You may not have been able to attend the recent hearing held by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) regarding mining on Gauley Mountain, but you could almost be there thanks to social media technologies such as Twitter. With coverage from the likes of the Smithsonian Magazine, interest is certainly sky high on the outcome.
Twitter is a "micro-blogging" tool where thousands of people send out brief (less than 140 character) "Tweets" about what they're doing, seeing or hearing. During major events such as the Presidential Election, you could almost put yourself there as thousands of people provided a 360 degree report on the happenings, including "Twit Pics."
During the Gauley Mountain hearing, a couple hundred people showed up in a small elementary school gymnasium to voice their oposition and concerns to DEP. Tweeters such as "TravelinReid" provided a blow-by-blow commentary on the proceedings and also provided photos as the discussions occurred.
Although according to the Tweets the anti-permit audience was up against a less-than-open-minded group of DEP staff, they were certainly able to get their side of the story out to supporters and media through social media technology.
Could social media tools such as Facebook, Twitter and even Google Earth help organize and empower local WV communities and level the playing field when they are up against entrenched, seemingly immovable, interests?
With the ongoing destruction of thousands upon thousands of acres of West Virginia mountains, there is no doubt the battle will rage on. We need energy, and more of it produced in the U.S. (The Smithsonian article writer highlighted the irony involved in the very writing of his article being dependent on mountaintop removal-derived coal.) But here's hoping green energy policies and incentives can help West Virginia businesses and workers transition to new high-paying energy jobs that don't leave such permanent destruction.
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I've been having the same
I've been having the same thoughts: could this be the generation that finds the right tools to use peaceful, effective means to call attention to and stop such unethical, calculated methods of disenfranchising the citizens who end up carrying the burden of MTR and other devastating practices? Can we level the playing ground with big business and corporations with internet-savvy know-how? I'd like to believe that we can.
The expressions, body language, and evasive responses to very pointed questions indicate that the DEP's decision is already made (not to mention the complete lack of supporters for the project indicating that the ruling is already in the bag). But, I have to ask, do they have any choice to indicate otherwise? If I was on the other side, arguing for a mine, would they be just as detached for my viewpoints? I am hopeful that the body language and other signs of complete disengagement are merely an indication that the DEP is "trying" to remain objective during the process.
Also...
Don't forget about the organizational efforts, utilizing Facebook, that promoted the meeting, encouraged not only attendance, but signing of the petition.
It served as a platform to give voice to those that might not otherwise be heard (inability to attend etc), to provide support for the cause and to also share views from both sides of the coin.
Mountaintop Media?
It feels empowering to see this important message spread to the masses via social media. We are making connections in unprecedented ways at an unprecedented rate. The more attention we can bring to the topic the more of a chance we have to prevent another Kayford Mountain. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziuFW-7h1LM&feature=related
Mountaintop removal causes widespread devastation. The WVDEP heard diverse arguments against Powellton Coal Company permit #300-301. Legal, environmental, social, economical and emotional arguments were made this evening in Ansted, WV.
Should we wait and see what happens, or generate enough energy, now, to appeal the potential approval?
Join the SAVE GAULEY MOUNTAIN facebook group here: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=567757310&ref=profile#/group.php?...
and sign the petition here: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/help-save-gauleymountain
coal
Mining social media to help facilitate change, in any area let alone coal, will be an important part of our future in WV and else were.
Those that know how to use social media need to share this skill with those that don’t, to speed the pace of pressure.
Coal is formed by intense pressure over a long time. Changing the way coal is mind will take intense pressure over a long time. Ready push.
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