“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.”
“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.”
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