Author Question: Describe surface mining as it is practiced in the southern Appalachians. What will be an ideal ... (Read 62 times)

kamilo84 · **on:** Jul 15, 2018

Describe surface mining as it is practiced in the southern Appalachians.

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Examine the three types of capital that make up the wealth of nations. Which do you think is the most valuable? Justify your answer.

What will be an ideal response?

wergv · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 15, 2018

Answer to Question 1

During surface mining, the tops of mountains are blown up; the land is scooped up and turned over by large shovels, to expose and harvest the coal underneath. Roughly 7more than 470 mountainsof the 12 million acres of mountainous land in these states has been or will soon be disturbed by mountaintop removal. Already, more than 700 miles of streams have been completely buried, and another 800 miles have been degraded by the waste products that leach from the mine waste.

Answer to Question 2

There are three types of capital that determine a nation's wealth. The first is produced capital, which is defined as human-made items. These items tend to become obsolete. The second is natural capital, which is supplied by ecosystems and resources in the ground. These can be either renewable or nonrenewable. The third is intangible capital, which includes humans, social capital, and knowledge.
It can be argued that without natural capital (namely resources) a nation cannot build the produced capitaland without produced capital a country may not be able to use its natural resources. However, without adequate intangible capital, a nation does not have the workforce, the knowledge, and the social structure to be able to use the natural resources in an environmentally responsible manner. They also cannot make produced capital that will not become obsolete quickly. Finally, they cannot make capital that is less likely to degrade the environment. Therefore, the best argument would be that intangible capital is the most valuable. Countries can import natural capital and produced goods, but they need people with a good social and educational environment in order to use it.