Trav Lurr stepped up to the counter at Rex’s Travel Agency.  “How can I help you?”  Rex asked.  “Now that the pandemic seems to be settling down,” Trav said, “my family is looking forward to getting out of the house this summer.  But here’s the thing; we’re trying to be thoughtful about how much fossil fuel fumes we blast into the atmosphere.  How can we get where we want to go in the most climate-smart way?”

        “Glad you asked,” said Rex. “With Mother’s Day right around the corner, Mother (Earth) appreciates your thoughtfulness.  Now, pollution-wise you’ve got a range of options - walking or biking on one end and flying first-class on the other.  Something in between is likely to be the best fit for your family.  Some options:

• For a family of 3 or more people, driving your own car isn’t a bad choice, depending of course on how fuel-efficient your vehicle is.
• Amtrak (train) or motor coach (bus) are by far your best choices for public transportation.
• Flying, unfortunately, is not a great option environmentally-speaking.  But if you do fly, squeezing into coach (I know, those seats keep shrinking.) slashes one’s individual carbon footprint about in-half as compared to business or first-class seating.
  

“But let me tell you about another way you can be thoughtful about reducing the environmental impact of your flight,” Rex added.

        Rex gave Trav a quick lesson on Solar Renewable Energy Credits (sRECs).  Wisconsin businesses and even homeowners have an additional incentive to install rooftop solar because of the opportunity to earn credit (i.e. dollars) for the clean energy they generate.  Air travelers who buy sRECs for their air-miles help create that incentive.  And that, in effect, partially offsets the greenhouse gas emissions from their flight.

        The trick is to be sure the sRECs are legitimately helpful.  Rex recommended talking to Elise at Legacy Solar Coop - elise@legacysolarcoop.org - 608-571-4992.  Legacy’s sRECs support local organizations, help build Wisconsin’s own clean energy capacity, and strengthen the Midwest’s energy and grid security.

        “For example,” Rex continued, “sRECs for an economy-seat, round-trip flight to the west coast would be about $30, a small fraction of the ticket cost.”

        “Great! I’ll gladly pay a few extra dollars to help protect Mother Earth,” Trav exclaimed.  “After all, she’s the only home we’ll ever know; we’re all forever… Earthbound.” 

       Hugh Mannity studied the sign on the door: Goldie’s Consulting – We Make Things Just Right!  Hugh hurried in and blurted out, “We’ve got three big cares, er…problems.  Can you help?

       “Millions of people across the globe are suffering and dying from terrible scourges:  international conflicts, diseases from polluted air, and extreme weather events.  We need three solutions as soon as possible.  Please help!” Hugh pleaded.

       Goldie got right to work on the international conflicts problem.  The war in Ukraine was the obvious first place to start.  “That’s weird,”  Goldie said to herself.  “The West is trying to strangle Russia economically, yet it continues to purchase about a million barrels of Russian oil a day.   Beyond that, over the decades we’re continually begging some of the biggest petro-dictatorships — Venezuela, Iran and Saudi Arabia, in particular — to either increase OR decrease their oil production dependent on our economic needs at the time.   We’re forever beholding to these governments that often instigate international conflicts.”

       Next, Goldie looked into the diseases caused by air pollution.  She learned the World Health Organization estimates 7 million people die annually from smoggy air.  On top of that, each year nearly 2 million children suffer from asthma caused by motor vehicle emissions.  Goldie just shook her head.

       She was almost hesitant to look at the extreme weather data because she knew the human toll from wildfires, floods and storms was devastating and immeasurable.  But then she also learned that the economic costs are skyrocketing.  The Consumer Price Index adjusted cost of extreme weather events for all of the 1980s was $178 billion.  Two decades later in the 2010s it more than quadrupled to $811billion.  And the costs just keep rising!

       Hugh returned the following week.  “Did you find three solutions?” Hugh asked eagerly.  “Not really,” Goldie admitted, “but I have ONE solution to help make all these situations Just Right,” she smiled.

       “All of these problems can be addressed by (as Pres. Bush put it two decades ago) ending our addiction to oil.  Or, as Hal Harvey of Energy Innovation says, ‘Clean (energy) alternatives are now cheaper than the dirty ones.  It costs more to ruin the earth (while being enslaved by petro-dictators) than to save it.’”

       “Then let’s save it!” Hugh Mannity declared, “Because this is the only home we’ll ever know.  It’s where we’re all forever… Earthbound.”          

        “Your wallet empty?” Pat chided Les as they left the Quickie-Mart together. “No kidding – with the price of gas these days,” Les groaned. 

        Outside the mart, they continued their grumbling.  “Tell you what,” Pat Re’Ahtic continued, “that Vladimir Putin ticks me off.  He bullies those poor folks in Ukraine, and wreaks havoc with our fuel prices.  I’d like to kick him right in the…”

        “Hey, that’s it,” Les Gettum jumped in.  “Let’s do just that.  We’ll kick Putin in the… gas!  We Americans wouldn’t miss Russian oil one bit if we all just used a little less fuel.  And it’s not that hard to do.  With less demand, prices would moderate. 

        Pat and Les reminded each other of some of the familiar ways each one of us can pare down our fuel use:

• Group vehicle errands to eliminate 2-3 weekly trips.
• If possible, carpool or work remotely as much as possible.
• Break out the bike and the walking shoes.
• Be mindful of that thermostat – a bit cooler when heating and a bit warmer in A/C season.
• Remember the 10 sec. idling guide - if sitting more than 10 sec. turn off your engine.

        As they talked, the folks across the street began mowing and trimming their yard.  “Oh man,” said Pat, “we haven’t even thought about all those noisy small gas engines most of us use.  Did you know that each typical small gas engine creates about as much pollution as a modern car?  Yup, even though we use our lawnmowers way less than our cars, they foul the air about the same because of all the pollution controls required on vehicles.  Small gas engines have almost none of those.”

        “Wow!” Les exclaimed. “And now-a-days you can get really cool electric mowers, trimmers, chainsaws, outboards – you name it.  Looks like when it’s time to replace any of this stuff, electric is the way to go.”

        “Actually, we could get by with a lot fewer (or smaller versions) of these small gas gizmos if we left more natural areas and native plantings in our yards.  The birds and critters would appreciate that too,” Pat suggested.

        “Give Putin a kick, save money and reduce pollution,” Les smiled, “makes a lot of sense because after all, this the only home we’ll ever know; it’s where we’re all forever… Earthbound.”     

       “Ahh…7 o’clock and it’s still light out,” Sol smiled.  “Yup, I love it when daylight savings time kicks in,” Ray agreed.  “It’s sort of like a solar bonus.  Too bad we can’t get even a bit more.”

       "Well, we sort of can,” Sol Erp-Ower responded.  “We can’t get more sunlight, but we can use more of the sun’s energy.  Just put up a few solar panels, and you can ‘save’ some of that sun right at your own home.”

       “Pftt…well yea, if you’ve got a bucket of money to spend,” Ray Lukttant groaned. “That stuff is too expensive for the likes of me.”

       “Ya know, I thought that too until I saw our neighbor, Penny Pincher, putting up her solar system.  She told me that Greenpenny Bank* financed her solar array.  Turns out she only had to come up with a few hundred dollars to get started.  Now that she’s making her own electricity, the money she saves each month on her electric bill matches her monthly loan payments.  In the end, her total monthly household budget stays roughly the same.  It’s like she’s getting her solar system almost for free.

       “And here’s the best part. After her loan is paid off in 8 -10 yrs., Penny will get almost all of her electricity for free for the next 15 or more years.  Who know how much the electrical utility will be charging the rest of us by then? 

       “A guy named Peter at Legacy Solar Cooperative** did a free preliminary solar assessment on Penny’s home.  Then he hooked her up with 3 different area contractors so she could compare what they each had to offer. 

       “Penny said 2022 is an especially good time to consider solar because it’s the last year to get a 26% federal tax credit; that’ll be reduced next year.  On top of that, Iowa County CLEA-N is giving a cash-back incentive to the first 20 folks who sign up with Legacy Coop’s Solar Group Buy,”  Sol concluded.

       “Wow!  For just a few up-front dollars I could be generating my own electricity,” Ray realized.  “A solar system would add value to my house; and think of all the money I’ll save in the long run.  Can’t find a much better deal than that!  Right here on our only home where we’re all forever… Earthbound.”                       
       * www.greenpenny.com            **608-443-7820

       After two miserable weeks in bed with Covid, Don finally felt well enough to have a beer with his good pal, Bud. “Dang virus just about killed me,” Don admitted.  “Hard to believe a thing so tiny – smaller than microscopic germs – could do that much damage.”  Bud nodded in agreement as he imagined his hulking 280 lb. linebacker friend almost getting “sacked” by a miniscule virus.

       The talk soon turned to girls, over-due term papers, summer plans and (wouldn’t you know) the environment and climate.  “I hear all that supposed ‘evidence’ from scientists saying humans are the central cause of the changing climate.  But here’s the thing, humans on Earth are like ants on a huge mountain.  It’s pretty arrogant to think we relatively tiny creatures could possibly be having any effect on the vast atmosphere.  I just can’t see it,” Don B’Leevit confessed.

       “Yeah, I hear you; it seems almost impossible,” replied Bud. “But it makes me think about what passenger pigeons hunters in the 1850’s must have thought about the hundreds of millions of these birds.  One report related how a flock of passenger pigeons blotted out the sun for two hours as it passed over the heads of startled folks below.  I’d guess those hunters would have assumed they had a limitless supply of pigeon pie fixin’s.  But humans can be relentlessly efficient, and we hunted the birds mercilessly until by 1914 Martha, the last living passenger pigeon, died.

       “And I think about the estimated 60 million bison that used to roam North America.  When they got in the way of railroad expansion in the 1870s, about 2 million were killed off annually.  By 1884 bison were almost extinct; only 300 – 400 were left!  Once again, we relatively puny (compared to bison) humans were relentlessly efficient in changing the environment,” concluded Bud Itssoh.

       “Whoa!  I see what you mean,” realized Don. “Almost 8 billion of us ‘tiny-ants-on-a-mountain’ humans burn fuel every day adding pollutants to the atmosphere.  That can do a lot of damage, just like those darn tiny viruses.”

       “Those pint-sized pests almost took you out, pal,”  Bud nodded. “Thank goodness we humans are smart enough to understand the problem, and hopefully we’re wise enough to transition to the dozens of efficiency and clean energy options available.  It’s time to gear-up and protect our only home where we’re all forever… Earthbound.”

        “It’s ‘Wake Up America’ with your favorite morning talk-radio host me, Rayce A. Ruckuss.   We have an eye-poppin’ show for you this morning!  Our two guests represent polar opposite sides of the political spectrum. They’re sure to bash one another’s ideas.  So hold on to your hats; we’re about to generate our own ‘polar vortex’ right here in the studio.

        “Joining us from the Left, we have Libby Rhal, a progressive firebrand.  And for the Right, we’re joined by Connie Servative.  Good morning Con; let’s start with you.  Your side is often maligned for pooh-poohing environmental concerns and so-called clean energy development.  So whaddya say?”

        “Thanks Rayce, I’d like to begin by simply reminding folks that free market clean energy policies actually line up well with conservative principles.  You know, renewable energy has already had a tremendous impact on Wisconsin’s economy.  By 2015 there were almost 2,300 businesses employing 24,000 workers in energy efficiency, renewable energy and the like.  Quite a job generator!”

        (Rayce) “What do you say to that, Libby?”  (Libby)“You think I’m going to take issue??”
 
        (Rayce again) “Let’s turn to national security.  Con Servative, what’s your view?”

        “Clearly, home-grown clean, renewable energy will strengthen national security.  It reduces dependence on foreign oil that often comes from countries opposing our values.  And for better electrical grid security we should be expanding our local, diversified, renewable energy portfolio.  Now’s the time to lock in the abundant, affordable clean energy sources we have right here in the good old U.S. of A.

        (Rayce) “Well Libby, how would your approach differ?”  (Libby, shaking her head) “Can’t say that it would.”

        (Rayce once again, with increasing frustration in his voice.)  “OK Con, surely you have something clever and cutting to say about ‘tree-hugger’ Libby’s crowd.”

        “Call them what you want, Rayce.  We conservatives understand it’s our duty to protect the environment; conserving is conservative!  That includes reducing energy waste by increasing energy efficiencies.  Beyond that, Wisconsin should take the lead in creating ag/clean-energy hybrids.  For example, it’s time to expand bio-digesters and solar on farms to preserve farmland, improve water quality and strengthen the farm economy.” (More at wiscef.org)

        Poor Rayce; he failed to generate a verbal “polar vortex.”  Turns out Wisconsinites have more in common than not.  Together then, let’s build that better world on our only home, where we’re all forever… Earthbound.

       Dateline 2025
        One could say it was a marriage made in manure, but how romantic is that??  So let’s step back to February 2022 when the seeds of this happy union were first sown.

       At that time, a coalition of Wisconsin legislators, UW Ag.-business scholars, and biogas industry leaders came together.  They saw several trends aligning to create the opportunity for a new path forward for our dairy state, a path to build a healthy, sustainable agriculture future.  So they developed a legislative package called A-CEW. (www.wibiomass.org/acew to learn more.)

       Let’s face it; the challenges of modern agriculture are extensive.  Large CAFOs are gobbling up family farms.  Nutrient run-off from manure and chemical fertilizers pollutes our lakes and ground water.  Farming bankruptcies are rampant.   Excessive carbon emissions in the atmosphere are wreaking havoc with the climate.

       A-CEW (Agriculture – Carbon / Energy / Water) is an ingenious legislative package that uses 21st century technology and market-driven economics to address all of these challenges.  Why is this the right time for A-CEW to be a success?  It’s because of another set of letters - ESG (Environmental-Societal-Governance) reports.  These are summaries of performance in these three areas for stakeholders and investors.  In other words, these reports show how a company is impacting the wider community and environment. 

       Until the past couple years most companies treated ESG reports as window dressing or used them to “greenwash” their operations.  No more!  Today’s investors and consumers are demanding far more than just financial gains.  They expect genuine progress in being a good neighbor in the world community.  Savvy companies are paying attention to these expectations.

       A-CEW policies would standardize pricing and production frameworks and set clear rules regarding ESG farming practices.  Once these are in place, farmers can determine which markets and companies would reward them financially for enhancing their farm’s ESG practices.  For example, farmers could determine if their bottom line would improve by introducing regenerative grazing practices or by investing in solar or a biogas digester.

       2025 A.D. – Distant neighbors, Farmers Jones and Smith, invested in bio-digesters to supplement their farm income and reduce nutrient run-off.  Mae Thane from Jones’ farm sailed down his gas pipeline and collided with Bye O’Ghass from Smith’s.  It was love at first sight and one tiny step toward a cleaner, healthier world right here, where we’re all forever… Earthbound.

       Chuck Rowst’s hooves kicked up swirls of dust with each step as he sidled up to the fence.  “Whad up?” Chuck asked as he spied his friend Bo Vine in the next pasture.

       “Just havin’ lunch,” Bo replied while chomping on a mouthful of lush grass sprouting from the rich, black soil beneath.  No dusty clouds here as he edged closer to the fence.  “Want to try some?” Bo asked as he dropped a mouthful of the green goodies over the fence.

       “Yum! Here, try some of mine,” Chuck offered as he dropped over a mouthful of dry, brittle stems.  Bo sniffed the forage and turned for another mouthful from his own pasture.

       “Okay, I give up,” Chuck grumbled. “How come your lunch is way more tasty than mine?  And why is your pasture still green and lush while ours is drying up and turning brown?  And how come when it rains, water runs off our pasture while yours seems to soak it in no matter how hard it rains?  Now, what really irks me is how come I don’t see the vet’s truck drivin’ around your pasture so she can jab you guys with antibiotics and such?

       Bo belched and smiled as he explained that Farmer Doowright practices regenerative grazing to build soil health through thoughtful livestock management and wise use of perennial and annual forages.  It’s great for livestock, but it also supports human and ecosystem health, farm profitability, and community and food system resilience.  Nitrogen runoff is reduced while water quality, the microbial soil ecology, and habitat biodiversity are all improved.

       But that’s not all!  Antibiotic resistance is a huge problem for humans.  Currently, 80% of antibiotics go into animal production.  Regenerative grazing practices greatly reduce the need for antibiotics.  Second, agriculture is one of the few carbon-emitting industries that can reduce its own emissions.  Proper grazing practices can sequester (soak up) the excess carbon in the atmosphere that is adding to the climate crisis.  At the same time it lowers a farm’s own carbon emissions.  So as the title of Kristin Ohlson’s book title suggests “The Soil Will Save Us”, or at least it can play a major role.

       “Three cheers for the farmers on your side of the fence!” declared Chuck.  “They’re making a better home for us all right here where we’re all forever… Earthbound.”

        Justice and Wanda slid into a booth at the Aslan Brewpub.  Justice noticed the “Certified B-Corp” logo on the door with something about the “3 Ps” below it.  “Reminds me of my big sister telling me to ‘Mind your Ps and Qs' when she didn’t want me to screw up,” Justice chuckled.

       Barkeep Benny brought them a couple of brews and kept catching snippets of their conversation as he tended to other patrons.  “Another new year!” Wanda exclaimed.  “A great time to take a fresh look at things like how to do a better job caring for our environment,”  Wanda Cleanworld opined.

       “No kidding,” her friend replied. “Not only that, but these past few years have highlighted tons of social inequity issues that need addressing too,” Justice Phorral mused.  “Seems like there must be some kind of system that would improve all these issues, something that builds prosperity at the same time,” Justice concluded as Benny arrive with their second round of drinks.

       “Here you go,” Benny Fitz-Forral smiled.  “I couldn’t help overhearing.  Boy, have you come to the right place!  Did you noticed the B-Corp logo as you came in?” he asked.  “Yeah, what’s with the 3-P stuff that was listed underneath it?” Justice replied. 

       Benny grinned and gave them the scoop.  He explained that Aslan was proud to be a certified Benefit Corp company.  B-Corp companies have “triple bottom lines” meaning that company gains are measured with equal importance in Profits, People and Planet.  They’re unlike most corporations whose sole purpose is to generate profits for their shareholders.  Instead, B-Corps (www.bcorporation.net) strive for: long-term value over short-term profits, a healthy future over immediate gains, good for all over good for a select few, justice over inequity, environmental regeneration over endless resource extraction and finally, people and planet as well as financial profit.

       “And this isn’t just some pie-in-the-sky ideal. There are already almost 4,500 B-Corps in 77 countries worldwide benefitting hundreds of thousands of workers.  As you see, even a brewpub can become a B-Corp,” Benny beamed.

       “Corporations minding their 3 Ps; my big sister would love it!” Justice exclaimed.  Wanda agreed.  “What a great idea!  Good for people, good for the planet and good for shareholders.  And it’s already making a difference right here on the only home we’ll ever know where we’re all forever… Earthbound.”

       Disturbed by the knock, Old Man Tu-One shuffled to the door.  “Thought I’d come over for a cup of tea to celebrate your retirement,” Crystal Ball smiled.  Weary as he was, Tu-One was happy to see his old friend and curious about what she had to say.

       “It’s been a rough year,” Tu-One admitted.  “I’m disappointed that I won’t be heading into retirement with more success on two critical issues – Covid and climate.  But here we are still dealing with the omicron virus and no federal legislation concerning the climate.”

       Crystal, who had been tending to the tea kettle, handed Tu-One a steaming cup and settled onto the chair across from him.  “Well, it’s certainly not been for lack of trying,” Crystal assured him.  “Folks across the county and the world have been champions in their work to overcome these challenges.  So don’t be too hard on yourself; you’ve set the stage for a brighter tomorrow.”

       As Crystal peered into her cup, she continued.  “Looks to me that by summer, Covid will be mostly under control.  And I see lots of positive steps being taken on the climate issue.”  Crystal went on to hint at near future possibilities:

• Federal legislation to clean the air, including a market-based carbon fee that returns dividends to every household and grows the economy may be passed.
• In Wisconsin, a slate of 22 bills aimed at stabilizing the climate, creating green jobs and reducing environmental injustice have already been introduced.
• Businesses, organizations and homeowners are increasingly realizing that installing clean, solar energy is the financially savvy thing to do.  For example, Wisconsin public schools currently spend more than $175 million annually on energy.  No wonder many are taking advantage of programs like Solar on Schools funded by the Couillard Foundation.
  

       “Perhaps most important of all, young people are looking to their future and demanding that we create a secure, stable environment.  We’re blessed with a strong, resilient and compassionate population.  Be assured, by working together, we CAN overcome these challenges,” Crystal winked as she left.

       Closing the door, Tu-One caught a glimpse of a chubby, round face peaking around the corner. “By golly,” the old man grinned, “that little scamp Two-oh Tutu has been listening in and already preparing to create a brighter future right here on our only home where we’re all forever… Earthbound.”