“BRRR…it’s freezing out there!” exclaimed Uncle Elmer as he came through the door. “Those goofballs who say the earth is getting warmer are nuts!”

        “You think you’ve got problems,” replied Niece Nellie.  “I’m not going to get to play softball this spring!”

        “What’s up?”

        “I got a ‘D’ in biology last quarter.  If I don’t get at least a ‘C’ for the semester, I’m not eligible for spring sports.  Now I just got an ‘F’ on the last test.  I even earned an ‘A’ one time, but now I blew it!”

        Uncle Elmer asked to see her scores.  They were: D, B-, C-, D (1st quarter) and B, A, C+, F (2nd quarter).   Whipping out his calculator, Uncle Elmer did some quick figuring.  “Good news, Nellie; you get to play ball!  You forgot about how averages work.  There can be some “outlier” scores, like the ‘A’ and the ‘F,’ but your average has gone up to a solid ‘C’!”

        “Yoo-Hoo!  Thank you so much Uncle Elmer.  I just wish averages could help you with your problem about the cold weather!” Nellie responded.

        8 WEEKS LATER

        Uncle Elmer stopped by to watch softball practice.  “Hey Nellie, you got your wish.”

        “Huh?” she asked.

        “You wished that averages could help me understand the cold.  I got to thinking about how an average doesn’t mean you can’t still have extremes like your ‘A’ and your ‘F.’ So I did some research on the Wis. Initiative on Climate Change Impacts website.  It explains that the cold weather we had this winter may be an outlier in the decades long climate trend. They looked at data beginning as far back as the 1800s.  Even though Wisconsin weather can still have extreme temperatures, on average the temperatures are slowly rising in Wisconsin.

        “For example, compared to 1950, spring now arrives 6-12 days earlier.  Robins show up 13 days earlier than they did in 1990. The ice in Lake Mendota, Madison freezes over for 3 mos. now instead of 4 like in the 1800s.

        “They say these changes cause a lot of economic and environmental problems. So I’m going to learn more and find ways to reduce my fossil fuel use because I like the Wisconsin I remember as a boy.  Anyway, if things get worse, we can’t just blast off to another planet.  This is the only one we’ve got.  Nellie, we’re forever…Earthbound.”

            “He’s not actually going to try to pick that thing up is he?” she thought.  “I hope he knows what he’s doing!”

            The small shark has been tossed up in the surf and was beached, still alive, but tangled in the driftwood and kelp.  Carefully keeping away from the toothy business end, I picked it up and set it in a tiny rivulet.  It wriggled its way back into the surf and out to sea.

            For the first time in almost 35 yrs. Karen and I recently indulged ourselves with a mid-winter, warm climate vacation.  It was heartening to see that other parts of the world hold many of the same values concerning the preservation of a healthy planet, as we do in southwest Wisconsin.

            For example, dedicated volunteers work to eradicate harmful invasive species so that an ecologically stable landscape can flourish.  Another small group of volunteers partner with the local coast guard to promote the development of a stable colony of endangered birds.  These efforts remind us of effective groups such as Trout Unlimited and the Driftless Area Land Conservancy (to name just two) right here in our own backyard.

            We were also impressed with efforts to educate visitors about local plants and animals.  Teaching aids explain how specific species suffer when human waste and sprawl encroaches.  A hardworking woman who enlists help from school children and volunteers maintains a small, modestly equipped aquarium.  Her efforts echo the work of the many “eco-champions” we have right here in Iowa County.  It was heartening to see the good work our global “preservation partners” carry out.

            Some of the practices we experienced that are not so common here could be emulated.

• It’s still a mystery to me why dual flush toilets aren’t installed routinely – half a tank flush for #1 and a full tank flush for #2.
• Small solar powered lights in cabins provide sufficient illumination for camping needs.
• Dedicated bike lanes provide a multitude of positive benefits.

        Sustaining one life by tossing that little shark back into the surf was a memorable highlight of the trip.  The routine efforts needed by us all to maintain a sustainable, healthy environment for all living things aren’t usually so dramatic.  Nevertheless, they are essential because this is the only home we’ll ever know.  Along with that shark, we are forever….Earthbound.

        “What’s it to me?” declared the sail-maker as he watched the first steam ship struggle upriver for 15 min. before the engine failed.  “What’s it to me?” chuckled the blacksmith while spying a horseless carriage founder in the mud as it tired to climb a small rise.  Looking back, it’s clear those events heralded monumental changes that would relegate sail making and blacksmithing to minor niche industries within a few short decades.

            Ahh the luxury of hindsight.  If only those folks could have seen what was coming.  How might they have prepared and invested their time, talents and resources differently?  

        Likewise, what will folks 30-40 years from now say when looking back at the early 21st century?  Rapidly advancing technology is making free energy sources (wind, solar and geothermal) economical and available.  At the same time there is scientific consensus that greenhouse gases from carbon-based fuels are altering our climate with financial and environmentally detrimental effect. Given these combined forces it just might be that we are on the cusp of a transition away from a petroleum fuel based economy.

        Fortunately, we can avoid the hapless fate of the sail maker and blacksmith by taking a look at what’s to come.  Check out the forum series being held at the Iowa Co. Health & Human Services Building, 303 W. Chapel, Dodgeville – alternate Wednesdays in January and February - 6:00 – 8:00 pm.

        Jan. 8 – An Introduction to Wisconsin’s Changing Climate –  David Liebel of UW Extension and the Dept. of Engineering Pro. Dev. will speak about the findings of the Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts (WICCI).

        Jan. 22 – Energy Use – Our Footprint and What We Might do to Change That – Learn about the potential cost savings that low-emission fuels and conservation could have for Wisconsin homes and businesses from Sherrie Gruder – UW Ext. and LEED and Sustainable Design Specialist.

        Feb. 12 – Trends in Wisconsin’s Climate – How will climate trends affect Wisconsin’s agriculture, water resources and habitats?  Prof. Joe Young Emeritus & Director of the Wisconsin State Climatology Office will share his perspective.

        Feb. 26 – Film – Earth…the Operator’s Manual

        Don’t be caught with your sails unfurled and your horseshoes rusting.  Take a glimpse into the future so you can help shape a prosperous life and a vibrant world.  It’s the only home we’ll ever know.  We are and always will be…Earthbound.