Every community deserves clean air, safe water, and a stable environment- yet coalfield communities often bear the heaviest burden.
Environmental justice ensures that all people, regardless of race, income, or geography, are equally protected from environmental harm and have a meaningful voice in decisions affecting their lives. Unfortunately, coal’s legacy in the U.S. has disproportionately impacted poor, rural, and minority communities.
The Human and Environmental Toll of Coal
Coal-related pollution doesn’t just harm the environment- it affects human health and livelihoods. Communities near coal-fired power plants and mines experience higher rates of asthma, respiratory illness, and other chronic diseases. According to the NAACP, 78% of African Americans live within 30 miles of a coal-fired power plant, compared with 56% of non-Hispanic whites, and asthma hospitalizations are more than three times higher in these populations.
In addition, coal mining often devastates local ecosystems. Mountaintop removal, subsidence, and contaminated waterways destroy forests, farmland, and wildlife habitats. Longwall mining in particular can lower water tables, drying up streams and springs that communities rely on for drinking water and agriculture.
Globally, the climate impacts of coal add another layer of environmental injustice. Coal-fired power plants are the largest source of carbon dioxide in the U.S., driving climate change that disproportionately affects low-income nations with fewer resources to adapt. Droughts, crop failures, and flooding will increasingly threaten communities worldwide, creating ripple effects that compound social and economic inequities.
KEY IMPACTS
- Higher rates of asthma and chronic respiratory illness near coal plants and mines
- Environmental degradation including mountaintop removal, subsidence, and water contamination.
- Longwall mining lowering water tables and drying up streams and springs.
- Global climate effects disproportionately affecting low-income nations.
78% of African Americans live within 30 miles of a coal-fired power plant, compared with 56% of non-Hispanic whites. Asthma hospitalizations in these communities are more than three times higher.
NAACP
CCC’s Work for Environmental Justice
CCC works to empower coalfield residents and protect vulnerable communities. Our approach includes:
- Monitoring and Advocacy: We track laws, regulations, and actions that affect coal-impacted communities, from local mine permits to federal climate policies.
- Community Education: We teach residents about their legal rights, environmental risks, and ways to influence regulatory decisions.
- Citizen Engagement: We create platforms for communities to provide meaningful input to decision-makers, ensuring their voices are heard in regulatory processes.
- Partnerships: We collaborate with over 60 organizations nationwide, amplifying the efforts of grassroots coalfield groups to demand environmental justice.
- Policy Influence: CCC works to strengthen enforcement of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA), protect water resources, and hold coal companies accountable for environmental violations.
The Big Picture
Environmental justice in the coalfields is not just about stopping pollution- it’s about empowering communities to thrive. By addressing health risks, economic inequities, and environmental degradation, CCC seeks a future where coalfield residents are no longer treated as sacrifice zones.
This work also intersects with broader climate and economic issues. Reducing coal’s environmental footprint, promoting clean energy, and advocating for sustainable economic development all advance justice for both people and the planet.
Take Action
You can help protect coalfield communities and promote environmental justice:
- Join CCC: Become a member and support our advocacy work.
- Donate: Your contribution allows us to monitor, educate, and empower communities across the country.
- Get Informed: Learn more about coal-related health and environmental risks and share that knowledge with your networks.
Together, we can ensure that environmental justice is more than a goal- it’s a reality for every coalfield community.