“Did that car just wink at me?” Willie gasped!  “Don’t be shy big fella,” Electra fairly purred.  “Want to take me for a ride?”
            Willie spun around to see who had spoken, but he was alone in the sales lot surrounded by shiny new electric vehicles (EVs).  Then Electra Carr’s other headlight winked.  “Is that car talking to me?” he wondered aloud.  Once over his shock, he ventured an answer. “Well yes, I would like to take you for a ride.  I’m interested in EVs, but to be honest, I’ve got ‘range anxiety,’” he sheepishly admitted.  “What if we go somewhere and you run out of juice?” Willie Gettstuk asked. 

             Electra had heard that question many times before. “No worries!” she replied.  She explained that on average, cars and light trucks in the U.S. get used for only one hour per day and travel only 35 miles according to the Federal Highway Administration.  A compact EV like herself with a range of over 140 miles can easily handle that job.  Moreover, one recent study showed that more than 1/3 of all drivers could meet all their transportation needs with a small-battery EV like Electra that they plug in overnight at home.  EV’s are competitively priced and have low maintenance and fuel costs.  So folks who own of a compact EV can rent a longer-range vehicle a couple times a year as needed, and still be money ahead.

            But another issue had been bothering Willie. “Some folks say EVs aren’t actually more environmentally friendly than, say, a hybrid gasoline powered vehicle.  Are they?” he asked.

            Electra told him about a recent analysis by the Union of Concerned Scientists.*  It compared the lifetime emissions of EVs with gas & diesel-powered vehicles.  They counted all the greenhouse gases released in the production and use over the vehicle’s lifetime.  Turns out that, on average, EVs beat all gas-powered vehicles, even hybrids.  In fact, driving the average EV in the U.S. is like getting 91 mpg, way better than hybrids’ mileage.

          Willie’s EV anxieties melted away.  Now it was his turn to wink.  “Let’s go for a spin, cutie!  Who knew that saving money and helping build a cleaner future could be so much fun?” he smiled. “Good thing too because this is the only home we’ll ever know.  It’s where we’re all forever…Earthbound.”
*www.ucsusa.org/resources/driving-cleaner

            Corinne Cobb wished she had the nerve to toss a tassel toward Sol.  He was just SO different than everyone in her family – tall, sturdy, and oh so shiny and bright!
            Then one lucky day a sunbeam bounced off Sol just so and hit Corinne right in the ear.  “Oh! Sorry Miss,” Sol R. Pannell apologized. “Didn’t mean to startle you.”  “Not at all,” Corinne blushed a darker shade of green. “I’ve been hoping to meet you.”  And that was the first of many chats Corinne and Sol had over those long summer days.
            As September approached, frightening rumors began to circulate through Corinne’s field.  “It’s something about a lady named Ethel Knoll and fuel for the farmers,” Corinne explained breathlessly to Sol. “I’m afraid it means I might have to leave!” she exclaimed through drooping leaves.  Sol knew it was time to tell Corinne the “facts of life” as he understood them to be.
            He explained that she and all the Cobbs were destined to become ethanol fuel.  Never intended to become animal feed, Corinne would eventually end up in someone’s gas tank.  Sol too was creating energy; however, he knew that some folks weren’t too keen about him using land that could be growing crops.  “But humans are already using thousands of acres for energy production; they might as well be efficient about it,” Sol reasoned.
             “A recent study* makes a compelling case for reducing the acreage planted for corn ethanol,” he continued. “It found that, when accounting for all inputs, the net energy production of solar is over 100 times that of corn ethanol.  In other words, if you consider all the energy it takes to make, transport and install a solar farm as compared to the energy it takes to plant, harvest and convert corn into ethanol, solar creates 100 times the energy that corn does!  Wisconsin’s 3,500 acres of solar is just 0.35% (1/3 of 1%) of the land currently used to grow corn for ethanol.  Maybe humans should use land for growing food crops instead of corn for fuel,” Sol suggested.
            As the harvester headed down Corinne’s row she cried out to Sol, “Keep shining my friend!  Help build a clean and healthy tomorrow because this is the only home any of us will ever know.  It’s where we’re all forever…Earthbound.”

Audit-ioning for Uncle IRA
 
            Wanda could hardly contain herself!  She’d heard that Uncle IRA was in town with loads of money to dole out.  She knew her neighbor, Penny Smart, kept her eye on these things, so she invited Penny to tea.
            “Why Wanda Knowmor!” Penny gushed, “it’s so kind of you to invite me.  Land’s sake! Wait until you hear what I found out about Uncle IRA – (the Inflation Reduction Act).  I learned all about him on something called the CleanEnergy.gov website.”  “Mercy!” Wanda said as she poured Penny a second cup of tea. “Do tell!”
“Well,” Penny began, “you always hear me say, if you want to save money, get more efficient.  So finding the places in your home that are inefficient is the first thing to do.  Uncle  IRA agrees.  He’s got money and tax credits to give out, but to be able to use many of these benefits, you first have to have an energy audit done on your home.”
“What’s an energy audit?” Wanda asked. “Good question,” Penny continued. “A team of professionals give your house a sort of ‘energy health check-up’ to find air leaks, weather stripping and insulation gaps, inefficient appliances and such.  Then you get a report listing the least expensive ways to lower your energy costs.  It’ll also tell how to get all the tax credits and cash incentives IRA provides.  These credits and incentives are really generous.  They make many energy improvements practically free!  But the key is the energy audit.  It opens the door to a whole basketful of savings opportunities!” Penny concluded. “That’s all very exciting,” Wanda sniffed, “but it sounds complicated and expensive to do this audit thing.”
“Honestly,” Penny leaned in and lowered her voice, “here’s a little secret; folks in Iowa County are getting a special deal.  This spring, Iowa County Clean, Local Energy Alliance – Now (CLEA-N) is working with Green Homeowners United.  Using the tax credit, folks can get the audit, report and guidance all for less than $250.  Even better - for homes heated with propane, it’ll cost less than $100!  Just call this guy named Chuck at 608-930-3252 or drop him a note at charles@driftlessconservancy.org to learn more.”
“Sign me up!” Wanda practically squealed. “I want to save money and be a good steward too because this is our only home.  It’s where we’re all forever…Earthbound.”

             “But Great Grandmother Atoms, can’t you see I’m right?” Joy Numm pleaded.  Joy is an advocate for atomic fusion, the fusing together of atoms to generate electricity.  She’d been arguing with her cousin, Ima Splitter.  Ima supports atomic fission, the splitting apart of atoms, as the best way to supplement wind and solar for greenhouse gas-free electrical generation. “She just won’t listen, Gram!”  Joy protested.
            “These humans have gotten themselves into quite an energy muddle,” Gram thought to herself.  “Fossil fuels have been a relatively cheap and convenient source of energy for generations.  But burning them accelerates the warming of the atmosphere which then intensifies severe weather events.  Why in 2022 alone, there were18 severe weather events that cost the U.S. over $1 billion each!  (The 40-year average has been about 7 billion-dollar events a year.)  Even more are likely as the atmosphere warms further.  So penny-wise humans are racing to find ways to substitute clean energy alternatives for fossil fuels.  Some say the use of emissions-free nuclear energy should be part of the mix.  Should it?” she wondered.
             As Gram settled into her rocker, she asked the girls to lay out their arguments.  “To begin with,” Joy began, “nuclear fusion is safer than nuclear fission.  Fusion generates low-level waste that’s less radioactive and has a shorter lifespan than the waste from fission.  It doesn’t use the enriched uranium needed to make nuclear bombs.  And get this!  Nuclear scientists just made a huge technological breakthrough toward making fusion commercially feasible.  At least 35 private companies are investing over $5 billion to do so,” Joy beamed.
            “Promises, promises,” Ima interrupted.  “Remember Doc Brown’s 2015 ‘Mr. Fusion’ powered flying car in ‘Back to the Future’?  Hasn’t happened.  Meanwhile, humans need the reliable, always-on power that nuclear fission already generates every day around the world.  Sure, folks have every reason to be concerned about the safety of nuclear and of any fuel.  But natural gas facilities kill 70 times—and coal 600 times—as many people from air pollution and accidents as nuclear power generation does.  Even astronauts going to the moon use nuclear power!” Ima concluded.
            “Hmm… these humans have some tough decisions to make about atomic energy,” Gram mused. “But they’re clever problem solvers; they’ll find a way to protect their only home because where else would they live?  They’re forever…Earthbound.”

               With most families who gathered during the holidays, an unspoken rule is that certain topics are prohibited.  It’s the same with the Atoms family.  But when Joy haughtily sauntered in, Ima was ready to break that tradition.
            You see, Joy Numm led the campaign promoting nuclear fusion – the joining, or fusing of atoms - to generate electricity.  In the lab, scientists had recently succeeded in creating more energy through fusion than it took to run the test.  This was a huge breakthrough prompting Joy’s superior attitude.
            Ima Splitter, on the other hand, advocated using fission – the splitting apart of atoms – to produce electricity.  This technology has been successfully generating electricity for decades, notwithstanding issues concerning cost and the problem of radioactive waste.
            The two were eyeing each other across the room when Great Grandmother Atoms clinked her spoon on her sherry glass (atoms use spoons??) drawing everyone’s attention. “Welcome All!  As I’m sure you’ve heard, we lowly Atoms have recently gained some prominence in the human media.”  She smiled and nodded slightly toward Joy.  Ima’s electrons fumed! 
            “Humans are awakening to the reality that the fossil fuels they have relied on for decades need to be significantly curtailed in order to avoid severe environmental and health consequences,” Great Gram continued. “We applaud their work to increase efficiencies and expand the use of wind, solar, geothermal and other clean energy sources.  Nevertheless, most experts agree that 10 - 20% of their energy will inevitably have to come from some baseload source.  If it’s not to be coal or natural gas, then battery storage and nuclear are the most likely candidates.” The room erupted in applause while Joy and Ima maneuvered themselves to a quiet corner to have the showdown they both were relishing.
            “You’re the reason for the Chernobyl and Fukushima disasters.  No wonder folks are looking to me for a safer clean power source,” Joy spat. “Oh sure,” Ima shot back, “I suppose you’re going to waltz in and save the day.  Haven’t you heard the old joke that economical fusion power is only ten years away?  That joke’s been around for decades!”
            “Girls, girls!” Great Gram interrupted.  “We can have this conversation without all the drama.  Let’s continue this next time because these are critical issues here on the only home we’ll ever know.  After all, it’s where we’re all forever…Earthbound.”

            Baby ’23 gripped the slats of her crib.  Her eyes followed Old Man ’22 as he shuffled back and forth sorting papers and file boxes.  The elderly gent glanced at the “year-glass.”  Very few grains of sand remained.  “Got to set you up for success,” he mumbled with his back to the infant.
            “I guess I haven’t done a half-bad job,” he continued.  “Seems like most folks have awakened to the reality that Mother Earth needs quite a bit more TLC if folks expect to continue enjoying all the gifts she’s provided for them.  Then turning to the tiny ’23, “So I’ve got a few things to leave with you.  I hope you’ll consider using them.”
            He cleared a place in front of the crib and hoisted up three large boxes.  They were labeled: Geo & atmospheres, Biodiversity and People.  Then he set a large mixing bowl next to them.  “Folks have mostly kept these three things in separate boxes.  People usually think of nature (Geo & atmospheres and Biodiversity) as ‘out there’ somewhere, separate from people’s homes and cities.  But actually, they are all just different aspects of the same thing and are inseparably intertwined.  Anything that happens to one affects the other two.  Together they combine to create that mysterious, complex web of life on Earth.
            “So your challenge, young lady, is to get these concepts whisked together in folks’ minds.”  Then reaching to the top shelf he brought down a large tray labeled “Essential Components.”  From it, he removed a number of vials.  They included: Clean Energy, Healthy Diets from Sustainable Farming, Circular Economies, Urban and Transportation Planning, Equitable Health Coverage and Social Protections, Training and Education, and finally Water and Energy Access for All. 
          “There you go, young lady. These Essential Components will help guide you in whipping up a delightful mixture of pulsating life on Earth for all creatures. Of course you won’t be able to accomplish everything in your brief 365-day trip around the sun.  But you have all the pieces necessary to build on the modest gains our predecessors and I have begun.
           “I’ll be going soon.  Best wishes for a successful venture,” the kindly fellow smiled, “because we really must succeed.  What other choice do we have?  This is the only home any of us will ever know.  It’s where we’re all forever …Earthbound.”

            The big day was almost here.  St. Nick paced nervously while waiting for the department heads to gather for a status update.  “Are we going to be ready?” he anxiously asked his elfin assistants.
            Lottie Stuph wiggled on the edge of her seat waving her arm madly. “What have you got for us, Lottie?” Nick asked.  “Our advertising dept. has been going like gang-busters,” she beamed.  We’re blasting folks with messaging that says getting lots of new stuff is the key to happiness. People can hardly resist!  We’re stuffing the sleigh with…”  Lottie would have been happy to blather on had Nick not cut her off.
            “Okay, okay,” Nick said patiently. ”I’m actually more interested in hearing from the others.  Ty, you’re up.”  Ty Tinnup, the energy efficiency expert, reminded everyone that the least expensive, cleanest energy is energy that’s never generated or needed in the first place.  His crew was loading the sleigh with insulation and weatherization materials.
            The others reported in turn.  Dewey Droppe said his team was filling Nick’s sack with policies and practices to clean up pfas (so called “forever chemicals”) and nitrates from ground water.  Hugh Muss said his group was packing technological support and the cost structures needed to advance regenerative agriculture practices.  Cy Questration’s squad was stuffing Nick’s sack with strategies and funding to expand a range of options for pulling excess, harmful CO2 from the atmosphere.  St. Nick’s smile fairly glowed!
            “What about you two in the back?” Nick asked.  Polly and Pete sheepishly stepped forward.  “Er…we can’t pretend otherwise,” Polly Ethylene began. “Plastics have kind of overdone it.  Now, unfortunately, microplastics are sprinkled throughout every environment on Earth.  So, we’re tucking in technology for cleaning up plastic waste.”
           “And speaking of overdoing it,” Pete Rollium blushed, “we’re just as guilty.  Petroleum products really do need to be reined in.  We’re loading the sleigh with incentives and the know-how for businesses, organizations and everyday folks to transition to economical, clean energy sources.”
            “Ho, Ho, Ho,” Nick chuckled. “I love delivering toys to children.  But what really tickles my tummy are the heartfelt, non-material gifts folks give each other.  I especially love those that help build a healthy world teaming with life here at the North Pole and everywhere.  Because this is the only home any of us will ever know.  It’s where we’re all forever …Earthbound.”

            Anita flipped her pocketbook open as she trudged through the shopping center.  Her folding money was disappearing quickly, and she’d almost reached her credit card limit.  “There’s gottta be a way to spend less,” Anita Savemorre grumbled.  Looking up, she spotted a tiny shop.  The people inside were scanning computer screens and reading displays.  “Can I help you?” Phil Yerpig-Banc asked. “What is this place?  Where’s all your stuff?’’ Anita asked. 
            “Oh,” Phil beamed, “we don’t sell stuff; we sell savings.  Like most folks, you probably spend a boatload of money on heating your home. And, you probably assume it’s too expensive to do anything about it.  We’re here to show you that for little or no cost, you can make your home cozier and lower your energy bills at the same time.”
            “Oh sure! What are you, some kind of magic shop?”  Anita almost laughed. “Not at all,” Phil replied.  “It’s simply a matter of smart economics.”
            Phil explained that tax credits and rebates from the recently passed Inflation Reduction Act allow moderate to low-income folks to dramatically lower their energy bills for little or no cost.  Homeowners can save hundreds of energy dollars through a step-by-step plan to sort of “max-out” the available tax credits and rebates for home improvements one year after the next.  Items covered include insulation, over-all weatherizing, window replacement, heat pump heating/cooling systems and much more.
            “But the important first step is to get a home energy audit.  It’s required to be eligible for many of these offers.  The good news is that this spring, Green Homeowners United (GHU) and Iowa County Clean, Local Energy Alliance – Now! (CLEA-N) will provide a professional energy assessment by GHU’s Green Team at the discounted price of $150.  But CLEA-N’s funds will cover only a limited number of Iowa County area homes on a first come basis.  Contact Chuck* if you’d like to be notified when this offer opens in February.
            “The energy assessment will provide homeowners with a comprehensive report on what kinds of improvements would provide the greatest savings for the lowest costs.  GHU will explain how to cash-in on state and federal rebates and tax credits,” Phil concluded.
            “It’s not magic at all!”  Anita smiled, “Lower costs, fewer harmful emissions, greater comfort.  We can have it all right here where we’re all forever …Earthbound.”
 
* Charles@DriftlessConservancy.org

            Looking unusually glum, Pete sat sulking on the curb when…Whoosh! Solomon went whizzing by.  Moments later…Swish! back flew Solomon almost before Pete had a chance to look up.  Zipp! Sol raced by a third time but screeched to a halt right in front of his old rival, Pete Rolleum.  “Why so gloomy?” Sol Arre asked. “Oh yeah.  I almost forgot; you never jumped on a rapid Learning Curve did you. 

           “Nope,” Pete frowned.  “I never really got it.  I mean, people loosely use the term ‘learning curve’ to mean how fast they pick up a new skill.  I never understood that the Learning Curve is actually a mathematical concept that can identify trends of how fast the cost for a manufactured product will drop dependent upon how fast that product’s use expands.  Me and my fossil fuel buddies never developed that trend.  We’re pretty much stuck at the same (inflation adjusted) spot pricewise as we were some 140 years ago.  But you’re whizzing all over the place!”

            “Oh, you bet I am!  Batteries, wind energy and I having been cruising on a steep learning curve for years.  Our costs are dropping dramatically as our use is expanding rapidly.  It’s almost hard to believe, but I cost over 1,000 times less than when I was first commercially available in 1958.  Now, I’m the least expensive source of energy around, and I’m riding that curve to even lower costs.

            “And here’s the thing.  The more quickly humans expand solar, wind and battery use, the more quickly our costs will drop even further.  Graphs of our trends-lines from an Oxford University study* show that adopting me and my pals as rapidly as possible will increasingly save money while reducing harmful emissions.  Some folks claim it’s too costly to transition to clean energy.  But because of our steep learning curves, transitioning isn’t a cost at all; it’s a huge savings worth trillions of dollars over the coming decades.
 
            “Sorry to say pal, but humans would be wise to tip their hats to you and your buddies and say, ‘Thanks for your service, but we’re investing in clean energy from now on,’” Sol confided.  “Because the benefits are just too good to delay any further on this, our only home, where we’re all forever …Earthbound.”
 
* Search - Empirically grounded technology forecasts

       Cassie couldn’t resist stopping by the last farmers market of the season.  She spotted her friend, Skip, busy attending to customers.  Later, as the crowd thinned, Cassie was glad to have a moment with him.  “I’m always impressed with the quality of your produce and with the work you do.  You’re a real role-model for those of us who care about the environment,”  Cass exclaimed.

       “Well, I do what I can,” Skip nodded. “As you know, I’m all about local healthy foods, clean water and soil preservation.  There’s so much good work to be done.  Thanks for noticing.”

       Cass stayed to help Skip pack up. “You’re so busy; let me know if I can give you a lift to the polls on the 8th,” she offered.”  Skip gave Cass a funny look. “Er… thanks,” he replied, “but I’m probably busy that day.  Does it make any difference anyway?  I haven’t been bothering to vote lately,” Skip D. Polls admitted.

       “Oh!” Cass said, a bit startled. “You’re one of the 12 million I read about.*  I was surprised to learn that in the 2018 mid-term elections there were 12 million dedicated environmentalists like you, who didn’t vote.  They all had their reasons.  But the Environmental Voter Project (EVP) points out that many elections, especially in so-called swing states like Wisconsin, are decided by just a percentage point or two, a few thousand votes.  EVP suggests that the single most powerful thing environmentally-conscious folks can do is to vote because the thing politicians care about most is winning elections.  If they know the folks who regularly vote care about environmental issues, they’ll pay attention.” Cass DaBallut concluded.

       “Whoa!  You mean my vote could be one of the few thousand that flips an election one way or another?  I guess I never realized I had that much influence.  It’s certainly worth it for me to miss an environmental rally or meeting to take the time to vote,” Skip agreed.  “But I’m not sure I’m even registered.”

       “Easy enough,” Cass advised. “Just go to myvote.wi.gov.  You’ll find out all you need to know.  Because you know what Mom Earth would say – ‘I’m counting on YOU, and so are the generations to come.’”

       “You’re right.  I’ll take that ride after all,” Skip smiled, “because this is our only home.  It’s where we’re all forever …Earthbound.”
* www.environmentalvoter.org