“My poor granddaughter!” Oma Gosh lamented. “She worked so hard to make the varsity volleyball team, but that finicky coach picked a younger girl in her place.  She was heartbroken.  Luckily, her friend invited her to join the cross-country team instead.  Turns out she actually LOVES cross-country,” Oma sniffed as she took a sip of tea.

        Ima Phraid could hardly wait to share her juicy gossip. “Did you hear that Maeby Imsic went in to get some blemishes taken off before her twenty-fifth anniversary party.  But that fussy doctor wouldn’t do it until they could do a biopsy.  Just imagine! She had to have her party with those unsightly blotches on her neck.  How humiliating!  I guess they actually did catch and treat the cancer that probably would have killed her.  Still, it kind of makes me mad.”

        “Hmm,” Donna Worrie chimed in, “sounds like you both need a dose of something called equanimity.  It’s a fancy word meaning being even-tempered and composed, especially in difficult situations.  Equanimity implies that we actually need to wait and see how something disappointing plays out in the end instead of assuming the worst.  I remember years ago I missed a bus to a job interview.  I blew my first big career opportunity and sat crying my eyes out when a handsome, young fella came by to comfort me.  And now George and I have been married for 40 years!  Reminds me of a relentlessly chipper character I saw in a movie once.  “It’s always better in the end,” he said. “If you’re not happy; it’s not the end!”

        “You know me,” Donna continued, “I’m always reading about the next environmental crisis.  There are more than enough to give a person nightmares.  But we really don’t know what tomorrow will bring.  Fretting about it doesn’t help, but working on solutions does.  Take global warming - it’s a huge challenge, but it’s driving some amazing technological advances.  New, lower-cost energy options really can create a cleaner, healthier future.  We just need to make it happen.  The ancient Chinese philosopher, Lao Tzu, said, ‘New beginnings are often disguised as painful endings.’”

        “I get it!  No more gossipy moping for me,” Oma cheered. “I’ll help work toward that happy ending because we don’t really have a choice do we.  This is our only home where we’re all forever… Earthbound.”

        Forrest Phires was all smiles as he stepped into his favorite watering hole.  Sure enough, there were the ’24 Hurricanes – Beryl, Francine, Helene, Debbie and Milton – yuking it up around the poker table.  “Great season, eh Forrest!?” Beryl called out with a wave.  At the bar Forrest found his old pals Lotti Floods and Ty Phoon.  He sauntered over and pulled up a stool.

        “What are you grinning about?” Lotti asked giving Forrest a high-five. “I just can’t believe what these humans are letting us get away with, especially this year,” Forrest exclaimed. “It’s like the World Series, Super Bowl and the World Cup all rolled up into one.  Count ‘em - 24 confirmed weather/climate disaster events with losses exceeding $1 billion each in the good ‘ol U S of A.

        “Just think.  In the old days, those of us in the environmental disaster business were lucky to squeak out 3 or 4 billion-dollar disasters a year.  For 1980 – 2023 the annual average is just 8.5 events (CPI-adjusted), and most of those have been in the past 5 years. But this year we’ve already pulled off 24, and there’s still two months to go!  Those humans just keep on paying up.  Since 1980 our shenanigans have cost them over $2.79 trillion!  (Let’s see.  A trillion is 1,000 billion, right?)”

        “Yeah,” interjected Lottie, “I was a little nervous back in 1987.  You remember; scientists had raised the alarm about the growing ozone hole over Antarctica.  Then all the countries cooperated and made a pact to prohibit the use of chlorofluorocarbons. And it’s working; the ozone hole is gradually shrinking.  So I figured once the alarm was raised about greenhouse gases polluting the atmosphere and raising Earth’s temperature, everybody would once again cooperate on a plan to reduce their use.  Hasn’t happened!

        “It’s a real mystery,” Ty added.  “Humans seem to prefer to pay to clean-up and rebuild instead of using some of that $2.79 trillion to create an energy system that’s not sooo destructive.
 
        “The thing is, these humans are very clever.  Their scientific and industrial infrastructure is more than sufficient to take on this issue.  So let’s not count our chickens yet.  I bet they’ll figure out how to cooperate to get the job done.  After all, this is their only home.  It’s where they’re all forever… Earthbound.”

        Alone on the couch, Dee Velopper sat drowsing as she nursed her second Whiskey Highball.  “Why does it always have to be so difficult?” she mumbled to herself. “I’m just trying to do my job.  Most people agree that we need to ramp up renewable energy production.  But they usually want to see it happen ‘somewhere else’.  Inevitably, when we propose a new solar or wind farm, there’s a local group raising heck and doing all they can to prevent it.  What are we supposed to do?  We can’t just keep pouring greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere,” she said yawning. “Just once, I wish we could work togeth…,” and Dee nodded off.

       Soon, Dee’s dream world came alive and included some guy named Avery chewing on his pencil.  Every so often, Avery seemed to get an idea then jotted it on his notepad.  His notes included: 

• BEFORE finding individuals to lease their land for a renewable energy project, convene a coalition of neighborhood associations, faith-based organizations, unions, environmental groups and other stakeholders.
• Together, with the coalition’s input create legally-binding contracts that lay out the benefits the community will receive from the project.  Call these Community Benefit Agreements (CBAs).
• The coalition’s support of the project raises the probability of state and local government approvals for zoning variances, state permits, and other regulatory approvals.
• Clearly, communities benefit from CBAs, but developers stand to gain also. CBAs increase their chances of starting and sustaining projects.

         Suddenly, in the dream Avery Boddywinns jumped up excitedly and jotted down examples of possible benefits that could be included in the agreement.

• Besides the landowner, neighbors in close proximity to an energy site also receive financial compensation.
• Guaranteed percentages to employ both local contractors and the permanent workforce including on-the-job training
• Annual contributions to a community economic development trust fund
• Local school funding
• Financial and technical support for a community-based Climate Action Plan

         Dee’s head snapped up. “That’s it!” she cried. “Instead of fighting these ‘Us vs. Them’ battles, CBAs benefit all parties.  Cooperation – what novel idea!  As the transition to cleaner and ultimately less expensive energy sources accelerates, cooperation can be a key element in building a healthier, more resilient world.  After all, it’s what we all want for our only home where we’re all forever… Earthbound.”

        It was the best of times; it was - well, certainly not the worst – of times.  And two electrons’ short-lived lives could not have been more different.

        Ben On’Dagrid sparked to life in a coal-fired power plant.  As an identical twin to trillions of his Wisconsin siblings, they filled about 90% of the state’s electrical needs.  And Ben was having the time of his life!  The instant he was born he hopped onto the grid flying hither and thither around the countryside.  During one brief stop at a utility battery back-up substation, Ben heard workers complain about the continually rising electric rates.  “Yup!  They’re going up again, another 8.4% over the next two years,” one gal complained.  “Gonna have to cough up a few hundred extra bucks each year just to keep the lights on!  These increases just don’t quit!”
        
        On the other hand, Rufus Top-Solarre, had never traveled.  In fact, he’d never even left the Jones’ home where he’d been born in a rooftop solar panel.  The instant Rufus blinked to life he caught one fleeting glimpse of his parent, the sun, and was immediately put to work in the Jones’ TV.  His brief existence was just long enough for him to catch an evening news report. 

        “Good news from the International Energy Agency.  Renewable energy capacity is growing and predicted to meet 35% of global needs by 2025,” the reporter stated.  “Additionally, declining costs and rising module efficiencies have resulted in a rapid expansion of residential solar over the past two decades.  In 2000, the typical home system was just 2.4kW (kilowatts); today, the average is 7.4kW.  Module efficiency has almost doubled over that same period while the cost per watt to install solar has fallen by 75%!  In Wisconsin for example, the typical installed solar panel costs $3.10/watt or $13,189 -  $17,843 for a 5kW residential system.  The average cost is $15,516.  But, the federal 30% tax credit and Focus on Energy cash back awards cut that cost by 1/3 or more!”

        “Wow,” Rufus reflected, “continually rising costs for utility-generated electricity and increasingly efficient and lower-than-ever costs for rooftop solar.  Hmm… I don’t have brain, but this seems like a no-brainer.  To reduce the pollution from coal-generated electricity, suitably-sited residences should install affordable solar.  After all, our only home is right here where we’re all forever… Earthbound.”

         Ike doggedly jogged up to Ima who had, once again, finished their cross-country workout ahead of him.  “OK, OK – don’t be so smug; I’ll beat you yet before the season’s over,” he said catching his breath.

         “I can’t believe this is our final year.  Graduation’s only eight months off,” Ima remarked, “and I’m way behind on saving money for college.”  “Join the club,” Ike sighed. “Wait a minute; there’s a way we could win some easy cash.  Did you see the ‘Solar Poetry Slam’ contest poster at school?  First prize is $75!  All you have to do is write a poem about the benefits of adding solar on our school.  Should be easy because there are so many good reasons to do so.”

         Ike’s English teacher had explained that the contest is open to all 6th – 12th graders.* Any kind or poem can be submitted; teachers have all the info.  The Dodgeville Chronicle is going to publish the winners’ pictures and maybe even some of the best poems!  Ike went on to explain why adding solar is such a great idea:

• Scores of Wisconsin schools are already saving $100,000s in energy costs with solar.
• Schools are eligible for federal, state and foundation funding covering up to 50% of the total cost.
• A low-cost ‘green loan’ would pay for the balance.  The loan payments are covered by the energy cost-saving from the solar installation.  I.E. A school’s budget doesn’t increase then gradually drops as the loan is paid off.
• Because of these generous funding options, schools can install solar with little or possibly NO out of pocket costs!
• There are numerous curricula tie-ins for schools that have an operating solar array.  It’s a great way to introduce energy efficiency and solar technologies - some of the fastest growing industries in the country. 
• Schools with solar model earth-friendly stewardship.

 
         “Super! I’m pretty good at making up song lyrics,” Ima Rhymer cheered.  “Betcha I can win that $75 first prize.”  “Oh no you don’t!  This is one time I’m gonna beat you!” Ike N. Pennapoem crowed.

         “No matter who wins, I hope our school looks into adding solar.  It’s a money saver!  Beyond that, we’ve just gotta take care of our planet.  After all, it’s the only home we’ll ever know.  It’s where we’re all forever… Earthbound.”
           
*Mineral Point and Dodgeville students

        Marty McFly cracked out of his shell just minutes after his brother, George, had hatched.  The two crows were best buddies - like peas in a pod - until one day Marty tumbled from the nest.  Young Biff Tannen happened by, found the little chick and raised him as a pet.  Not long after, Biff’s family with Marty, moved miles away to Bellingham, Washington.

        However, each summer the Tannens returned to Wisconsin for a visit.  One year, Marty came along, and wouldn’t you know, he escaped from his cage.  Off he went in search of his long-lost brother, George.  Sure enough, there he was, perched in the old oak tree.  Marty was overjoyed!

        “Hey, it’s Labor Day weekend.  Ya know what I’d really like to do?” Marty cawed.   “Let’s hit up the Iowa County Fair.” So off they flew.  From high up on the grand stand, George soon spotted an open trash bag.  “Lunch is on me!” he grinned.  (Crows can grin??)

        Searching through the debris, Marty picked up a shiny red packet. “What’s this?”  he asked. “That’s ketchup, silly,” George replied. “Huh! Never saw one,” Marty said as his beak pierced a different soft, white container. “Yuck! What’s this stuff?” he asked. “Don’t you know styrofoam?” George questioned.  “It’s packaging for all kinds of fast food and drinks.”  Marty also couldn’t help noticing all the plastic - bags, utensils and beverage containers – stuff they didn’t use at home.

        That night as they watched the moon rise over the driftless countryside, Marty remarked about all he’d seen that day.  “Yeah back home, almost all of our single-use food containers are made of bio-degradable materials; like bamboo utensils for example.  And our garbage doesn’t go in with other trash.  Instead, we put food scraps and bio-degradable paper into ‘food plus’ bins for composting.  There’s even a service that will pick up hard to recycle items like light bulbs and batteries.”  

        As they continued chatting about differences, George learned that in Washington, kids can ride free on the ferries, the in-state Amtrak trains, and on many of the various cities’ buses to encourage less private vehicle use.

        “Golly,” George realized, “Wisconsin has a proud environmental heritage, but there are still a few new tricks we can learn while moving forward to the future.  And we really must because we’re all forever… Earthbound.”

        “Well I’m not doing that again!” Anita declared. “Doing what?” Harry asked.  “Vacation in Las Vegas in July.  What was I thinking??  It was 120 degrees some days!” she exclaimed.

        “Whoa!  Bad plan!” Harry agreed as their bikes rounded a corner. “But Las Vegas wasn’t the only place suffering.  This past June was the 13th month in a row that we’ve set a global-wide monthly high temperature record according to the Copernicus Climate Change Service.  The whole world’s in a pickle!”

        “Yeah, and our family hasn’t done much about actually lowering our carbon footprint,” Anita admitted as they sweated up the next hill. “Funny thing is, before long we’ll be worrying about staying warm this winter and paying those heating bills,” she puffed. “Ours are way too high; I’m sure there must be ways to lower them.  But with work, the kids and all, who’s got time to figure all that out?” she groaned.  

        “Actually, you might have the time,” Harry smiled. “Wisconsin’s Focus on Energy program has a free home energy assessment deal.*  Go on line and answer a few questions; it only takes about 10 minutes.  Then they send you a customized home energy report.  It includes tables and graphs to show you how much energy your heating system is using and what you could potentially save.  Even better, the report makes specific recommendations for your home and tells which Focus on Energy rebate programs will help pay for them and make your home more comfortable.  It’s a sweet deal!”

        “Wow! Sounds perfect,” Anita Gettgoin’ cheered. “It’s time to do it!”

        “But wait; that’s not all,” Harry smiled. “Hey, I sound like a TV pitchman, but there really is more free stuff from Focus.**  They’re giving away three different energy-saving packs: a Shower Pack, a Comfort Pack and a Bath Pack.  These packages are loaded with cool stuff like dusk-to-dawn LED nightlights, high-efficiency showerheads, weather stripping, LED bulbs, window and pipe insulation and more.”

        The two bikers glided down the long hill toward home. “Yeah, we’re in a pickle.  Luckily, it’s not some magical hocus-pocus that will get us out of it.  It’s working together, being smart and taking advantage of this kind of help.  But there’s no time to lose,” Harry Upp-Now urged, “because this is our only home.  It’s where we’re all forever… Earthbound.”

* https://focusonenergy.com/home-assessment
** https://focusonenergy.com/residential/energy-saving-packs

Me?... An Ancestor?
 
Wynn Ima-Goner couldn’t suppress a feeling of satisfaction as he stepped out of his attorney’s office and bumped into his friend Lee Gacey.  “You’re looking chipper,” Lee commented.  “Well thanks.  I feel great.” Wynn replied. “I’m ready to die!”
Wynn explained that he just updated his will.  “Yup!  I’ve laid out just exactly where all my possessions will go, so I’m all set for…whenever.  There’s nothing more for me to do,” he said smugly.
They walked on in silence for a few minutes then Lee asked, “Glad to hear you’ve got your possessions figured out, but have you decided what kind of ancestor you want to be?”  “Huh? What are you talking about?” Wynn asked.
“Wynn, you and I could die tomorrow, or who knows?  We might be around for another 20 years or more.  But someday, we’ll be someone’s ancestor; so what kind of ancestor do you want to be?* Will your descendants say, ‘I’m so proud of my ancestors. Back in the 2020s they dedicated themselves to preserving a healthy planet for me and my children.’  Or will they shake their heads and wonder why our generation didn’t act while we had the chance?  
“You know Wynn, what we do in the next decade will be critical in shaping the environment for hundreds of years to come.  Are we okay with letting global temperatures continue to rise and as a result alter the climate our civilizations were built on?  Each year, 200 - 2000 species are driven to extinction.  Are we going to let that continue?  Will plastic pollution become so pervasive as to be inescapable anywhere on the planet?  I could go on, but you get the picture,” Lee concluded.
         “Golly!  I hadn’t thought about it that way.” Wynn reflected. “I DO want to be remembered for more than just the stuff I leave behind.  Did I just say there was nothing left for me to do?  Oops, I missed the mark on that one!  My work has just begun.  There are tons of things** I can do to live more gently on this Earth.
         “Our descendants deserve a planet at least as beautiful and healthy as the one we were born onto.  After all, this is the only home any of us will ever know.  It’s where we’re all forever… Earthbound.”
*Concept courtesy of Robin Wall Kimmerer
**https://www.rituals.com/en-us/mag-kindness-for-the-world-50-ways-to-be-kind-to-the-planet.html

        Donna stomped toward her friends at the back-corner table and slammed a copy of the latest Smithsonian magazine down. “Some folks are just whacko,” she groused.  A guy gave me this and said, ‘Here, read this; that’s ironing for you!’  So I read it.  But it’s got nothing to do with clothing, laundry or ironing – weird!” Donna Gettit grumped.

        Ray and Effie flipped through the magazine as Donna pointed out the piece entitled “The Next Big Wave”.  They skimmed the article while Donna placed her order.

        The story highlighted the violent storms that have ravaged the greater Houston, Texas area.  In 1900, the Great Galveston Storm with 16-foot storm surges killed 8,000 people.  In 2008, Hurricane Ike - 20 ft. storm surges.  2017 - Some damages from Hurricane Harvey still remain.  This summer - Hurricane Beryl left 2.2 million folks without power.

        It went on to explain that environmentalists, ship pilots, law makers and petroleum executives are worried that another Category 4 or 5 hurricane in that area would destroy the oil refinery infrastructure that lines Galveston Bay.  That would unleash 100 million gallons of oil – a monumental disaster ten times worse than the 1989 Exxon Valdez spill in Alaska.  So they’re devising a $34 billion plan in the hopes of preventing such a thing.

        “Ha!” Effie exclaimed. “He didn’t say ‘ironing’; he said ‘irony’!  It’s ironic because the petroleum industry’s greenhouse gas emissions that warm the atmosphere are a huge cause of the sea level rise and hurricanes that are directly threatening the sources of those greenhouse gasses.  So now we’re spending billions of dollars to protect the very thing that’s creating this vicious cycle of destruction. THAT’S irony!”

        “I get it,” Donna nodded. “It’s kind of like trying to drain the bathtub while keeping the tap wide open. There’s gotta be a better way.”

        “Oh, there is!” Effie Shency and Ray Newables said, practically in unison.  “We should be reducing fossil fuel subsides that, according to the International Monetary Fund, have risen globally from $2 trillion to $7 trillion since 2021. Then, of course, we need to support decision-makers who advocate for policies that enhance energy efficiencies and expand clean
energy production.”

        Donna smiled. “Then it’s coincidence and not irony that the insulation crew’s coming to my house in an hour.  Because I’m just doing my part, here where we’re all forever… Earthbound.”

        “Hello America!  You’re tuned to ‘Straight Talk’ our weekly look at what real Americans across the land are doing to keep our country strong.  I’m your host, Pat Ree-Ahtick here with reporter, Cher Da’Newws, covering recent innovations.  What have you learned this week in your travels across our great country, Cher?”

        “Pat, you won’t be surprised that farmers are some of our greatest innovators.  A group of these forward-looking folks are ramping up their conservation and regenerative farming practices.  In doing so, they’ve kept more than a million metric tons of carbon in the ground where it enriches the soil instead of polluting the atmosphere.  The Truterra company works with businesses that are racing to meet their climate pledges, so they’ve supported these conservation-minded farmers with average payouts of $20,000 apiece.  

        “Meanwhile in Texas, the Base Power company has a plan to help stabilize the volatile Texas grid.  It sells rooftop solar customers oversized home batteries at minimal costs.  Then it utilizes the excess storage capacity to back-up renewable energy sources.  Base Power trades any excess energy on the market.  Home-grown energy from hometown heroes!

       “Speaking of batteries, some folks worry about what we’ll do with used electric vehicle (EV) batteries.  Ascend Elements has an answer.  It recycles 30,000 metric tons, about 70,000 EV batteries, every year.  Their process recovers approximately 98% of the essential metals in each battery.  It’s a great example of the ‘circular economy,’ a system where materials never become waste and nature is regenerated.

        “Wisconsinites are also contributing to innovations in clean energy by employing more than 71,000 people with good-paying renewable energy jobs.  Over 11% are veterans and 69% of Wisconsin’s clean energy sector is made up of small businesses.  These career opportunities continue to expand thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funding and extra incentives for American-made products.
       
        “But you know Pat, the most gratifying thing is meeting the every-day heroes across this great land.  They’re the Americans who don’t let partisan politics distract them from the fact that ALL Americans strive for the same goals of freedom, good health, prosperity and a safe and secure future for our children.”

        “By God you’re right Cher.  True patriots work together to achieve those goals. After all, we’re all neighbors on this small speck in the universe.  This is the only home we’ll ever know because we’re all forever… Earthbound.”