Interview with Paulette Siebers

Partial Transcript: Growing up, were you aware of where energy came from?

Segment Synopsis: Not as a child. We didn’t think or talk about it very much. Occasionally, parents would tell her to turn the lights out, but she wasn’t aware of saving energy.

Keywords: Childhood

Partial Transcript: When your children were growing up, did you talk with them about energy a lot?

Segment Synopsis: Yes. Both Paulette and her husband were trying to save money to pay off student debt so they told their children that they should conserve energy ie keeping fridge shut, not running water when brushing teeth, etc.

Keywords: Debt; Energy costs

Partial Transcript: So, how have you seen the way we make and use energy change since your childhood?

Segment Synopsis: The price of gasoline has increased a lot. When she started to drive it cost 29 cents a gallon. Now we know that we need to be careful with energy, so we drive less.

Keywords: Driving; Gas prices

Partial Transcript: You lived through the increase gas prices in the 70’s. What do you remember about the 1970's energy embargo or why it happened?

Segment Synopsis: Remembers that there wasn’t that much gas available so stations would close on the weekends. Long lines formed at the stations, and the price went up. In the 70’s we became aware that there wouldn’t be enough gasoline for everybody to drive everywhere so it was a good learning experience.

Keywords: Gas lines; Gas prices

Partial Transcript: So when did you first hear about renewable sources of energy and what were your thoughts on them?

Segment Synopsis: Probably when I was in my 30s or 40s, raising kids, and people started talking about not having enough petroleum for everybody to use their cars. Scientists started to try to make a fuel out of corn – ethanol instead. Seemed like a really good idea.

Keywords: Ethanol; Petroleum; Renewable energy

Partial Transcript: When was the first time you heard about climate change and how has your understanding of climate change changed?

Segment Synopsis: Maybe 10 or 12 years ago when scientists started writing and publishing and it was in newspapers that temperatures were rising and that glaciers were starting to melt. At first there was a lot of doubt and questions, with time and now scientists have shown that without any question the temp of the earth is increasing and a lot of it is due to human action. At first it was interesting, now we know it’s a crisis.

Keywords: Climate change; Crisis; Scientists

Partial Transcript: What are some larger-scale changes you hope my generation can work towards?

Segment Synopsis: I hope your generation is able to convince more and more people how important climate change is, and ideas about what we can do instead of driving. Annas generation is very committed because this will impact their whole life, and Paulette is very hopeful that Anna’s generation can do more by working together.

Keywords: Carpools; Climate change; Lifestyles

Partial Transcript: Do you have anything else you’d like to say?

Segment Synopsis: Thanks to the University of Wisconsin for Grandparents University and for the experience of learning about energy together with Anna.

Keywords: Grandparents University