“You CAN help build a livable world for our kits, cubs, and pups,” concluded Beatrice Badger.  Harriet Hare and Truman Tortoise left the Animal Conservation Team (ACT) meeting inspired and energized.  As stewards of a beautiful planet; they resolved to do their part.

       And there was no slowing Harriet down!  Always a go-getter with lucky breaks often falling her way, Harriet led a comfortable, some would say “privileged”, life.  Now as they began their walk home, Harriet could hardly contain her enthusiasm.  She rattled off all the things she planned to do as a responsible resident of planet Earth.  “Once the energy audit is completed on my warren I’ll replace all my appliances with Energy Star certified models.  Tomorrow I’m going to start calling solar contractors for bids on my place.  I can’t wait to be the first hare in the neighborhood to be generating my own electricity.  Hey, maybe I’ll see about getting an EV (electric vehicle),” Harriet went on and on.

       Eventually Harriet hopped off, and Truman plodded his way home.  It was great that Harriet was able to take all those important steps.  But Truman knew that many of those kinds of measures were out of his reach; he just didn’t have the resources.

       At home, Truman told his wife, Tillie, about all he’d learned at the meeting and how Harriet was able to be a real ACTor.  “But there are things we can do too,” Tillie said.  So Truman and Tillie sat at the kitchen table and made up a list: turn down the thermostat, walk instead of riding when possible, the 3 R’s (reduce, re-use, recycle), be conscious of electricity and water use, eat less meat (no problem there for tortoises!) and on and on!

       The next morning, Truman woke up knowing he could be a real ACTor too.  Last night with all of Harriet’s talk, he’d felt that being a responsible Earth steward was some sort of race to see who could be the most “green.”  But now he realized it’s not a competition, but an opportunity to be in harmony with everything around us.  Each of us in our own way can foster and embrace a respectful relationship with the natural world and then demonstrate that respect through how we live our life.  It’s up to each of us because we’re here forever… Earthbound.

       Sometimes a little nudge is all it takes to ease us into doing the right thing.  “I didn’t add any salt to the casserole; you’ll have to add your own,” Karen will say while setting the dinner table.  It’s a helpful nudge toward a healthier diet for both of us.  Businesses often nudge employees to save for retirement by offering payroll savings plans or even matching IRA contributions.  A little nudge can have a significant impact.

       One hundred years ago it was critical to electrify America and bring the benefits of this amazing energy source to every citizen – think Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA).  Access to a reliable electric grid has made us prosperous and comfortable.  At that time the electrical utilities and transmission companies were nudged with tax incentives and guaranteed profit margins to create the reliable electrical grid that serves us well today.

       With that mission accomplished, we’re now faced with a different kind of challenge.  Most of us would like to see the U.S. reduce carbon emissions to help slow the effects of climate change.  But for over 100 years we’ve encouraged utilities to expand electrical sales most of which is generated by greenhouse gas producing fossil fuels.  Can we now nudge them to reduce electrical sales?

       Now-a-days consumers have a multitude of options for purchasing, using, and conserving energy.  Energy efficiency (EE) choices abound.  New distributed energy resources (DERs) like the solar array near Highland, the wind farm being built near Darlington and homeowner rooftop solar are becoming more common.  As a result utility profits are being squeezed.  In response, these companies raise their fixed user fees.  High fixed fees provide little incentive for consumers to conserve energy.
 
       But a handful of states, Michigan, Illinois, Utah and Maryland, have changed the rules.  Their utilities’ revenues actually increase when their customers demonstrate energy conservation.  Shareholders still earn their profits while customers save money.  And with less energy being generated and distributed we all enjoy a cleaner atmosphere.

         Like those utilities, we too can be nudged to save money and reduce carbon emissions.  It’s been shown that just by paying attention to the electrical bill each month, households can save up to 30%.  Nudge your neighbor to do the same.  Who doesn’t want to save money and clean the air as well?  Besides, this is only place we’ll ever call home.  We’re here forever… Earthbound.

       Dorothy and her little dog Toto had lost their way.  They had been blown clean out of a sense of normalcy and security.  A huge wind called Katrina had whisked it away.  The Good Spirit of the Sun told her she only had to follow the solar brick road to find her way home.  So off they went.

       They had been walking all morning when Toto suddenly raced ahead.  When Dorothy caught up she found him tugging on a patchwork quilt that had been hung out to dry.  “Ouch! Cut that out,” Quilt cried.  Dorothy apologized for her dog and explained she was trying to get back to a sense of climatic normalcy.  “Maybe I can help,” Quilt said.  He told them how he had been made up of bits and pieces from over 200 countries when they had met at an international climate quilting bee in Paris in December of 2015.  So down the road they all went.

       Later that afternoon they passed by a small roadside shrine.  Inside was a humble-looking man praying.  “Who are you praying for?”  Quilt asked the man.  “All the people on Earth,” the man replied.  “Their stable climate is changing rapidly, and I’m praying they will find the wisdom and the courage to confront these changes so that all may live on a thriving planet.”  When Dorothy explained her plight, Francis offered to join them on their journey.

       That night storm clouds began to gather.  Dorothy scooped up Toto and linked arms with Quilt and Francis.  “Sandy and Harvey and Irma – Oh My!” they chanted as they ventured into the storm.  By morning Dorothy was near exhaustion.  The suffering, the homelessness, the property loss, not to mention the 100s of billions of dollars of damage was draining her strength.  But with Quilt and Francis’ help they continued down the road.

       Finally…there it was!  The large marble, domed building with the bronze statue “Freedom” shining in the sun - home of the Congress of the United States.  In an inner chamber they found the Climate Solutions Caucus - 58 members (29 Democrats and 29 Republicans) laying out a plan to boldly yet responsibly address the changing climate that is draining Dorothy of her resources. 

       “You CAN do this and you must,” Dorothy encouraged, “because we have no other home.  We’re here forever… Earthbound.”