GoingTrueGreen's Blog Postings

The Complete Truth About Sinking Cities

9/12/2022

sinking cities, montauk, long island, miami, east end, new york, miami of the north, changing climate, climate change, indonesia, PNAS, seawater, sea levels, peer reviewed, Mr. Fisher, carl fisher, InSAR, satellites, southeast asia, subsidence, groundwater, recharge, solutions, going true green, sustainable living

What is the real cause for some sinking cities?

Allow me to start by sharing a lesson from the 1920s and 1930s that developed on the end of eastern Long Island, in a town call Montauk, New York. This town is named after Montauk Sachem, who was the tribe leader around 1665 that ruled from the eastern end to the western end of Long Island for decades. However, to share this lesson we must first head south to Miami during the 1920s. Miami had become the popular spot to stay in the winter months for prosperous people living in the northern states. Yet, when the hot summer months came in Miami, they abandon Miami to head back north for cooler temperatures.

From this, Carl Fisher who developed Miami Beach in the 1920s, wanted to make Montauk the "Miami of the North" for the summer months. Therefore, all those that can afford the travel, would be able enjoy beach weather all year long without the extreme heat. Miami beaches would be enjoyed in the winter months and Montauk beaches in the summertime. Plans were drawn up to construct hotels, restaurants and clubs to accommodate the potential crowds visiting Montauk in the summer.

For Mr. Fisher, alas, his dream did not come true for one main reason. This reason is the lesson never learned and now a major contributing factor as to why so many cities are sinking, and sinking fast...

Major coastal cities around the world today are sinking and facing flooding caused by the all encompassing battle cry prediction under climate change. Cities such as Miami are losing land to the rising water levels, but is that the complete truth?

The journal Geophysical Research Letters published a study of 99 cities with the end result showing some of the major cities around the world are sinking more than the rising sea around them. How can that be? This is by far a threat more urgent than previously predicted under climate change. Yet, climate change (I prefer, a changing climate) does not have anything to do with this phenomenon. This is what the study reported:

Over 33 cities are sinking more than one centimeter per year. At that rate we find based on data from the PNAS, (National Academy of Sciences) a peer reviewed journal that offered recent estimates of global sea-level rise, we have a sinking rate that is five times faster than the rising seawater levels.

The fastest sinking cities are located in Southeast Asia. Indonesia's capital has a city with 10.5 million people. This city, Jakarta, is sinking fast. So while these cities are not sinking fast because of climate change, they are sinking fast because of other humankind actions.

From InSAR (Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar), a technique for mapping ground deformation using radar images of the Earth's surface, we have collected data from orbiting satellites that show the following:

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Montauk never became the "Miami of the North" because there wasn't enough clean drinkable water under the narrow land strip of eastern Long Island. Pumping water up from the ground would allow salty seawater to encroach and within a few years, there would be no clean domestic water left to use in all the hotels, restaurants and clubs. If this lesson was remembered and expanded upon, humankind would not have pumped up water from below our cities and our cities would not be sinking faster than the rising sea. The humankind issue with the fastest sinking cities isn't called climate change, the name is subsidence.

Subsidence is when land settles or is compacted due to a drastic change well underground. Subsidence is the cause for many of our cities sinking at a faster rate. All of humankind's actions to pump groundwater up and out, causes buildings to sink more and more. If the "Miami of the North" became a reality like Miami in Florida, we would now be comparing the problems of a sinking Miami to a sinking Montauk.

We must now rethink our developments and paving over our land with blacktop and cement. All of this prevents rain from recharging the water tables below. A process that takes centuries when not disrupted. Additional, alternatives must be found so massive extraction of groundwater is reduced or stopped. One advantage New York City has is that their drinking water reservoirs are upstate and not a contributing factor to reducing the water tables below the city. Around the start of this century, the Indonesian government has been regulating the extraction of groundwater. The city of Jakarta was sinking on average 20 centimeters a year for the past three decades. Recently, after new citywide actions, the city only sank 3 centimeters in the past seven years.

So because the media is only pushing a narrative that makes advertisement dollars, they fail to present the complete truth to the public. After all, the media deems facts and truth boring. End result, a delay in knowing the complete story and bringing forth real solutions.

Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
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What Is A Triple 'C' Person?

7/31/2022

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Don't Be A Triple 'C' Person

We all know someone who is a Triple 'C' person in our lives. They are not part of our diversified team, they do not evaluate all the facts or the complete picture. They act out because they are being used by others, truly scared, misinformed, have a need to put others down in order to feel better about themselves, or just oblivious to the truth. These people are used by the media that sensationalizes to make more advertisement dollars. That is exactly what a Triple 'C' person does not need. They need support, love and the truth.

Several climate activist make claims that we have no time to waste with saving our environment. They state that we wasted decades of time not doing anything significant to make a difference. That statement I take as a personal insult to me and all my colleagues who are unpretentious scientists like myself. We have helped make a difference for 40 years and we do not look for or demand 15 minutes of fame. These climate activist easily fall into being a Triple 'C' person.

They Constantly Complain and Criticize others while doing little or nothing themselves to help. They are not part of the solution, they are part of the problem. In fact, instead of helping with any one issue, they are doing damage to positive team building and teamwork that is moving forward to solve an issue. Those who scream that we have not done anything, but only wasted energy and time, are in fact the ones causing road blocks against long term solutions. Several are telling lies to foster profits and power. Decades ago real scientific work started in earnest to protect our environment and save energy. We have major success stories from the Ozone layer to renewable energy production. Our planet is healthier despite those who led dishonestly and failed to recognize that a true leader must only serve, never gain.

Negative Triple 'C' influence is especially true when we are looking at the young adults and children of today. Whenever I am speaking to a group of students about our environment, I see in many faces that they were told little about solutions and everything about being doomed. Each survey I do with students of all ages, I have 30% of them raising their hands to state that they are truly scared about the future. Yet, none can cite a study or report to justify that fear, only the screams of a Triple 'C' person on TV or a misinformed climate activist in front of the classroom. As far as I am concerned, this is child abuse. No scientific study has stated that the world is doomed. We have challenges, but we are prevailing. None of the horrifying predictions of the past about the environment have come true. We are past due on all the doom sayers time tables as far back as 50 years ago. Human intelligence is prevailing and we will continue to do so if we work together!

One additional point, I know climate activists who do dangerous actions such as blocking traffic on a three lane highway, claim they must do those disruptions because this is comparable to pulling the fire alarm at 2 AM in a building that is burning to the ground. That is the right thing to do in order to save lives in a building about to be consumed. However, you do not pull a fire alarm in a building just because someone made money predicting the building may catch on fire someday.
That action is illegal.
That action can cost lives.
That action will do damage to positive team building.
That action will destroy the teamwork moving toward solutions.
That action proves you have been lied to and are being used to make some Triple 'C' person more money.

Work with us and do all the solutions you can do in your own house, place of work, place of worship and neighborhood. Then, the future will no longer be feared by anyone. We Got This!

Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
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Hallmark's "Christmas In July"

7/16/2022

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Hallmark is running Christmas movies in July because many people enjoy a Christmas movie in the middle of the summer. So I decided to do a GoingTrueGreen Christmas blog in July. After all, having a head start on this information will prove useful for many. Especially compared to me posting this blog sometime in December and perhaps a day late for many who already made a decision that can hurt or help our environment.

I have been asked many times by many people, "What kind of Christmas tree should I buy?"
My answer is always the same, "I prefer a Douglas Fir, however a Fraser Fir is just as nice."
Their reply is always, "Oh no, I mean between a fake tree or a real tree. Which is best for the environment?"

Well, the answer is always a real tree will be better for the environment. Here are the reasons and facts as to why:

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A Christmas Tree Farm

NASA has published findings that state we can take positive action for our environment by restoring our forests. Some other reported data shows that if all the Christmas tree farms in the United States of America are managed properly that would cut into carbon emissions up to 30 percent. I am not sure if that percentage is across the total amount of emissions nation wide or toward a specific discharge of carbon emissions. My research source did not elaborate, so I point this out because we must always be wary of any process of omission to create a narrative. Nevertheless, the truth will always triumph over one sided narratives.

Additionally, real trees purchased from a local Christmas Tree farm or a Garden Center such as the Powers' Country Gardens, does not produce the extreme carbon emissions that occur in the manufacturing of a plastic Christmas Tree and shipping 85% of said product from China seven thousands miles away. This is not counting the miles shipped across our country to stores.

I have read stats showing that we have here in the United States thousands of tree farms, many are growing Christmas trees. Up to 35 million real Christmas trees are sold each year as farmers plant up to 3 seedlings for every Christmas tree harvested according to the National Christmas Tree Association. I believe between the United States and Canada, approximately 350 million Christmas trees are growing every year.

Now the cost for buying a real Christmas tree every year can average out to $75.00. Well, actually the cost will be more and that is because at least half a day should be devoted to buying a Christmas Tree with family and friends. That means car pooling, getting a bite to eat together and don't forget the hot chocolate or candy canes! Perhaps a snowball volley will be possible due to the weather. How about a visit to see one of Saint Nicholas' helper or even Saint Nick himself for the kids! Also some ice skating or attending church services can all be done before visiting the local Garden Center or a Christmas Tree farm where you actually get to pick and cut down your own Christmas Tree! Sharing Christmas cheer with the farm workers and the family operating the farm or garden center is far better than pulling a plastic tree out of the attic or basement that lacks the fresh pine scent from a real tree. The reality of all this is that any day like the above with family and friends is priceless.

We must also include in our decision the facts that real trees are renewable, biodegradable, compostable, and recyclable into useful wood. At last count, there are over 4,000 Christmas tree recycling programs nation wide.

Comparing real trees to the annual 10 million artificial trees sold each year that have non-biodegradable plastic, possible other toxins such as lead, and cannot be recycled after an average 7 year life span, real trees are far more sustainable and better for the environment.

After all, what would you enjoy more? Spending a day like the one described above making real memories or being inside a store to buy a fake tree invented by the toilet bowl brush company called Addis Brushes. Yes, a fake tree isn't anything more than a giant green plastic upside down toilet bowl brush! Besides, who has memories of the time buying a fake tree?

Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
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Many Contractors Do What They Want, Not What You Need

6/17/2022

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contractors, insulation, energy, heating, energy consulting, sustainability, going green, environmental science, AOC, political leaders, joists, certified, vapor barrier, energy efficiency, how to install insulation, attic, doomed, fiberglass, energy bills, energy, heating, peace

Another Contractor's Job Done Wrong

With warmer weather, we tend to do more work outside around our home. Maintaining and fixing up around the house is an endless mission. Obviously, when financially feasible, one may hire a contractor to do some work or repairs. After all, some things we can't do because we know our limitations and perhaps we just want more time to do some other things, like visiting with family and friends or dare I say, just to have some time at peace praying?

Now when repairs or improvements are done in tandem with energy bills, we really don't want mistakes. However, hiring a contractor does NOT guarantee that mistakes will not happen. I can say with almost every improvement I made on my house when using an outside contractor, I found errors that would cost me more money on my energy bills.

Errors and lies were made almost all the time. Half truths were told to me just to sell me something I did not need. If the contractor took some time to realize what I was about as an Environmental Scientist and Energy Consultant, they wouldn't have been so surprised, when I questioned them about their half truths, flat out lies and errors! I must confess, seeing their mouths drop open when I hit them with facts that proved them wrong, was rewarding. Especially when they made the changes to do the job correctly.

The photo shows an old house being repaired. The outside wall was damaged and the old inefficient "bat" insulation was pulled out and replaced with new fiberglass insulation. This would be fine, but the new insulation was installed backwards and stuffed in between the wooden joists, thus compromising the integrity of the insulation. In the photo you can see the brown paper vapor barrier facing outward. This is completely wrong. The vapor barrier ALWAYS faces in toward the warmer side. Also the insulation was made for placement between joists 16 inches apart on center. These joists are 12 inches apart on center. So stuffing the insulation in with the vapor barrier facing the wrong way will cause mold and mildew build up, heat lost and condensation build up inside the wall.

These facts are the basics for insulation jobs and yet these contractors had no idea what they were doing. What makes this worse are our so called political leaders yelling for more weather stripping around doors and windows to save our Earth. Well, here is a News Flash - We have been doing those actions since the late 1970s!

How about testing contractors to be licensed? Make the tests easy by breaking the exams down for each trade or topic. For example, doing insulation jobs, then test for just that work. No need to know how to install a multi-set back thermostat or replacement windows. We test accountants, doctors, but if the world is doomed why are contractors unlicensed and free to do anything... especially when their labor produces energy inefficiency?!

I had to take classes to be certified and everyone who works on my team is certified or licensed in their field. They are experts. Therefore, all contractors need to be tested on their craft, not just the managers. I say this because after catching employees installing the wrong insulation in my attic, they called their manager and over the phone that manager tried to sell me the mistake his employees made. I knew the facts, but the average American does not! The manager that spoke to me didn't stand a chance and had no choice but to order the costly change so the job was done correctly. My house ended up being done correctly because I knew the facts as an energy consultant, but my house is only one of the many dwellings in our country. Sadly, the majority of Americans are unaware of these details and as such, across our nation, this creates an abundance of wasted energy due to uneducated, careless or corrupt contractors.

Most political leaders would do us all a world of good by stopping to pretend they are experts in everything. Most of the time they do not know what they are talking about, especially when it comes to energy and our environment.

Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
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Gray Whales

2/7/2022

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gray whales, Endangered species preservation act, sustainable living, going true green, going green, whales, extinction, nixon, we the people

North Pacific Gray Whale

Gray whales were hunted to the point of extinction by the 1950s. If the U. S. Congress didn't pass the Endangered Species Preservation Act in 1966, under President Nixon, many whales may have gone the way of the Sabertooth tiger and Dodo bird.

However, because of the Endangered Species Preservation Act and a rewrite in 1973, the eastern North Pacific gray whale became the first marine mammal removed from the Endangered Species Act's list back in 1994. They have since rebounded better than any other animal populations. The gray whale is another success story.

We are seeing more and more improvements to our planet's environment due to the actions taken decades ago. Despite the naysayers yelling otherwise to drum up more ways to make themselves money or keep power, us - the individuals, the "we the people" of decades past, are now seeing the bounty of our positive actions. The reason is simple, we did what had to be done, because it was the right thing to do. Not because we could manipulate the narrative so that we made money.

Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
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PROCESS OF ENERGY PROGRESSION

1/2/2022

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The world has stalled with our progress toward hydrogen fuel cells as an energy answer. Additionally the far left, with the acquiescence of the far right, have blocked the production of carbon free transition energy such as 4th generation safe and low waste nuclear power plants, as well as modern hydroelectric dams. Both of these energy sources would help lower our emissions as we progress toward hydrogen fuel cells. Fuel cells that will work with FREE rain water and FREE sunlight. Why is this stall taking place? So both extreme sides can make money.

Energy created by humans started with the burning of wood. From wood we made charcoal. The making of charcoal is an ancient technology. Basically make a fire in a pit, cover it with mud and later reclaim the partially combusted pieces of wood, now called charcoal, to burn again. (Charcoal burns hotter and is used today by people in poor nations.)

From charcoal, humans progressed to coal, a rock dug out of the ground; and mixed in that time frame also came energy from: wind, hydro, oil, gas, solar, nuclear, geothermal and finally the energy answer: Hydrogen Fuel Cells operating with hydrogen molecules obtained from collected FREE rain water.

Needless to say the trauma doesn’t conclude with our stalled energy progress. The process of progression for energy production is also halted in all the disadvantaged nations among us. From Haiti to the Congo the far left, with the unspoken approval of the far right, are helping to keep poor nations poor. In the name of saving the environment, the far left prevents disadvantaged nations from progressing with their energy production process like we did. Harboring arrogance and greed, while yelling, “We must help the poor,” both sides have denied these countries the transition away from wood and charcoal.

The people in disadvantaged countries become trapped by using charcoal and kerosene, causing ill health and carbon footprints that harm our environment. Who are we, in the already energy advanced countries, to tell the people who are poor that they can’t progress on their own toward better solutions?

Perhaps from one of these poor nations a young student with morals and scruples will provide us with the break-throughs for successful hydrogen fuel cells to be our world’s solution. We all know that many countries already have hydrogen fuel cell technology, sadly greed is preventing further development because after equipment purchase there is only maintenance fees, no monthly fuel or utility bills.

A hydrogen fuel cell energy answer would work with a system that collects FREE rain water and as needed, the membrane component, will separate the hydrogen molecules from the freely collected rain water (not from natural gas) with FREE electric power created from the Sun with a few solar panels. A small battery backup will suffice for cloudy days and night time because the electricity made by the fuel cell will always be recharging the battery. The hydrogen molecules run the fuel cell that makes FREE electricity to power the house, office and our car. The byproduct is water.

So because our energy answer and carbon free energy solution has an equation filled with the word FREE, greed has prevented all the established and wealthy nations around the world from reaching the energy answer goal needed for humankind.

The far left and the far right in unspoken harmony hurt the poor even more by causing harm to our world’s environment just to show a profit or secure their position in office. Let it be done through donations, fear mongering, movies, books, corrupt politicians, pseudo-education, implausible plans, suspicious deals, mislead organizations or sales of fuels such as gas and oil.

Now allow me another minute to answer the question that has been circling through everyone’s thought patterns as reading this promulgation.

Why on the topic of energy, would the far right agree with the far left?

There is information and evidence, on this ungodly agreement showing millions of dollars have exchanged from one hand to another in political donations and failed solutions. The reason for the far right to support the far left’s failed solutions are obvious. In the 1990s, both sides started in earnest to prevent the opening of safe and low waste 4th generation nuclear power plants. Nuclear power is also carbon free. In the name of the “environment,” the emphasis placed on solar and wind to replace oil, hydroelectric dams, gas and nuclear was put on steroids… while keeping their sinister secret just out of sight.

This secret has taken me some time to come to terms with, because after all, we all want to believe the sales pitch. Sadly, we are all being sold a bill of goods. The media doesn’t care about the complete truth because sensationalizing makes them far more money than journalism. Corruption can infect everyone. These dishonest people in the media, politics, Hollywood and corporations, belong to the COC, “Collective Of Corruption”.

Here is the bottom line: If solar and wind replaces oil and gas completely, more harm will be done to our environment due to the need for backup systems. The mathematical equations showing power production comparisons DO NOT add up for these systems. The far right knows this and thus, by supporting solar and wind under the table, they ensure their sales of oil and gas. Oil and gas need no backup batteries, they need no vast amount of land like solar or wind farms. The amount of harm to our environment and land confiscation for solar and wind to meet the world’s energy needs will create more problems in the long run. From carbon emissions with manufacturing to more wildlife displaced or killed as land is consumed. From short production lifespans to toxic waste buildup. The complete picture is unavoidable and unfeasible.

For example, Hydroelectric dams are not popular due to the amount of land needed to hold the built up water. This will displace wildlife and plant life. Yet, why are solar farms popular when they take up more land and produce less power per square meter? More wildlife and plant life is disrupted by solar farms. Additionally, dams last longer, use less material that is toxic in production and in recycling. Some calculations state similar solar output would use 16 times more materials and 300 times more waste than a modern dam. Then the E-Waste goes to poor nations where the toxins will leach into their ground water supply.

As far as a transition source of energy toward Hydrogen Fuel Cells that work off of rain water and on demand so we do not risk storing hydrogen, dams are better than solar. Sadly, these complete facts are not presented by the media which only wants to sensationalize the story. Some data on the scrapped plans for a modern carbon free hydroelectric dam in the Congo would produce enough electric power for the entire country… no wait, enough power for the entire continent of Africa. Thus setting the people free to improve life on their own. They could start by finding better politicians, inventing cost cutting technology for fuel cells and telling foreigners to stop mandating policies upon them under the lie of saving earth. When energy advanced countries keep people poor in energy and spirit, after their own country moves ahead and stops before hydrogen fuel cells save the world, that is a sin. Where there is hypocrisy, there is corruption.

The math doesn’t add up for solar and wind as the complete solution, nor are dams, geothermal, oil, gas and nuclear. However, for those with the authoritarian power:

The more payoffs accepted to stop transitional 4th generation nuclear plants that are safe and operate for 60 years with a fraction of waste; the more oil and gas sold.

The more land needed for solar farms and battery back ups that provide no reasonable payback or needed duration of supply; the more oil and gas sold.

The more wind farms that take up space, kill migrating birds, insects and bats, along with windless days and aged out equipment; the more oil and gas sold.

The more prevention of developing the energy answer hydrogen fuel cells, that operate on demand with water; the more oil and gas sold.

Now don’t misinterpret what I am saying, I have solar, I use solar, I produce more than I consume. However, while I have no electric bill due to my energy efficient house and solar panels, I still need to make hot water and heat my home. So I use the cleanest transition fuel available to me along with my 95% energy efficient heating system. That fuel is natural gas. The previous owner used oil with a 72% efficient heating system. When I researched using solar instead of gas, I found that I would need to double the number of solar panels that I am already using. I don’t have the space nor the money for 25 more panels. Additionally, I would need another 25 solar panels just to charge up batteries for nights and cloudy days so I could be off the grid. Again, I don’t have the space or the money. Then there is no reasonable payback on the costs for the battery backup system and I have yet to charge up any electric car. Additionally, what about the recycling issues after an expected 20 year lifespan for the panels? Read more data at my Dead Solar Panels blog post.

As an individual, I am doing the best I can on many environmental fronts. I must because this isn’t just my job, this is a passion. Yet, I am distraught, because one doesn’t have to look far to see hypocrisy like a major city pretending to help the environment with passing a policy that stops new construction from using natural gas. Electricity must be used instead, but what fuel is being used at the utility’s power plant in the neighborhood with high cases of asthma to make that electricity? Most likely oil, not a solar or wind farm. And yet these same policy makers cry out that we need environmental justice for the poor. Who is hurting the poor when you block one of the cleaner fuels, such as gas, to help us while we transition toward carbon free hydrogen fuel cells. Alas, we are not in transition anymore because monthly money can’t be made off of everyone with their own hydrogen fuel cell in their home, office and car.

These are the truths. Humankind has always faced truths such as these. Until regular honest people step up to serve the people and not get rich off of the people, we will always have the poor, along with the poor of heart, mind, soul and a politicized environment.

To LEAD, one must SERVE.
Wishing and praying for all of us to have a happy New Year.

If anyone wishes to see sources of implicating data in support of this blog, please email me with full contact info and I will be happy to respond.

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

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How Many Miles Makes A Sustainable Supply Chain?

10/26/2021

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200 miles...

Everyone talks big and loud today about being sustainable. After all, the word has become a money maker and discussing the science has fallen by the wayside. So as money is being made by many today, none of them had any contributing part in the sustainability conversations 40 or 30 or 25 years ago. In fact, they were mostly making fun of those conversations and smirking at any innovation being developed.

The far right protects money already being made and the far left is making money by having the media protect their own talking points so they can project an image of saving the world, but the fact is they are making matters worse. When hypocrisy is incited by abundant finances we have examples such as:

Demanding actions by others to save the environment and then sell rocketship joy rides to multi-millionaires that punches a new hole with each launch in our Ozone Layer for no justifiable reason.

Watch and hear the media support the celebs and politicians who took a grappling hook to reports from the IPCC, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The narrative that was created stated that we haven't taken any actions to prevent a twelve year countdown to the existential threat of climate change. Yet, even if we don't read the IPCC reports and just read their Press Release, we know the report never stated any apocalypse or twelve years to doom. How then, could we ever believe anything sold by the media, celebs and politicians?

First, I take personal insult to any claim of inaction by all us "individuals" who have been studying, working and doing actions for over 40 years now. (more about "individuals" in two paragraphs)

Second, the 2018 IPCC report talked about how we can limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above preindustrial times, by achieving a 45% reduction in our carbon emissions by 2030.

So a "money making, power grabbing and kiss my feet because I am saving the world" narrative came about from that report. The 12 years came from 2030 minus 2018 and the corrupt spin to the report has the sky falling. So why do they do this, simple: "vote me in or rent my movie". Countless unpretentious scientists, who do not get a second of the media's time, have stated the IPCC report has been misrepresented in one way or another.

However, we are taught today to blame another, but who is the other? Who operates or controls the market, society or business? An "individual" is our answer. Who owns a business? Who is in government office? Who has a big microphone because they are a famous person? Who is the Chair of an organization? Who is the CEO of a media network? An "individual" will be the answer. Now none of that is an issue when said individual has high morality and scruples, because those individuals, like you and I, are the heroes and the solution. However, the problems we now face are from our individual attitudes and the corruption of an individual. A complete and in depth view reveals that the true reasons come from: greed, indifferences, misguided goals, misinformed conclusions, lack of morals and virtue, self righteous assessments that place a higher value on one self over other humans, animals, and nature. These elites ignore long term consequences “So Not” to spend more money on a better way or solution; knowing there will be no consequences in their lifetime as long as the media covers for them. Thus in one word: anthropocentrism.

So the media misrepresents the truth by being sensationalists in order to make money and negates being journalists. According to many headlines, captions, reports, summaries, soundbites and editorials, in 2015, the media manipulated versions of Pope Francis' Encyclical Letter on caring for our common home. This is just one more example of how the media extracted selected verbiage and then claimed that the Pope blames man’s society and markets for creating Climate Change.

When reading the Encyclical letter, we learn that Pope Francis provided that while our creativity has produced products, actions, and inventions that are contributing to Climate Change, that is not where we should place blame. In fact, Pope Francis states that humankind has invented amazing products, produced life saving actions, and has wonderful accomplishments. The blame falls not upon “WHAT” we have, but the “HOW” we use them.

Does the last line above from the Pope's letter, sound like a joy ride in a rocket? Thus, to conclude this blog on the current events from my title, let us venture from joy rides into space that go as high as 52 to 62 miles up, to a sustainable supply chain that has an approximate 200 mile radius. Not half way around the world that equals 11,000 kilometers or 6,800 miles. Yet, that is what we have for many of the items that we NEED. The difference between a supply of items that we NEED to be sustainable from 200 miles away to 7,000 miles, is life and death. Perhaps now we really have the sky falling? Why do we have corporations and politicians allowing items such as medicines, a NEED - not a WANT, to be made nowhere in the United States? Ingredients for medicine isn't a "want" such as a component for a video game and should not be shipped from thousands of miles away.

Everything is connected, but a sustainable supply chain beyond 200 miles for items that we NEED is a farce. Where we are today for the items we need to be sustainable is a lie. Ships are lined up off the coast of California almost half way back to China. The same goes for any NEED coming from beyond 200 miles in any direction. Our crooked politicians and corrupt individuals are walking us to an edge of a cliff with a drop-off that is greater than the descent of "joy ride" rockets.

To LEAD, one must serve all others. Just like someone taught us, some 2,000 years ago.

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

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Harvest of Mine and You Can Too

10/10/2021

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I am not a farmer, I only have about 10 feet by 25 feet of space to grow food and I do the best that I am capable of within my own budget of time, money and knowledge. This available space that I use is almost half my back yard. I am thankful for that amount of ground and I have chosen to grow food over using the space for any of the other outdoor elements people enjoy. Why?

So I can eat fresh amazing tasting food, so I can share the same with family and friends, so I can appreciate what is "needed" for a happy life, not what is "wanted". So I can enjoy the wonder shown on the faces of those who taste a carrot just harvested from the earth for the first time, so I can watch the smile grow on a child after they enjoy the grape jam just made or the astonished look on my father when he says: "This is the most delicious tomato I ever had, and I have eaten many tomatoes over my 89 years of life!" And the last reason is to be more humus, the Latin humus definition.

I am sharing all this because I am not only thankful to God for what I Harvest, I am shocked at how well my organic food growing has turned out. Due to this, I want to offer support and confidence to everyone else with a yard, windowsill, rooftop or empty field to do the same. Just imagine if we all used the space available to us to grow food how that would change the world. More organic food means less chemicals, more food for those in need and delicious amazing fresh meals made for those that come over to share a table and give thanks with us.

Now please do not assume that I have everything working out so easily. While this year has produced the most produce for me, I also had the most in failed crops. I had planted 8 Brussel sprout plants and lost all to insects, my sweet pea crop was almost ready to harvest and then turned white as they died off, and the scallions I planted have failed to sprout. Nevertheless, my harvest can be your kind of harvest within your available space, time and money.

The images playing in the video above are some dishes made and food grown. In total so far this year, I harvested the following with the help of my own compost material that I used for topsoil and nutrients:

6 Beets, one plant
82 cucumbers, one plant
15 Zucchini, one plant
491 Cherry Tomatoes and counting, one plant
10 Roma Tomatoes and counting, one plant
12 White Eggplant and counting, three plants
10 Purple Eggplant and counting, one plant
5 Green Peppers and counting, one plant
14 carrots and counting

I also had / have blueberries, grapes, figs, onions and several herbs growing in cedar wood pots.

Start small like I did so many years ago and slowly "grow" into the most you can grow. Each year is a new experience and the learning curve improves year after year. Changing the world as an individual with God's guidance is the only way our environment, our happiness and our future will be secured.

Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
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The Rain Collection

7/28/2021

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rain barrel, rain collection, save water, water, storm water, cisterns, Bermuda, water collection, water bill, groundwater, alternative water supply, rain barrels, sustainable living, drinkable water, economist, Thomas Malthus, rainwater, rainwater capture, rain basins, gardens

Rain Collection with Rock Look

Our world's supply of clean drinkable water is not increasing, yet the number of humans living on our planet is growing. (Some have estimated that our supply of clean drinkable water is less than 1% of all the water on Earth.)

I have recently heard some very well educated and well-to-do people express the view of economist Thomas Malthus who argued that the continued increases in the world's population would overtake the development of sufficient crops and drinkable water, thus diminishing our ability to sustain ourselves. Mr. Malthus lived 1766 to 1834 and as for the people of today expressing this argument, I disagree 100%. Mr. Malthus was wrong with his doomsday outlook then and those claiming the same today are also wrong.

Are these people stating this chilling statement today suggesting that the recommendation made by Ebenezer Scrooge in Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, should be implemented?

As a reminder, Scrooge is visited by two benefactors wishing to collect provision for the destitute at Christmas time. Scrooge angrily replies that prisons and workhouses are the only institutions he is willing to support. One of the benefactors states that many can’t go there; and many would rather die. Scrooge then takes the Malthusian view to another level by claiming that the poor and ill are surplus to the needs of society and if they would rather die, they’d better do it, and decrease the surplus population.

Later in the novel A Christmas Carol, Scrooge's own words are used against him by asking if he will get to decide who lives or dies? No human has that right over another human.

Additionally, the nay sayers harboring this pessimistic prediction are wrong because they omit the ingenuity of free men and women. They are wrong because they have no faith in humankind coming together as one team to find another way, like we have done time after time. Additionally, they are fearful of this doomsday outcome, because in my opinion, they are most likely Godless.

Having a collection, a Rain Collection, is the most valued collection we can have. Water Is Our Most Precious Commodity and by clicking on those words highlighting the title of our on-line Water class for all GTG members, more info on our membership page will open. So what do I see that makes me believe in a positive outcome with our drinking water supply?

For years I have been collecting rainwater off my roof to reduce my water use outside. People all over the world are using systems to collect rain water that are centuries old. The Island of Bermuda probably leads the world in collecting rain water off rooftops and not just for outside use, but also for drinking.

I have rain barrels, but more and more people are setting up cistern systems for an alternative supply of water. This reduces the use of groundwater, reduces storm water run off that will reduce litter entering our sewers that go directly to our waterways and reduces our water bills. When collected off a slate roof, the collected rain water can be used to wash off outdoor items, such as chairs or a car. When rain water is filtered and distilled properly from a well maintained slate roof and cistern system that has regular tests checking for bacteria, then washing clothes, showering, and drinking becomes possible.

With additional water supplies, gardens abound creating an increase in food access. Neighborhood carbon footprints are reduced as all people come together to share, promote, educate in the areas of health, nutrition and growing crops. Rain basins, rainwater capture and new water infrastructures utilizing new techniques or old, help our environment. Homeowners can save thousands of gallons of water each year. I have 4 barrels holding a total of 225 gallons of water and they are filled at least 7 times per year. That is approximately 1,575 gallons of water saved per year, just by me. So yes, Mr. Malthusian, Mr. Scrooge and some powerful people of today, your predictions have been and will still be proven wrong just as long as humankind has faith and is free.

Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
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ANNIVERSARY OF OIL COMPANY’S REPRISAL

6/29/2021

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Bosch, heating, oil, oil heat, sustainable living, sustainable actions, going green, going true green, sustainable steps, saving on heating bills, net zero house, oil companies, SSE, green house, global warming, co2, political leaders, paybacks, new windows, saving energy, helping the environment

OIL DROP

Twenty years ago I was using oil as the fuel to heat my house. This year is the Twentieth Anniversary of when I was shocked by an incontrovertible reprisal from my oil company. That is correct, steps were taken against me for the actions I took to save energy and our environment. There were no congratulations or rewards offered. I was scolded and punished for being successful. This wasn’t that much different from when I was scolded by my previous employer, a utility company. I was the manager leading their energy saving auditing department and we went well over our pre-set quota for teaching homeowners and companies how to save energy. That wasn’t acceptable according to the VP, but that is another story for another time.

Here is my story with the facts about my house and the oil delivery company…

The previous owners of the house had informed me that they were consuming a minimum of 1,200 gallons of oil per year. I knew that amount could be lower.

The “Heating System” for the house produced heat for the winter months and domestic hot water all year round for Faucets, Showers and the Clothes Washer. I did not have a Dish Washer appliance, but used hot water when washing dishes by hand.

The “Heating System” had 3 parts:

1st - Oil was the fuel
2nd - The boiler that created the heat
3rd - Hot water baseboards delivery the created heat throughout the house

So after moving in, I immediately changed the 1970 thermostats to new Multi-Set back programable clock thermostats. When the oil company’s manager, who my family knew and bought oil from for 40 years, saw my new thermostats - he lied to my face via the process of omission! After all, he probably was thinking, how much can this young kid know?

He proceeded to tell me that turning down the heat at night with these new thermostats would cost me more money, because I would be burning more oil in the morning to get the house warm again. I wasted my money buying them and I should return them, was his final proclamation.

Yet, the facts remained. My house wasn’t that old and the pervious owners added insulation and a new 81% efficient Retention Head boiler that replaced the old Steam heat unit from the 1940s. They also installed throughout the house a new Baseboard delivery of the heat to replace the steam radiators. The oil company’s manager omitted those facts from our conversation to secure his narrative.

My savings with the new thermostats was good, but not tremendous. Perhaps I decided to go “tremendous” because of being told calculated lies created through the omission of certain facts. At least that was the catalyst for me working in earnest to really save, save big and save fast.

Over the next two years I addressed all three parts of the Heating System and lowered the consumption of oil from 1,200 gallons of oil per year to ONLY 290, then 250 gallons per year!

What I did was not Rocket Science. I implemented logic, current technology and trade secrets. Below is a list of what I did after changing the thermostats:
*I did an SSE test on the boiler. SSE is a Steady State Efficiency test and ALL Oil Heating systems need this test EVERY year. If you don't have an Access hole on your boiler's stack, the SSE test was never done! See image below. Details about this are available through previous Going True Green blog posts and in our GTG Membership.

*I put in a separate Hot Water Heater that used Natural Gas as the fuel, not oil.

Wrapped Hot Water Pipes

*The next action was wrapping all the Hot Water pipes with insulated foam.
See image on left.
*The Biggest action, which immediately saved 1/3 the oil I was using, was the addition of a Cold Start Control Panel. See box mounted on right side of my heating unit in first image below. This cost $400.00 and I saved that within the first winter! Details about this are available through previous Going True Green blog posts and will be available in our GTG Membership.
Just type in “Cold Start Boiler” in the Search box at the very top of this page.

Cold Start Control Panel

clock thermostat, thermostats, Bosch, heating, oil, oil heat, sustainable living, sustainable actions, going green, going true green, sustainable steps, saving on heating bills, net zero house, oil companies, SSE, green house, global warming, co2, political leaders, paybacks, new windows, saving energy, helping the environment

Multi-Set Back Thermostat

Access Hole for SSE Test

*Then I added additional insulation giving me a higher R value. Details about this are available through previous Going True Green blog posts and will be available in our GTG Membership. You can also use the Search box for Insulation.
*I changed shower heads and faucets to low flow efficient ones.
*I caulked each 1942 window in the house and put new weather stripping around the doors since I did not have the money to change all my windows and doors to new ones. Additionally, the payback with changing windows is found in comfort and connivence, not dollar savings. For more info about this fact, please see my previous 6/15/21 GTG blog called: The Big Picture Review

So after two years of energy saving actions, I was using as little as 250 gallons of home heating oil per year. This was such an apparent astonishment for my oil company that they responded not by offering me any congratulatory comments, but by demanding I buy 800 gallons minimum per year. When I stated that wasn’t possible, because I was only consuming 250 gallons held in a tank that only holds 250 gallons, they retaliated by refusing to sell oil to me. They dropped me as a customer, because I didn’t buy enough oil from them. Perhaps they thought I was buying oil from another company between their oil deliveries. Of course this was a completely false presumption.

I asked if what they were doing was legal and apparently, yes. They could sell or not sell, to anyone they want. Wow, a heating fuel that is a necessity to keep warm, to keep alive through the cold winter months and they could just drop me on the spot. This isn’t like buying some other product that we could still live without. Utility companies can’t just shut off your electricity due to a few unpaid bills, they have to wait months and investigate the complete story behind the belated payments. Yet, an oil heating company can just drop us like a rock. Thank you political leaders NOT really looking out for us or our environment.

NEW 95% EFFICIENT HEATING UNIT

Over the years I purchased oil directly from other oil companies who offered the lowest price until I was able to upgrade to a 95% efficient instant hot water heating system.

So the moral of this story is to do your homework and then implement. Don’t wait for some government or politician or celebrity or company or organization to save the day for you. They haven't and they won't.
You are the super hero !

Today I have a Net Zero house for electricity and still working toward True Green within my own budget of time and money. One more thing, I am doing this without sacrificing anything in order to save, because there is always another way for accomplishing.

Yes, this is a Happy Anniversary.

Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
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