Everett E. Mann scanned the morning news – flooding on the southern and eastern coasts, drought in the Southwest, forest fires in California, global resource depletion, loss of biodiversity and on and on.  Three friends – Jess, Dee and Hope Ann - happened to see the same report, and they all felt compelled to give Everett a call.
 
        “Hey Ev,” Jess D’Sameway greeted. “Did you see the latest news about these so-called ‘severe weather’ events?  Those news guys sure like to squawk about this stuff.  But haven’t there been floods, droughts and fires on this planet since before humans ever set foot?  ‘Experts’ have been warning about running out of clean water, top soil, and resources for centuries.  I say, if we’d all just look out for ourselves and our families, we’ll be just fine.  It’s business-as-usual for me.”

        Then Dee Pressed called.  “OMG, did you see that newscast?  The last segment about rising sea levels just about put me over the edge.  All those folks getting flooded out and eco-systems being destroyed!  We’re never going to get out of this mess.  Guess I’ll just sort of crawl into a hole and cry.  It makes me so sad; I’m ready to give up.”

        And finally, “I suppose you watched the news this morning,” said Hope Ann Doo. “What a boatload of troubles!  With almost 8 billion people - twice that of just 50 years ago - human demands on Earth’s resources are so much greater than ever before.  I just hope somebody can figure out how to straighten out this mess,” she sighed.

        “I hope so too,” said Ev. “but just hoping things will improve or pretending we can actually continue with business-as-usual isn’t going to make things better.  And giving up just feels yucky.  We’ve got to both hope AND do our part.  Hey, that’s you – Hope Ann Doo! 

        “Joanna Macy calls it Active Hope.  It’s how we can ‘face the mess we’re in without going crazy’.  She says having gratitude for the blessings we have and acknowledging our fears reduces our sense of being overwhelmed and moves us to action.  Taking positive steps makes us feel better.  It also helps pivot society toward a healthier, more life-enriching world for everyone.  It’s just what we need right now on the only home we’ll ever know because we’re all forever… Earthbound.”  

        This Covid business has put a damper on travel, especially travel abroad.  Nevertheless,  let’s take a moment to visit a young couple sipping coffee and sharing croissants at a sidewalk café just blocks from the Eiffel Tower in Paris.  Then let’s stop in for a cup of tea and Hobnob biscuits with Gram and Poppy in their English garden by the Thames.  Up for an idyllic hike through the Swiss Alps?  We can join Hans and Elina for a hearty tramp.  Otherwise, we could circle halfway around the globe to Japan for a picnic with the Takahashi family in their cherry orchard. 

        Ahh!  A mini-virtual tour and nary a hint of scarcity or deprivation.  What may be surprising is that the contented folks in these scenarios, on average, use far less energy than you and I do in the U.S.

        Yup, according to worldbank.org that young French couple and the Takahashis annually use about half (per capita) of the energy that Americans use.   Gram and Poppy use only about 40% as much and Hans and Elina a thrifty 30% as much!  Indeed, the average Joe or Jane on earth uses only about one quarter of the energy that Jack and Jill in the U. S. use.

        Something’s out of whack here.  One might presume that the luxury of using almost four times as much energy as the average earthling should make Americans four times as happy – Not!  A recent international survey ranks Americans as the ninth most content people in the world.  Clearly, folks can lead happy, fulfilling lives using far less energy than we do here.

        We now know that much of our energy use contributes to the atmospheric pollution accelerating destructive severe weather events.  And what a summer for those!  Even so, for many of us the knee-jerk response to the concept of reducing energy use implies sacrifice, deprivation and loss of “the good life.”  Hans and Elina would disagree; there’s plenty of good living happening around the world with the thrifty use of fuel.

        We could be thrifty too!  The tools to greatly reduce energy loss, increase energy efficiencies, and transition to clean energy sources are at hand.  It will mean change, but it doesn’t have to mean deprivation.  Let’s make that change and protect the only home we’ll ever know, here where we’re all forever… Earthbound.

        Wanda turned off the news.  “Droughts, deadly heat waves, record forest fires and on and on.  I wish I could do more about the climate problem, but I’m just one person.  What can I do?”  Wanda  muttered to herself as she fell into a fitful sleep.  Little did she know that 4 spirits* would answer her wish that very night.
 
        “Wanda Doomore?” whispered wispy Jen Urrate. “You could have a home energy audit and then install the recommended efficiency upgrades and/or solar panels.  Both are now so affordable that most folks can finance these home improvements and actually have LOWER combined loan & energy monthly payments than they currently have.  Check out Legacy Solar Co-op.  It’s offering a solar ‘group buy’ deal in your neighborhood right now!”**

        With baseball cap askew, Lefty O’Vers visited Wanda next.  “Hey Toots!  That day-old stew you threw in the trash tonight is going to rot in a landfill and spew methane, a potent greenhouse gas.  Ya can’t be just tossing out perfectly good leftovers!  And don’t be fooled with ‘best by’ and ‘use by’ labeling.  That usually just refers to the peak freshness of the product, not its safety,” Lefty wagged his willowy finger.

        A droopy eared, wet nosed, shaggy spirit visited Wanda next. “It’s all just clever marketing!”  barked Kane Niene.  “Did you ever smell the disgusting stuff I find to roll in and eat?  Dog foods advertising ‘Beef Dinner’ or ‘Lamb Stew’ and such are appealing to the human buyer, not the dog.  We could care less!  Gimme the stuff that’s lower on the food chain - poultry, eggs and cheese, and I’ll gladly wolf ‘em down.”

        Finally, “OK, call me Mr. Obvious if you like,” moaned the fourth spirit, “but we all just need to drive and fly less.  Combining errands, taking public transportation when possible, sharing rides with others and only flying for infrequent special trips will not diminish anyone’s life.  Many find that less can indeed be more,” advised the elfish Les Ismorre.

         Wanda sat up with a start!  “Weird dreams!” she muttered to herself.  Then she remembered the wish she made before drifting off to sleep.  “Hey! I got my wish!  I really can do more.  And why wouldn’t I?  Because this is the only home I’ll ever know.  It’s where we’re all forever… Earthbound.”

*Courtesy - Yana Pashaeva                   **LegacySolarCoop.org

        Anita D’Side slipped into the Y-Go-By Tap to get out of the blazing sun and cool her parched throat.  “We’ve got to do something about this climate business,” she murmured to herself.  As her eyes adjusted to the dim lighting she spotted her old pals, Wanda and Dee, in a corner booth; a lively debate was underway.

        “We’re never going to reach our clean energy goals without a huge expansion of the electric power grid,” Wanda Biggstuff stated.  “One of the marvels of the 20th century has been the electric grid.  It connects centralized power generation facilities and distributes the energy where it’s needed.  Now, we just need to make it bigger!” argued Biggstuff.  “We’ll expand the system and swap out the fossil fuel generators for clean energy sources.”

        “Girl, you’re living in the past!  If you haven’t noticed, we’re well into the 21st century.” countered Dee Versiffie.  “Switching to a diversified energy generation, storage and distribution system is the fastest way to reduce our use of greenhouse gas-emitting fuels.  And, it’s more secure, creates local jobs, and doesn’t require all that expensive infra-structure.”

        Anita listened as the two argued back and forth until finally, “Ladies please!  Don’t you think that perhaps you’re both right?  Don’t we need both systems?” Anita asked.
 
        “Well yes,” Wanda admitted. “We do need both systems, but here’s the rub.  We’ve got to transition away from fossil fuels – and fast!  While doing so, one of these systems will surely become the dominate model.  And that will set the stage for how we create and distribute energy for decades to come.  So it’s critical that we choose wisely.”

        “And as we transition, we have to keep in mind both the jobs that will be lost and the new career opportunities it will create,” Dee added.  “It’s an exciting time.  We can build a new world that gives everyone their fair slice of the pie while we put the brakes on climate change.”

        “Golly, it’s hard to decide which way is best,” Anita D’Side declared. “Heaven knows we can’t just keep pumping greenhouse gases into the atmosphere willy-nilly.  So while this gets worked out, each of us needs do our part by finding ways to reduce our energy use RIGHT NOW.  Because after all, this is the only home we’ll ever know.  It’s where we’re all forever… Earthbound.”

        ​“And now it’s time for America’s favorite quiz show, ‘I’ve Got a Secret’!  I’m your host Emma Cee.  This week’s panelists are Ima Guesser, Willie Findout and Kenny Gettit.  The fun begins as our panelists try to unlock a secret about this week’s theme - Global Issues.  Panelists, are you ready to play?

        “But first - a couple hints.  The 1962 publication of Rachel Carson’s book Silent Spring raised awareness of the dangers of the pesticide DDT.  As a result, its use in U.S. agriculture was banned in 1972 and worldwide in 2004.  Those bans are largely credited with the successful comeback from near-extinction of the bald eagle and the peregrine falcon.

        “Also, in 1987 the international community agreed to the Montreal Protocol on Depletion of the Ozone Layer that forbid the use of CFCs.  These chemicals were destroying the protective atmospheric ozone over Antarctica.  Once CFCs were banned, ozone levels (the good kind!) began to increase.  They’re expected to recover to former levels over the coming decades.

        “Now panelists, I’ve received your written questions and will begin answering them.  When you think you’ve uncovered the secret, sound your buzzer.  Here we go!

        “Yes – The issue is of global importance.
        Yes – It affects a wide range of concerns including infrastructure, health, the economy, environmental degradation and    even national security.
        No - It cannot be solved by individual countries alone.  
        Yes – It does have to do with global spending.
        Yes – It involves the International Energy Agency (IEA).  Ima, how did you ever guess that one??

        BUZZZZ! “Willie!  Do you think you know the answer?”

        “I do!  Governments have allocated $16 trillion in fiscal support throughout the Covid pandemic to rejuvenate economies and protect their citizens.  Is the secret that funds spent for clean energy and climate mitigation is exceeding expectations?”

        WAH,WAH,WAH!  “I’m sorry Willie, it’s just the OPPOSITE.  The IEA found that governments have only spent 2% of that $16 trillion to address climate issues.  That’s only about 35% of the estimated amount needed to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.  Instead of greenhouse gas emissions dropping they’re continuing to rise!
​
        “But the DDT and ozone cases demonstrate that the global community CAN come together and overcome seemingly insurmountable problems.  Now it’s time to ante-up for our climate because this is the only home we’ll ever know.  It’s where we’re all forever… Earthbound.”

        Les and Sonny’s friendly rivalry has been going on for a long time.   At first, Les had a huge advantage because Sonny was just too immature to be competitive.  But over the past decade Sonny has elevated his abilities to a whole new level, so Game On!  Actually, they both have the same goals.  And the more they refine their games, the better off we all are!  Here’s why.

        The spread of Sonny Ruefftop’s products is exploding across the nation.  He bragged to Les, “Every year more folks are basking in the money saving benefits of rooftop solar energy they produce and use themselves.  Why?  Because the cost of solar modules has fallen from $2 per watt in 2010 to about $0.50/watt today.  And, the federal government tax credit is 26% through 2022. That’s like erasing 26% of the cost right off the top.  But wait, there’s more!  Installing solar now locks in your electricity cost for the next 25-30 yrs. while increasing the value of your property.   No wonder people are flocking to me!” he gushed.

        “Not so fast Sonny Boy,” Les Ismore retorted.  I may not be as glitzy as you, but folks have taken a ‘shine’ to me since before you were a twinkle in some engineer’s eye.  You may be good at producing low-cost, clean energy, but you’ll never match the lowest cost energy, namely, the kind that’s never used in the first place.  Folks who want to spend less and still lower their impact on the environment and save money should invest in my stuff - energy efficiencies.  Less IS more!  That’s how to squeeze the most out of their precious pennies!  Try to beat that!” Les boasted.

​        “Boys, boys, boys!” interrupted Izzie YoChoyce. “No need to bicker.  People can learn about options from Iowa County CLEA-N at iowacountyclean@gmail.com.  The friendly folks there are launching the Iowa County Solar Group-Buy AND the Green Homeowners United ‘green mortgage’ projects right now.  A solar group-buy is like a limited-time buyers’ club that benefits from volume discounts.  And through low-cost green mortgages many homeowners can add energy efficiencies that pay for themselves with no up-front costs.  With the enhanced energy savings, it’s like the improvements are free!

​        “So everyone can save money while building a cleaner world right here on our only home where we’re all forever… Earthbound.”

        The History Channel's mini-series "Sons of Liberty" is quite a tale!  What a collection of courageous, selfless men and women who stood up for their rights against the seemingly invincible British Empire.  The series highlights Sam Adams as an independent-minded leader who wouldn’t settle for less than human dignity - a true American patriot.  Without the characteristics of folks like Sam Adams, who knows if our great democracy would have ever taken root.  In that time and place his particular qualities were just what true patriots needed to fashion a viable future.
 
        But the world in 1776 was very different from the one we live in today.  Global population was less than 1 billion, and the American wilderness beckoned.  Today almost 8 billion people draw resources from a finite, shrinking planet.  In today’s world perhaps a different set of qualities characterizes true American patriots.  

        Prof. Sallie McFague thinks so; she’s Professor of Theology Emerita at Vanderbilt University. McFague identifies Sam Adams and others as exemplifying qualities she calls the Individualistic Model.  In this model the rights and desires of each individual are foremost.   But in today’s world Prof. McFague suggests that something different, an Ecological Model, best characterizes true patriots striving to fashion a livable future.

        The Ecological Model contrasts markedly to that which served Sam Adams so well.  It acknowledges that humans do not control nature, but rely on it completely.  In it, we partner with nature for every breath and bit of food instead of trying to dominate it.   This model has 3 basic “house rules” including: 
1. Take only your share.
2. Clean up after yourself.
3. Keep the house in good repair for future occupants.
            
        The Ecological Model doesn’t belittle the importance of the rights and desires of individuals.  It just asks us to stick to the house rules.  And that’s hard to do with our consumption-driven economy constantly urging us to buy, buy, buy.  But it’s certainly less threatening to life and limb than taking on the mighty British Empire!
            
​        So this Independence Day let’s honor the sacrifices of Sam, George, Paul, Ben and the others by maintaining a healthy nation and viable future where the pursuit of happiness is within everyone’s grasp.  The Ecological Model may be just the road map that can get us there because the only home we’ll ever know is right here.   After all, we’re forever…Earthbound. 

        The old adage tells us we can’t have our cake and eat it too.  Eating the cake implies a loss of that resource - so sad!  But what if you could have something even better than cake, and it didn’t cost you anything?  In this case, the “cake” we’re talking about is home energy upgrades like insulation, weatherization and even solar panels.  Green Homeowners United (GHU) is showing many Wisconsin homeowners how they can prove that old adage wrong. 

        Making homes more energy-efficient is a huge opportunity to both save money AND reduce polluting emissions.  By one estimation, increasing the energy-efficiency of every home would reduce the release of planet-warming gases even more than by making every car an electric vehicle.  Energy saving upgrades not only save money they also make the home more comfortable.  What’s not to like?  The trick is to come up with the cash to make it happen.  GHU is here to help you make those upgrades with virtually no out-of-pocket cost.

        “Seems fishy,” you’re likely thinking.  But it’s not a gimmick or financial sleight-of-hand.  Rather, it’s through the use of low-cost “green” mortgages.  Typically, these kinds of improvements would require digging into savings or applying for a home equity loan.  But a green mortgage can be gotten at a much lower rate, so low that the refinanced mortgage can make the energy cost savings greater than the cost of refinancing.  The result is the homeowner’s monthly combined energy and mortgage payments are lower than they had been before the energy improvements were installed.

        Research shows nearly 200,000 Wisconsin homeowners with current mortgages over 3% could both save money and shrink their carbon footprints by refinancing.  Green Homeowners United makes it easy by providing energy assessments, calculating potential savings and connecting folks with lenders.  After a preliminary assessment, GHU only moves forward with a project if the modeling shows that the homeowner will actually save money.  (An initial $500 fee will be reimbursed through the green mortgage.) 

        Learn more from a recent Wisconsin State Journal article at: tinyurl.com/GreenMortgage .  Or contact Chuck at IowaCountyClean@gmail.com   or   608-341-0641.

        This is likely the single most important step mortgage-holding homeowners can do to lower their family’s greenhouse gas emissions while creating a more valuable and comfortable home.  So have your cake AND eat it too while building a better world right here where we’re all forever… Earthbound.

        Dateline – 1955 – 2021  It was the best of times, and it was the… well, we’ll have to see how this pans out.

        Nineteen hundred and fifty-five is not really such a long time ago.  I’d wager many readers (or their parents) were either donning buzz haircuts or saddle shoes at that time.  It was the time Grandma Gert collected Green Stamps that she eventually traded in for a wheat-leaf motif set of dishware including the glass that held my morning fruit smoothie.

        It was also the year that Life magazine published an article entitled “Throwaway Living” with the photo of a family joyously throwing armfuls of paper, plastic and “tin” disposables into the air.  The article touted the convenience of single-use items, a homemaker’s godsend!  After thousands of years of human civilization using, reusing, repairing and passing on cherished tools, utensils and household goods for generations, the “Throwaway Society” was born.
 
        Grandma acquired the wheat-leaf glasses with the intention of passing them on.  Thank you Grandma!  In contrast, the plastic fountain-drink cup I used to fill the birdfeeders this morning had been manufactured to be a single-use item.  Surprisingly, the barely visible date, 2008, on the label clearly indicates it has been serviceable well beyond that single serving use.  Untold billions of plastic cups have been discarded since then.

        Alas, we are awash in plastic trash.  From the Great Garbage Patch in the Pacific Ocean to the micro-plastics in our food, water and the air we breathe, plastic debris is everywhere.  For a variety of reasons, some well-intentioned some not, we’ve been led to trust that buying and disposing of any and all plastic stuff is fine if the item displays the triangular recycle symbol.  But of the 8.3 billion metric tons of plastic created since 1955 only 9% has been recycled.

        What to do?  Start by remembering that “Recycle” is the LAST option in that familiar mantra.  First REJECT plastic-packaged goods.  Next REDUCE the amount of stuff we purchase.  Then REUSE, REPAIR and REPURPOSE the stuff we have.  Finally, by all means RECYCLE.

        Technologists are finding ways to reduce the glut of existing plastics.  For example, specialized microbes munch on some; pavement and structural materials are made from others, so this story CAN end as the best of times.  Let’s make it so because our only home is right here where we’re forever… Earthbound.

        Les Phumes hadn’t been on a bike in years, but here he was peddling down the street instead of taking his car.  Recently, he’d been hearing the term “climate emergency” more and more frequently on the news.  “An emergency is something serious that needs immediate attention,” he said to himself.  “Sounds like an all-hands-on-deck situation, so I need to do my part.  Excessive CO2 is polluting our atmosphere, so we gotta reduce our use of carbon-based fuels significantly.  And here I am using leg-power to run to the store instead of burning fossil fuel,” he smiled.

        Les’s neighbor, Anita Savemorre, was just leaving the Quik-Mart as he glided up.  “Sweet ride!” Anita said admiring Les’s bike.  “Yeah, I’m trying to do my part about this climate thing,” Les grinned.  On his ride home he remembered how Anita had lost her job during the pandemic.  Her family was barely able to make ends meet.  They surly wouldn’t be buying new bikes any time soon.  Nevertheless, Anita probably also wanted to help with the climate situation even though her family certainly wouldn’t have the cash to pay for energy-saving home upgrades or solar panels.  “Yet, there must be some ways for Anita’s family to contribute to this effort,” he thought.

        Les had heard a lot of good things about Wisconsin’s Focus on Energy program.  So that evening he searched its website and learned that for every $1 Focus spends it creates almost $5 in energy cost savings.  Very impressive!  But how could someone who has no money to spend, like Anita’s family, benefit?  He read on and then – Bingo! 

        The next day Les posted the following on his neighborhood Facebook page.  “Want to Save Money AND Reduce Polluting Emissions? Get a FREE Focus Lightbulb Pack.  It includes 6 LED lightbulbs and a roll of pipe insulation wrap.  Order yours at - https://tinyurl.com/GetBulbs   LEDs use 90% less energy and can last up to 15 times longer than incandescent bulbs.  Save money AND lower your carbon footprint; it’s a Two-fer!”

            Later, Les learned that Anita was so excited about the free bulbs that she was talking it up with all the neighbors.  “In an emergency, everyone has to step up,” she told them. “That’s what neighbors do; we look out for one another.  Because after all, this is the only home we’ll ever know.  It’s where we’re all forever… Earthbound.”