The sunlit snow glistened like a carpet of diamonds inviting Nan and Wanda to linger outside a bit longer. “Don’t you just love how freshly fallen snow sparkles?” Wanda gushed. “That old Mr. Sun is really something; he’s kind of like Earth’s own personal star sending us gifts of light and warmth every day.  I heard that the sun continuously showers the Earth with 10,000 times the world's total energy usage.”

       “Wow!  We should be putting all that energy to better use,” agreed Nan Profitt.  “At work, we’ve been trying to find a cost-effective way to add solar panels to our building.  But as a nonprofit we don’t pay taxes, so programs like federal tax credits for solar don’t do us any good.  Besides that, raising the up-front capital would be tough,” she lamented.

       “Lucky for me,” Wanda Solarize said, “as a tax payer, I can benefit from that 26% federal tax credit, and I could swing small monthly payments.  But I don’t have the up-front cash either.  Oh well.  I guess it’s, ‘Sorry Mr. Sun, but it’s too hard for Nan and me to make the most of your energy.’”

       That evening Nan happened upon an article describing a concept called Third Party financing.  She learned there are two models used most often: power purchase agreements (PPAs) and solar leases.  Both pretty much eliminate up front barriers such as installation and maintenance costs for folks who can’t afford direct ownership as well as the obstacles for organizations that can’t access tax credits and utility rebates.

       In both models, home owners, businesses or nonprofits install a solar system on their own property.  Often there’s no upfront costs.  Under a PPA, the customer pays for the electricity generated by the solar system at an agreed-upon rate. With a lease, a customer leases the solar system and benefits from the electricity the system produces.  The key is this; the customer doesn’t have any installation or upkeep responsibilities.  Twenty-six states allow third-party financing.  And those states have far more installed solar than states like Wisconsin, that don’t specifically permit 3rd-party financing.

      “But the Wisconsin legislature is currently working on a third-party financing bill,” Nan explained. “Let’s encourage our elected officials to pass it.  Then our ‘Earth Star’ will shine even more brightly for us here at our only home where we’re all forever… Earthbound.”

        Ray Syckle just couldn’t help smiling as he strolled down the street.  After years of feeling worthless he was “back in the saddle” again.  But, wouldn’t you know, as he turned the corner, here came his old nemesis, Jess Tossit.  “How’s it hangin?” Jess snickered.

        You see, in 2018 China imposed severe limitations on the amount and types of materials it would accept for recycling.  That gave Jess Tossit and his cronies just the excuse they were looking for to not bother recycling materials.  Much of the material that used to be sold was ending up in landfills.  “What’s the use of separating recyclables?” Jess would argue.  “It’s all gonna get dumped together in the same hole anyway.  But what are you grinning about now?” Jess sneered.

        Instead of slinking away like he had the past few years, Ray smiled and said, “Jess my man!  Let me buy you a beer.”  Jess couldn’t believe it, but he wasn’t about to turn down a free brew.  So down to the N-Lite-Inn tap they went.

        “Let me tell you pal,” Ray began, “times have changed.  I’ll fill you in.” Then Ray launched into an explanation of how the value of recyclable materials has soared in the past year.  Due to the economic recovery and the growth of e-commerce the value of recycled materials are the highest they’ve been in years. For example, milk jug plastic goes for a record high of $2,000 / ton, more than aluminum cans fetch.  And corrugated cardboard sells for $185 / ton, the highest price in two decades.  “Folks can actually help unclog the supply chain by contributing to recyclable commodities; they’re a key link in the supply chain,” Ray concluded.

        Then from one bar stool over, “I couldn’t help overhearing,” Les Stuph interrupted.  “You’re right about recyclable materials.  But we shouldn’t take that as free license to buy lots of plastic stuff figuring it will all somehow get recycled.  Far from it!  The world still produces 100 million tons of NON-recyclable plastics every year!”

        When Jess left the bar he noticed a discarded pop can.  Scooping it up, he deposited it in a recycle container.  “You know, we really can’t afford to waste any of our resources,” he thought to himself, “because this is the only home we’ll ever know.  It’s where we’re all forever… Earthbound.”

       Justin is a typical acre of Midwest cropland surrounded by thousands of other acres in a standard corn, soybean and hay crop rotation. (Heavy on the corn and beans!)  He is worked hard and can feel he’s slowly losing his vitality due to erosion and almost relentless tillage.

       After decades of this type of existence, Justin began to ask himself if this was all anyone would ever ask of him.  “I’m sure I can make more of myself if given the chance,” he thought.  So he set off to a soils job fair to see what he might become.  

       Outside the job fair tent Doug Inn was handing out leaflets urging land parcels to boycott the fair.  “Look, why rock the boat?  We’ve been doing the same thing for decades.  Just stick with a formula that works,” Doug urged.  But Justin thought about today’s world and wasn’t convinced that “the same old thing” is such a great idea.  So he headed inside.

       Right away, Ethan All waved him over.  “Looking for a change?  You should jump on the ‘let’s lower CO2 emissions’ bandwagon and grow corn for ethanol production.  It’s the latest thing!  You’re Justin Acre right?  Corn from an acre like you can produce enough ethanol to power a car 12,000 miles for a whole year!”  Ethan boasted.

       But Justin shook his head and approached the next booth where Aggie Voltaic greeted him.  Justin explained his hopes to do more than just grow corn for food or for fuel.  “Great! That’s what we offer – agrivoltaics,” said Aggie.  “There’s a growing movement to add solar arrays to farm land in such a way as to also allow for growing crops or grazing animals on the same acre of soil.” 

       Justin was intrigued, but just then Electra Carr glided across the floor.  He was entranced and followed her. “I suppose Ethan told you about his product fueling one car for 12,000 miles. Right?” Electra asked.  “But picture yourself covered with solar panels.  You’d power not just ONE electric car for 12,000 miles; you’d power SEVENTY-FIVE electric cars for 12,000 miles each!  And a pollinator planting under the panels would help you re-gain your lost vitality,”  Electra winked.

       “Wow! I CAN do more to build a better world, and I must,” Justin realized, “because this our only home.  It’s where we’re all forever… Earthbound.”