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I expect much of the resistance to the proposed piece of legislation will stem from 1) unfeasible execution and 2) political hangups. As usual,what a shame it is that our shared atmosphere has fallen prey to divisive discourse and political schism. Half the nation hears"climate change" and launches into a not-this-again eyeroll. So instead, I'll talk to you about energy sources. Indiana gets its energy from coal. Nearly all the coal mined in this state never leaves our borders. One would expect that from the likes of Kentucky,West Virginia, and Pennsylvania, but our pocket of Midwestern neighbors helps round out the nation's top ten coal consumers. Michigan, Illinois, and Ohio can also lay claim to that smoggiest of trophies.When you burn coal,airborne nasties such as nitrogen oxides,sulfur dioxide, particulate matter, and mercury are released.We don't even put mercury in thermometers anymore. Nitrogen oxide?That's what makes acid rain.Acid rain?I haven't heard about that since the '80s. That's because we made laws regulating it.Yes yes, coal plants have scrubbers now. It's not dirty coal.That's because nobody likes breathing in ash. It doesn't change the fact we're burning rocks to charge our laptops. Clean does not exist when you're burning rocks, and even if you could make the firing process squeaky and bright,extraction still exists. Oh yeah, the mining. True,Transpo has changed their buses to natural gas. Ever heard of fracking? It contaminates groundwater. People can't use their own faucets. It's the original Flint. What are we supposed to use then?! Nothing is good. Everything's demonized. Enviro-paralysis. Responsibility is not just avoiding the bad. Proactive goodness ought to be sought. Don't merely shy away from coal. Protect wetlands. For every tree you approve to die, plant minimum one to replace it. We can do harm as long as we match it punch for punch with care. Right our wrongs. That's what we're asking for: equilibrium.To be better. Indiana has a streak of environmental notoriety. It doesn't have to be that way. This is what opportunity looks like. It will require courage to take the leap, but we'll be right behind you. -Mikhala Kaseweter Former Student of St. Mary's, Instructional Aide at Laville