Hugh rushed in and yelled, “Hey Mom!  I’m kinda in a hurry, and I need to borrow the…” But his mother called him up short. “Whoa! Slow down cowboy.  When you say ‘borrow’ do you mean – use for a short time and then return it in the same condition?  Or do you mean – keep it and use it up?”

       Hugh paused for a moment, avoiding looking his mother in the eyes, but then blurted out, “But I really need it!”  Sheepishly adding, “I might not be able to bring it back in the same condition, at least not right away.”

       Mother didn’t say a word but continued mixing up a teapot full of some aromatically enticing concoction. Pouring two stemming mugs full, she said, “Have a seat son and catch your breath. We need to talk.”  As if under a spell, Hugh sat down and sipped the tantalizing tonic.

      “You seem to have forgotten or at least misplaced a concept that indigenous peoples around the world have understood and practiced throughout the ages.  We call it  reciprocity - the mutual exchange of support, emotional investment, care, and love.

       “Native American author Robin Wall Kimmerer says we are ‘bound in a covenant of reciprocity, a pact of mutual responsibility to sustain whose who sustain us.  Plant breath for animal breath, grass and fire, predator and prey, living and dying all dance in a continuous giveaway of making and unmaking and making again the earth.’  Living by this covenant, native peoples looked to protect the welfare of those who will follow seven generations into the future.  In contrast, Hugh, I’m afraid you’ve fallen into the habit of only looking at the next quarter’s spreadsheet and whether you can show a profit in the annual report.”

       “Gosh, you’re right.  I’m sorry Mom.  I’ll do better,” Hugh Mankind promised.

       “And I’m here to help,” Mother Earth winked tapping the mug he’d been drinking from. “Sip some of this ‘reciprocity recipe tea’ every day.  It’s full of mutual respect, emotional support, care and love for all of the life that surrounds you.”

       Hugh hugged his mother and then remembered. “Oh, I brought this for you.”  It was a belated ‘Happy Earth Day’ card that read:  Thank you!  This precious Earth is ours to share and protect for generations to come - our only home where we’re all forever… Earthbound.

GET with It!
 
“Whoa!  Look who’s getting a make-over!” Ima sniffed with a hint of jealousy.  Ima Talltower was accustomed to being “Queen of the Hill” in the neighborhood.  At 160 feet tall and supporting high-capacity electrical transmission lines, Ima and her sister Talltowers dominated the viewshed.  But now she watched as Jess Ta’Woodpole, the older, lower voltage transmission line that paralleled her route, was getting re-strung with shiny, new electrical lines.
“Yep!” replied Jess, who never shied from confronting the brash Ima. “I’m getting re-conducted with cables made from state-of-the-art materials.  Soon I’ll be almost doubling my current carrying capacity!  Other countries have been using this stuff for years.
“Not only that, I heard the linemen say along with these new cables, the utility company is going to start using something they call grid-enhancing technologies (GET).  GETs are low-cost, quick-to-deploy devices that can help me carry up to 40% more electricity.
“They said GET technology can do cool stuff like using real-time temperature and wind measurements to determine how much power can pass through my lines without overheating.  And get this! They can also redirect power from congested lines to corridors that are less crowded.  That way the electricity can be evenly distributed over the transmission network preventing overloads and increasing capacity.
“So,” Jess continued while standing just a little bit taller and a little bit straighter, “with my re-conducted cables and GET I’ll be more than doubling my carrying capacity, all at a tiny fraction of the cost and environmental fuss that went into creating you.  I wonder what electricity ratepayers would think about that?”
“Wow, that’s very impressive!” acknowledged Ima in a not-so-haughty voice. “You’ll be transporting even more clean, reliable energy to folks without all the rigmarole it took to build me.  Why doesn’t every utility company GET with it?  Their ratepayers should demand that they do.  
“Tell you what.  I know I’ve been a bit of a show-off.  Call a truce?” Ima asked. “Looks like the humans need us both.”
“Fair enough, but probably less of you and more of me,” Jess teased. “And imagine - if each family ramped up energy efficiencies and added rooftop solar where suitable, there’d be less need for both of us.  The truth is we need everyone to pitch in to protect our only home because we’re all forever… Earthbound.”

       “BURRRP!  Ahh…another satisfying blech,” Chuck Stake murmured while languidly chewing his cud.  “And another mini-cloud of methane floats to the sky,” Starr Ling squawked.  “What’s it to you?” Chuck retorted. “I can’t help it; that’s what cattle do.  We belch a lot.”

       “No skin off my… er…beak.” But I heard Farmer Brown talking to some of his customers.  They’re worried about something called greenhouse gasses that are goofing up the air.  Anyway, they asked him if it’s true that each one of you guys burp and fart about 200 pounds of methane gas each year.   Then they asked if making a hamburger generates more than 4 times the amount of something called CO2 than a pulled-pork sandwich and 10 times more than a chick patty. 

       “Sounds to me like you might be in trouble, Bub.  Apparently, it’s nasty to have too much of this methane and CO2 stuff in the air.  When his customers left, their grocery bags weren’t very full.  Makes no never mind to me, but I bet Brown is thinking about dumping you guys and picking up some pigs and chickens instead.” chuckled Starr as she flapped away.

       As soon as Starr was out of sight, Rob Inn glided down in front of Chuck. “Cheer up! Cheer up!” he sang. “Oh be quiet.  That’s what you always say, but you wouldn’t if you were in my… hooves,” Chuck sniffed.  “Well, I heard what Starr told you.  She’s so loud!  But I think you actually do have reason to cheer up,” Rob replied.

       “Here’s the rest of the story.  Farmer Brown agreed that people should eat less beef; it’s healthier for folks and for the planet. But he also said the numbers they were asking about referred to national averages for food bought in fast food joints and sold in chain grocery stores.  You guys are all grass-fed and don’t end up in huge feedlots.  Beyond that, you’re certified by the Low Carbon Beef company.  It measures stuff like Brown’s farm’s feeds, fuels, fertilizers, and cattle function, so he can charge extra for his products,” Rob chirped.

       “I see,” Chuck nodded. “Ya gotta know your farmer and eat high-quality beef but less often.  And take it from an herbivore - Eat More Greens!  You’ll be healthier and so will our only home.  It’s where we’re all forever… Earthbound.”

        “Settle down! Settle down!” Kyle O’Whatt practically had to shout to be heard.  Banging the gavel yet another time, the crowd finally quieted.  “We’ve got a critical situation here; everyone’s got a lot to say.  You’ll all get your turn. 

        “Here’s what we know.  First – The contiguous U.S. just had the warmest winter ever, more than 5 degrees above average.  Second – Last year we had 28 separate $1 billion or more weather or climate disasters in the U.S. costing $92.9 billion in all!  Third – The world’s thirst for energy is growing dramatically.  It’s almost 5 times greater than 75 years ago. 

        “Clearly, our energy production and use has to change significantly.  The question is, ‘Which clean energy sources are best, and where will the facilities be located?’”
 
        Effie raised her hand but Kyle called Sol R. Pannel up to the mic.  Sol reminded everyone about a report from the Wisconsin Public Service Commission finding that 2/3s of the state’s electrical needs could be generated by rooftop solar on homes that are suitable for solar.  Then Wendy Pharms grabbed the mic boasting that just one wind turbine produces more energy than acres of solar panels.  Next, Newt Clear elbowed his way to the front to remind everyone that the latest generation small modular reactor (SMR) power plants are safe and produce no greenhouse gas emissions.

         Effie continued to raise her hand politely while spokespeople for geothermal, hydro, biofuels and others jostled for the microphone to explain why they should be the ones to lead the charge to a clean, new future.  “Did everyone get a chance to speak?” Kyle asked.  “Oh, I see one more hand.”

        Effie Shency quietly walked forward. “Thank you everyone!  You’ll all undoubtedly have important roles to play as humans struggle with and compromise on questions about which clean energy sources to use and where facilities should be located.  However, in this ‘tug-of-where’ we often forget that the ‘where’ can start right in our own homes.  The typical U.S. home could lower its energy use by 25% through greater efficiencies.  These can be relatively simple things like installing LED lightbulbs, adjusting thermostats and cutting transportation costs.

        “Lowering our energy use reduces the need for all these costly energy infrastructure projects.  Everyone can contribute to energy-wise solutions that protect our planet.  Because, it’s the only home we’ll ever know.  We’re all forever… Earthbound.”

        “Ya ready for the big sale?” Gus Guzzler asked as Electra Carr got settled next to him in the showroom.  “Ya know, the boss has been featuring me on billboards.  Folks will be flocking in to see me,” Gus crowed. “Look, here comes the boss and a customer now…heading right toward me!” Gus gloated.

        Otto Motive proudly gestured toward Gus and Electra, “And here are a couple of the latest models just in.” Anita Gooddeal, a savvy, penny-pinching consumer wary of the wiles of slick car dealers, followed Otto.  But before reaching Gus, Anita stopped in front of Electra.  “Is this one of those electric vehicles? They’re called EVs, right?” Anita asked.  She’s a beauty, and I love the concept.  We’ve got to get off of fossil fuels, but I just don’t know if I’m ready to do the EV thing.”

        “Well of course, there are a lot of factors to consider,” Otto responded. “But there’s no doubt that sooner or later, with few exceptions, we’re all going to be driving EVs.  They have tons of advantages including much lower fuel costs.  And many folks don’t realize how much lower EV maintenance costs are compared to guys like this big boy,” Otto said patting Gus’s hood.

        Otto handed Anita a brochure listing the maintenance advantages of EVs.

• EV powertrains are relatively simple. Many don’t need a transmission. Those that do use a much simpler, single-speed system as opposed to the multi-speed gearboxes in gas-burning vehicles.
• Typical EV drivetrains have about 20 moving parts compared with about 200 in conventional drivetrains – fewer parts to wear out or break.
• EVs don’t need radiators, fuel injectors, gas tanks, valvetrains or exhaust systems – all things that need maintenance and repair.
• The estimated lifetime maintenance and repair costs of EVs are typically $4,600 LESS than for gas-fueled vehicles - $0.31/ mi. for EVs and $0.61/ mi. for gas vehicles.
  

         Later - “Hear that, Missy?  She’s not ready to do the EV thing.  She’ll be back to ogle me; watch,” Gus boasted.

        But Anita kept pointing toward Electra as she negotiated in Otto’s office. “Yep!  She’ll be back, but not for you, ‘Big Boy’.” Electra purred. “She a clever chick who knows how to protect her pocketbook and her planet.  Good thing too, because this is our only home where we’re all forever… Earthbound.”

        Libby Rawl found her neighbor, Conn Servative’s, newsletter had mistakenly landed in her mailbox.  “More political propaganda,” Libby muttered to herself. “I just don’t get how she can support this stuff.  So… what’s this one about?  Wisconsin Conservative Energy Forum.  I guess they must need more ‘conservative energy’??” she snickered to herself.

        Glancing down the street, she spotted Conn setting out yet another political yard sign, so she plodded over and delivered the newsletter.  “Looks like our votes will cancel each other out again this year,” Libby commented pointing at the signs.  Then she couldn’t resist and just had to ask. “Connie, you’re a terrific neighbor, but how can you vote for these candidates?  I don’t get it.”

        “It’s because of this,” Connie replied holding up the newsletter. “My guess is, you’re probably in agreement with a lot of the same policies.  I always figured you to be an environmentalist-type.” 

        “Of course I am,” Libby shot back, “but aren’t all you folks basically just ‘Drill Baby Drill’ fanatics?”

        “Not all of us,” Connie smiled.  She handed the newsletter to Libby who read that the Wisconsin Conservative Energy Forum (WISCEF)* supports - a transition to clean and renewable energy to stimulate our economy, lower electricity costs, protect our national and grid security, reduce pollution, and improve the public health for all Wisconsinites.  The newsletter further stated - Affordable, abundant homegrown energy and the efficient use of that energy is the key to our quality of life.  A diversified energy portfolio is good for job creation, innovation, and ratepayers’ wallets.  In the Great Lakes region, 86% of voters ‘support taking action to accelerate the development and use of clean energy in the United States.’ And finally – We have a duty to be good stewards of our environment.

        “Whoa!” Libby explained. “I had no idea. You’re right; I do agree with much of this.”“I figured you would,” Connie nodded. “Say, want to come in for a cup of tea?”

        Later, heading home, she and Connie were having the same thoughts. “Who would have guessed we have so much in common?  Thanks to that ‘mailbox magic’, I now see we’re just coming at it from different angles.  No matter which political side we favor, it’s our duty to be good stewards of the environment.  After all, this is our only home; we’re all forever… Earthbound.”

* www.wiscef.org

Ya Just Gotta Focus!
 
Wanda Skeemore and Love D’Eyesphish gloomily stared out the window of the Korner Kafé.  They watched the melting snow plop off the roof barely missing folks plodding by.  “So much for winter sports this year.  A few weeks of genuinely cold temps and a couple big snowfalls… all melting away,” Wanda grumped. “We are still in Wisconsin aren’t we?” Love half-heartedly joked.
The bell above the café door jingled as their buddy, Morey, stomped the slush off his boots.  Seeing his friends, Morey Fishent, clomped over to their booth.  “Why the long faces?” he asked.  “You kidding?” Love replied.  “I’m supposed to be sitting on a bucket on the lake pulling up crappies, but the ice still isn’t safe!  Oh well!  Nothin’ we can do about it,” she moaned.
“Oh, but there is something you can do about it!” Morey said with a wink. “Ya just gotta focus!  You know; get with Wisconsin’s Focus on Energy* program.” 
“Never heard of it,” Wanda replied.  “What’s that?”
“Well, you know, we’re working on reducing the amount of greenhouse gas pouring into the atmosphere because it’s heating up the planet.  So we need to really cut back on fossil fuel use.  You can help and save money too!  Focus on Energy has hundreds of thousands of dollars available to help Wisconsinites lower their energy costs through energy efficiencies and small-scale renewable energy generation.” Morey began.
He went on to explain how Focus on Energy provides financial incentives to homeowners, renters, businesses, and organizations like schools and churches to help them save money on utility bills.  For example, it helps pay for appliance and HVAC efficiency upgrades, insulation and weatherization improvements, and rooftop solar.  This nationally recognized program has provided $4 in benefits for every $1 invested.  It’s created more than 4,000 jobs and helps Wisconsinites save millions of dollars in energy costs!
“On top of that, homeowners and businesses get a 30% tax credit for making these kinds of improvements. Non-profits like schools that don’t pay taxes get the same 30% of project costs paid by the federal government,” Morey concluded.
“Wow!” Wanda exclaimed.  “Each of us CAN do something to help Wisconsin preserve the four seasons we all love.  Ya just gotta focus!  Because this precious planet is the only home we’ll ever know.  It’s where we’re all forever… Earthbound.”
*Focusonenergy.com   800–726-7077

        Dewey Droppe loved being a water molecule.  Who wouldn’t?  He’s gotten to travel the world dropping down as precipitation in exotic locales and swept up again by evaporation over and over again. 

         One day, while slowly drifting with the river current past Sum Random U., Dewey noticed a chilly nip in the air.  Suddenly he stopped short.  His composition changed, locking him in place.  He’d never experienced anything like this and began to panic.  “Help!” he cried out. “I’m frozen in place!”

        “Of course you are, silly.  It’s cold out.  What did you expect?” I. C. Crystal, the cute molecule frozen next to him teased.  “Haven’t you done this before?  I love being a solid!” she burbled as other molecules quickly began freezing around them both.

        Meanwhile, inside the lecture hall overlooking Dewey’s river, Professor Climey Tologist was wrapping up his lecture on climatic tipping points.  “So for example, as liquid water cools it reaches a “tipping point” when it suddenly flips into a different state of matter and becomes a solid, namely ice.  Water can easily flip back and forth depending on the temperature.  But climatic tipping points are different in one hugely important way.  Once they flip, there’s no going back.  The entire climate flips into a ‘new normal’.”

        Prof. Tologist’s next slide listed potential climatic tipping points that the Earth is rapidly approaching. These are the result of the burning of fossil fuels that emit greenhouse gases, which inhibit heat from escaping Earth’s atmosphere. The most alarming tipping points shown were: the loss of ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica, permafrost thawing, and the collapse of both coral reefs and of crucial North Atlantic ocean currents. 

        “Once any of these tipping points flip, the relatively stable climate the world has known since the ice age will change in dramatic and unpredictable ways,” Prof. Tologist continued.  “It’s scary stuff.  But it doesn’t have to happen.  While no one of us is going to prevent the climate from flipping, each of us can do our small part to reduce our personal use of fossil fuels and to demand that decision-makers act.”

        Dewey and his new friend, Ms. Crystal, continue to travel the world together. They’re heartened to see each human acting to protect the only home any of us will ever know.  Right here, where we’re all forever… Earthbound.

        Finally recovered from the inaugural festivities, the young 2024 began sifting through the stacks of folders and documents Old Man ’23 had left scattered throughout the office.  Hours later - “Holy moly! I don’t know if I’m up to all this,” he mumbled to himself. “Just look at this environmental file alone.  Climate disruption, loss of biodiversity, extreme weather events, plastic pollution and on and on.  And this current, nasty political divisiveness makes it all the worse,” he sighed.

        So when ’24 assembled his staff the next morning, he began with this sober announcement.  “You’ve all read the reports.  I’m afraid SOGGY has launched another attack.”  A collective gasp spread throughout the room.  SOGGY (Sour Grapes and Grumpy Yahoos’) evil goal is to spread depression and disillusionment.  It’s a cruel, soul-sucking monstrosity.

        When the room quieted, ’24 continued. “Team, we can’t do this on our own.  It’s time to bring in the Woman from A.U.N.T!” A spontaneous cheer arose from the team.  A.U.N.T., (the Alliance to Undo Negativity Today), is a stealthy international undercover organization whose mission (not unlike Superman’s) is to fight the never-ending battle for truth, justice and the public-spirited way.  A.U.N.T.’s highly skilled specialists are trained to combat cynicism and lethargy wherever these foul feelings arise. 
        
        Early the next morning, the A.U.N.T operative, Dee Lieght, slipped out of her trench coat and stood before ’24 and his team. “I’ve examined the evidence,” Dee said somberly.  “There’s no time to lose.  This calls for our most powerful weapon - hope.  But no ordinary hope will be sufficient.”  Then turning to ’24, she continued, “Sir, we need … ACTIVE hope!” Dee said with a sparkle in her eye.

        “Active Hope*,” she explained, “isn’t a thing; it’s a practice. It’s something we DO rather than have.  Active Hope involves three key steps.  1. Take a clear view of reality. 2. Identify the direction or value you’d like to promote.  And, 3. Take actual steps to move in that direction.  Sir, Active Hope will get people out of their lethargic funk, energize them, and propel them toward building the world they want and that we need,” Dee concluded.

        “Excellent!” ’24 beamed. “We CAN build a better world, and we must.  After all, this is our only home where we’re all forever… Earthbound.”
 
*Thanks to Joanna Macy & Chris Johnstone

        Ebenezer Once-ler was a sad, money-grubbing soul who cared little for the world around him.  His sole interest was the market-value of his assets.  What a miserable old coot!

        One chilly winter night he fell into a fitful sleep.  And yup, you guessed it, he was visited by the Lorax of Holidays Past.
“I speak for the trees,” the Lorax proclaimed. “Remember when the grass was still green, and the pond was still wet, and the clouds were still clean?”

        That old Once-ler did remember.  He rolled over and even he, that old grouchy-pants, almost smiled as he thought of the Brown Bar-ba-loots frisking about in their Bar-ba-loot suits as they played in the shade and ate Truffula fruits.  But upon awakening, he shook his head and said, “Back to work!” and his old familiar grimace returned instead.

        The following night as his eyes were just blinking, the fiery Lorax of Holidays Present appeared in the twinkling.  “I still speak for the trees!” he fairly shouted. “NOW…thanks to your hacking my trees to the ground, there’s not enough Truffula fruit to go ‘round.  You’re glumping the pond where the humming fish hummed!  No more can they hum for their gills are all gummed.”  Then came a sickening smack of an axe as he watched a tree fall.  It was the very last Truffula tree of them all.
“But…business is business,” the Once-ler said, “and business must grow… doesn’t it?” he murmured, his confidence beginning to slow.

        On the third night, the Once-ler determined not to close his eyes fearing the Lorax of Holidays Future would appear. Nevertheless, the Lorax did so – the old dear.  He showed Ebenezer workers all in their cars, driving away under smog-smuggered stars.  “I see all that is left ‘neath the bad-smelling sky is my big empty factory, the Lorax and I,” cried the Once-ler as a tear fell from his eye.

        “Must it be?” he pleaded.  The Lorax nodded then said, “UNLESS someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better, it’s not.”

        So this holiday, think of Earth’s seeds as your gift.  Plant them with care.  Give them clean water.  Feed them fresh air.  You’ll find life springing forth all around!  On this home where we’re forever… Earthbound.

        With apologies to Charles Dickens and Dr. Suess