With most families who gathered during the holidays, an unspoken rule is that certain topics are prohibited.  It’s the same with the Atoms family.  But when Joy haughtily sauntered in, Ima was ready to break that tradition.
            You see, Joy Numm led the campaign promoting nuclear fusion – the joining, or fusing of atoms - to generate electricity.  In the lab, scientists had recently succeeded in creating more energy through fusion than it took to run the test.  This was a huge breakthrough prompting Joy’s superior attitude.
            Ima Splitter, on the other hand, advocated using fission – the splitting apart of atoms – to produce electricity.  This technology has been successfully generating electricity for decades, notwithstanding issues concerning cost and the problem of radioactive waste.
            The two were eyeing each other across the room when Great Grandmother Atoms clinked her spoon on her sherry glass (atoms use spoons??) drawing everyone’s attention. “Welcome All!  As I’m sure you’ve heard, we lowly Atoms have recently gained some prominence in the human media.”  She smiled and nodded slightly toward Joy.  Ima’s electrons fumed! 
            “Humans are awakening to the reality that the fossil fuels they have relied on for decades need to be significantly curtailed in order to avoid severe environmental and health consequences,” Great Gram continued. “We applaud their work to increase efficiencies and expand the use of wind, solar, geothermal and other clean energy sources.  Nevertheless, most experts agree that 10 - 20% of their energy will inevitably have to come from some baseload source.  If it’s not to be coal or natural gas, then battery storage and nuclear are the most likely candidates.” The room erupted in applause while Joy and Ima maneuvered themselves to a quiet corner to have the showdown they both were relishing.
            “You’re the reason for the Chernobyl and Fukushima disasters.  No wonder folks are looking to me for a safer clean power source,” Joy spat. “Oh sure,” Ima shot back, “I suppose you’re going to waltz in and save the day.  Haven’t you heard the old joke that economical fusion power is only ten years away?  That joke’s been around for decades!”
            “Girls, girls!” Great Gram interrupted.  “We can have this conversation without all the drama.  Let’s continue this next time because these are critical issues here on the only home we’ll ever know.  After all, it’s where we’re all forever…Earthbound.”

            Baby ’23 gripped the slats of her crib.  Her eyes followed Old Man ’22 as he shuffled back and forth sorting papers and file boxes.  The elderly gent glanced at the “year-glass.”  Very few grains of sand remained.  “Got to set you up for success,” he mumbled with his back to the infant.
            “I guess I haven’t done a half-bad job,” he continued.  “Seems like most folks have awakened to the reality that Mother Earth needs quite a bit more TLC if folks expect to continue enjoying all the gifts she’s provided for them.  Then turning to the tiny ’23, “So I’ve got a few things to leave with you.  I hope you’ll consider using them.”
            He cleared a place in front of the crib and hoisted up three large boxes.  They were labeled: Geo & atmospheres, Biodiversity and People.  Then he set a large mixing bowl next to them.  “Folks have mostly kept these three things in separate boxes.  People usually think of nature (Geo & atmospheres and Biodiversity) as ‘out there’ somewhere, separate from people’s homes and cities.  But actually, they are all just different aspects of the same thing and are inseparably intertwined.  Anything that happens to one affects the other two.  Together they combine to create that mysterious, complex web of life on Earth.
            “So your challenge, young lady, is to get these concepts whisked together in folks’ minds.”  Then reaching to the top shelf he brought down a large tray labeled “Essential Components.”  From it, he removed a number of vials.  They included: Clean Energy, Healthy Diets from Sustainable Farming, Circular Economies, Urban and Transportation Planning, Equitable Health Coverage and Social Protections, Training and Education, and finally Water and Energy Access for All. 
          “There you go, young lady. These Essential Components will help guide you in whipping up a delightful mixture of pulsating life on Earth for all creatures. Of course you won’t be able to accomplish everything in your brief 365-day trip around the sun.  But you have all the pieces necessary to build on the modest gains our predecessors and I have begun.
           “I’ll be going soon.  Best wishes for a successful venture,” the kindly fellow smiled, “because we really must succeed.  What other choice do we have?  This is the only home any of us will ever know.  It’s where we’re all forever …Earthbound.”

            The big day was almost here.  St. Nick paced nervously while waiting for the department heads to gather for a status update.  “Are we going to be ready?” he anxiously asked his elfin assistants.
            Lottie Stuph wiggled on the edge of her seat waving her arm madly. “What have you got for us, Lottie?” Nick asked.  “Our advertising dept. has been going like gang-busters,” she beamed.  We’re blasting folks with messaging that says getting lots of new stuff is the key to happiness. People can hardly resist!  We’re stuffing the sleigh with…”  Lottie would have been happy to blather on had Nick not cut her off.
            “Okay, okay,” Nick said patiently. ”I’m actually more interested in hearing from the others.  Ty, you’re up.”  Ty Tinnup, the energy efficiency expert, reminded everyone that the least expensive, cleanest energy is energy that’s never generated or needed in the first place.  His crew was loading the sleigh with insulation and weatherization materials.
            The others reported in turn.  Dewey Droppe said his team was filling Nick’s sack with policies and practices to clean up pfas (so called “forever chemicals”) and nitrates from ground water.  Hugh Muss said his group was packing technological support and the cost structures needed to advance regenerative agriculture practices.  Cy Questration’s squad was stuffing Nick’s sack with strategies and funding to expand a range of options for pulling excess, harmful CO2 from the atmosphere.  St. Nick’s smile fairly glowed!
            “What about you two in the back?” Nick asked.  Polly and Pete sheepishly stepped forward.  “Er…we can’t pretend otherwise,” Polly Ethylene began. “Plastics have kind of overdone it.  Now, unfortunately, microplastics are sprinkled throughout every environment on Earth.  So, we’re tucking in technology for cleaning up plastic waste.”
           “And speaking of overdoing it,” Pete Rollium blushed, “we’re just as guilty.  Petroleum products really do need to be reined in.  We’re loading the sleigh with incentives and the know-how for businesses, organizations and everyday folks to transition to economical, clean energy sources.”
            “Ho, Ho, Ho,” Nick chuckled. “I love delivering toys to children.  But what really tickles my tummy are the heartfelt, non-material gifts folks give each other.  I especially love those that help build a healthy world teaming with life here at the North Pole and everywhere.  Because this is the only home any of us will ever know.  It’s where we’re all forever …Earthbound.”

            Anita flipped her pocketbook open as she trudged through the shopping center.  Her folding money was disappearing quickly, and she’d almost reached her credit card limit.  “There’s gottta be a way to spend less,” Anita Savemorre grumbled.  Looking up, she spotted a tiny shop.  The people inside were scanning computer screens and reading displays.  “Can I help you?” Phil Yerpig-Banc asked. “What is this place?  Where’s all your stuff?’’ Anita asked. 
            “Oh,” Phil beamed, “we don’t sell stuff; we sell savings.  Like most folks, you probably spend a boatload of money on heating your home. And, you probably assume it’s too expensive to do anything about it.  We’re here to show you that for little or no cost, you can make your home cozier and lower your energy bills at the same time.”
            “Oh sure! What are you, some kind of magic shop?”  Anita almost laughed. “Not at all,” Phil replied.  “It’s simply a matter of smart economics.”
            Phil explained that tax credits and rebates from the recently passed Inflation Reduction Act allow moderate to low-income folks to dramatically lower their energy bills for little or no cost.  Homeowners can save hundreds of energy dollars through a step-by-step plan to sort of “max-out” the available tax credits and rebates for home improvements one year after the next.  Items covered include insulation, over-all weatherizing, window replacement, heat pump heating/cooling systems and much more.
            “But the important first step is to get a home energy audit.  It’s required to be eligible for many of these offers.  The good news is that this spring, Green Homeowners United (GHU) and Iowa County Clean, Local Energy Alliance – Now! (CLEA-N) will provide a professional energy assessment by GHU’s Green Team at the discounted price of $150.  But CLEA-N’s funds will cover only a limited number of Iowa County area homes on a first come basis.  Contact Chuck* if you’d like to be notified when this offer opens in February.
            “The energy assessment will provide homeowners with a comprehensive report on what kinds of improvements would provide the greatest savings for the lowest costs.  GHU will explain how to cash-in on state and federal rebates and tax credits,” Phil concluded.
            “It’s not magic at all!”  Anita smiled, “Lower costs, fewer harmful emissions, greater comfort.  We can have it all right here where we’re all forever …Earthbound.”
 
* Charles@DriftlessConservancy.org

            Looking unusually glum, Pete sat sulking on the curb when…Whoosh! Solomon went whizzing by.  Moments later…Swish! back flew Solomon almost before Pete had a chance to look up.  Zipp! Sol raced by a third time but screeched to a halt right in front of his old rival, Pete Rolleum.  “Why so gloomy?” Sol Arre asked. “Oh yeah.  I almost forgot; you never jumped on a rapid Learning Curve did you. 

           “Nope,” Pete frowned.  “I never really got it.  I mean, people loosely use the term ‘learning curve’ to mean how fast they pick up a new skill.  I never understood that the Learning Curve is actually a mathematical concept that can identify trends of how fast the cost for a manufactured product will drop dependent upon how fast that product’s use expands.  Me and my fossil fuel buddies never developed that trend.  We’re pretty much stuck at the same (inflation adjusted) spot pricewise as we were some 140 years ago.  But you’re whizzing all over the place!”

            “Oh, you bet I am!  Batteries, wind energy and I having been cruising on a steep learning curve for years.  Our costs are dropping dramatically as our use is expanding rapidly.  It’s almost hard to believe, but I cost over 1,000 times less than when I was first commercially available in 1958.  Now, I’m the least expensive source of energy around, and I’m riding that curve to even lower costs.

            “And here’s the thing.  The more quickly humans expand solar, wind and battery use, the more quickly our costs will drop even further.  Graphs of our trends-lines from an Oxford University study* show that adopting me and my pals as rapidly as possible will increasingly save money while reducing harmful emissions.  Some folks claim it’s too costly to transition to clean energy.  But because of our steep learning curves, transitioning isn’t a cost at all; it’s a huge savings worth trillions of dollars over the coming decades.
 
            “Sorry to say pal, but humans would be wise to tip their hats to you and your buddies and say, ‘Thanks for your service, but we’re investing in clean energy from now on,’” Sol confided.  “Because the benefits are just too good to delay any further on this, our only home, where we’re all forever …Earthbound.”
 
* Search - Empirically grounded technology forecasts

       Cassie couldn’t resist stopping by the last farmers market of the season.  She spotted her friend, Skip, busy attending to customers.  Later, as the crowd thinned, Cassie was glad to have a moment with him.  “I’m always impressed with the quality of your produce and with the work you do.  You’re a real role-model for those of us who care about the environment,”  Cass exclaimed.

       “Well, I do what I can,” Skip nodded. “As you know, I’m all about local healthy foods, clean water and soil preservation.  There’s so much good work to be done.  Thanks for noticing.”

       Cass stayed to help Skip pack up. “You’re so busy; let me know if I can give you a lift to the polls on the 8th,” she offered.”  Skip gave Cass a funny look. “Er… thanks,” he replied, “but I’m probably busy that day.  Does it make any difference anyway?  I haven’t been bothering to vote lately,” Skip D. Polls admitted.

       “Oh!” Cass said, a bit startled. “You’re one of the 12 million I read about.*  I was surprised to learn that in the 2018 mid-term elections there were 12 million dedicated environmentalists like you, who didn’t vote.  They all had their reasons.  But the Environmental Voter Project (EVP) points out that many elections, especially in so-called swing states like Wisconsin, are decided by just a percentage point or two, a few thousand votes.  EVP suggests that the single most powerful thing environmentally-conscious folks can do is to vote because the thing politicians care about most is winning elections.  If they know the folks who regularly vote care about environmental issues, they’ll pay attention.” Cass DaBallut concluded.

       “Whoa!  You mean my vote could be one of the few thousand that flips an election one way or another?  I guess I never realized I had that much influence.  It’s certainly worth it for me to miss an environmental rally or meeting to take the time to vote,” Skip agreed.  “But I’m not sure I’m even registered.”

       “Easy enough,” Cass advised. “Just go to myvote.wi.gov.  You’ll find out all you need to know.  Because you know what Mom Earth would say – ‘I’m counting on YOU, and so are the generations to come.’”

       “You’re right.  I’ll take that ride after all,” Skip smiled, “because this is our only home.  It’s where we’re all forever …Earthbound.”
* www.environmentalvoter.org

       Leaky Lee knew this day would come.  He was actually surprised it hadn’t come sooner because the Smart family was just that, smart.  But, the appliance truck just turned into the driveway.  Workers hoisted up the back door, and there she was, shiny, sleek and Energy Star certified.  Electra Range smiled as she surveyed her new home.

       Inside, Lee sensed the workers disconnecting him from the gas line while Electra was wheeled in.  Lee had a few minutes with her alone before he would be taken away to the salvage yard.  There was so much he wanted to tell her.

       “Good to meet you; I’m Lee Keystove,” he began. “Welcome.  It’s clearly time for me to go; this family deserves better.  In hindsight, it’s really quite remarkable the Smarts even let a gas cook stove into their house.  Turning me on creates combustion, and combustion releases (or leaks) toxic pollutants like nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide and formaldehyde inside the house. 

       “A couple weeks ago Mrs. Smart rented an air monitor because she’d learned that kids in homes with gas stoves increase their risk of respiratory illnesses by 20%.  To test the level of NO2 in the house, she made a pot of tea and baked a pan of brownies.  After a half hour the monitor indicated there were 207 parts per billion (ppb) of NO2 in the air.  That’s almost TWICE the maximum amount recommended by the World Health Organization!  It didn’t take the Smarts long to realize I had to go.

       “On top of that, the natural gas supply system – drilling, fracking, processing and transportation -  is notorious for leaking greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.  The Smarts decided replacing me is just the first step toward weaning their home off of natural gas.  As appliances need replacing, they’ll swap them out for electric ones and maybe add a heat pump to reduce their furnace use.  A heat pump would use the ambient air temperature to both heat and cool their home,” Lee concluded.

       As he was wheeled into the truck, Lee couldn’t help but admire the collection of electric Energy Star certified appliance ready for delivery. “I’ve had my day,” Leaky mused. “Now it’s time to build a healthier, cleaner world.  After all, for humans and all creatures this is the only home they’ll ever know.  It’s where they’re all forever …Earthbound.”

       After years roaming the open seas, Sal Monn felt an urge to return to the waters of his birth.  The ever so faint scent of Whatcom Creek drew her on.   Finally, the stream she’d last swum through as a tiny fry opened before her.  Sal easily finned upstream as several of her long-lost siblings joined her, their compulsion to push onward growing by the hour.  Then suddenly, the carefree journey ended abruptly.  A massive 40-foot, boulder-strewn, seemingly insurmountable waterfall rose high above, its gushing torrent raining down on the salmon siblings pooled below. “How will we ever scale that?” Sal moaned.

       Elsewhere…after millennia roaming and populating Mother Earth, Hugh Mannkind had grown quite scientifically sophisticated.  So much so that he understood the dramatic changes Earth was experiencing were not chance occurrences.  The increasing drought in some areas, massive flooding in others, growing wildfire threats and melting glaciers were the result of his use of those oh-so-convenient and plentiful fossil fuels. 

       In 2015, Hugh took stock and determined that to avoid climatic catastrophe, he needed to limit additional atmospheric warming to 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) more than pre-industrial average temperatures.  But by 2022, the Earth’s atmosphere had already warmed more than 1degree Celsius.  Suddenly, his relatively carefree Earthly journey ended abruptly.  A massive, seemingly insurmountable global challenge rose before him.  “How will we ever reduce warming rapidly enough to stabilize the climate?” Hugh moaned.

       Back at the waterfall Sal carefully studied her siblings’ attempts to gain finholds against the rushing waters.  After several failed attempts, Sal leapt to a ledge a few feet up. She was able to hold her position in a relatively calm pool.  Then she made another successful leap and another.  An overwhelming compulsion to preserve and propagate her species drove her onward.  Then with a frantic mighty leap Sal cleared the final hurtle and landed in  calmer waters above.

       Inspired by Sal’s courageous efforts, Hugh devised several “tools,” each a part of a collaborative climate-stabilizing cocktail including clean energy sources, advanced energy efficiencies, “smart” appliances and energy tools, soil and water carbon sequestration (draw-down) techniques and more.  Driven by an overwhelming compulsion to preserve his species’ Earthly home, Hugh is steadfast in his commitment to achieving the goals set in 2015.  After all, what other choice does he have?  Hugh Mannkind is forever …Earthbound.

       Peering over the top of his reading glasses - “Hey Millie, did you read this?  It’s the latest thing - going ‘Au Naturel.’ Maybe we should try it,” Milford grinned.  “Whatever are you talking about, Milford Microbe?  For heaven’s sake!  Microbes don’t use clothes, so what’s the big deal about going naked?” Millie asked shaking her head. (Do microbes have heads??)
 
       “Oops! Sorry Millie,” Milford apologized. “This isn’t about clothes.  It’s a different sort of ‘natural’, a set of procedures farmers are using to improve the soil and water and that also help soak up excessive CO2 in the atmosphere.  They call these practices Natural Climate Solutions,” he continued reading.  “Some sub-categories or alternative names include agroecology, regenerative agriculture, natural carbon storage, and climate-smart ag.

       “It says here that some decades-old farming practices have led to problems like soil erosion and compaction, groundwater pollution and algae blooms in our ponds and lakes. But having better fertilizer and manure management, planting cover crops, using low or no-till planting techniques or pasturing herds using rotational grazing can be win-win-wins.  They leave the water cleaner, reduce greenhouse gases and improve soil fertility for higher crop yields.  Some farmers are even swapping annual crops for perennials; take agroforestry for example,” Milford read.

       “I wish Farmer Brown would go ‘Au Naturel’” Millie mused.  “Then you and I could breathe a little easier.  And with a little better oxygenation,” she winked, “Ooolala! we’d feel like having more kids.  The more we multiply, the healthier the soil; Brown would appreciate that!  I wonder why he hasn’t tried some of this.”

       “Deciding to make changes is always hard.” Milford said. “So right now only about 6% of agriculture fields in Wisconsin use cover crops even though it’s great for maintaining root systems that hold soil in place and feed us microbes. It takes education about these best practices, policies and regulations that support them and financial incentives to make trying new techniques worthwhile. 

       The next morning two pairs of boots stood right on top of Millie and Milford.  And wouldn’t you know, Aggie A. Gent and Farmer Brown were discussing these very practices.  “By golly, I’m going to give them a try,” Brown said.  “Because, after all, this is the only home we’ll ever know; it’s where we’re all forever…Earthbound.”

       With their breakfast combos pushed aside, Des Pair and Hope Less huddled over the morning paper. “Sez here,” Des moaned, “southern Wisconsin is part of the coming ‘extreme heat belt’ running through the whole mid-section of the country.  In the next 30 years the number of heat-index (temperature and humidity combined) days over 100 degrees will likely double.  Some heat index days will go as high as 125 degrees!”  “Lordy, how will we ever survive?” Hope sighed.

       From behind the counter, Mo spotted the grumbling gals and decided it was time to re-fill their coffee cups.  Seeing the newspaper sprawled across the table, “It don’t look good, eh ladies?” she asked.  Then she flipped to a second article. “But take a look at this!” Mo exclaimed with her usual sunny enthusiasm.

       The article laid out how ordinary citizens – you and me – can take advantage of many of the provisions of the newly passed Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to help stabilize the climate.  It extends tax credits for installing energy-efficient windows, doors, insulation, water heaters, furnaces, air conditioners or heat pumps, as well as for home energy audits. It also offers rebates for low and moderate-income households’ efficiency improvements, up to $14,000 per home and provides a 30% tax credit for rooftop solar and geothermal heating.*
        
       “We don’t have to sit here wishing the problem would go away.  We can be part of the solution,” Mo encouraged.  Then, glancing up at the door – “Hey, Wade Aminit!  You’re part of this too,” Mo called to Wade, a diner regular and prominent farmer in the township.
           
       Mo slide the paper to Wade as he settled into the booth.  “Look!  Farmers across the country are practicing ‘natural climate solutions’ that draw in and hold heat-trapping CO2 in the soil.  They’re planting cover crops, using minimal or no-till planting strategies, converting to perennial crops and pasturing with rotational grazing practices.”
           
       Then flipping to the back page, they saw an update on two major pieces of climate-stabilizing legislation California recently passed.  As the fifth largest economy in the world, these provisions may be as significant as the IRA in addressing climate change.
           
       “Could these be signs of a virtuous climate-stabilizing cycle?” Mo Menteum mused. “Surely, together we CAN wisely care for this, our only home, where we’re all forever…Earthbound.”
 
*The Conversation on-line journal