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One Morning at Mo's Diner

9/28/2022

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       With their breakfast combos pushed aside, Des Pair and Hope Less huddled over the morning paper. “Sez here,” Des moaned, “southern Wisconsin is part of the coming ‘extreme heat belt’ running through the whole mid-section of the country.  In the next 30 years the number of heat-index (temperature and humidity combined) days over 100 degrees will likely double.  Some heat index days will go as high as 125 degrees!”  “Lordy, how will we ever survive?” Hope sighed.

       From behind the counter, Mo spotted the grumbling gals and decided it was time to re-fill their coffee cups.  Seeing the newspaper sprawled across the table, “It don’t look good, eh ladies?” she asked.  Then she flipped to a second article. “But take a look at this!” Mo exclaimed with her usual sunny enthusiasm.

       The article laid out how ordinary citizens – you and me – can take advantage of many of the provisions of the newly passed Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to help stabilize the climate.  It extends tax credits for installing energy-efficient windows, doors, insulation, water heaters, furnaces, air conditioners or heat pumps, as well as for home energy audits. It also offers rebates for low and moderate-income households’ efficiency improvements, up to $14,000 per home and provides a 30% tax credit for rooftop solar and geothermal heating.*
        
       “We don’t have to sit here wishing the problem would go away.  We can be part of the solution,” Mo encouraged.  Then, glancing up at the door – “Hey, Wade Aminit!  You’re part of this too,” Mo called to Wade, a diner regular and prominent farmer in the township.
           
       Mo slide the paper to Wade as he settled into the booth.  “Look!  Farmers across the country are practicing ‘natural climate solutions’ that draw in and hold heat-trapping CO2 in the soil.  They’re planting cover crops, using minimal or no-till planting strategies, converting to perennial crops and pasturing with rotational grazing practices.”
           
       Then flipping to the back page, they saw an update on two major pieces of climate-stabilizing legislation California recently passed.  As the fifth largest economy in the world, these provisions may be as significant as the IRA in addressing climate change.
           
       “Could these be signs of a virtuous climate-stabilizing cycle?” Mo Menteum mused. “Surely, together we CAN wisely care for this, our only home, where we’re all forever…Earthbound.”
 
*The Conversation on-line journal
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Ken and Stu save $ and  kWhs

9/3/2022

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         Somewhere in Iowa County Wisconsin...

        Plunk…plunk…sploop.. Stu and Ken sat on the edge of the pond tossing in pebbles,  soaking in the last few days of summer vacation.   It was the start of their senior year, and the conversation soon turned to their waning high school days and their hopes and fears about the future.

        “Did you hear that Congress finally got its act together and passed legislation to begin addressing climate disruption in a big way?” Stu Dentt asked.  “Yeah, I’m relieved to see that adults are making serious efforts to pass a healthy planet on to our generation.  I just wish we students could help somehow,” Ken I. Pitchinn replied.

        A few days later in the school cafeteria - “Yo Ken!” Stu called between bites.  “Remember how you said you’d like to help the climate situation?  Take a look at this,” Stu said as he made his way to a poster at the catsup and mustard counter.  It read:
        “Clean Energy Transition Plan Essay Contest* -  Help your school district reduce energy use and prepare for applying to the Solar on Schools grants program.  Essay cash awards include: 1st place - $250, 2nd place - $125, and 3rd place - $75.  The 1st place essay will be printed in the Dodgeville Chronicle.”
 
       “Cool!” Ken beamed.  “It says students in all 5 high schools in Iowa County can submit essays, so 15 students in all could win cash awards.  This is just the kind of thing Ms. Teechur is always talking about - authentic learning.  We students CAN be part of addressing real world problems.  And if these essays actually persuade school boards to create clean energy transition plans, it’ll reduce kilowatt hour (kWh) usage, save money and help build a more environmentally friendly future.”

        That afternoon, in her Current Issues class Ima Teechur encouraged the students to enter the contest.  She had some great resources for them to use and would even give extra credit.  “Students across the globe are helping to drive the clean energy and energy efficiency revolution,” she said.  “Each one of you can be a part of that movement right here in Iowa County.  After all, this planet we’re on is our only home; it’s where we’re all forever…Earthbound.”
 
      *Sponsored by Iowa County Clean, Local Energy Alliance – Now (CLEA-N) and the Dodgeville Chronicle - Charles@driftlessconservancy.org for details

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    I'm interested in the topics of sustainability and climate change especially in regards to our local area in southwest Wisconsin.

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