the production of underground coal. More specifically, in 2006 West Virginia mines produced over 158 million tons of coal (more WV coal facts). So all of that is to say, WV is a coal state. Ok, now I am going to rant a bit, but please read on ’til the end. I promise not to be too obnoxious!
Walker CAT has been sponsoring these billboards for quite awhile around here. I don’t really want to have a huge debate on mountain top removal or global warming right now but I wonder why they are pushing such a crazy idea. Coal is still dirty. It’s dirty when it is mined and dirty when it is burned. I am not suggesting that we stop all mining or use of coal. But I wonder how these signs are left to stand. I hope the idea is to suggest that we look for ways to make coal clean and carbon neutral rather than to try and trick folks into believing that coal is currently clean and carbon neutral.
So what do we do? I like electricity and driving around and my air conditioner as much as the next guy. But we can all do better about conserving. I won’t list all that stuff here because folks know how to conserve. But in addition to conservation, I think WV and other places need to diversify. I am surely not the first to say it, but WV can become an energy state rather than just a coal state. Coal will likely always play a role here, but so should natural gas and wind and solar. We could become a place that makes turbines as well as hosts them. We can lead in research and development. We just need to evolve. Heck, my son alone can fuel our house with natural gas. I am sure there are lots of “unusual” sources for energy if we look.
I was so inspired the other day at how diversification is starting to take hold in WV. I saw a sign where it appears that the Department of Corrections is getting together with the Real Estate Division of the state. There is tons of potential there! I can see the prisons becoming neighborhood initiaitves! The Depart of Corrections can buy up abandoned homes, and build neighborhood jails! Maybe we can run fund raisers where we “arrest” our friends and neighbors and then have to pay to bail them out. Maybe we can just put all teenagers in these places and feed them every week or so. I don’t know, it just seems like the folks in charge are starting to think about things in a different way. Maybe now we can get the Department of Natural Resources to merge with the Department of Education so we can harvest the post lunch methane of 9 year old boys! See? We need to diversify and think outside the box!
This is a great post my friend. We are starting to see this kind of change in policy and opinion here in MI as well, where it is sorely needed. It’s heartening to see that instead of continually bemoaning the stagnation that we can embrace some really positive changes and move forward. looking fwd to hearing more about a progressive WV. 🙂
farm mom’s last blog post..Pasta in Portabella Sauce with Homemade French Bread
I’m all for a windmill in our backyard. I think if they would sell them in blue and gold colors with WVU in the middle that more people would go for it here in WV.
I’ll say you’re thinking outside the box!
Having worn a pedometer a lot recently (don’t ask) I have compared the number of steps I take with the number of steps my kids take. I’ll just say: they take a lot more! So, why not make a pedometer that harvests the natural energy of kids and turns it into usable energy. Kids could run around all day then give their full pedometers of energy to their local energy company and get an organic dinner already cooked to bring home to their families? Or am I just thinking way too outside the box because I’m hungry and wish I had taken more steps today?
Lynnie’s last blog post..Worming Days are Here Again
Very funny… Although I think almost any type of energy source would be better than the 9 year old kid methane source! LOL.
Evil Twin’s Wife’s last blog post..Busy Day Ahead
Oh, facebook sucks up so much of my time. I’ll log on and next thing I notice I have been on it for an hour..lol..
Facebook = Bermuda triangle
Dora Renee’ Wilkerson
p.s.
Time to check my facebook now..lol
farm mom – I wish WV was more progressive but we’ll see…I am esp hopeful of the methane capture in schools!
Emily – you heard it here folks – this summer sometime, we will have a windmill!
Lynnie – that reminds me…I heard of an inventor that was making a sports bra to turn the…uh…motion in the bra when women run into electricity…interesting!
ETW – true…but it never ends!
Dora Renee – it is evil isn’t it?! I can’t keep off of it!
I tried MANY times to comment on the “6” post but could not. Grrrr… anyway, I think your kids are gorgeous. I love the way that you and your lovely wife are raising them (as creative, freethinking, and as individuals).
Excellent post.
As for coal — I lived in Western Virginia for a number of years and made MANY trips into WV to visit friends and family. I saw some of the damage caused by mining and just can’t imagine how we haven’t progressed from mining (which is just plain dangerous work). Why can’t those miners be assembling and installing solar panels or geothermal heating systems?
RazorFamilyFarms.com’s last blog post..Vacationing Doesn’t Have to Hurt & A Giveaway!
I am interested in seeing your plans to capture this free methane gas from 9 yr. old boys. I have a large dog that creates more gas than any other creature on this earth. So if you devise anything that works maybe I can adapt it to this gas bag of a dog.
I think I’ll start calling you Mr. Energy! And I can’t wait to see how you approach our schools systems about capturing the gas from school kids-what a hoot.
tipper’s last blog post..The Hills That I Call Home
I saw a commercial for this on TV last night. Clean coal. What????
Capri Kel’s last blog post..Potent Quotable
As one of the evolution discussionists on facebook, I fear that you are the only one that actually wants to read it. It has gone kind of cold lately…
Solar panels and a wind mill are going up next summer here too (providing I still have any money). Make your own or buy off the shelf?
RazorFamilyFarms – that’s exactly what I wonder. I can imagine that making us an energy state rather than a coal state would have to be safer and better for the environment as well as the economy.
GW – I can’t share the plans…I am working on the patent!
tipper – Mr Energy sounds cool! I am not so sure yet how to collect the stuff..it seems to be in the air anytime I go to my kids’ school…I guess I need some sort of passive collector!
Capri Kel – I know! That’s what I first wondered when I saw the billboard. I have read a lot about the whole situation and I remain puzzled…
Brother – sort of a mix, but mainly build my own for the windmill anyhow…
This is hilarious! That sign! My goodness! 🙂
But I agree with you. I’m from a coal-mining family (none of whom are coal miners anymore), and I think WV does need to diversify. The state needs some real forward-thinkers to think beyond coal and make good use of the other resources in the state.
Good post!
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