“And I’m not sleeping very well either,” Bea Draggled added. Bea was over-wrought and pouring her heart out. It’s this Covid thing, and her daughter’s unemployment insurance running out, and concerns about school and daycare in September, and always looming in the background is the climate crisis. “It’s almost more than I can take!” Bea sniffled.
May U. Beewell held her friend’s hand and listened quietly. “Of course you’re sad. Of course you’re worried about your kids and family. Of course you’re angry and not sure why. Of course you’re frustrated by conflicting messages from our leaders. Of course you’re grieving for losses that will continue on indefinitely. Of course you’re energized to show up and do what you can. Of course you care*,” May comforted Bea.
That evening, Bea remembered the old adage, “Action is the antidote to hopelessness and despair.” She also remembered that the Wisconsin Climate Task Force has been holding public listening sessions seeking comments about creating a comprehensive plan to address climate disruption. Wisconsin had once been a Midwest leader in clean energy generation - a key component in any plan. But sadly we’ve fallen woefully behind our neighboring states.
So with the July 31comment deadline fast approaching, Bea got right to work.
As she wrote down her thoughts, Bea felt her neck muscles relax and her headache subside. A sense of calm and purpose enveloped her as she envisioned a cleaner, more prosperous energy future for Wisconsin that includes:
After doing her one small part, of course Bea slept more soundly that night. Of course none of us can bear these burdens alone. But of course, together we CAN build a better world here on the only home we’ll ever know. It’s where we’re all forever… Earthbound.
*”Of Courses” courtesy of Dr. Renee Lertzman
May U. Beewell held her friend’s hand and listened quietly. “Of course you’re sad. Of course you’re worried about your kids and family. Of course you’re angry and not sure why. Of course you’re frustrated by conflicting messages from our leaders. Of course you’re grieving for losses that will continue on indefinitely. Of course you’re energized to show up and do what you can. Of course you care*,” May comforted Bea.
That evening, Bea remembered the old adage, “Action is the antidote to hopelessness and despair.” She also remembered that the Wisconsin Climate Task Force has been holding public listening sessions seeking comments about creating a comprehensive plan to address climate disruption. Wisconsin had once been a Midwest leader in clean energy generation - a key component in any plan. But sadly we’ve fallen woefully behind our neighboring states.
So with the July 31comment deadline fast approaching, Bea got right to work.
As she wrote down her thoughts, Bea felt her neck muscles relax and her headache subside. A sense of calm and purpose enveloped her as she envisioned a cleaner, more prosperous energy future for Wisconsin that includes:
- Policies that provided financial incentives for land management practices that pull climate-disrupting CO2 from the air and incorporate it into the soil where it will enhance fertility.
- Greater investment in energy efficiencies like those in the remarkably effective Focus on Energy programs.
- An expanded transportation electrification system including an efficient Electric Vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure.
- Third Party financing policies for distributed energy resources. This would allow more Wisconsin residences and organizations to install renewable energy technologies without incurring debt or contending with significant up-front financial costs.
After doing her one small part, of course Bea slept more soundly that night. Of course none of us can bear these burdens alone. But of course, together we CAN build a better world here on the only home we’ll ever know. It’s where we’re all forever… Earthbound.
*”Of Courses” courtesy of Dr. Renee Lertzman
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