--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In Kentucky, we're destroying mountains…" description: "\"In Kentucky, we're destroying mountains, including their soils and forests, in order to get at the coal. In other words, we're destroying a permanent v..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f32/wendell-berry-236_burden_in-kentucky-we-re-destroying-mountains-i_887775.jpg" --- # In Kentucky, we're destroying mountains, including their… ![“In Kentucky, we're destroying mountains, including their soils and forests, in order to get at the coal. In other words, we're destroying a permanent value in order to get at an almost inconceivably transient value. That coal has a value only if and when it is burnt. And after it is burnt, it is a…” quote by Wendell Berry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f32/wendell-berry-236_burden_in-kentucky-we-re-destroying-mountains-i_887775.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f32/wendell-berry-236_burden_in-kentucky-we-re-destroying-mountains-i_887775.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f32/wendell-berry-236_burden_in-kentucky-we-re-destroying-mountains-i_887775.jpg) > “In Kentucky, we're destroying mountains, including their soils and forests, in order to get at the coal. In other words, we're destroying a permanent value in order to get at an almost inconceivably transient value. That coal has a value only if and when it is burnt. And after it is burnt, it is a pollutant and a waste-a burden.” [Wendell Berry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendell-berry/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Extracting coal destroys lasting natural resources for a brief, harmful energy source. **In simple terms:** Mining harms the environment for short‑term gain. Key Takeaway Prioritize sustainable energy over short‑term profit. Themes environment economics sustainability resource management ethics Mood concerned reflective Type philosophical critical When to use this quote - policy making - community activism - energy planning - education - business strategy Key Concepts ecology intergenerational justice externalities Questions to Reflect On - How can societies value long‑term ecological health? - What alternatives can replace coal without harming economies? A Different Perspective Transitioning to sustainable energy can be costly and politically contentious. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Burden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/burden/) [Climate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/climate/) [Coal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/coal/) [Coal Value](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/coal-value-1116269/) [Conservative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conservative/) [Destroying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/destroying/) [Destroying Mountains](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/destroying-mountains-1116271/) [Forests](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forests/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Ifs and](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs-and/) [Including](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/including/) [Kentucky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kentucky/) [Kentucky Destroying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kentucky-destroying-1116272/) [Mountain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mountain/) [Order](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/order/) [Permanent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/permanent/) [Soil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soil/) [Transient](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/transient/) [Value Coal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/value-coal-1116270/) [Values](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/values/) [Waste](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/waste/) ## Related quotes > [The debate about climate change in many ways is tied to the petroleum industry. 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