Bethany students talk about their MCC environmental learning tour in Appalachia. These students were part of a weeklong Bethany Interterm group in April that was learning about where their energy comes from by visiting this coalmining region. During the week they visited with folks firsthand, saw the devastation from coalmining, and learned about the policitics, economics, and social repercussions of the region.

Listen to a MCC podcast that includes some student comments on their visit, including "Seeing the effects of coal mining that is used to create electricity, I'm going to be more conscious for how I use electricity. Coming here and seeing this, I realize how important it really is."

Bethany teacher Amy Thut, who led the trip, says, "Our society alienates environmentalists as being an extreme group of people. Through this week students are learning that it is not just about caring for the bird, butterflies, and flowers, but that it is caring for the health of all people. That there are human consequences of mountain top removal and the use of coal."