This Thursday, August 21, the Bloom Collective--a local lending library and infoshop here in Grand Rapids--is hosting a screening of the documentary Burning the Future: Coal in America. This new film, produced by Firefly Pix is an important and timely film for everyone to see. The screening will be held at the Division Avenue Arts Cooperative, located at 115 South Division and begins at 8pm.

Burning the Future takes viewers on a rollercoaster ride of how coal is extracted in the Appalachian mountains and what this means for those who live near the mines--as well as for the rest of the country which has become so dependent on coal produced electricity. This film has breath taking footage of how the mountains in West Virginia have been transformed by what is called mountaintop removal mining. In these areas, communities are being devastated by increased flooding and the contamination of their water and air due to the destructive mining practice.

The film presents the perspectives of those impacted by coal mining and those who benefit from it. Burning the Future exposes the lies and other tactics that the coal industry engages in to silence any opposition. More importantly, this film shows the dedication and courage of people who are resisting the policies and practices of the coal industry.

In addition, Burning the Future is important for those of us living in Michigan since there are proposals for eight new coal-powered electricity plants proposed throughout the state. Information about organizing to stop those plants will be available at the screening.

You can also watch a trailer for the film:

Burning The Future: Coal in America - Trailer from coalmovie on Vimeo.