Anne was savoring the sun’s slow rise over the pastoral countryside when Corrin Stalk shattered her quiet morning reverie. “How can you even call yourself a crop?” she scolded.  “Oh dear,” Anne Acre thought to herself, “don’t tell me they’re at it already.”
            “If you’re a crop,” Corrin sneered, “how come we can’t see what you produce? Anyway, I hear a lot of the neighbors are upset about the way you’ve changed the countryside.”
            “Well duh…” Sol R. Panell shot back.  “Of course you can’t see the electrons I make.  But they’re just as real as those silky ears you so haughtily wave around.  Just ask anyone who flips a switch and expects the lights to come on.”
            “Humph…so you produce some energy,” Corrin retorted.  “I can produce both food and ethanol energy.  You don’t belong here atop of my poor, dear old friend, Anne.  Don’t you agree, Anne?  What to do think?”  Corrin was sure Anne would feel the same way.  After all, Corrin’s ancestors had populated these fields for generations.  Cropland was supposed to be for crops you harvest with a baler or combine.
            “I think,” Anne began quietly, “that humans are finally realizing that my soil is a limited and precious resource.  They need to use me as wisely as possible.  Actually, I’ve been doing a bit of homework.  Get this!  Over a million acres (almost 8%) of Wisconsin farmland is used for growing corn for ethanol.  But acre for acre, solar can produce about 100 time the amount of energy that growing corn for ethanol can.  In fact, to reach Wisconsin’s goal of zero carbon emissions by using solar, it would require only about 1.5% of Wisconsin’s farmland, just a fraction of that ethanol-corn ground.  It seems like using a relatively small amount of farmland for solar is actually a fairly prudent trade-off,” she concluded.
            “Oh dear,” Corrin reflected.  “I did hear Farmer Brown grumbling about the high cost of fertilizer and fuel.  And then there’s often soil erosion and runoff polluting our waterways when growing me and my family.”
            Perched near-by, Rob Inn heard the heated debate. “Complicated issues – indeed!” he chirped.  “It’s not easy to change old habits and practices.  But those clever humans will work it out, and they must.  Because after all, this is our only home where we’re all forever…Earthbound.”

            Three high schools walk into a bar.  “About time you boys got here,”Minnie Rawl-Pointe called, her fingers impatiently shuffling cards at the back table.  “Better late than never,” Barney Veld shot back.  Having lost last week’s game, I.G. Panther went directly to the bar to order the first round while Don Jerr pulled up a chair alongside Minnie.
            The weekly poker game was a great opportunity to unwind and compare notes about the school year.  And like all good school rivalries, there was no shortage of boasting to go with it.
            “You should see what a couple of my students created all on their own initiative,” I. G.  began while passing around the drinks.  His students had submitted an entry in the “Penny-Smart & Earth-Wise Story” contest sponsored by Iowa County Clean, Local Energy Alliance – Now! (CLEA-N) and the Dodgeville Chronicle.  Minnie nodded. “Yea, one of my students showed how we could easily set up a composting system.  Another crunched some numbers to demonstrate how a solar installation on the school could pay for itself in a relatively short period of time.  Then it would save 100s of thousands of dollars over the lifetime of the installation.  I wonder what it would feel like to be covered in solar panels?” she grinned.
            Barney and Don winked at each other across the table.  Both of them had science teachers who used this contest as an assignment, so they each had dozens of students competing.  Their projects represented an amazing array of energy cost-savings ideas.  For example, some showed the benefits of adding insulation or of using LED light bulbs.  Other students advocated for pilot projects like energy-producing floor tiles in high traffic areas, and rain barrels or green roofs on campus outbuildings.  
            Not wanting to be too boastful, Don quietly added, “Yup, Barney and I had students submit entries to the contest too.  I understand the winners will get their pictures in the Chronicle.”
            “You know,” Minnie considered, “we all use energy 24 / 7 - 365 days a year.  If we play our cards right, a little nudging from our students (and the community) will convince our school boards to consider these projects and take action to cut energy use.  It’s the Penny-Smart & Earth-Wise thing to do because this is our only home.  It’s where we’re all forever…Earthbound.”

            Hugh Mankind paused for a moment at the mailbox - M. Nature.  He couldn’t help but smile.  The cottage ahead had weathered noticeably since his last visit.  “Not surprised,” he muttered to himself.  Soon, a delightful aroma wafted through the doorway beckoning him in.

          “It’s lovely to see you again,” he said a bit sheepishly. “I know I’ve given you a rough time.  Our ‘forever’ chemicals (PFAS) and micro-plastics are creeping into every corner of the planet.  That, and our dawdling to reduce the use of petroleum products are giving you a fever.  And somehow, we just can’t seem to stop ourselves from gobbling up every resource.  It’s like we’re in a crazy frenzy to produce and buy ‘stuff’ that’s supposed to make us happy.  When it doesn’t, we toss it into one of the great garbage patches oozing across the planet,” Hugh lamented,

         Ms. Nature had continued stirring a stew, adding bits of this and that as she took in everything Hugh had to say. “Hmm….,” she thought while eyeing the pantry shelves. “We’ll need a few special ingredients.”  Reaching up, she retrieved Courage-to-Change, Long-Range-Thinking and Hope then sprinkled in generous amounts of each before serving Hugh a steaming bowlful.

        “That’s all true enough,” Ms. Nature agreed. “Perhaps it’s because you’ve forgotten something.  It’s something your ancestors knew instinctively.  Today, humans act as if you’re with me only when in my cottage or some lovely outdoor setting.  But I am everywhere, and you are part of me as much as any plant or animal is.  You’re born; you grow, consume, procreate and make waste like any other living thing.  So any harm to me is harm to you too.  Try to remember this as you contemplate each next step.  Will we be harmed, or will we both thrive and prosper as a result?” 

           After a bracing bowlful of stew, Hugh went on his way.  Later, as he hung up his jacket an envelope dropped from its pocket.  It was labeled “Your Future”.  Inside was a blank sheet of stationary. “Oh, I get it! “ Hugh smiled.  “The future is not yet written.  We still CAN create a future that is in harmony with everything else on Earth.  Besides, what choice do we have?  This is the only home we’ll ever know.  It’s where we’re all forever…Earthbound.”

             “This isn’t so ugly.  Kinda cute actually!” Wanda B. Healthy exclaimed while hefting an uglifruit.  Eartha smiled and nodded as they continued through the produce department.
            “I’m really liking this Mediterranean Diet thing,” Wanda continued. “The fruit is great, and I’m finding some really tasty ways to season, sauté and bake veggies.  So much better than boiling them.  Just like Mom always says, fruits and veggies are good for me.”  “Me too,” Eartha agreed.
            Wanda added a variety of nuts to her cart as well as dried beans, peas and lentils.  She selected a loaf of whole grain bread and some hot and cold whole grain cereals before leaving that aisle. ”I’ve been getting a big chunk of my calories from whole grains and legumes.  It’s another step in keeping me healthy,” Wanda noted. “Yup, me too,” Eartha smiled.
            As they approached the meat counter Wanda admitted that she really enjoyed burgers and steaks on the grill.  “But I’ve learned to think of red and processed meats more like condiments – a little bit can add a lot of flavor.  I’m eating a lot more chicken and fish these days.  Eggs and moderate amounts of dairy are my other protein partners.  You can bet my heart and arteries like that,” she winked.  “Cool!” Eartha nodded.    
            Later, while putting away Wanda’s groceries – “Thanks for helping me shop,” Wanda smiled, “but…er you never buy anything.  Well duh!…Obviously it’s because you never eat.  Yet for almost everything I put in my cart you said it was healthy for you too or it was ‘cool!’  What’s with that?” Wanda asked.
            “Your healthy food choices ARE good for my health too,” Eartha Leaholm explained.  “You know I’ve been suffering from a sort of fever - some folks call it global warming - for quite some time now.  But the kinds of ‘cool eats’ in your shopping cart can actually make a huge difference in keeping my temperature down.  Food choices are some of the easiest, lowest cost ways to improve both your family’s and my health - a classic win-win!”
            “Cool!” Wanda exclaimed.  “Hmm…and now that it’s getting warmer out, I’m going to do more walking and biking for errands instead of always jumping in the car.  That’s another healthy win-win for us both right here on the only home we’ll ever know.  It’s where we’re all forever…Earthbound.”

             “Well that sucks!” Stu Dent moaned as he and Cassie shuffled out of the auditorium.  “They’re going to cut some extra-curricular activities because of a budget shortfall.”  “No kidding,” Cass Mate agreed.  “I wish there were something we could do about it.”
            “I can help.”  Startled, Stu and Cassie stopped short in front of an HVAC vent.  They could’ve sworn the voice came from behind the vent!  “I said that I can help,” the voice repeated. “Did you say you need help?” Cassie ventured.  “No, no.  I’m Bill, Bill Dingh.  I’ve watched you two grow up since kindergarten.  You know, there is a way to save your favorite programs.  Your school district is spending way too much money on energy to keep me going.  We can fix that,” Bill advised.
            “Right now, energy costs are the second greatest expense for our district, right after personnel.  Think about it; my HVAC and electrical systems run 24 hrs. 365 days a year.  So there’s a huge opportunity to reduce costs through greater efficiencies and rooftop solar.  And speaking of solar, did you know that one in ten schools across the country use solar to help reduce costs?  That includes almost 250 schools in Wisconsin.  Maybe it’s time our district gets on board,” the school’s spirit concluded.
            The following Monday, Cassie and Stu’s teacher announced the Penny-Smart & Earth-Wise Story contest sponsored by Driftless Area Land Conservancy and The Dodgeville Chronicle.  This contest awards cash prizes to the entrants who tell the best “story” as to why their school should look into better efficiencies and solar.  The “story” can be an actual written or oral story, or it could be a demonstration, model or presentation of some sort, whatever will help nudge the school district to act.  On top of that, districts that do take steps to save energy will receive some “seed money” to kick things off, and their students earn double the prize money!  All high school students in Iowa County are invited to enter.  They can check with their teachers for details.
            “It would be so cool to have solar on our school!” Cassie practically cheered. “It’s one of the fastest growing industries in the country, so we could learn so much.  And besides, we’d be helping protect our only home; it’s where we’re all forever…Earthbound.”
            Details at - www.driftlessconservancy.org/our-energy-future

             “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.”