Buzzzt – “You may send him in now,” came the request.   Careful not to trip on his rhinestone-studded cape, Econman slipped into the presidential suite. 

     “How may I be of service Mr. President?”  Econman asked.

     “So glad you’re here,” said the president, pumping Econ’s hand. “We’re in a pickle; you may be the only one who can help us.  Next month we’re off to the UN Climate Change Conference in Paris.  We need to bring with us a plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.    Some like the idea of putting a price on carbon-based fuels.  Economists say that would drive the marketplace to create emission-reducing technologies. 

     But here’s the problem.  Putting a fee on carbon will also raise energy prices.  I don’t want to damage the economy, and we’ve got to protect our citizens, especially the poor, from higher energy costs. On the other hand, if we don’t lower our carbon emissions we’re toast.  I’m stumped!  How can we price carbon, protect the poor and still grow the economy?”

     “That’s a tough one; I’ll get right on it Sir,“ Econman pondered.

     Deep inside his subterranean lair, Econman buried himself in data and statistics.  Days later, bleary-eyed, his rumpled cape trailing dust bunnies, Econman emerged muttering something about “embedded emissions.” 

     Later – “You see Mr. President, for most Americans direct purchase of fuels like gasoline is only about 1/3 of their total carbon emissions.  Two-thirds is embedded in the products and services they buy.  Most of us don’t realize that each purchase reflects an increase in greenhouse gas emissions.  And that’s the key!

     To reduce our carbon footprints AND grow the economy we’ll put a fee on carbon and then return all revenues collected as dividends to the people.  Those dividends will more than offset higher fuel costs for about 2/3s of Americans. That’s because only the top 1/3 have enough money to buy all that embedded-emissions STUFF.  The dividends will leave most of us with more money in our pockets than before.  That’s even true for savvy folks in the top 1/3!”

     Econman’s calculations were later verified by the prestigious Regional Economics Models, Inc. (REMI) report.  Carbon Fee & Dividend reduces carbon emissions, protects the poor, and grows the economy.  It’s the Paris summit solution for a more resilient Iowa Co. and for all of Earth, our only home.  Because we’re here forever…Earthbound.

      With granddaughters beckoning and a shed to be built, Karen and I found ourselves in the states of Washington and Oregon for a lovely two-week retreat.  Environmental concerns and pondering were to be put aside while these more hands-on interactions and projects focused our attention.  But certain sustainability related events and news that were too interesting to ignore beckoned.  Their message?  The future is at our doorstep.

     #1 – Perfectly Practical.  For those of us concerned about reducing fossil fuel use passenger trains are clear winners over air travel and private vehicles.  But we Americans (this author included) often prefer the speed of air travel and the independence passenger vehicles afford.  But this time, because of previous experiences, Karen and I knew that taking the train up and down the coast would trump battling freeway traffic.  And it did.  We arrived relaxed, refreshed and having had time for reading and correspondence.  Reducing our carbon-footprints only sweetened the deal!

     #2 – Astonishingly Announced.  OK, OK I’ll admit the crossword puzzle is the main attraction of the complimentary USA Today newspaper at the motel coffee bar.  But an article, seemingly from some alternate universe, grabbed my attention.  CEOs from ten of the world’s largest oil companies made a joint announcement stating that their industry must address climate change and that they support the United Nations goals to limit global warming.  (Yes folks, large OIL companies made this statement!) One executive was quoted as saying that carbon pricing was the only way to achieve a reasonable energy mix to limit excessive atmospheric warming.  (Subsequent cross-referencing confirmed that I had not been transported to an alternative reality.  This actually did take place on Earth!)

     #3 – Mightily Motivational.  Hurricane Patricia, the most powerful tropical cyclone ever measured in the Western Hemisphere, arrived.  The oceans and atmosphere are warming as a result of the accumulation of greenhouse gases from the burning of fossil fuels.  As predicted, more severe weather events like Patricia are being created.  The oil execs have it right; now’s the time to move beyond fossil fuels.

     And the “Plus”?  Just blocks from our son’s home a salmon stream that has been inaccessible to fish since the 1890s is being restored.  That’s the kind of gentle treatment of the Earth’s ecology that’s critical to a healthy world because this is the only home we’ll ever know.  We’re here forever…Earthbound.

Oct. 22, 2040

Dear Grandma and Grandpa,

     Graduation is coming soon!  I sent you a “save the date” card earlier but wanted to be sure you knew that I really hope you can attend.  After all, you and others of your generation are both the inspiration for and the focus of my PhD dissertation.  I wouldn’t have much of a future if it hadn’t been for you.

     I’m sure you remember that my research is basically a case study of the steps your generation began to implement around 25 years ago in 2015.  At that time it became clear that the industrialized world’s use of resources exceeded its renewal capacity by 25%.   Not only was that unsustainable economically, but the environmental degradation was devastating Earth’s ecological balance - a recipe for disaster.

     Stark as that information was, ignoring it and hoping for the best would have been the easy thing to do. You could have rationalized that the problem was too big to solve or that anyone’s individual efforts wouldn’t make a difference.  Instead you took on the challenge and developed the political will to maintain a livable world.
 
     Just think of what you accomplished!  New farming techniques significantly reduced pesticide use while improving soils for better water retention and carbon sequestration.   Fossil fuel use worldwide was reduced to just a fraction of what it had been so that global warming was held in check.  The growth of renewable energy sources created new career opportunities.  New water conservation techniques and products sprung up in response to the drought in California.  That in turn created a whole array of other industries built around the reduction of waste and the reuse of materials and resources.  These and other innovations make up the so-called “25% Solution”. And that literally has made all the difference in my world.

     It’s been shown that your vital work has had an even greater impact than the world-saving WWII battles of the “Greatest Generation”. Did you know that people are beginning to use the term the “ER (Emergency Reclamation) Generation” about you?

     You’re my heroes.  I’d be honored to have you celebrate my graduation with me.  Hope to hear back from you soon!  Without the forethought and dedication of your generation the future of this, the only home any of us will ever know, would be bleak because we’re all here forever…Earthbound.