This month’s book recommendations are a few of Quenton King’s favorite reads. As WVEC President and Government Affairs Specialist for Appalachian Voices, Quenton is constantly reading a variety of news, research, and other works of environmental nonfiction. We hope these picks are as enjoyable as they are educational. Happy reading!
Soul Full of Coal Dust: A Fight for Breath and Justice in Appalachia – Chris Hamsby
I admit I didn’t know much about black lung disease before I started my job at Appalachian Voices. When I learned it would be one of my focus areas, I dove into everything I could find, including this book. Hamsby explores how coal companies fight tooth and nail to prevent miners from receiving federal black lung benefits, while centering the folks who were most impacted. I’ve had the privilege of meeting some of the characters in the book in the last few years. I’m honored to work on black lung policy.
The Heat Will Kill You First – Jeff Goodell
Rising temperatures are one of the most obvious changes we will see due to climate change. I think we quite simply are not prepared for the changes we’ll see in West Virginia and the rest of the country. This book confirmed my fears. Many of our fellow West Virginians live in inadequate, leaky housing without central AC. Our rates are so high already, and running the AC strains the grid. Our cities and towns often tear down old trees that provide shade. I want local and state leaders to take heat more seriously.
Valley So Low: One Lawyer’s Fight for Justice in the Wake of America’s Great Coal Catastrophe – Jared Sullivan
In 2008, barriers at a coal ash pond in Kingston, Tennessee ruptured and released 1 billion gallons of toxic coal ash slurry. At first, Tennessee Valley Authority leadership tried to persuade the public it was safe. It wasn’t. More than 30 workers on the cleanup crews ended up getting cancer or dying within 10 years of the spill. The disaster led to laws regulating coal ash ponds, which are found throughout West Virginia and pose a risk to public health. Unfortunately, the Trump administration is trying to roll back those rules.
All We Can Save: Truth, Courage, and Solutions for the Climate Crisis – edited by Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson and Dr. Katharine Wilkinson
This book came out at the perfect time. During the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, I was in need of some hope and optimism. This book offers a collection of essays that range from poetry to advice to a reimagining of what our world can be if we address climate change and reaffirm our responsibility to respect and love each other.
The Coal Trap: How West Virginia Was Left Behind in the Clean Energy Revolution – James Van Nostrand
When I was a reporter, I interviewed Professor Van Nostrand, formerly at WVU Law, for a story on proposed expensive coal plant upgrades in West Virginia. I really enjoyed speaking with him and think I bought his book soon after hopping off the phone. He lays out the social and corporate forces that contribute to why West Virginia is one of the most coal-reliant states in the country, and the consequences of that, which include high electricity rates and poor health outcomes. This book was the first time someone gave me evidence to back up the weird feeling I have about the Friends of Coal, which is essentially an effective propaganda tool.
