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Join us for this mini immersion trip to the most popular domestic service destination for US high schools and universities. This session will engage immersion leaders and participants who are going on an alternative break to Appalachia and individuals who are generally interested in the uniqueness of the Appalachian culture. Prepared for the 2012 Ignatian Family Teach-in for Justice. Contact ai@wju.edu with questions.
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There’s Something About Appalachia…
Tom Weinandy Appalachian InstituteTom Weinandy Appalachian Institute
Overview• What is Appalachia?• Culture• Politics/Economics• Energy/Environment• Health• Making a Difference!
Appalachia
CULTURE
Outdoor Adventure
History
Boom and Bust Economies
Labor Unions
POLITICS & ECONOMICS
“A Rich Place with Poor People”
Coal Coal is King!is King!
•US electricity= 45% from coal•WV electricity= 98% from coal•Coal provides 53,000 jobs throughout entire region. In some counties it’s as high as 40-50% of employment.•Appalachian coal mining made $720 million in taxes in 2005.
Despite coal mining
more than 100 counties
remain in poverty
West Virginia:
50th in average family income
Poverty RatesPoverty Rates
Unemployment Rates Unemployment Rates
Economy of extreme
highs and lows
Energy and Environment
Mountain Top Removal
Natural Gas -- Fracking
Good or bad?
Marcellus Shale
Health 1st adult current smokers 2nd obesity rates (adults) 1st diabetes 6th low birth weight 1st loss of all teeth by age 65 46th life expectancy
Making a Difference…
…and experiencing Appalachia
Appalachian Instituteat Wheeling Jesuit Universitywju.edu/ai
Tom Weinandytweinandy@wju.edu
Twitter: @tomweinandy
Tom Weinandytweinandy@wju.edu
Twitter: @tomweinandy
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