Our blogs are written by the staff of the Center for Coalfield Justice, with an occasional guest post. The most recent post appears on top, and others show up below in order of publishing date. You can receive the blogs in your inbox by signing up for our mailing list. Once per month we publish a newsletter, which contains most of the blog posts.
CCJ to Host Event Appreciating Miners and How the History of Mining Shaped the County
Join Center for Coalfield Justice on Sunday, May 18th from 1-4 pm one day before the 97th anniversary of the tragic Mather Mine Disaster. At this family friendly event we will commemorate the explosion that caused the tragic deaths of 195 miners on May 19th, 1928. It was the 2nd deadliest mine disaster in Pennsylvania…
The Clean Air Act is Under Threat. Remember the Donora Smog?
The Clean Air Act is the law that defines the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) responsibilities for protecting and improving the nation’s air quality and the stratospheric ozone layer. The Act calls for states and the EPA to solve multiple air pollution problems through programs based on the latest science and technology information. However, in late…
Could an Indigenous Approach to Climate Change be the Solution for Rural Americans?
This is the 10th blog in our Examining Climate series, where CCJ staff members and others will be sharing their favorite (or least favorite) climate solution, looking at the benefits and the costs in the hope of sparking an honest conversation about how we address the climate crisis and keep our focus on environmental justice….
Pilgrims of Hope: Reflections from the 2025 Jubilee Convening on Global Climate Reparations
This blog was in process as we learned of the passing of Pope Francis. I am deeply saddened by his passing, and hope that the next Pope can carry forward Pope Francis’ legacy of service, unity, and compassion. In 2015, Pope Francis published an encyclical titled Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home, a…
Seed Swap 2025: We Just Keep Growing!
If there is one word that comes to mind when I reflect on this year’s CCJ Seed Swap at Citizens Library, it would most certainly be GROWTH. Not only did we see growth in attendance, but we were also able to supply local families with more seeds, more grow bags, and have more meaningful conversations…
Human Services: Medicare & Medicaid
Today, over 72 million 1 people in the United States are enrolled in Medicaid, and 68 million 2 in Medicare. Medicare and Medicaid are ubiquitous aspects of modern society, but their importance and breadth of service are often undervalued and unrecognized. Medicare and Medicaid were written into law by Lyndon B. Johnson as a part…
Economics and How it Relates to You
Economics studies how individuals, businesses, governments, and societies allocate limited resources (such as time, money, and labor) to satisfy their needs and wants. It examines the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services and how these activities affect the economy as a whole. Some argue that economics is the study of choice or a…
UPDATE: Tunnel Ridge Continues to Cost Taxpayers Money
Again!? There are more lane restrictions and slow downs because of the Tunnel Ridge (Alliance Coal) longwall coal mining operation under I-70. In 2022 I made a daily commute to work using the I-70 stretch between Wheeling and Washington and even to this day I sometimes think about that commute in frustration. Neon orange lane…
Cultivating Community: Why We Host an Annual Seed Swap
The THYME is almost here for Center for Coalfield Justice’s 5th Annual Seed Swap! Okay, that joke may be corny 🌽but in all seriousness, the swap has always been one of my favorite CCJ events. I know when I start hearing about it that spring blooms aren’t far behind! Even before joining CCJ as a…