It’s an odd couple if there ever was one.  How these two grey-headed codgers ended up sipping coffee together is anybody’s guess.  But here they sit paging through a photo album.
            “Look!  Here’s an 1867 daguerreotype of my great grandfather as a baby,” Ole Tymer grinned.  “See that lamp in the in the background?  Wouldn’t be surprised if it was a whale oil lamp.”  “Yep,” Pete Rolleum agreed. “My kerosene was just beginning to edge its way into the marketplace at that time.”
            “And here’s a shot of my grandmother’s one-room schoolhouse with her first class of students.  The caption says 1908,” Ole beamed.  “Well by golly, that’s the year Henry Ford introduced the Model T – a big year for me!” Pete boasted. “Because of his car my gasoline became the primary transportation fuel.  Bye-bye horses and buggies.”
            “Ha! That old Studebaker!” Ole smiled as he turned the page. “It’s my dad (age 30 or so) in front of his first car. Must have been 1950 or so.” “You know what’s funny?” Pete added. “It was just about that time that my fuels finally overtook coal as the #1 energy source for the world.  A lot of folks assume that I’ve been the dominate source of energy for ages.  But 1950 is just 76 years ago; that’s within your lifetime, Pal.”
            “Here’s a 2020 photo.  My son’s showing off his brand-new rooftop solar panels,” Ole pointed.”  “Those panels,” Pete grunted, “went up just when, for the most part, solar and wind overtook coal and all of my fuels as the least expensive forms of energy worldwide. 
            “Ah, my friend, in spite of all the propaganda my advocates are spreading, it’s time we face reality.  Your days and mine are numbered,” Pete conceded.  “Folks who profit from me are determined to delay the spread of renewable energy.  But it’s inevitable.  Sooner or later the advantages of inexhaustible, clean energy sources like wind and solar will be too profitable to ignore.  And then, you humans will no longer be compelled to bicker over petroleum shipping lanes and such.  It won't be long before burning things up to power homes and vehicles will seem old-fashioned.”
            “Yeah Pete, in the long view…you’re out.  Savvy folks are already jumping on the clean energy bandwagon and helping build a healthier future right here, where we’re all forever… Earthbound.”

            “Click” The telephoto lens found its target.  Rock Kin-Allnite’s Porsche 718 Cayman idles at a McDonalds drive-up. He appears to be twiddling his thumbs in there?!?  “Click” Starr Lett is caught preening in the mirror as her chauffer inches forward in the pick-up line at her daughter’s elementary school.  “Click” Movie mogul, Lemmy Smoochya, is spied playing “Angry Birds 4” on his phone somewhere in Greenwich Village.  Fumes waft from the tailpipes of his parked limo. 
            “Here you go Boss – this week’s ‘catch’,” Papa Razzi pointed as he slid a packet of glossies across the desk.  “These are great!” Ed Ittor smiled. “Thanks Boss, but I think we may have something more here than just another handful of glam shots.  Each pic shows these ‘influencer’ celebrities thoughtlessly idling their fancy sets of wheels. 
            “We could do a whole spread on idols idling,” Papa suggested. “Unlike these three, celebrities could be using their influence to set a good example.  Unfortunately, a lot of folks just don’t think about the wasteful damage needless idling causes.

• Health – Vehicle emissions linger near the ground where passers-by can inhale them.  This is especially damaging to children where pick-up lines at schools are often filled with idling vehicles.
• Wasted Fuel – It’s estimated that vehicles in the US waste about 6 billion gallons of fuel annually.  With fuel prices rising, why burn up one’s hard-earned dollars needlessly?
• Environmental Damage – Idling personal vehicles in the U.S. generates around 30 million tons of CO2 every year.  Addressing unnecessary idling would be like taking 5 million vehicles off the roads.

         “We could call the article ‘The 10 Second Rule.’ If you’re going to be sitting more than 10 seconds, you’ll save more fuel by turning off your vehicle and re-starting your engine than by letting it idle.”
         “Super!” Ed agreed. “Ten seconds to save money and reduce harms to our health and to the environment.  What’s not to like?  After all, this vibrant, pale blue planet is the only home we’ll ever know.  It’s where we’re all forever… Earthbound.”

            The telegraph arrived at 221B Baker Street just as Detective Sharon Ourwatts sipped her morning tea.  “Please Help! More generation needed. Urgent!”  The startling message was signed: Wes Consin.
            Solving energy mysteries is Sharon’s specialty.  She gobbled the last of her crumpet and soon found herself on a train to Germany in search of clean electrical generation for this Mr. Consin.  Sharon had heard rumors about a relatively new technology that ordinary folks can use to both save money and to contribute clean, renewable energy to power grids.  Speeding through the bucolic countryside, she combed the internet for clues.
            Ms. Ourwatts debarked at a huge apartment complex. And there it was!  From the balconies of all but a few of the apartments hung solar panels. “What the…?  How can renters be using solar?  It’s not like they own their places,” she murmured.  
           A kindly gentleman noticed Sharon staring in disbelief. “Ya!  Quite a sight, no?  Sit! Let me tell you.”  Heir S. DaScoop ushered her to a seat on his bench and explained that for many folks, especially renters, solar panels used to feel like they’re meant for someone else.  But Europe now permits the use of “plug-in” solar panels.  These panels literally plug into a standard outlet and feed power back into a household’s electrical system.  So third-floor apartment dwellers have the same chance to lower their electricity bill as homeowners with a south-facing roof.
          Units range from a few hundred dollars for a single 400-watt panel—typically about six feet tall—to more than $2,000 for a multi-panel 1,200-watt setup. After upfront costs are recovered, these systems can save households hundreds of dollars a year on electricity.  Plug-ins are widespread throughout Europe. In Germany alone, since late 2024, more than 1 million units have been installed.
        There was no time to lose. Detective Ourwatts had a hunch she’s find the mysterious Mr. Consin somewhere in the upper Midwest.  On her flight to the U.S. she learned that more than two dozen states are considering legislation to permit solar plug-ins. 
        On a frozen wind-swept lake, Sharon finally spotted Wes Consin seated on a down-turned bucket jigging for panfish. “Mr. Consin, it’s time your state steps up with solar plug-in permitting so everyone can access clean affordable energy here on our only home where we’re all forever… Earthbound.”

            “Something is just not right.” Wanda said to herself while strolling aimlessly. “It sure seems weird to be in shirtsleeves in the middle of February.  But the government is telling us to ‘make no never mind’ about climate change.  It’s confusing!”
            Wanda found herself slipping into the local coffee shop only to find her old buddy, Cy.  “Ha! You’re just the guy I’m looking for,” Wanda Know exclaimed as she slid in next to him.  “Straighten me out. I hear so many mixed messages about global warming.  Are worries  about climate change just a lot of hot air?”
            “You’re right about the hot air, but not in that way,” Cy Entist grinned. “Some folks apparently think not talking about climate change will make it go away.  Unfortunately, the predictions and modeling about climate change are playing out as expected.  The bottom line?  Atmospheric greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels and other sources are causing temperatures to rise. That’s the reality that can’t be just wished away.
            “The evidence keeps mounting.  One measurable example is the coral reef die-off from rising ocean temperatures.  And there are some ‘tipping points’ that would cause dramatic climate changes.  One concerns the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation.  It’s what gives us the jet streams and relatively stable ocean circulation throughout the North Atlantic.  But, it’s beginning to slow because of higher temperatures.  If it shuts down, North America and Europe’s climate would alter drastically.”
            “So, we throw up our hands and cry?” Wanda asked. “Nope! It’s time to act!” Cy advised. “We adapt and prepare for the changes we know are coming.  We each continue to find ways to lower our own carbon footprint by eating lower on the food chain and moderating our use of fossil fuels.  With good old American ingenuity we develop ways to sequester (suck up and hold) atmospheric carbon and reduce methane emissions.”
            “I couldn’t help overhearing,” interrupted Buck Stoppsear from the next booth. “Don’t forget about the economic fallout from extreme weather events and heat-related issues.  It’s already catching the eye of insurance companies, investment firms and industries who want to protect their profits.  Leverage from business interests can be a powerful influence, you know.”
            “What’s needed,” Wanda declared, “is less hot air and more action.  After all, this is our only home where we’re all forever… Earthbound.”

            Ima strolled the aisles of the energy fair.  As a committed supporter of energy conservation and renewable energy, she’s been very pleased that clean energy sources are expanding rapidly.  Regardless of that progress, global temperatures continue to rise.  So Ima combed the displays in search of hopeful signs in the battle to preserve a stable climate.
            As she meandered, a hug banner “SMRs – Right for Our Time?” caught her eye. “What the heck is a SMR?” she wondered and headed in that direction.
            Under the banner, a friendly young fellow smiled at Ima and extended his hand. “Glad you stopped by.  I’m Otto.”  Glancing at the displays, Ima began to reach for his hand but then said, “Oh… I see this SMR stuff is nuclear.  Sorry, I’m not interested,” she replied and began to walk away.
            “Can I ask why?” Otto persisted. “Well,” Ima Frayed retorted, “you know…radiation pollution, Three-Mile Island and stuff like that.  It’s just too dangerous!”
            “Yup, I agree that nuclear energy is dangerous stuff.” Otto nodded. “We face lots of dangerous stuff these days.  Take temperature rise, for example.  That’s already killing loads of people both from the heat itself and from the increasingly frequent extreme weather events it produces. 
         “And our poor environment!  Climate change is wreaking havoc with it too.  I figure it’s time to weigh the relative dangers,”  Otto Reeconsidder suggested.  “Maybe we’ll find that some deployment of nuclear energy generation actually offers a safer pathway toward a healthy, stable future.  The safety of nuclear technology has been vastly improved, you know.”
            Otto explained that SMRs (Small Modular Reactors) are far safer than 1960s-designed reactors.  They utilize physical phenomena like natural circulation, convection, gravity, and self-pressurization.  Reactors can shut down and cool themselves without active components like pumps.  SMRs have factory-sealed cores so there’s limited on-site refueling of nuclear materials and decreased risk of proliferation. Their reduced size uses less radioactive material, so they operate at lower pressures decreasing the potential impact of a malfunction.  Moreover, SMR’s have “Black Start Capability.”  They don’t need external energy from the electrical grid to start up, an especially useful feature during widespread power failures. 
            “Golly,” Ima reflected, “Giving SMRs a fair reconsideration would be prudent because we can’t ignore the dangers of rising temperatures.  After all, this is our only home.  We’re all forever… Earthbound.”

            “Hey Cosmo,” Penny called. “Take a look at this.”  Cos Cutter reluctantly got up from his desk where he’d been furiously crunching numbers.  He and Penny Pincher are part of the “waste elimination” team.  They’re charged with finding ways to save taxpayer money.
            “What cha got?” Cos asked.
          “I think I’ve found something,” Penny replied cautiously.  “If I’m right, this huge!”  On Penny’s screen was a graph depicting global temperatures from 1980 through 2025.  “See how there’s been a steady step-by-step rise in temps?  Now watch this.”  Then she pulled up another graph. This one depicted the number of “billion-dollar” (or more!) severe weather disasters in the U.S. during those same years.  She displayed the two graphs side by side on her screen.
            “Yeah… so it’s getting hotter,” Cos remarked. “What’s that got to do with saving money?  I gotta get back to my desk.” 
           “Wait! Watch this.”  Penny pleaded as she overlaid the temperature-rise graph on top of the disaster-cost graph. Cosmo starred wide-eyed and smacked his forehead. “Oh my God!” Cos exclaimed. “I see what you mean. The two graphs fit more or less perfectly on top of one another.  As the temperatures step higher and higher so do the financial costs of extreme weather disasters. How could we have missed this?  So…if we slowed the temperature rise, we would also slow the rise in disaster costs!”
           When Cos and Penny dug further, they discovered that since 1980, the U.S. has had 426 billion-dollar disasters, with a total cost exceeding $3.1 trillion.  In 2025 alone - the 3rd hottest year on record - there were 23 such events costing a total of $115 billion in damages.  Year after year a growing number of people, homes, and businesses are being harmed.
            “Gosh!  What are we doing to ourselves?” Penny groaned. “While we bust our behinds looking for ways to cut costs, our administration is promoting pollution-producing, greenhouse-gas-emitting fuels that heat up the atmosphere.  At the same time, it’s pulling support for clean energy expansion.” 
            Armed with this new revelation, patriotic Penny and conscientious Cosmo resolved to visit Congress.  “Don’t you see, Congresswoman, this isn’t political.  It’s simply a matter of reducing the misery and financial losses from these disasters. With better policies we’d also be protecting the only home we’ll ever know.  Because ya know, there’s no ‘Planet B’. We’re all forever… Earthbound.”

            Swish!  The ball slipped smoothly through the net.  “Ha! Match that if you can,” Minnie challenged.  Dot dribbled to a spot behind the 3-point line then arced a…swish!  “Tied ya!” she crowed.
            Minnie Pointer and Dot Jurr have been best buddies since they were barely old enough to pick up a basketball.  Their family farms are on opposite sides of the township-dividing road, so they attend neighboring small-town schools.  These two talented athletes are teammates on the co-joined cross-country and track teams.  But when it comes to basketball, they’re fierce rivals.
            Off the court, both girls are active with their respective school environmental clubs.  One night after practice Dot hurried over to Minnie’s to share some exciting news. “Yeah, the superintendent even came to our environmental ed. class to tell us he’s all in favor of the project.  School board members like it too!  Now we just gotta work on raising the money.”
            Dot explained that her school district is seriously considering the addition of a small pilot/demonstration solar array on the high school.  As electricity rates continue to soar, scores of Wisconsin schools already use solar to significantly reduce energy costs.  And right now is a terrific time to launch a 3-point pilot project.

• Economical – The federal “direct pay” policy will pony up 30% of the $25,000 cost for a 10-kilowatt system.  On top of that, Wisconsin’s Focus on Energy program will kick in about $2,700.  As for the remainder of the cost, there’s already a plan for soliciting donations.*
• Educational – Students (and the community) will be able to monitor the solar production in real time and benefit from “hands-on” learning in one of the fastest growing industries in the country.
• Environmentally Sensible – Rooftop solar reduces pollution and cuts the need for additional expensive power plants and transmission lines.

“That’s cool,” Minnie agreed, “but guess what.  My school district is talking about doing the same thing.  Betcha we get our solar array first!”  “You’re on,” Dot smiled. “Loser treats next time we go out.  But hey, there are no losers with these ‘3-pointer’ projects.  We’ll all be winners right here on the only home we’ll ever know.  It’s where we’re all forever… Earthbound.”
 
*Send your tax-free donation to: Dodgeville School District, 619 W. Chapel St., Dodgeville 53533.  Note “Solar Project” on the memo.  THANK YOU!

            There it was again – something catching the sun on the hillside just outside of town.  “What IS that”? Ima wondered as she fretted over unpaid bills at the kitchen table.  Tired and frustrated, she called to the rest of the family, “I’m out for a walk.”
            Ima crossed the street then strode cross-country toward the gleaming light that seemed to be beckoning her.  Cresting one last rise she saw a glistening entryway of sorts.  Beyond it, a bustling crew was busy assembling some kind of fantastical creation. “Ima? Is that you?” someone called. “Come on in.  We’ve been expecting you.”
            Ima X. Tractor took a few tentative steps in and immediately felt a sense of support,  comfort, and purpose. “Hello!” Ray Ciprocity beckoned. “Let me show you around,”  “Well, I don’t know,” Ima hesitated. “I’ve got a lot to do. Nose to the grindstone, you know.”
          “That’s just it.” Ray countered. “It doesn’t have to be that way.  We’re fashioning an innovative system that’ll keep your nose away from that grindstone.  I’ll show you.”
            As they walked farther in, Ray continued. “You’ve heard about the so-called ‘K’ economy where a small minority is getting more and more wealthy while the great majority of us are finding it increasingly difficult to pay the bills.  In that ‘extractive’ model, everything – resources, relationships and well-being – are squeezed, wrung out then tossed aside in the pursuit of riches.  But what if  'wealth meant having enough to share in a system powered by the infinitely renewable resource of kindness, which multiples every time it is shared?  Then meeting your family needs wouldn’t be poisoned by destroying that possibility for someone else.’**
            Rounding a corner, Ray continued,” Ahh… here’s Manny Freewatts, head of our energy department.”  Shaking Ima’s hand, Manny winked, “Betcha didn’t know that in just one hour, the Sun delivers to Earth more energy than humanity uses in an entire year.  Technology can now economically capture, store and evenly distribute that energy.  It’s our opportunity to lower energy costs, reduce petroleum pollution and end oil’s strangle hold on us all!” Manny concluded.
            “Amazing!” grinned Ima. “Resources like kindness that actually multiply when used and resources like the sun that are free and infinitely renewable.  These are the kinds of resources to rely on because this precious planet is our only home; we’re all forever… Earthbound.”
*Reciprocity – A healthy give and take where everyone is valued and supported for mutual benefit
**Robin Wall Kimmerer

            The low winter sun streamed through the south-facing windows of Santa’s secret southern retreat.  It fairly glowed with warmth and light on that frosty afternoon.  The kindly old elf had once again gathered his top helpers in this snug retreat in northern Wisconsin to begin preplanning for the 2026 holiday season.
            But his typically jolly expression was nowhere to be found.  Instead, a worried look of concern greeted the elves as they silently seated themselves. “Have you seen this?” he asked while passing around a report. “Home energy costs across the country are jumping 9 – 12% year after year.  An estimated 6 million households have utility debt.  Folks simply can’t keep up with ever-increasing energy costs.  Families are having to make heart-wrenching choices about where to skimp when trying to feed and shelter their loved ones.  The flurry of new data centers popping are just making it worse.
            “How can families have a jolly holiday when they’re struggling to keep warm?  If our elfin magic was powerful enough, I’d use it to realign every suitable structure to face south like this one, so folks could bask in the free warmth we’re enjoying.  We’d, of course, add the appropriate roofline overhang to block that summer heat.  Alas, our magic is limited.  We’ve got the toy operation for children down pat, but what can we do for these struggling families?” Santa wondered.
            Iva Plann leaped up. “No problem! We’ve got this! Let’s make a list of gifts we CAN give to cut energy consumption and conserve heat in winter and coolness in the summer.”  Several hands shot up.
            “More insulation and weather stripping,” shouted Snuggle Inn, “that’ll reduce heating and cooling costs and make homes more comfortable.
            “LED bulbs.  They use 75% less electricity and last years longer than incandescent bulbs,” Will Brightenupp chimed in.  
            “Solar panels for all suitably sited homes,” added Sonny Wonn. “Who can’t use free energy curtesy of Mr. Sun?”
            “Home battery / rooftop solar combos are becoming increasingly affordable,” offered Newt Techguy.  “Communities with homes so-equipped can become a ‘virtual power plant’ that the utility company can draw from during peak-usage periods.  Crediting customers for their excess power is far less expensive than building costly new powerplants.”
            “Ho Ho Ho,” Santa roared. “Every home generating, conserving and sharing the sun’s free energy - welcome gifts right here where we’re all forever… Earthbound.”

           “The excitement is rising on this crisp autumn day here at the Energy Futures Speedway!”  This is Luke Att’emmgo.  I’m here with Ken Ya-Lappum, and what a race we have ahead of us!  We’re just minutes away from the start of the Energy Futures 500, the race to see which energy sources will carry Mother Earth on into the future.”
            “Once again, Luke,” Ken chimed in, “this race pits two old rivals – Fanciers of Fossil Fuels, Inc. (FOFF) and Carbon-free, Healthier, Inexpensive, Next-generation Advantages Ltd. (CHINA).  The question is, will FOFF, the traditional favorite, be able to hold off this relatively new start-up, CHINA?  Or will 21st century technologies defeat those traditional economies still relying on outmoded 20th century energy sources?”
            “The starter’s flag is up…and they’re off!”  Luke exclaimed. “But wait… there seems to be some confusion in the FOFF pit.  Their ‘Beautiful Clean Coal’ entry is sputtering and coughing at the starting line!”
             “Well Luke,” Ken interjected. “I’m not surprised. The North American Electric Reliability Corporation recently found that coal isn’t the reliable energy source it’s cracked up to be.  Its equipment-related outage rate is over 12%; whereas wind’s is about 6.6%.  And coal’s reliability is worsening year by year.”
            “But just look at CHINA speed away from the rest of the field!  It’s no wonder. CHINA’s push to expand very affordable solar and other renewables has dropped renewable energy costs dramatically.  Fast-growing and economically poorer countries alike are paying attention.  More and more they’re opting for low-cost, clean energy sources they can generate themselves.
           “Consider this.  Countries like Brazil, India and Vietnam are rapidly expanding solar and wind power.  Poorer countries like Ethiopia and Nepal are leapfrogging over gasoline-burning cars to battery-powered ones.  Nigeria, a petrostate, plans to build its first solar-panel manufacturing plant.  Morocco is creating a battery hub to supply European automakers.  Santiago, the capital of Chile, has electrified more than half of its bus fleet.”*
            Later…FOFF never did catch CHINA.  Spectators drifting away from the stands wondered, “What are the FOFF execs thinking?!  Why hang their racing gloves on dirty, increasingly expensive fuels when the rest of the world is embracing a new reality?”
           Old habits (and entrenched interests) die hard.  We don’t have to let them drag us along because this is our only home.  It’s where we’re all forever… Earthbound.
            *NYTimes – Sengupta & Plumer