GoingTrueGreen's Blog Postings

EMFs

4/11/2025

I have received many questions on EMFs (Electromagnetic Fields) and last week some new friends
(J and J) wanted to know some information on the topic. I realized placing some data up in a GTG blog would be helpful, so if you are also interested in data on EMFs, please see below:

EMF, EMFs, electric, magnetic, electromagnetic fields, radiation

First, the basic characteristics of EMFs depend on the frequency. They can be electric, magnetic, electromagnetic fields, and radiation. However, EMPs are NOT the same as radiation. There is a relationship, but not the same. EMFs travel in the form of waves, and we characterize them based on their energy, frequency, and wavelength.

As far as products blocking EMFs, I would say the claims are probably exaggerated greatly. Even the Federal Trade Commission reports that there is no scientific proof that products reduce exposure to electromagnetic radiation. We do have items like solid lead to block radiation, but that is not EMFs.

What science does know for sure is that we should be at least 3 feet away from electronic equipment when in use. This is because after 3 feet, EMFs from small appliances drop virtually to zero. That means computers should be at arm-length away, plugged-in alarm clocks that are on night stands should be three feet or arm-length away from your head. Cell phones should be charging in the other room when you sleep. Do not keep them charging on your night stand or in your bedroom when sleeping. Use the speaker on your cell phone all the time, do not hold the phone to your ear for call, after call, after call. Now all the studies that I know of - state that harm is registered for young children and women who are pregnant. Do not have kids play outside that is near or under High Voltage Power lines. School yards next to these High Voltage Lines should be moved in order to be safe for the kids. Why risk something that studies are still researching because of identifiable concerns. Us adults seem to show a good tolerance against EMF, but children who are growing, and pregnant women, have a higher risk. Long term damage for all of us? - we do not know as of yet.

A very good friend, who is an artist, sent me the video above. Note how the EMF meter shows an increase as he moves the meter closer to the overhead light. The readout decreases to ZERO as he moves back down, more than 3 feet away. To see more of his paintings visit: Paintings by Ross Barbera

One interesting study was done with a four foot long fluorescent bulb directly under a High Voltage tower with these power lines. As night fell, a six foot ladder was climbed by a person with rubber gloves and shoes while holding a four foot fluorescent bulb up over his head. The fluorescent tube started to glow ever so slightly. The EMFs coming off the High Voltage Lines above excited the phosphorus inside the fluorescent tube to the point that it started to glow slightly against the dark sky.

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

This Easter, read the facts and the truth behind Jesus' burial Shroud known as The Shroud of Turin !

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Helene the Hurricane: part three of three

11/21/2024

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Realizing Solutions:

New York City’s study and report for a stronger and more resilient coastal edge was well done after Sandy hit the New York area. However, key areas of New York City need additional ten foot high naturally decorated berms with walkways and benches on top of the current 10 foot, 2 inch high edge. Since eighteen foot storm surges come with Category Five storms, twenty feet should be the minimum. Building along the edge of land is far cheaper than building a causeway with gates out in the harbor which would offer little protection. Think about all the water on the harbor side of those expensive gates. The 150 mph wind will be blowing all the water on both sides of those gates and all that water inside the harbor will still come up onto the streets of New York City.

Super Storm Sandy, Sandy, hurricanes, going green, global warming, bill lauto, going true green, gtg, sandy one year later

Area should be 10 ft. higher. Why are the lights on in the middle of the day?

Salt Marshes, Primary and Secondary Sand dunes with a catch basin, needs to be recreated by humankind along the beaches. Nature gave us these protections for free and we filled them in or we plowed them under. Boardwalks must be incorporated into the natural protection of Primary Sand dunes and we cannot leave openings in our first line of defense. We can no longer ignore what nature has taught us for the sake of an ocean view.

Everywhere in the United States needs to start sealing wires underground over the next twenty years. This should be done systematically for the main roads as they are repaved or repaired. Then with priority businesses on the main roads not losing power, repair crews will be able to attend to downed neighborhood lines that much faster. Wood poles should be replaced with stronger poles like the ones used in Florida, where the lines can’t be placed underground due to the water table just a few feet below the surface. Since these types of upgrades have been spoken about for decades, but never ratified because of the claim that cost is unaffordable, a true comparison by an outside firm should be done against the costs to make twenty years of hurricane repairs. I am presenting this request because of the understanding I received on sealing power lines underground when I worked for an electric utility. The following may stand true: Burying power lines is too expensive for the power company when they have to use their own profits to do the work instead of profits going to share holders.

When a hurricane hits and significant repairs are needed, about every ten years in the Northeast, assistance and repair money comes from the government. Yes, us tax payers, thus it is cheaper to do repairs with tax payer’s dollars instead of burying power lines with their own profits. Thus, no more tax payer bailouts for repair costs. Power companies will have to establish a fund with their own profits for repairs. Immediately you will find twenty years of hurricane repairs is much more expensive than burying power lines along main roads. Also I am not opposed to the government reimbursing a utility for burying power lines equal to the repair amount provided for an average storm. This will be done only once after all the main roads that can host buried power lines have been completed.

We also have to better understand our "changing climates" and stop the assumptions from both camps. Both sides believe they have all the data, I believe we just opened the book and finished the introduction. Yes, there are risks. I choose to error on the side of caution. Nevertheless, realize that whatever we do to help our world from our current changing climates, that will not stop us from being hammered by hurricanes. They are part of our planet’s nature, so we cannot do one solution for and ignore dealing with the infrastructure problems, and most importantly microscopic plastic pollution in our oceans that is killing our Prochlorococcus, which is the invisible green forest in our oceans. These microscopic marine cyanobacteria are probably the most abundant organism on Earth. For millions of years they have made our oxygen. So the panic claim made by some people with a big loud speaker about the Rain Forests being the lungs of Earth, is not true. The oceans are the vast production mechanism to create oxygen, and we must be smart about cleaning up the plastic in our waterways or we may suffocate ourselves. (Dear Media: Please do not make this a prediction, and run with it to scare everyone just so that your media network can sell more ads, and make more money. Present the complete picture, even when boring.)

We have to stop the money making lies and work together as one team.

To see our video on this topic consider becoming a GoingTrueGreen member with GTG Membership Link at top of page.
Then as a GTG Member you can take the three part video class!

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

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Helene the Hurricane: part two of three

11/7/2024

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Evaluating Storms:

To qualify as a hurricane, the new May 15, 2012 Saffir-Simpson Scale shows a maximum sustained wind between 74 and 95 miles per hour (mph) with a storm surge of 4 to 5 feet above normal to be a Category One storm. With Superstorm Sandy, that had circular rotation with an eye, but the storm didn’t meet all the qualifications to be a hurricane. The larger than normal size, the wind gusts up to 90 or 95 mph and larger storm surge still doesn’t qualify, but none of that makes any difference to all those people who lost their house, their memories, their lives.

Despite Sandy’s ranking falling short of hurricane status, we had things far worst with that storm because, this was the first storm to hit at high tide and with a full moon. This was the main reason for a storm surge along the coast that had a wave height characteristic of a category three or four hurricane, not climate change. Nevertheless, with that said, that does not mean changing climates are not real!

With Helene, as the storm moved inland, new warnings should have been issued for people to evacuate near rivers due to the strong possibility of Flash Floods going over the top of river banks. The amount of rain fall was tremendous, but wheater outlets seemed to think the people on higher ground need not worry. That proved to be a horrible error. Even people in the mountain area, but by rivers, lost their property and many lost their lives.

Power Lines Hanging Like Spaghetti

Old and Antiquated:

How complacent have we become that we tolerate zero protection along the water and an infrastructure that is 70 years old? Water pours onto the city streets to flood tunnels, parking garages, and basements of apartment complexes. Flash Floods override river banks and we wonder why? We have power lines hanging like spaghetti from wood poles installed by Ma Bell in 1940. We disobey Mother Nature’s rules and then we use Global Warming to place fault. Next we claim we are shocked, shocked to find so much destruction, but we still all want to collect our winnings. Yes, like the lines in a classic movie, the root to all this is money. Profits or paying share holders all comes first before improving our infrastructure to save lives in the future.

The last part of this Going True Green blog post will be at the end of this month. Until then, also consider seeing our three part video as a member... Hurricanes: The Situation, Problems and Solutions

To see our video on this topic consider becoming a GoingTrueGreen member with GTG Membership Link at top of page.
Then as a GTG Member you can take the three part video class!

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

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Helene the Hurricane: part one of three

10/29/2024

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View of a Hurricane on Earth from Space

As men, women, and children, still struggle to get some respite from the hurricane named Helene, we hope and pray that everyone will be doing better before this Thanksgiving Day.

As I wrote after Super Storm Sandy hit, we must have a process to identify the prevailing causes for this much destruction. On the political front, blame is quickly placed on Climate Change and humankind's lack of effort to curtail this phenomena. On the financial front we have humankind's complacent attitude that favors the status quo and increasing profits. Before we can identify proper solutions, data must be collected, evaluated, and realized. We must have a complete picture! Let’s start again with what is given to us and what we take away.

Disrespecting God’s Green Earth:

Our green planet provides us with FREE protection from storms along the coast and rivers. However for some reason, we humans, think we know better. Mother Nature gives us Salt Marshes, a natural Rain Basin (aka: Catch Basin) between Primary and Secondary Sand Dunes along beaches that are held together by vegetation such as: Marram grass, Lichen, or Bayberry. If you never seen this natural protection when visiting a beach, that is because humankind removed them!

We look at a Salt Marsh with money in mind and so we fill in the Salt Marsh to build a football stadium. We drive dune buggies over the vegetation along the beach just for self satisfaction and build where natural sand dunes once existed. We have failed to realize that a Salt Marsh filled with detritus is the “Super Market” for life in the ocean. If we fill in a Salt Marsh where fish lay eggs, then don’t wonder why there are less fish! We are not over-fishing, we are aborting the birth of new fish by removing nature's incubators! To feed ourselves, we should be creating a multitude of new salt marshes, especially to replace the ones we destroyed. Our food chain has already been disastrously affected for centuries, and this is completely our fault. Case, and Point: Remember the TV show Cheers? Well, in Boston the real Cheers Pub is called the Bull Finch Pub, and that building - that whole area - is built on a Land-Fill. A landfill that filled in a Salt Marsh, and that was done in the 1700s!

If we fill in a Salt Marsh where fish lay eggs, then don’t wonder why there are less fish! We are not over-fishing, we are aborting the birth of new fish by removing nature's incubators!

We build cities up to the edge of river banks, and along ocean beaches. Then we argue over who should pay for the reconstituted beaches that were washed away in a storm, because there was no natural protection for all those private beach houses along the water. Beach houses sometimes owned by people who voted against replacing sand dunes and salt marshes so not to disrupt their view of the water!

We scream the oceans are rising and fail to realize 40% of those areas with higher water levels are sinking because of us and I do not mean with changing climates. The land is sinking because we remove natural protections, we build towering buildings, and cities adding massive weight to the land, and then we pump out of the ground all the clean drinking water, which lowers the underground water tables causing the land to sink.

We "want" a water view by the ocean or river, we do not "need" that view. Our government says, "Yes, yes, go ahead build there, here is your permit." Why? So they can collected more TAXES at a premium because we want that water view. This also applies to those views from mountain slopes in California. The government knows about the high risk for mud slides, but hand out building permits anyway so they can collect premium tax dollars. They know about a river's flood plain, an ocean's destructive power especially when all natural protection has been removed. Yet, they want to collect more premium taxes! Then they acted shocked when property damage is so massive and lives are lost.

Yet, the premium views can still be obtainable while respecting nature and nature's natural protection zones. Just build behind the natural protection and a little higher for the view. Alas, just like there are no protective basement requirements written into the building codes for areas in tornado zones... We allow homes and businesses to be built along river banks and beaches. All these areas by water should be (to name just a few examples) parks, playgrounds, camping sites, ball fields, nature studies, outdoor educational classrooms, picnic grounds, "under the sky" concert areas, fishing locations, schools for lessons to swim / fish / surf / dive, SCUBA diving, vacation houses, community meeting places, trails for bicycles, walking, and hiking. If the land is privately owned, the owners can rent or operate the land for any of the above uses and more. In other words... These areas are for visiting, and should all be deserted in bad weather! Greed must be removed from the equation by both people and government!

To see our video on this topic consider becoming a GoingTrueGreen member with GTG Membership Link at top of page.
Then as a GTG Member you can take the three part video class!

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

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Unwrapping A Real Issue

12/28/2023

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All the gifts have been opened, the wrapping paper recycled, and we are eliminating the plastic decorations outside that are worn down by nature's weathering.

Yet, non-biodegradable and unrecyclable plastic remains. Plastic that will continue to reduce in size, and enter our environment via our air, our water, and our soil. Thus enter into our body's organs.
[More details here]

Additionally, these plastic particles end up in our oceans. Plastic pollution in our oceans has shown that this is a Real Issue manifesting damage to our Ocean's Prochlorococcus organisms. Prochlorococcus make up our invisible green forest in our oceans. These microscopic marine cyanobacteria are probably the most abundant organism on Earth. For millions of years they have made our oxygen. The Rain Forests has been labeled "the lungs of Earth" by those without all the facts. The truth really is that our oceans provide the support to our Prochlorococcus organisms that are really Earth's lungs. Ironically, our oceans that lack oxygen to support our living capabilities under water, actually provide us with the majority of our oxygen that we need to live on land.

We already know Prochlorococcus are being damaged by plastic pollution in our oceans, so perhaps a closer look is needed by all of us to see the small amounts of plastic around us. Plastic that will only become smaller and microscopic. Plastic such as:

Christmas, wrapping paper, plastic glitter, sparkles, wrapping paper, recycled, plastic decorations, weathering, non-biodegradable, unrecyclable, Plastic, environment, air, water, soil,

Click Image to Enlarge

From colorful decorative plastic wraps on the ends of toothpicks to sparkling Glitter found on wrapping paper, cards, and decorations. Also glitter is sold for art and crafts by the thousands in a small plastic tube. Each and every plastic piece of glitter is notorious!

They get everywhere, and are not easy to clean up! Blow up the photo and take a closer look at what you may breathing, eating, or drinking!

This is a real issue without any predictions for a day of doom or a morning of sunshine. This is just science stating facts so we can make a difference. So we can be part of a team taking action like the way it use to be in the seventies and eighties of the last century. No panic, just action, no plots to get 15 minutes of fame or to make money. Just people, coming together to fix and end an issue about pollution. Just like that commercial I saw so many years ago when I was young... Click Here

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

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Page Through the History and Future of Alley Pond

11/28/2023

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Alley Pond, Alley Pond Park, Alley Pond Environmental Center, William Nieter, St. John's University, Queens, Queens New York, sustainability, environmental science, environmental studies, saving nature, save trees, pons, goingtruegreen

My undergraduate professor, William Nieter, just published a book that embodies a necessary understanding of the connection between humans and nature. His book is titled: The Story of Alley Pond, past, present, and future.

Without hesitation he presents the fact that this relationship between humankind and nature, is his passion. The Introduction of his book immediately speaks of the contrast between natural and artificial with these words:

“This pond, born into a wilderness setting, witnessed the great rural to urban transition of the 19th and 20th centuries. It saw the first paved highways and the first automobiles replace forest trails and horse drawn wagons. It stood silent as the shadow of the city approached and then passed over the valley.”

Additionally, Nieter’s altruism is apparent as all profits from the sale of this book go to support the environmental education programs at the Alley Pond Environmental Center in Queens, New York. Please visit AMAZON to order his book.

I meet professor Nieter at Saint John’s University in my sophomore year after I joined the Environmental club. Since I was majoring in Environmental Studies, I was soon under his tutelage in his classes. I thoroughly enjoyed the field trips and challenges created by Professor Nieter. The importance for everyone to go on field trips and be outside, is vital. Especially in today’s world of Virtual Reality.

By the time I finished my senior year, I had taken field trips throughout the 655.3 acres of Alley Pond park and even explored the salt marches that added up to over a 1,000 acres of nature that was fighting to come back to life. The recovery of Alley Pond was truly seen in 1998 because of the leaders and volunteers at Alley Pond Environmental Center. I remember many visits to the Center that originally opened on November 14, 1976 at 228-06 Northern Boulevard, Little Neck, New York. The events and meetings always had a mission. Years later, I even found myself sitting on a 'discussion panel' at the Center during the PlaNYC 2030 event on April 30, 2009.

Every family in the New York City area should visit the Center with their children or grandchildren. For additional information about various events, please visit the Alley Pond Environmental Center’s Link at: ALLEY POND

As I read The Story of Alley Pond, I found myself taking a trip through time. The historical story starts with the Pond’s creation. The reader is propelled up to Colonial times, then, through Industrial and current times. Concluding with an all important look into the future. After reading this book, a walk through a park or a field trip to the woods, is definitely a requirement for everyone.

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

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Climate and The Shroud of Turin

4/7/2023

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The Morning Brew, Joe Malerba, Bill Lauto, Shroud, Shroud of Turin, Sudarium, Oviedo, Climate, Climate 2,000 years ago, climate facts, Easter, Jesus the Son of God

The Podcast called "The Morning Brew" with Joe Malerba interviewed me this past Palm Sunday. The topic was about the Shroud of Turin and I touched upon the scientific data we have that presents what the climate was like in Jerusalem 2,000 years ago. I have researched the connections between the environment and the elements that involve Jesus' burial cloth for several years.

First let us evaluate information about the Sudarium, translation means a sweat cloth, one was used to cover Jesus' face before He was removed from the cross and buried. This meets Jewish tradition that the life blood of a person must be saved and buried with that person. This face cloth held that blood and bodily fluids. Men having a Sudarium cloth, about two feet squared, always tied around their neck, was common. This cloth facilitated the wiping of sweat from one's face in the hot climate. The Sudarium, now kept in Spain, has 120 points of contact and patterns that match the Shroud with computer accuracy. The Sudarium dates back to Jerusalem for the year 616 AD by written documents. Additional information brings the Sudarium back to 400 AD Jerusalem. There is no image on the Sudarium because the cloth would have been removed when Jesus was placed on his Sindone, aka Shroud or burial cloth. Perhaps John used his own Sudarium that was around his neck to cover Jesus’ face. He was the youngest and the only apostle at the foot of the cross. Both clothes were found in the tomb on Easter morning as written in John's Gospel.

Sudarium of Oviedo, Spain

Top half image from the Shroud of Turin, left side seen with unaided eyes, right side with depth/3D after a picture is taken with photographic film and developed.

Now, what climate facts support men wearing a Sudarium around the neck in Jerusalem 2,000 years ago:
Just one of several studies done is from the frozen lake bed at the top of Mount Kenya. Quoting the original ScienceDaily article, “A sudden warming of climate lasting several centuries took place in equatorial Africa some 2,000 years ago, according to a new study reported by a Weizmann Institute of Science-led team in the August 14 issue of Science.”

Research scientists performed isotopic analysis of the sediments from Hausberg Tarn, a small lake at an altitude of 4,350 meters on a slope of Mt. Kenya. The top of Mt. Kenya is at 4,600-4,700 meters and is covered by permanent glaciers. Scientists found that a rapid and significant warming of lake water, around 4 degrees Celsius, took place between the years 350 BC and 450 AD, reflecting a warming of climate that probably allowed the Roman Empire to conquer as far north as Scotland.

To have all the facts is always critical and code red to know the complete picture. From the Weizmann Institute report and others, we know for the time period stated above, temperatures were about 4 degrees celsius above our pre-industrial era temperatures. Currently, we are 1.5 degrees celsius above. So 2,000 years ago a rough estimate would put midday temperatures in Jerusalem during the month of April around 93 degrees Fahrenheit. Additionally, there is environmental data from the Dead Sea's soil excavation that backs up the actual date of the first Good Friday, the earthquakes, and how the day grew dark at noon. There was no solar eclipse that afternoon, but there was a dust storm kicked up by the earthquakes. Upon moon rise that evening, NASA data shows there was a blood red moon rising on Jerusalem due to a lunar eclipse. These events are cited and recorded and only one date meets all the prerequisites: April 3, 33 AD

One more point... There are dozens of facts showing the Shroud is 2,000 years old and the 1988 Carbon 14 tests done on the Shroud of Turin, outside of all proper scientific protocol, have been retracted and are no longer valid. Jesus did one last miracle 2,000 years ago for us today with our technology. He gave us a full front and back photograph of Himself to show that he understands life on earth, the joy and the suffering — the worst kind of suffering. He is with us, He is on our team — humankind, and because of Him, there is existence beyond this earth.

Happy Easter and Peace Be with Us All,
Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
Contribute your comments!

L. J. Williams, Upper Room, Bill Lauto, Shroud, Shroud of Turin, Sudarium, Oviedo, Climate, Climate 2,000 years ago, climate facts, Easter, Jesus the Son of God

When did you last read a book that not only opened up doors and windows, but removed the roof and four walls of containment?

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Does 5G Have A Counter Punch?

4/29/2022

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5G, EMF, FCC, Department of Interior, 777, Wi-Fi, Johns Hopkins University, University of Washington, wireless, cell phones, lead-lined holster, cell towers, radiation, radio-frequency, infrastructure, sustainable living, 5G network, GoingTrueGreen

A Cell Phone Tower

Some twenty years ago, before the Feds quietly told phone manufacturers to reduce the stand-by power of all cell phones by 50%, I had my cell in my own homemade lead-lined holster. A nice felt material wrapped the lead that hung on my belt between my body and the phone’s antenna which was the main source of Electromagnetic fields (EMF). Once the level of stand-by power, aka cellular radiation, was dropped, I dropped attempts to run tests that would determine how well my lead shield performed. Nevertheless, I had a conversation starter on my belt and an accessory that placed me in predicaments at airports because x-rays couldn't see through the lead.

My lead-lined phone case was retired soon after, but here we are again with multiple studies and reports from researchers that show how EMFs produced by the new wireless 5G infrastructure rolling across America may cause harm to living organisms. The research released is a three part review around 150 pages long from Johns Hopkins University and the University of Washington. Apparently the FCC didn’t do a complete study before giving the “green light” to roll-out 5G cell towers from coast to coast. Courts have now ruled that the FCC did not do enough to address facts or evidence connecting radio-frequency radiation to negative health effects.

So immediately we have an uphill battle just for wanting to know facts, causes and effects. Even with the Department of the Interior citing 5G issues with migratory birds and studies from universities, we have CNN in 2020 saying all the talk is a conspiracy and experts say not to worry. Okay, then show the proof that there is absolutely no harm being done by non-ionizing electromagnetic fields produced from 5G and Wi-Fi infrastructures. Below is a list of who or what can be effected:

Amphibians such as frogs, bats, bees, birds, cervids such as deer, cetaceans such as dolphins, insects, microbes, reptiles, seals, species of flora, humans and Boeing 777 planes at airports.

Seems like we the people have to show proof that harm is being done, but when reports are released, so too are the hounds of greed. Politicians and the media who hold the power have their narrative for making money broadcasted loud and clear. Meanwhile, regular people who ask questions and do studies are blocked out.

If the FCC did their job in the first place and was completely transparent, the world would be a better place. At this rate, all of nature and humankind may need a little more than my homemade lead-lined holster, so get ready for the sale pitch on CNN that all will be okay in your new lead-lined home.

I am sorry, I hate to be cynical, but I am tired of blatant incompetence by those who are supposed to be serving us the people. To LEAD, one must SERVE.

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

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The Big Picture Review

6/15/2021

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Percy vs Goliath, GMO, going true green, going green, sustainable living, sustainability, artistic license, supreme court, big picture, landmark cases, agricultural, farmers, farming, GMO seeds

American-Canadian-Indian biographical film

I recently watched the movie Percy vs Goliath and while this Going True Green blog post is not a movie review, I am using this as a segue way to present a glimpse of the Big Picture, that is our environment.

First, here is some historical background on the movie Percy vs Goliath. The film is based on a true story and did not deviate much or exaggerate much in the name of “artistic license” or to create action scenes. Percy was a small Canadian farmer who defended himself in a landmark case all the way to the Supreme Court against a giant agricultural corporation who claimed that Percy was stealing their patented GMO seeds. Seeds that were resistant against that same company’s weed killing product. Everyone should know about this story and court case.

Additionally, this story allows us to realize that the complete picture must always be examined. Just like a murder mystery the detective must learn about everything from motives to the complacent actions such as “rounding up the usual suspects.” Other elements may be injected by the sensationalists in the media or forced by some higher political authority.

Let us just review some examples that echo these points in the realm of our environment:

The United States had a situation where a new candidate was thrust into the primary race for president. He was presented as the one that was going to be the best person for our environmental issues. Specific details on why, were not offered by the media.

I have stated many times that I do not look toward any politician, celebrity, corporation, organization, government or make believe super hero to save our environment. Only us, the individuals are making the difference. Nevertheless, this politician said in a previous speech that people needed more grey matter to work in the technology field. To keep the words spoken in context, this was a comparison being made between the “agrarian society” and “industrial society.” So to prove his point he stated, “I can teach anybody, even people in this room, so no offense intended, to be a farmer. It’s a process. You dig a hole, you put a seed in, you put dirt on top, you add water, up comes corn.” This man didn’t even have a clue about what is involved with farming. From seed collection to weeds, from weather to insects, from micronutrients to disease, from time management to family responsibilities, from farm equipment to bank loans, from supply and demand to supermarket shelves!

Another example is how misleading advertisements were used for years to sell new energy saving windows.

“Save 15% On Your Energy Bills!”

windows, going true green, going green, sustainable living, sustainability, big picture

New Windows Save???

The truth was a 15% savings on your heating bills and that 15% saved was only on the amount of heat lost through the old windows. So if the old windows were losing 7% of the heat to the outside, you would save 15% of the 7% lost. To know pay back times on the costs for new windows, a heat-lost study was required. After overseeing thousands of these studies, the average payback on putting in new windows was 28 to 30 years. Reasons to change windows are: Comfort with less drafts and outside noise reduction, ease of cleaning, better locks for security and then saving some money on the heating bill.

So where were our political environmental super stars to end that misleading campaign taken up by some window selling companies? For years those commercials were broadcasted. They were lies through the process of omission and they should have been stopped immediately. Yet, they were not, care to speculate why?

Again the individual was left to find out all the facts on this issue and they ranged from greed to environmentally unfriendly manufacturing.

Last point of this blog, but not the least, is how all those on both extreme sides create fear, confusion and hate for each other. Thus, destroying hope for us working as one team to implement solutions that garner success, income, better health and a better environment.

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

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What Happened In Texas?

2/18/2021

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Texas, Texas freeze, texas winter storm, Texas snow storm, Texas power failure, Texas grid, texas wind turbines, renewable energy, non-renewables, oil, coal, solar, wind, gas, greed, infrastructure, electric grid, texas electric providers, sustainability, power plants, utility companies, Texas untility

I have been asked and I have been receiving the very question structured above for today’s GoingTrueGreen blog title by many GTG members.

First, I wish to level the playing field. Unlike other electric utilities that I have worked for or visited and had first hand information about many operations, I do not have first hand knowledge of every detail that contributed to the failures in the power grid infrastructure for Texas. Therefore, I must reserve the right to correct any verbiage in this blog due to the fact that despite reading and confirming some reliable information on the subject, “Sensationalism” prevails and real “Journalism” is squelched.

So what happened with the power grid in Texas? Seems to me that a poor management decision was made due to money justification. The temperatures were dropping and the demand for electricity was spiking. Additional Megawatts were needed and a decision was made not to bring on more production from gas, oil or coal power plants. After all, perhaps an innocent assumption was made that this was Texas and the weather will be warm again in a day or two. In addition, the decision makers had to justify the cost for bringing on line additional generators.

So again we have the real problem: Assumptions and Money. This A & M is a contagious disease that crosses all spectrums of power production. End result, there wasn’t enough power to meet the demand and the grid started to shut down as designed for safety protocol. Rolling blackouts were put into action until additional generators could be brought on line. A 100% shut down was avoided, but 85% of that Grid took a hit because of humankind’s decision.

So the lost of power wasn’t an act of God, but a humankind assumption floundering in money justification and that is the problem with all energy production. Both Renewable energy and Non-Renewable energy are plagued with this A & M disease. Case and point:

Why did the power grid supply fail?
There is a rare winter storm in Texas, a state that saw no reason to spend “money” on winterizing their energy production.

Solar panels have no system to clean snow off, because those systems cost money. (Even I have a way to clean snow off my solar panels. I had to come up with some method, because my area does get snowfall every year. I have a very simple and safe way, that had a very small investment. However, I must put in the time since I could not afford an automatic system. My time makes me money as I am able to produce Kilowatts once the sun is shinning again.
BTW: I do not go up on my roof. My previous GTG blog posts on solar explain more.)

Texas Wind Turbines and Gas Lines froze because they never had the money spent to winterize their operations. Oil and coal could not meet the demand because of human error in decision making. (System automatically starts to shutdown as a safety precaution when demand can’t be met.) In total, an 85% system shutdown.

If Texas had invested in winterizing all electrical generating systems, this one storm would have provided payback and possible profit. Now, this storm is costing them far more than any winterizing investment. Additionally, we need to ask the following: Did the government and electrical utilities provide helpful information on the news to inform the public of alternative ways to keep warm as well as how to drain most of the water out of their pipes? All the frozen and broken water pipes may become a legal matter now costing the utility more money, because while the storm can be labeled as an act of God, the system’s failure was due to poor decisions made by humans.

The irony is this, the two political sides blame each other and fail to see that they are both to blame, because the little that they do, is all about making money for themselves. Let it be for renewable or non-renewable energy production.

Next week, Texas’ weather will be around the sixty degree mark, while most of northern United States will have another week in and out of the twenty degree zone, but the power remains on.

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