Environmental Justice and Mountaintop Removal

This week you will learn about the method of mountaintop removal as a means to extract natural resources from deep within the Earth. Before you begin, watch Mountaintop Removal pt. 1 of 2 and Mountaintop Removal part 2 of 2. Then, write a paper that utilizes at least four scholarly resources to discuss this technology in regards to environmental ethics. Your paper should address each of the following concepts below:

a.       Discuss how mountaintop removal presents a case of environmental justice.

b.      Describes how mountaintop removal might impact animal habitat and the human environment.

c.       Discuss whether it is necessary to preserve nature in the areas affected by mountaintop removal.

d.      Describe the responsibilities that coal companies and current residents of the communities affected by mountaintop removal have, if any, to future generations of people who might live in those areas.

e.      Present a conclusion concerning whether coal companies or residents should have a greater voice in deciding how the land is used. Be sure to support your answer by using the concepts learned in class.

Your paper should include an introduction with a developed thesis statement to set up the paper, as well as a concluding paragraph that sums up your discussion. Additionally, your assignment must be two to four double spaced pages in length (excluding the title and reference page) and be formatted according to APA (6th ed.) style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center. You must use at least four scholarly resources to provide sufficient detail of the topics listed above. Cite your resources in text and on the reference page. For information regarding APA samples and tutorials, visit the Ashford Writing Center, within the Learning Resources tab on the left navigation toolbar, in your online course.