Over-dependence on finite resources, like oil, ignores the

Opening Scene

The afternoon light streams through the window, casting soft shadows across the room. The quiet is almost serene, the only sounds being the faint hum of traffic outside and the occasional rustle of pages turning. Jack is sitting at the table, a cup of coffee in hand, his eyes focused on the newspaper in front of him. Jeeny is by the window, gazing out at the world below, her arms crossed thoughtfully as she surveys the scene. The atmosphere is calm, but there’s a sense of something deeper, an unspoken question hanging in the air.

Host: The stillness between them feels like the calm before a conversation that has yet to take shape. Finally, Jeeny turns from the window, her voice breaking the silence, soft but filled with purpose.

Jeeny: “You know, I was reading this quote by Deb Haaland the other day. She said, ‘Over-dependence on finite resources, like oil, ignores the ability of our great minds to develop alternative energy for the masses, and in doing so ignores climate change and sets up our students and workforce for failure by not educating them about the needs of our future.’ It really got me thinking — we talk so much about the problems, but how often do we discuss what we need to change and how to prepare for the future?”

Jack: “It’s true. We get so focused on the resources we’ve always used, like oil, that we forget about the potential of what’s next — what we could be building instead. We’ve built so much on the status quo that it’s hard to imagine a world that runs on something different, something that doesn’t come with the same kind of consequences.”

Jeeny: “Exactly. And it’s not just about the energy crisis, either. It’s about the minds we’re shaping right now. By not giving our students and workforce the tools they need to solve these problems, we’re setting them up for failure. They’re going into a world where they don’t understand what’s coming, what’s needed, and how to move forward.”

Host: There’s a quiet realization between them now, the weight of Haaland’s words beginning to sink in. Jack sets down his coffee cup, his fingers lightly tapping on the table as he looks up at Jeeny, his expression thoughtful.

Jack: “So, it’s like we’re at this critical moment where we have a chance to shape what the future looks like, but we’re not doing enough to prepare people for it. We’re still relying on outdated resources, still teaching and building with the mindset of the past. It’s almost like we’re ignoring the future in favor of maintaining the present.”

Jeeny: “Exactly. And think about it: the great minds are out there, capable of creating the solutions we need, but we’re not focusing on the right problems. We’re still fighting over things that don’t matter as much anymore, instead of figuring out how to address climate change, how to move beyond fossil fuels, and how to build a world where energy isn’t a finite resource.”

Jack: “It’s almost like we’re holding onto old structures too tightly, afraid to let go of what’s familiar. But the truth is, our dependence on things like oil is only going to get us so far. Eventually, we’ll hit a wall. And if we don’t start educating our next generation about what comes next, we’re just setting them up for a struggle they didn’t ask for.”

Host: The room feels heavier now, the weight of their words settling between them like a quiet challenge. Outside, the world continues to move on, but inside, the conversation feels like the beginning of something bigger, something more urgent. Jeeny takes a deep breath, her voice steady as she continues.

Jeeny: “It’s about shifting our mindset, right? We need to stop looking at the future through the lens of scarcity and start thinking about abundance — the abundance of ideas, of innovation, of renewable resources. But to do that, we need to start teaching people how to create, how to think differently, and how to be prepared for a world that isn’t dependent on oil or any other finite resource.”

Jack: “And that starts with the education system. It’s not just about giving kids the tools to survive in the old world. It’s about teaching them how to thrive in the new one — how to solve problems, how to innovate, how to think creatively about energy, sustainability, and the future of the planet.”

Jeeny: “Right. If we continue to ignore these issues, if we keep pretending like we can just keep going the way we always have, we’re not just dooming the planet. We’re dooming our future. But if we prepare people, if we show them how to think in terms of solutions instead of problems, there’s still a chance to create something better.”

Host: The stillness between them now feels less like a silence and more like a space for deep reflection. The room is quieter, but the weight of what they’ve discussed lingers — a realization that we are at a crossroads, where the choices we make today will determine the world of tomorrow.

Jack: “So, it’s about changing the conversation. Not just focusing on what’s wrong, but on what we can do to fix it. Giving people the tools to imagine a better future, not just to survive it.”

Jeeny: “Exactly. And it starts now. We can’t afford to wait any longer. Our generation, the next — we all have a responsibility to move forward with awareness and action. There’s too much at stake.”

Jack: “And if we can start with the right education, if we can give our kids and future workers the mindset to tackle these challenges, then we’re not just surviving the future. We’re creating it.”

Host: The evening light continues to fade, and with it, the conversation finds its natural end. Jack and Jeeny sit quietly, their thoughts aligning in the stillness. The future, they realize, is not something to be feared, but something to be built — with intention, education, and a willingness to change. The world continues its steady rhythm outside, but inside, there is a new sense of purpose. The future is coming, and the choices we make today will shape it, for better or worse.