Going True Green - GoingTrueGreen's Blog Postings

Going True Green Blog:

Please use our SEARCH BOX above to find a specific subject. Also use our Membership link in the right column below to receive a quarterly email, at most, on new Blog Postings or Workshops. This GTG Blog started on Earth Day 2013. Also see our "blog" style postings dating back to 1995 from our original two websites, as well as articles written and published since 1982 at our link Yesteryear Articles & Blogs.

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Grandpa's Wood Hangers

2/13/2020

hangers, wooden hangers, plastic, plastic hangers, waste, garbage, sustainable Living, going green, goingtruegreen, hangers, grandfathers, cotton, wool, garment district, reduce, reuse, recycle

70 Year Old Wood Hangers Still Working

I only had one grandfather in my life when growing up. I never knew my grandfather who was killed in an accident on a loading dock for a World War Two supply ship. The other day I thought of both of them as I reviewed my clothes in the closet. I have been Reducing and Reusing over the years and I make sure that a great deal of my clothes are made of 100% cotton or wool. See my previous GTG Blog post called:
All I Want for Christmas is Cotton and Wool

This time while going through my closet, I noticed something else I have been reusing: My grandfather's hangers made of wood. The grandfather, that I was fortunate to have in my life when young, was a tailor and worked in New York City's Garment District. When the Garment district started its transition and the demand for my grandfather's talent was replaced with overseas manufacturing, the company he worked for eventually went out of business. When he saw the company throwing away all the suit hangers, he took home as many as he could. These hangers were made in the 1950s and I am still using them. I inherited some of those hangers and I proudly use them instead of any plastic hanger made today which could never perform to the same caliber as my grandfather's hangers that he saved from a landfill.

waste, garbage, sustainable Living, going green, goingtruegreen, hangers, grandfathers, cotton, wool, garment district, reduce, reuse, recycle

Curbside Garbage That Is Not Garbage

Sure over the years one or two broke, but I improvised and fixed them. I took the time to think of a way to repair them and spent the time fixing them instead of subscribing to be a member of the "throw away" society. Many times I see items by the curb for garbage pickup that are still in good working order. So many people just don't take the time, 3 to 5 minutes in reality, to make a phone call for someone else to use the items they are throwing away. One phone call to your church, community center or one of the dozens of charities that will pickup items from furniture to dishes, takes but a few minutes and others will be so grateful.

I realize the many faults of my own, even with me having less clothes now, I still have more clothes than my grandfather did. I know, because I remember cleaning out his armoire after he passed-over. I donated his hand-made suits and clothes. However, I kept the wooden hangers he was using and added them to the few he had given me many years before.

Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
Contribute your comments!

Speaking Engagements In Rome For Earth Day

2/7/2020

Earth Day, Earth Day's 50th anniversary, speaking engagements, Rome, Athenaeum, Pontificio Regina Apostolorum, Institute of Science and Faith, Masters Diploma, Rome, Italy

Pontificio Regina Apostolorum

With Earth Day's 50th anniversary this year, some of my speaking engagements have me presenting in Rome. I am honored to be invited back to speak at the Athenaeum Pontificio Regina Apostolorum, Institute of Science and Faith for the Masters Diploma program in Rome, Italy. I will be presenting to the Seminarians at Pontificio Regina Apostolorum and also welcome to attend are the Seminarians from Pontifical North American College. Additionally, I have been invited to speak at the Rome campus for the undergraduate program at St. John's University.

Earth Day, Earth Day's 50th anniversary, Pontifical North American College, Athenaeum, Pontificio Regina Apostolorum, Institute of Science and Faith, Rome, Italy

Pontifical North American College

I will speak on the truth about our multi-level complex environment and Earth Day. I will share data, Earth Day stories from America and suggestions on how, we as one team, are the solutions to a better tomorrow. Each one of us, by living a more "sustainable life" will save a great deal of money, our health, energy, and God's green Earth without making any sacrifices! I have no electric bill for almost 5 years now and made no sacrifices, because there is always another way of doing something.

The facts, the trade secrets, and encouraging support, is what the world needs. Each of us as an individual is the solution and I hope to provide each seminarian and student with facts to help them and others in the future. This approach to the truth, the facts, and solutions, provides answers for all of us and for the poor.

St. John's University, St. John's Rome, St. John's University Rome Campus, Earth Day, Earth Day's 50th anniversary, speaking engagements, Rome, Athenaeum, Pontificio Regina Apostolorum, Institute of Science and Faith, Masters Diploma, Rome, Italy

St. John's Rome Campus Central Courtyard

Pontificio Regina Apostolorum and Pontifical North American College on April 28th and the time 17:10 to 18:40.

St. John's University, Roma Campus
on April 29th and the time 12:00 (noon) to 13:30

Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
Contribute your comments!

Jesus, Upper Room, Easter, The Way, resurrection, Jesus the Christ, apostles, crucifixion, rosary

This riveting historical novel pieces together intricate revelations to present possibilities not widely discussed, probabilities that may explain why some famous figures were misjudged, misunderstood, or completely ignored. How those who were evil, became good and those who were weak, became strong.

My Own Great Tasting Blueberries In January

1/28/2020

blueberries, organic, organic food, fresh frozen, sustainable living, going green, going true green, plastic, BPAs, freezer storage bags, water bottles, carcinogens, contaminants, pyrex, ziplock

Fresh Organic Blueberries

I grew them, I harvested them, and I didn't eat all of them.

Besides sharing my organically grown blueberries with family and friends, I also froze some immediately after picking them. The objective: To have fresh frozen organic home grown blueberries in January!

I am writing this GTG blog post just after cooking up some blueberry pancakes all made with healthy ingredients. It is the end of January and a cold wind is gusting outside, but this pancake breakfast started back in early August of last year.

First, I placed the fresh picked blueberries into a glass pyrex bowl with a rubber cover.

Second, I placed the covered pyrex glass bowl filled with blueberries into a ziplock freezer storage bag.

I made sure as much air as possible was expelled from the plastic bag before closing. I labeled the plastic bag with pertinent information, such as date frozen and date to use by.

I did all this for better tasting blueberries come the middle of winter. I never place blueberries or any food item directly into a plastic bag. As I have stated in many previous GTG blog posts, only three items do not put carcinogens or contaminants into our food and drink:

Glass, Porcelain, and Wax Paper

If I was to use another container, I would use cast-iron cookware or steel / tin. All other containers, such as aluminum, viscose, plastic bottles, bags, and wrap, will leach bad tastes, contaminants or carcinogens over time into our food and drink. Especially when there are changes in temperatures, such as being placed into a freezer or leaving a water bottle in a car on a hot summer day.

So if you have grown or just purchased fresh organic blueberries in the summer, try freezing some for a cold winter morning early the following year!

Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
Contribute your comments!

First Presentation For Earth Day's 50th Anniversary

1/21/2020

Since the middle of last year I have been talking with different organizations, schools, and universities, about presenting for this year's 50th Anniversary of Earth Day. My main purpose is to speak the truth about our multi-level and very complex environment. I wish to share data, stories and suggestions on how, we as Individuals, are the solutions to a better tomorrow.

Each one of us, by living a more "sustainable life" will save a great deal of money, our health, energy, and our Earth without making any sacrifices! I know, because I practice what I preach. I have no electric bill and what I have done over the years within my own "budget of time and money" is not rocket science. I made no sacrifices. The facts, the trade secrets and encouraging support, is what the world needs. Each of us as an individual is the solution, not some government, corporation, political party, politician or celebrity. Yes, all of these entities have a role and can assist us in our goals, but only when they have the complete picture, all the facts and not just coffee or tea table chatter.

St. Anthony's High School, Earth Day, EarthDay, 50th Anniversary of Earth Day, Bill Lauto, Rome, Pontifical Regina, National Honor Society, rocket science, sustainable life, sustainable living, sustainability, save energy, save earth, save money, Franciscan Brothers, St. Francis

Chapel Entrance to St. Anthony's HS

Nevertheless, I hope to be a positive contributing factor. I have three speaking engagements already confirmed. The first will be at St. Anthony's High School in Huntington. The administration approved my presentation last week and I will be speaking to 500 National Honor Society students. That date is February 5 and my Earth Day talk is scheduled for 5:45 to 7:00pm.

Just after Earth Day, on April 28, I am humbled to be invited back to speak in Rome at the Pontifical Regina Apostolorum Institute of Science and Faith. I am currently in the process of finalizing additional presentations in both domestic and international venues for this important milestone. I will keep you posted on the dates and locations.
Thank you.

Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
Contribute your comments!

Top 100 Environmental Blogs

1/15/2020

Feedspot, top environmental blogs, environment, going true green, Bill Lauto, Going green, sustainable living, blog awards, top 100 environmental blogs

With the start of 2020, I am honored to share the news we just received about Going True Green's Blog being listed as one of the
TOP 100 ENVIRONMENTAL BLOGS by Feedspot.

In part, one of the two emails we received from Feedspot stated:

Hi Bill,

My name is Anuj Agarwal, I'm the Founder of Feedspot. I would like to personally congratulate you as your blog
Going True Green has been selected by our panelist as one of the Top 100 Environment Blogs on the web.

I personally give you a high-five and want to thank you for your contribution to this world. This is the most comprehensive list of Top 100 Environment Blogs on the internet and I'm honored to have you as part of this!

I am greatly honored and appreciative of being awarded placement on this list of Top 100 Environmental Blogs. I extend my sincere gratitude to Anuj and the Feedspot panelists for the time they afforded us. Thank you for the consideration of my Going True Green blog and placing us on your list of Top 100 Environmental Blogs.

Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
Contribute your comments!

Old Man Winter, Old Houses and Insulation Answers

1/7/2020

Happy New Year everyone and with the cold winds of winter blowing down on us, I wish to share some insulation questions I receive each year. Some of these questions have been asked several times over the decades. Below I am sharing some of these questions and concluding with the most popular query.

I am thinking of buying an old wood frame house constructed in the 1920s. Would there be insulation in the walls?

Balloon Construction, insulation, vapor barrier, insulated homes, insulated walls, going true green, hot air rises, hot to cold, GTG Blog

1920 Farm House

Not unless a previous owner of the house had insulation put into the walls. Houses back then were built without insulation because fuel was very cheap. Your best test would be to drop a small marble from the attic down into the wall. If the marble comes out in the basement you know the walls are empty.

This type of design is not only costly with energy bills, but also outside noise will be louder inside. In addition, this design known as "balloon construction," is a serious fire hazard. The walls would act like a chimney in a fire and the wood frame house would be destroyed. Putting insulation into these walls will address all three of these problems: Costly energy bills, Noise levels and Fire hazard.

Is it possible to put insulation in backwards?

Yes, and this happens far too often. Many serious problems come about with insulation installed wrong. In most cases the cause of these problems are a mystery to the homeowner. For example, nobody can imagine why a certain wall gets damp or sweats. The Foil or Paper on one side of the insulation is known as a "vapor barrier" and this "vapor barrier" must always face the warmer side of the house. Always! If there is an outside facing wall that is crying or moisture builds up on the inside surface of that wall, odds state that the insulation was installed backwards. Once confirmed, the inside wall needs to be removed, the compromised moisture filled insulation must be discarded and replaced the correct way.

Insulating the ceiling in my unfinished basement isn't going to save much, right?

This action, in most cases, saves a great deal of money and energy. Put insulation in an unfinished basement ceiling with the "vapor barrier" facing up, because upstairs is the warmer side of the house. However, if you are going to heat or cool your basement, then different rules apply. Also don't let the air from upstairs that has been cooled by air conditioning drop through the floor to your unfinished basement because there is no insulation in the basement ceiling. Cool air dropping into the basement only makes the basement damp and the electric bill higher for the air conditioners working longer on the main floor. "Cold Air drops" that is the rule of mother nature. The other rule mother nature has "Hot Goes To Cold First" then Hot Air Rises! Don't let your heating bills be higher because the heat comes out over a cold floor that is over a cold basement with no insulation in the ceiling. Insulate and save! Reports have shown the savings of several hundred dollars can provide a payback on the cost of insulation and labor as fast as four months.

For more information on insulating houses, see my previous GoingTrueGreen blog called:
Buying A House? Beware!

Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
Contribute your comments!

The Sun's Only Rival

12/19/2019

Edison, GE, Thomas Edison, Lewis Latimer, Lewis Howard Latimer, Edison Electric Light Company, LED, incandescent, Earth Day, 50th anniversary of Earth Day, Pontifical Regina Apostolorum Institute, Bill Lauto

1925 GE Edison bulb

When Thomas Edison finally produced a successfully working electrical light bulb, with the help of an amazing team, the world was amazed. Light bulbs became the wonder of the world and a company called GE came up with a great catch phrase to sell their light bulbs after the turn of the century.

The catch phrase is the title of this Going True Green blog post. I took the photo of a GE bulb, still in the original package from 1925, when consulting on a job involving energy savings for a house built in 1925. This bulb was in the basement for almost 100 years, as if waiting for me to take a photo. This was surreal, a time warp for me, but this also created a teaching moment.

Edison, GE, Thomas Edison, Lewis Latimer, Lewis Howard Latimer, Edison Electric Light Company, LED, incandescent, Earth Day, 50th anniversary of Earth Day, Pontifical Regina Apostolorum Institute

Lewis Howard Latimer

One scientist that became part of Thomas Edison’s team was Lewis Howard Latimer and he was a major contributing factor to the success of the light bulb. Latimer and Joseph Nichols, invented the carbon filament light bulb, which was a tremendous improvement on Thomas Edison’s original filament that would burn out rapidly. After receiving a United States patent for the carbon filament, a second patent was received in 1882 for the process of “Manufacturing Carbons” which was an amazing improvement to the method of producing light bulb carbon filaments.

The Edison Electric Light Company in New York City hired Lewis Latimer in 1884 and he supervised the installation of public electric light throughout New York, Philadelphia, Montreal, and London. Then in 1892, the Edison Electric Light Company merged with the Thomson-Houston Electric Company to become General Electric or as we all know, GE.

Bonnard, Pierre Bonnard, Le Soiree Sous Les Lampes, Barnes Foundation Collection, Evening Under the Lamps

"Evening Under the Lamps" by Pierre Bonnard, c. 1903

The future looked so bright, that even famous artists did paintings and photographs featuring the light bulb. So by the 1920s, GE was selling the new improved light bulbs like the one in my photograph above and then in 1928 came the incandescent bulb we all used until compact fluorescent bulbs slowly replaced them. Today and the future seems bright with LED technology leading the way. Some data shows that a 2 or 3 watt LED will soon give off the light level equal to a 75 watt incandescent light bulb.

In April of next year, the world will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day and for that event, I am humbled to be invited back to speak in Rome at the Pontifical Regina Apostolorum Institute of Science and Faith. I am currently in the process of finalizing additional presentations in both domestic and international venues for this important milestone. I will keep you posted on the dates and locations.

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays to all. Best wishes for a happy, safe and blessed New Year.

Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
Contribute your comments!

Tree Top Garbage

12/5/2019

Plastic Clouds, Bill Lauto, microscopic plastic, BPA, PS, oligomer, bisphenol A, molecular bond, pollution, plastics, petroleum, plastic islands, plastic in beer, plastic in air

Tree Top Garbage

Tree Top Garbage
by Bill Lauto

There it shall stay,
until it erodes away.
Let loose by humankind,
into our air & out of mind.
Innocently caught by a tree,
until it’s digested by you and me.

If the garbage is some kind of foam, plastic or any other very slow degradable product made by humankind, the key word or the upsetting word in the poem above is digested. Litter, such as plastic, is made from petroleum. The official name is polyethylene terephthalate, or PET. When organic material, such as grass or an apple, is exposed to the elements of nature or buried, bacteria breaks down the item into the original compounds that formed the organic element. This biodegradation process doesn't occur on plastic in the same way or period of time.

Studies have shown that UV light will break the molecular bonds holding plastic together so that item can break down into smaller pieces. And smaller and smaller and smaller pieces. Nevertheless, there are problems because buried plastic in landfills are in a place where the sun doesn't shine and when plastic does break down into smaller pieces, this is proving to be a very serious problem.

First let us review what we all know: Plastic is building up in our oceans, especially the Pacific ocean. Humankind's plastic shopping bags, water bottles, take out containers, soda bottles, product packages and six-pack plastic rings are bathing in sunlight as they float in our oceans and waterways. The UV rays will eventually break down that plastic into smaller pieces. Ten years ago, a study from Nihon University in Chiba, Japan, discovered that plastic in our oceans can start to degrade within one year. Thus, creating smaller and smaller pieces.

BREAKING PLASTIC DOWN INTO SMALLER PIECES IS BECOMING A MAJOR WORLD WIDE ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEM

These smaller pieces of plastic are not natural. They are made of bisphenol A (BPA) and PS oligomer. These are carcinogens and these toxic chemicals end up in the bellies of fish and perhaps evaporate into our air. So let us continue with that natural process of the rain cycle...
After Evaporation is Condensation and finally Precipitation, allowing these chemicals to settle on the land and crops. Animals eat the chemicals and humankind eats the fish, the animals and the crops!

I am now asking everyone who is perusing this GoingTrueGreen blog post to also revisit or read for the first time, these two previous posts:

Plastic Water, Air and Food (12/27/2017)

Plastic Clouds (03/19/2019)

As for all of us, may I suggest that we be extra mindful this time of year with the Christmas and holiday wrappings, boxes filled with shipping material and plastic waste.

GoingTrueGreen.com is teaching the complete picture for saving money, energy, our Earth and our health - Not teaching poetry.

Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
Contribute your comments!

Shipwrecks, Forensics & Three Village Historical Society

11/22/2019

Brett Curlew, Forensics, Outdoor Education, master diver, Three Village Historical Society, artifacts, marine, marine enviornment, New York Aquarium, Maritime Museum, English Frigates, Steamers, Paddle Wheelers, Rum Runners, Tug Boats, Barges, War ships, World War one, World War two

Brett Curlew's Marine Forensic Lecture

This previous Monday, I attended a lecture presented by my good friend Brett Curlew at the Three Village Historical Society. The topic was Diving Into History with artifacts from shipwrecks that tell a ship's story from pivotal times in America.

Brett operated the lecture like a forensic investigation as items were examined for clues to their ship's story. As a master diver, Brett has been on shipwrecks from the 1700s to the late 1900s. He has researched and explored English Frigates, Steamers, Paddle Wheelers, Rum Runners, Tug Boats, Barges and War ships from World War one and two.

As the audience waited for the lecture to start, many took the time to view the several artifacts on the tables that Brett had set up upon his arrival. The evening was a success and questions from the attendees abounded because Brett had many in attendance examine and participate in the evaluation of the data obtained from each artifact. As pieces of the puzzle for a shipwreck were put into place, the type of ship, the name, where the ship was built, the year when the ship was built and even discovering that a part was made in Paul Revere's refinery came to light. Also, answers to what year the ship met its demise and why the ship sunk, were disclosed. At the conclusion of the evening, I heard a few TVHS members thanking Brett and congratulating him on an amazing presentation.

Brett has a B.S. in Biology and Environmental Science. He has been teaching environmental and outdoor education since 1998. Brett has provided programs for Nassau and Suffolk BOCES (K through 12) and college level and professional development for teachers. Additionally, Brett has designed and taught AP environmental summer programs for Brookhaven National Laboratory since 2005. He has been a founding partner in Hands-on Environmental since 2000, an organization which brings environmental and education programs into the classroom. Brett is also a founding member of The Maritime Oceanological Society (MOS).

Brett Curlew, Forensics, Outdoor Education, master diver, Three Village Historical Society, artifacts, marine, marine enviornment, New York Aquarium, Maritime Museum, English Frigates, Steamers, Paddle Wheelers, Rum Runners, Tug Boats, Barges, War ships, World War one, World War two

Brett Curlew, Forensics, Outdoor Education, master diver, Three Village Historical Society, artifacts, marine, marine enviornment, New York Aquarium, Maritime Museum, English Frigates, Steamers, Paddle Wheelers, Rum Runners, Tug Boats, Barges, War ships, World War one, World War two

With his passion for the marine environment and diving since 1985, he loves marine history, and has worked to preserve the history of shipwrecks. Brett has lectured extensively and provided programs for all ages on the subject of marine history. He has had artifact displays and had provided lectures at the New York Aquarium at Coney Island, the Maritime Museum at Fort Schuyler, Seacliff Museum, Whaling Museum at Cold Spring Harbor, Maritime Museum at Sayville, OceansWide.org and New York State's Outdoor Education programs.

Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
Contribute your comments!

Sustainability Talk

11/12/2019

Sustainable practices, sustainability, Bill Lauto, STEM, Oceanswide, Caumsett, Marshall Fields, Main House, going green, going true green

My presentation was in the old Reading Room with some furniture and rug from circa 1927.

Honored to be one of the speakers at an excellent program last Tuesday for OceansWide organization at Caumsett State Historic Park. Teachers from multiple school districts came on their day off to attend presentations the provided them with credits for Professional Development Accredited by STEM Hub.

My presentation was given twice on Sustainable Practices and Environmentally Conscience inside the Marshall Field the third's mansion. I explained how key concepts in science education can connect to sustainable practices and environmentally conscience decision making. From appliances in our own kitchen to solar energy. Industry's trade secrets were shared, stories told and facts presented.

At lunch time we enjoyed the beautiful view and warm weather as discussions abound. The image below can be enlarge upon clicking...

Sustainable practices, sustainability, Bill Lauto, STEM, Oceanswide, Caumsett, Marshall Fields, Main House, going green, going true green

Our Lunch Time View

Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
Contribute your comments!