The Rumble Building to a Roar

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A refreshingly old-fashioned hand-drawn draft of the cover for the new book.

Every day, the rumble of awareness grows. Climate change is real, and the cry for powerful action is on the lips of many. I am honored to offer my new novel, Steam Drills, Treadmills, and Shooting Stars, at this moment in history. It tells the story of people like us, who struggle with the moral decisions climate change presents. Our way of life is fraught with destructive systems, from neighborhood planning that requires long commutes, to a throw-away culture of garbage, to the massive pollutants of our fossil-fuel based energy system. To address these issues on individual and collective level will take dedication and hard work, and many moments of soul-searching.

That’s where a good book comes in handy.

It helps to know we are not alone and that others are also grappling with the same questions. The novel portrays many characters perspectives on the issue of climate change: Jack Dalton, a lawyer for the coal company; Henrietta Owens, a young mother concerned about the future of her child; Hank Crawley, a born rebel with a cause; Sarah Dalton, a worried suburban mom, uncertain of how to guide her family; Odelle Jordan, a daring media woman ready to tackle tough subjects; Louisa, an ecologist desperately hoping for a major shift in society before it’s too late; and many more.

In these characters, we find elements of ourselves. We find options and fresh ideas. We find hope and inspiration. In a time of radical change, the novel gives examples courageous actions and reminds us of the power of human connection.

I write these stories because we need to hear them. We can’t pull the covers over our heads and wait for the monsters to go away. They will only grow bigger as we numb ourselves with television and shallow entertainment. We must engage passionately with our world and apply unflinching honesty in all situations . . . for such scrutiny reveals not only the horrors, but also the great possibilities that lie before us.

Climate change will force us to re-evaluate our daily lives. We can bemoan change, or we can embrace it. This may be our opportunity to overhaul our culture and strive to create the equality and justice we yearn for. I, for one, am ready for the challenge, as are many others.

Steam Drills, Treadmills, and Shooting Stars reflects an important aspect of struggle we face: we have many companions on this road; seven billion of them, in fact, as well as an infinite number of plants, animals, minerals, and other life systems. This world is thick with survival and ingenuity. When we put our hearts, minds, and hands together, there is nothing we cannot accomplish. As it says in the novel:

     ”Everything we love is at stake,” Henrietta said passionately. “We’ve got to accept that there can be no more life as usual. We need to live life unusual, and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime!”

“It sounds like the trumpeting of a battle cry,” the comfortable tenor of the talk show host chuckled.

“Not a battle, but a call to action,” Henrietta said. “We’ve got to make change our national pastime and hold protests more regularly than weekend parties,” Henrietta urged. “There’s a dedicated and hardworking crowd that’s been actively trying to address the problems in our country for years and we’ve got to join them. We have to . . . it’s our life!” Henrietta emphasized the last word, trying to imprint the preciousness of existence onto the listeners’ minds.

“If I could,” she continued, “I’d reach out and shake every person in this country and say; stop listening to the TV tell you about America the beautiful . . . get up and be America the beautiful. Make America beautiful. We got energy sources to clean up and skies to clear out and mountaintops to restore. And more than that; we’ve got a whole new way of life just waiting to be born!”

Many blessings to you all! Rivera Sun