“Is not!”  “Is so!”  “No way!”  “Oh yeah?” Wanda Know and Jess Wonderin’s heated argument dragged on until Wanda stopped short in front of a small shop.  “What this?” she asked. “The sign says ‘Myth Research & Analysis’*.”

        They stepped into the tidy shop. Behind the counter a kindly, wizened woman stood in front of what appeared to be a huge mainframe computer.  “What is this place?” Jess asked.  The woman handed him her card.  It read:  Mythconceptions Busters – Accurate Info.– No BULLarney   Ann Serrs, Proprietor. “Now, how can I help?” she asked.

        Wanda and Jess looked at each other a moment then Jess blurted out, “Wanda says discarded solar panels will cause a huge trash problem in the future.  Is that true?”  Ann tapped on the keyboard.  The massive machine whirled, lit up, and spit out a document.

         “Myth,” announced Ann.  “Actually, without a transition to renewable energy sources, future coal ash and oily sludge generated by fossil fuel energy would be 300-800 times greater than solar panel waste.”
        
        Then Wanda said, ”Some say we’re using too much cropland for solar farms.”  “Myth,” replied Ann.  “If all the solar development needed to reach carbon neutrality by 2050 were on farm land, it would only use about 1% of that acreage.  But it won’t all be on crop ground.  Besides, a lot of farms grow corn for ethanol.  Just one acre of solar panels produces as much energy as 80 – 140A. of corn for ethanol.

         “Are wind turbines one of the top causes of bird deaths?” wondered Jess.  “That’s another myth.”  Ann recited. “Heat waves, fires and other climate change effects are the largest threat to bird populations.  Beyond that, for every bird killed by a turbine, cats kill about 12,000 and building glass kills about 3,000.”

         Wanda jumped in again. “I heard that electric vehicles (EVs) aren’t really much more environmentally friendly than fossil fuel vehicles.  Really?”  “Just a myth,” Ann confirmed.  “When you add up all the greenhouse gases in the production, use and disposal of vehicles, average gas guzzlers produce 3-4 times more emissions than EVs.”

         “Thanks!” Wanda smiled. “What do we owe you?”  “No charge,” Ann winked. “Just help me bust myths about creating a cleaner future on our only home.  It’s where we’re all forever… Earthbound.”

         *2024 Sabin Center for Climate Change Law, Columbia Law School

       The final notes of the anthem, “CEEP it Clean,” dissolved into the breeze as the speaker stepped up to the podium.  “Welcome, welcome to the 2024 Clean Energy & Efficiency Providers (CEEP) Technical College Commencement,” the school president proclaimed.  The usual round of recognitions and Thank Yous followed.  Then his demeanor turned solemn as he continued.  

       “Graduates, as you embark on your new careers, there’s no hiding from the effects of a warming planet.  Last winter was the warmest one our country has ever experienced - more than 5 degrees above average.  Weather and climate disaster costs continue to grow.  From 1980–2023 the annual average number of weather or climate disasters has been 8.5 events per year.  During the most recent 5 years (2019–2023) there have been over 20 events every year.  In 2023 alone the U.S. experienced 28 separate $1 billion or more such events costing $92.9 billion in all.  Clearly, we can’t afford to continue on this trajectory.  Each of you will play a critical role in helping turn that trajectory toward a less costly, cleaner future.

       “You’ll help lead the change that’s already begun.  High-tech efficiency upgrades are reducing energy usage.  Generous federal, state and foundation grants worth hundreds of millions of dollars support these upgrades.  Solar is growing dramatically.  Last year, solar was the fastest-growing power source in the U.S.  A record 31 gigawatts of solar energy was installed – a 55% increase from 2022.  Solar represented half of all new utility-scale generating capacity.  Battery storage also grew substantially in 2023 and is expected to double in 2024.  Wind energy grew more modestly but nevertheless represents about 11% of electrical generation.  Taken together, clean renewable energy powers about 25% of our country, a good start but certainly not enough.

         “The choice is clear.  We can either pay for increasingly expensive storm damage control, or we can invest in a clean energy future.  Here at CEEP we’ve chosen to invest in this fine group of graduates and the future they’ll help us build.

         “Today’s commencement ceremony marks a conclusion.  But the word ‘commence’ signals a new beginning.  So let each of us commence with a renewed commitment to help create a clean future.  There’s really no choice but to do so.  Because this is the only home we’ll ever know.  It’s where we’re all forever… Earthbound.”