There it was again – something catching the sun on the hillside just outside of town.  “What IS that”? Ima wondered as she fretted over unpaid bills at the kitchen table.  Tired and frustrated, she called to the rest of the family, “I’m out for a walk.”
            Ima crossed the street then strode cross-country toward the gleaming light that seemed to be beckoning her.  Cresting one last rise she saw a glistening entryway of sorts.  Beyond it, a bustling crew was busy assembling some kind of fantastical creation. “Ima? Is that you?” someone called. “Come on in.  We’ve been expecting you.”
            Ima X. Tractor took a few tentative steps in and immediately felt a sense of support,  comfort, and purpose. “Hello!” Ray Ciprocity beckoned. “Let me show you around,”  “Well, I don’t know,” Ima hesitated. “I’ve got a lot to do. Nose to the grindstone, you know.”
          “That’s just it.” Ray countered. “It doesn’t have to be that way.  We’re fashioning an innovative system that’ll keep your nose away from that grindstone.  I’ll show you.”
            As they walked farther in, Ray continued. “You’ve heard about the so-called ‘K’ economy where a small minority is getting more and more wealthy while the great majority of us are finding it increasingly difficult to pay the bills.  In that ‘extractive’ model, everything – resources, relationships and well-being – are squeezed, wrung out then tossed aside in the pursuit of riches.  But what if  'wealth meant having enough to share in a system powered by the infinitely renewable resource of kindness, which multiples every time it is shared?  Then meeting your family needs wouldn’t be poisoned by destroying that possibility for someone else.’**
            Rounding a corner, Ray continued,” Ahh… here’s Manny Freewatts, head of our energy department.”  Shaking Ima’s hand, Manny winked, “Betcha didn’t know that in just one hour, the Sun delivers to Earth more energy than humanity uses in an entire year.  Technology can now economically capture, store and evenly distribute that energy.  It’s our opportunity to lower energy costs, reduce petroleum pollution and end oil’s strangle hold on us all!” Manny concluded.
            “Amazing!” grinned Ima. “Resources like kindness that actually multiply when used and resources like the sun that are free and infinitely renewable.  These are the kinds of resources to rely on because this precious planet is our only home; we’re all forever… Earthbound.”
*Reciprocity – A healthy give and take where everyone is valued and supported for mutual benefit
**Robin Wall Kimmerer

            The low winter sun streamed through the south-facing windows of Santa’s secret southern retreat.  It fairly glowed with warmth and light on that frosty afternoon.  The kindly old elf had once again gathered his top helpers in this snug retreat in northern Wisconsin to begin preplanning for the 2026 holiday season.
            But his typically jolly expression was nowhere to be found.  Instead, a worried look of concern greeted the elves as they silently seated themselves. “Have you seen this?” he asked while passing around a report. “Home energy costs across the country are jumping 9 – 12% year after year.  An estimated 6 million households have utility debt.  Folks simply can’t keep up with ever-increasing energy costs.  Families are having to make heart-wrenching choices about where to skimp when trying to feed and shelter their loved ones.  The flurry of new data centers popping are just making it worse.
            “How can families have a jolly holiday when they’re struggling to keep warm?  If our elfin magic was powerful enough, I’d use it to realign every suitable structure to face south like this one, so folks could bask in the free warmth we’re enjoying.  We’d, of course, add the appropriate roofline overhang to block that summer heat.  Alas, our magic is limited.  We’ve got the toy operation for children down pat, but what can we do for these struggling families?” Santa wondered.
            Iva Plann leaped up. “No problem! We’ve got this! Let’s make a list of gifts we CAN give to cut energy consumption and conserve heat in winter and coolness in the summer.”  Several hands shot up.
            “More insulation and weather stripping,” shouted Snuggle Inn, “that’ll reduce heating and cooling costs and make homes more comfortable.
            “LED bulbs.  They use 75% less electricity and last years longer than incandescent bulbs,” Will Brightenupp chimed in.  
            “Solar panels for all suitably sited homes,” added Sonny Wonn. “Who can’t use free energy curtesy of Mr. Sun?”
            “Home battery / rooftop solar combos are becoming increasingly affordable,” offered Newt Techguy.  “Communities with homes so-equipped can become a ‘virtual power plant’ that the utility company can draw from during peak-usage periods.  Crediting customers for their excess power is far less expensive than building costly new powerplants.”
            “Ho Ho Ho,” Santa roared. “Every home generating, conserving and sharing the sun’s free energy - welcome gifts right here where we’re all forever… Earthbound.”

           “The excitement is rising on this crisp autumn day here at the Energy Futures Speedway!”  This is Luke Att’emmgo.  I’m here with Ken Ya-Lappum, and what a race we have ahead of us!  We’re just minutes away from the start of the Energy Futures 500, the race to see which energy sources will carry Mother Earth on into the future.”
            “Once again, Luke,” Ken chimed in, “this race pits two old rivals – Fanciers of Fossil Fuels, Inc. (FOFF) and Carbon-free, Healthier, Inexpensive, Next-generation Advantages Ltd. (CHINA).  The question is, will FOFF, the traditional favorite, be able to hold off this relatively new start-up, CHINA?  Or will 21st century technologies defeat those traditional economies still relying on outmoded 20th century energy sources?”
            “The starter’s flag is up…and they’re off!”  Luke exclaimed. “But wait… there seems to be some confusion in the FOFF pit.  Their ‘Beautiful Clean Coal’ entry is sputtering and coughing at the starting line!”
             “Well Luke,” Ken interjected. “I’m not surprised. The North American Electric Reliability Corporation recently found that coal isn’t the reliable energy source it’s cracked up to be.  Its equipment-related outage rate is over 12%; whereas wind’s is about 6.6%.  And coal’s reliability is worsening year by year.”
            “But just look at CHINA speed away from the rest of the field!  It’s no wonder. CHINA’s push to expand very affordable solar and other renewables has dropped renewable energy costs dramatically.  Fast-growing and economically poorer countries alike are paying attention.  More and more they’re opting for low-cost, clean energy sources they can generate themselves.
           “Consider this.  Countries like Brazil, India and Vietnam are rapidly expanding solar and wind power.  Poorer countries like Ethiopia and Nepal are leapfrogging over gasoline-burning cars to battery-powered ones.  Nigeria, a petrostate, plans to build its first solar-panel manufacturing plant.  Morocco is creating a battery hub to supply European automakers.  Santiago, the capital of Chile, has electrified more than half of its bus fleet.”*
            Later…FOFF never did catch CHINA.  Spectators drifting away from the stands wondered, “What are the FOFF execs thinking?!  Why hang their racing gloves on dirty, increasingly expensive fuels when the rest of the world is embracing a new reality?”
           Old habits (and entrenched interests) die hard.  We don’t have to let them drag us along because this is our only home.  It’s where we’re all forever… Earthbound.
            *NYTimes – Sengupta & Plumer