Have you ever wondered about the castle-like structure on Interstate 90 as you approach the outskirts of Chicago?  Medieval Times is the venue for a dinner theatre/jousting performance complete with kings, queens, knights in shining armor and even a damsel in distress - quite a show!  As you take your seat, one of the half dozen or so knights, be it the Red Knight or the Blue Knight etc., is selected as your “champion”. From that moment on he’s your guy, and the rivalry between your knight and those of your friends is ON!
 
            After the show as we relived the highlights, many of us remarked how quickly we had developed loyalty to our “champion” who is just some actor dressed up as a knight.  We were quick to attribute virtuous qualities to him while suspecting devious motives of the others. 
 
           Funny about us humans and our fierce allegiance to our own “tribe” and its members. It can be so intense that it clouds our objectivity. For example, folks on the left side of the political spectrum may squirm when reminded that it was Richard Nixon who created the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and he signed into law the Endangered Species and Marine Mammal Protection Acts – impressive!  And how about that George W. Bush warning, “America is addicted to oil” in his 2006 State of the Union Address.  Conversely, folks on the right may disregard anything Al Gore says about global warming despite the fact that the non-partisan, international Nobel committee did indeed award him the Peace Prize.
 
          Ahh…humans.  We find it easy to assign negative qualities to those outside our tribe while we unquestionably support those within our group.  Thankfully, those tribal inclinations are not airtight.  For example, the House of Representative’s Gibson Resolution urges House members to find ways to balance human activities that are changing the climate.  Every single signer is a Republican.  Not what you expected?
 
          We’d see environmental champions (without the shining armor) all around us, if only we’d pull aside those tribal blinders. The Climate Solutions Caucus does just that.  Any Representative who wants to join this caucus is required to bring along a member of the opposing political party, equal Dems and Repubs.  It’s a great example of breaching tribal walls and working together for a healthy planet.  After all, our only home is right here.  We’re forever…Earthbound.

            About a thousand of us from across the Midwest spent a recent weekend traveling to Whiting, Indiana to participate in the nationwide “Break Free from Fossil Fuels” rally and march.  Why Whiting?  Perched on the southern end of Lake Michigan Whiting is home to the largest oil refinery in the Midwest – British Petroleum’s American command center.  What better location to ponder society’s addiction to fossil fuels?
            The media found us, but there was a noted absence of curious on-lookers from near-by neighborhoods.  Clues as to why became apparent as the day progressed.  Local park maintenance trucks advertise the city’s motto, “Refining the Heart of Community”.  The HS football field banner welcomes Oiler fans and depicts the dripping oil can mascot.  We later learned that the principal’s message board on the HS website is entitled (we hope with tongue firmly planted in cheek)  “Oiler Spills”.
            These Hoosiers have embraced this 1,400-acre oil-refining colossus. And why wouldn’t they?  It provides a lucrative tax base and opportunities for steady employment.  One can surely learn to ignore the gaseous aroma in the air.  A poster one local family displayed from their porch nailed it for me. “We Support BP - Who Are You Anyway?”  It made strikingly clear the locals’ regard for the refinery.  So who are we outsiders who show up on a sunny Sunday afternoon to question their source of economic stability? 
           We are…folks who share the air with all of Earth’s inhabitants.  We are your neighbors who trust the overwhelming preponderance of science that burning of fossil fuels dramatically alters our atmosphere and oceans.  We are patriotic citizens who reject the notion that the Earth can continually exceed “hottest month” records (now at 12 consecutive) without detrimental effects to our economy and environment.  We are believers in the promise of clean energy sources for a vibrant future.  And WE – all of us, are the parents, aunts. uncles, brothers and sisters who must break free from fossil fuel’s grip on our economy to preserve a healthy world for our children’s children.
            Several years ago British Petroleum announced their intention to move “Beyond Petroleum”.  The Deepwater Horizon oil spill and the continuing operation of this refinery confirm that that was nothing more than a disingenuous ad campaign.  But a genuine move beyond petroleum is really our only option because we’re here forever…Earthbound.”