After two miserable weeks in bed with Covid, Don finally felt well enough to have a beer with his good pal, Bud. “Dang virus just about killed me,” Don admitted.  “Hard to believe a thing so tiny – smaller than microscopic germs – could do that much damage.”  Bud nodded in agreement as he imagined his hulking 280 lb. linebacker friend almost getting “sacked” by a miniscule virus.

       The talk soon turned to girls, over-due term papers, summer plans and (wouldn’t you know) the environment and climate.  “I hear all that supposed ‘evidence’ from scientists saying humans are the central cause of the changing climate.  But here’s the thing, humans on Earth are like ants on a huge mountain.  It’s pretty arrogant to think we relatively tiny creatures could possibly be having any effect on the vast atmosphere.  I just can’t see it,” Don B’Leevit confessed.

       “Yeah, I hear you; it seems almost impossible,” replied Bud. “But it makes me think about what passenger pigeons hunters in the 1850’s must have thought about the hundreds of millions of these birds.  One report related how a flock of passenger pigeons blotted out the sun for two hours as it passed over the heads of startled folks below.  I’d guess those hunters would have assumed they had a limitless supply of pigeon pie fixin’s.  But humans can be relentlessly efficient, and we hunted the birds mercilessly until by 1914 Martha, the last living passenger pigeon, died.

       “And I think about the estimated 60 million bison that used to roam North America.  When they got in the way of railroad expansion in the 1870s, about 2 million were killed off annually.  By 1884 bison were almost extinct; only 300 – 400 were left!  Once again, we relatively puny (compared to bison) humans were relentlessly efficient in changing the environment,” concluded Bud Itssoh.

       “Whoa!  I see what you mean,” realized Don. “Almost 8 billion of us ‘tiny-ants-on-a-mountain’ humans burn fuel every day adding pollutants to the atmosphere.  That can do a lot of damage, just like those darn tiny viruses.”

       “Those pint-sized pests almost took you out, pal,”  Bud nodded. “Thank goodness we humans are smart enough to understand the problem, and hopefully we’re wise enough to transition to the dozens of efficiency and clean energy options available.  It’s time to gear-up and protect our only home where we’re all forever… Earthbound.”

        “It’s ‘Wake Up America’ with your favorite morning talk-radio host me, Rayce A. Ruckuss.   We have an eye-poppin’ show for you this morning!  Our two guests represent polar opposite sides of the political spectrum. They’re sure to bash one another’s ideas.  So hold on to your hats; we’re about to generate our own ‘polar vortex’ right here in the studio.

        “Joining us from the Left, we have Libby Rhal, a progressive firebrand.  And for the Right, we’re joined by Connie Servative.  Good morning Con; let’s start with you.  Your side is often maligned for pooh-poohing environmental concerns and so-called clean energy development.  So whaddya say?”

        “Thanks Rayce, I’d like to begin by simply reminding folks that free market clean energy policies actually line up well with conservative principles.  You know, renewable energy has already had a tremendous impact on Wisconsin’s economy.  By 2015 there were almost 2,300 businesses employing 24,000 workers in energy efficiency, renewable energy and the like.  Quite a job generator!”

        (Rayce) “What do you say to that, Libby?”  (Libby)“You think I’m going to take issue??”
 
        (Rayce again) “Let’s turn to national security.  Con Servative, what’s your view?”

        “Clearly, home-grown clean, renewable energy will strengthen national security.  It reduces dependence on foreign oil that often comes from countries opposing our values.  And for better electrical grid security we should be expanding our local, diversified, renewable energy portfolio.  Now’s the time to lock in the abundant, affordable clean energy sources we have right here in the good old U.S. of A.

        (Rayce) “Well Libby, how would your approach differ?”  (Libby, shaking her head) “Can’t say that it would.”

        (Rayce once again, with increasing frustration in his voice.)  “OK Con, surely you have something clever and cutting to say about ‘tree-hugger’ Libby’s crowd.”

        “Call them what you want, Rayce.  We conservatives understand it’s our duty to protect the environment; conserving is conservative!  That includes reducing energy waste by increasing energy efficiencies.  Beyond that, Wisconsin should take the lead in creating ag/clean-energy hybrids.  For example, it’s time to expand bio-digesters and solar on farms to preserve farmland, improve water quality and strengthen the farm economy.” (More at wiscef.org)

        Poor Rayce; he failed to generate a verbal “polar vortex.”  Turns out Wisconsinites have more in common than not.  Together then, let’s build that better world on our only home, where we’re all forever… Earthbound.