My obsession

Luna lunacy

Since I began writing my long-form epic saga about a family in southern Arizona enduring the the climate changed world of 2100 I have become obsessed with the characters and the harsh world I am creating. I have reasearched the impact of climate change on this region with as much fidelity to the many scientific forecasts as possible. I am assuming we’ll miss our Paris Accord goals and heat the planet by at least 3°.

I have also had to create a world that makes sense. Why would Tucson still exist in 2100 and what will it look like?

I have mapped out an honest timeline through the end of this century and beyond. It is a timeline rife with the predicted challenges coming our bumbling way: mass starvation, social and political turmoil, human decimation, mass extinction, noble attempts to mitigate climate change, water wars, civil wars, hardship, violence and innovation.

The theme of the story is my attempt to answer one question. Where does one find the hope that fuels the resilience essential to contantly adapting to relentless change?

When I am not posting views and news for my newsletter I’m making notes for “Luna” and with 5-chapters and 30,000 words written it feels like it will be a 35-40-episode script.

I promise I will not let this addiction get in the way of the general commentary you subscribe to my newsletter for.

For your pleasure I’m sharing my scrawls and doodles.

The yellow long pad is where it starts

For my own purposes I needed to see her. Luna resembles my granddaughter. Don’t let this image color your visions of the setting or characters. I leave my written descriptions vague so that you might conjure them in your mind. Born in 2103 you have met her when she is 13-years of age. You will follow her on her challenging path to becoming a 21-year old woman in the year 2124.

Luna MacKenzie is part O’Odham, part Yaqui, part Latina and part Irish. A true 22nd century Tucsonan.

Nostromo Corp Ore haulers (l) and Rin, the robo-dog (r)

Carlos, Luna's grandfather (L), Tucson, Calypso at Space Port

I modeled Luna’s home after the earth ships of northern New Mexico, semi-subterranean homes that need no AC or heating, survive off their harvested rainwater, and without AC or heat they require less solar power. Half the interior is devoted to a hydroponic fruit and vegetable garden with koi and tasty Talapia.

Luna’s solar home, street scene

Airships over Tucson in the year 2100

And lastly, Luna on her journey north, dressed in desert garb for 115° days; her kaffiyeh, a bedouin inspired head scarf and face wrap, and her thobe, a calf-length tunic.

Can Rin be far behind?