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The future belongs to them
Green energy expo runs on kid power
By SANDY LONG
DINGMANS FERRY, PA — There’s a Native American saying that we do not inherit the planet from our ancestors, but rather borrow it from our children.
Last weekend at the Pocono Environmental Education Center (PEEC), a group of those owners stepped into the spotlight to remind us about what we owe them—and the planet—at “Your Coal Connection,” a green symposium brought about in large part by children belonging to the Green Power Alliance (GPA).
GPA was founded by faculty and students of The Homestead School in Glen Spey, NY. The event was the latest in many examples of the group’s activism, including a public presentation to Pennsylvania Congressman Chris Carney to urge his support of the restoration of the Clean Water Protection Act, a tour of Mirant Corporation’s Bowline power plant on the Hudson River and a trip to the coalfields of West Virginia (see “Power to the Little People” in our March 27 issue).
The group’s current focus is on mountain top removal in coal mining, but the event was an occasion for people of all ages to see how our lifestyles, habits and policies are connected to the degradation of the environment in a variety of ways.
Wes Gillingham of Catskill MountainKeepers was also present, along with filmmaker Jeff Barrie, whose documentary “Kilowatt Ours” was shown during the day. A green energy expo provided information about environmental organizations, alternative energy options, green building technologies and more. Family-friendly activities included wildlife picture coloring, tie dye T-shirt production and musical performances by Wooden Spoon. Nature hikes and a raptor show reminded all present of the magnificence and fragility of the heritage these youngsters have stepped forward to protect.
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| TRR photo by Sandy Long | |
| A bigger-than-life image of mountaintop removal activist, Larry Gibson, towers over the real-life version. Standing with Gibson, from left, front row, are Homestead School students Henry Hamill and Zakary Steingart and head of the school, Peter Comstock. Second row, from left, Gibson’s fiance, Carol Kirkpatrick, Gibson, student Nayana Pratt and activist Amber McCoy.
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| TRR photo by Sandy Long | |
| Fifteen-year-old Amber McCoy addresses the crowd with her message that by acting collectively, mountaintop removal (MTR) can be stopped. Amber’s father died due to consuming drinking water contaminated by coal waste. Amber founded a group at her school called ROAR: Restoring Our Appalachian Respect. Her mother, Brenda, an activist who works for Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition Coal Sludge Safety Project, also spoke. The women reside in Mingo County, West Virginia.
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| TRR photo by Sandy Long | |
| Sabrina Artel, of Trailer Talk, interviews documentary filmmaker and grassroots organizer Jeff Barrie whose award-winning film “Kilowatt Ours: A Plan to Re-Energize America” was shown. The film presents the case against coal while championing energy efficiency and green power alternatives. Artel spoke with participants throughout the day. To hear the broadcast of her radio program based on the event, tune in to WJFF, 90.5 FM on May 16 at 2:00 p.m. Trailer Talk is also available at www.trailertalk.net and on iTunes. Artel will take her 1965 Beeline trailer on the road for an eyewitness look at the destruction occurring in West Virginia during an Independence Day celebration on July 4th.
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| TRR photo by Sandy Long | |
| Parked in front of PEEC’s main building was this electric “Thinkmobile,” provided to the center by National Park Service (NPS) rangers. PEEC is located within the NPS Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.
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| TRR photo by Sandy Long | |
| Children also enjoyed face painting and a mammal show.
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