GoingTrueGreen's Blog Postings

PlayBack Program For Toys

1/18/2022

Mattel, PlayBack, PlayBack program, toys, Christmas, recycled toys, recycle, reuse, reduce, landfill, sustainability, plastics, copolymers, Mattel's PlayBack, bio-based, Dark Tower

Image of Toys from Mattel's Web Page

After Christmas and the holidays, many gifts have been exchanged, especially toys. From when I was young, I still have some board games and toys, such as Dark Tower and G. I. Joe. The remaining toys that I had, I gave to others to enjoy and play. I did this via family, friends, church and charities. However, the bulk of most toys in this world still end up in landfills.

One positive action to stop the flow of toys to landfill came about almost one year ago when Mattel announced a new program called PlayBack. By 2030 the company wants to achieve 100% recycled, recyclable or bio-based plastic materials for all their toys and packages.

So to start, they are operating a program that will take back Barbie, Matchbox and Mega toys for recycling. This way, materials can be used again in making new toys, for another generation of kids.

Grown up kids and parents who know that a toy has been played with and is now ready to be passed on to another child to love, can do so directly themselves as I did in the past, or visit Mattel's PlayBack program. (Link provided)
All you have to do is fill out the form, pack up the toys and Mattel pays for the shipping fees back to them.

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 with 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 back up 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 back up 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 scraped 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 moved ahead and only to stop 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 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 operates 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 panel 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, I have yet to charge up any electric car and the recycling issues after an expected 20 year lifespan for the panels.

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 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
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Sustainable Living Art by Saving Fabric

12/18/2021

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Bonnie Barbera, Scrooge, fabric, fabric stash, quilts, art quilts, quilter, quilters, sustainable, saving fabric scraps, cotton, denim, silk, going true green, muslin

Quilt work section in progress by Bonnie Barbera

We all have a talent, gift and/or kind soul. Sad and true that some people never realize this fact and perhaps stay as a Ebeneezer Scrooge for life. Additionally, we all cannot do everything to help save the world. Whatever our forte may be, that is what we can concentrate on to make a difference.

Allow me to share with you an extraordinary attainment by a very modest woman named Bonnie B. Barbera who is a quilter. She makes bed quilts and everyday items from leftover pieces of material. These same leftover tiny pieces of fabric also become her palette for the creation of her Art Quilts. From “scraps” of material, that you and I would throw away, Bonnie creates art masterpieces.

These beautiful art quilts start with saving and maintaining a fabric stash. I saw multiple colors stored in bins, all from scraps of material. I was impressed. When I asked Bonnie about the task to collect and sort, Bonnie’s answer was a modest one.

“A fabric ‘stash’ is a practice that is certainly common for many, many, quilters. Patchwork quilts have been made for hundreds of years out of saved scraps. As you can see, I store each color range in separate bins.”

Sustainable Living circled in my head as I viewed this amazing artist’s studio where she worked. I then asked Bonnie about the art quilts she was currently working on and she explained by saying, “The art quilts that I’ve done incorporate fabric collage, raw edge appliqué and free-motion quilting. I use bits and scraps of cotton, denim, silk and other fabric blends that I have saved from all of my more utilitarian quilt projects over the last 9 years. I try very hard not to purchase any new fabrics (with the exception of small amounts of white muslin when I absolutely need pure white). I always try very hard to make what I have on hand work. If I can't find the color I need in my stash, I'll take two or more scraps that once combined, will produce the color effect that I seek.”

The following three images show the process of making an art quilt and Bonnie describes the process as follows:

“A quilt has thee layers - Top, Batting and Bottom. The part that is shown pinned together is the top layer. After I pin the image, I sew down all of the tiny pieces on the sewing machine to secure them. That is not the only time I sew the image. I then ‘sandwich’ the top with two layers of batting beneath that, and a backing layer of cotton for the bottom layer. Once that sandwich is pinned securely, I then machine-quilt through all of the layers in a way that enhances the depth of the piece and provides texture where I want it. Finally the quilt edges are bound.”

Bonnie is making quilts, art work and a difference with her talent that holds a sustainable element. Would it not be wonderful, if Christmas morning, we all found our sustainable talent under the tree?

For more of Bonnie’s work, she can be reached at her Instagram Link:
https://www.Instagram.com/bonnie.b.Barbera/
Merry Christmas everyone!

Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
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1,000 Red Cherry Tomatoes

11/29/2021

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Cherry Tomatoes

As the leaves on my one Cherry Tomato plant start to wither due to the extra cold nights and minimal sunlight from the shorter winter days, I look back on the last 7 months and the One Thousand Cherry Tomatoes which we received.

There are about 25 green Cherry Tomatoes still on the plant, but after picking the 1,000th one yesterday, I am not sure if the remaining ones will ripen. Nevertheless, I am sharing this information to inspire others to also grow whatever they deem possible. A yard, terrace, window shelf and applicable roof, will all suffice to various degrees.

For me the following actions have brought me to 1,000 Cherry Tomatoes from one plant:

- Composting
- A greenhouse
- A rope trestle (The plant grew 7 feet tall and then curve back downward 7 feet)
- A soaker gardenhose with timer
- Pruning and pruning and pruning
- Natural homemade spray for bugs
- Marigolds for insects
- More Compost

We enjoyed the 1,000 Cherry tomatoes by making:
Soups
Salads
Bruschetta
Pasta Sauce
Pizza Sauce
and just eating them as a snack!

Also we loved sharing them with friends and family who stopped by for a visit.

Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
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Collegiate Commencement: 1978

11/4/2021

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Montauk, Montauk Point, the end, erosion, long shore drift, Hamptons, Giorgina Reid, President Reagan, Lighthouses, George Washington, Mother Nature, Prof. Nieter, Dr. Stalter, Bill Lauto, Boy Scouts, ski vests, sustainability, going true green, going green

Montauk Point, 1978

Sometimes to have a photo of oneself at the commencement of a career, helps put additional elements into perspective. I am 20 years old and a junior studying Environmental Science under the tutelage of Prof. Nieter and Dr. Stalter. The year was 1978 and this was one of several "hands-on, improvise a solution" field trips.

I am standing between the Atlantic Ocean and Montauk Point, literally. Above me on top of the bluff is the Montauk lighthouse, sitting on the location selected when George Washington was president. That location then, was 300 feet from the bluff and at that time, the end of Long Island. In 200 years, just over 200 feet has eroded away. The Montauk lighthouse that was built in 1796, the first public works project of the new United States of America, was only 90 feet away from falling into the sea in 1978. Mother Nature's Long Shore Drift pitted Nature against Human and humankind was losing. A long term solution was needed fast to save the old historical lighthouse.

My fellow students and I all came well prepared, I had my Boys Scout backpack that was well stocked, binoculars and compass was around my neck. I carried reference books (no internet at that time), a clip board and the just becoming vogue ski vest. Our task was to save the point of Long Island's south fork from eroding away and subsequently save the light house. If not, we would lose land and the lighthouse to the ragging sea. My fellow students and I were determined to find an answer while evaluating all factors westward along the shoreline that are involved with the Long Shore Drift. At the conclusion of our field trip and study, we felt defeated.

Many actions were already taken by humans over the years and all failed or were failing. The system that I was observing in 1978 had thousands of rocks held together in wire netting. The system wasn't going to last. Even giant boulders were placed at the point prior to my field trip and in a hurricane, when the waves pounded the point, local residents could hear the boulders banging against each other like marbles in a bag being swung around. I witnessed the remnants of the boulders as the tide receded. The situation looked hopeless. The only solution to save the lighthouse was to start a major fund raiser and move the lighthouse westward. However, the move entailed going up and down two hills, this wasn't feasible.

What we undergraduates did not know at the time, was the fact that a tenacious woman in her seventies was already working on a long term solution for years. This "individual" named Giorgina Reid was researching an action called reed-trench terracing. Some of the techniques go back to the ancient Egyptians. She wanted to use cedar planks as risers and at each level trenches were dug out to be filled with reeds. This prevented rain from building up as the reeds absorbed the moisture. Stacked stones held tight in square grid formation by coated wire to prevent rust would sit on each level. However, she was unable to gather the attention of anyone for help with her solution, until a few years after my visit to Montauk's lighthouse. She corresponded with another individual, President Ronald Reagan and the wheels for a long term solution started to turn. After full implementation of Giorgina's solution, the erosion at the point stopped.

Studying Plastic Pollution In Our Waterways

Today, some 40 years later, recurrence of erosion has started again. This has prompted action by the United States Army Corps of Engineers, that is under the U. S. Army, which now oversees the lighthouse. A 1,000 foot long stone revetment will provide slope stabilization. Additionally, terracing and vegetation growth will be found above the crest to the revetment.

As for my Boy Scout backpack, I will be donating that with my uniform and equipment to my old Troop 22 so Scouts of today can compare then and now. My gear is made in the USA with metal and cotton, today's gear is made of plastic and comes from China.

(For additional facts on plastic in our clothes, air, waterways, food and drink, read my Previous GTG Blog)

I still have my binoculars, compass, text book and clip board. The scary part is... I still have that ski vest, but I don't have as much hair anymore.

Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
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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 with 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
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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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Houses Built 3D Printing Style!

9/27/2021

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3D printing, Extruder, shelter, homeless, sustainable, housing, affordable housing, energy efficiency, going green, going true green, climate, affordable homes, high density insulation, Community First! Village

3D Printed House

American ingenuity has solutions once again for our environment, energy, affordable homes and houses for the homeless.

Who needs shelter? Everyone... and please make the house fast, affordable, strong, with less waste, energy efficient, climate resilient, sustainable, spacious and adaptable to unique design changes.

While that sounds like an impossible order, in reality this dream has become possible. Many developers are getting involved with this new technology; and one named ICON in Austin, Texas has already increased affordable housing and built 400 square foot houses for the homeless. The basic model has high ceilings, some skylights and large windows, all making the house very spacious in appearance. Building a home like this can take a little as 24 hours!

Additionally, larger buildings can also be made with modifications to the giant printers. ICON built their first houses with the nonprofit Mobile Loaves and Fishes in Austin. The name of the site is Community First! Village and the new home owners love them. Several companies are now using this technology around the world. Many are now saying that this new technology will end the homeless and affordability crisis.

Extruder Making Second Wall

The 3D process is truly amazing. A quick drying concrete is used in most situations and the computer program runs the extruder as the building is precisely built up from the foundation. Construction waste is reduced by at least 65 percent, construction costs are about 40 percent less, the structure is energy efficient and much more resilient to natural disasters such as fire and hurricanes.

The second image shows the double wall of the house. After electrical wires are in place, the space between the two walls will have a high density insulating foam injected to increase energy efficiency. Inside and outside walls can also be finished with other decorative material such as stucco or panelling. However, those steps are optional and not necessary.

Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
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Bamboo & Mac Butter

9/16/2021

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Bamboo, sustainable, sustainable products, milkadamia butter, non-toxic, toothbrushes, going green, going true green, helping the environment, environmentally friendly, natural, BPA free

Bamboo for Toilet Paper?

I recently tried some new products that hopefully are more helpful toward our environment than harmful. I trust this info that I am providing will be of some help.

The First new product I tried is called Milkadamia Buttery Spread.

Wow, made with Macadamia nut oil, this dairy free butter is impressive. Non GMO and NO palm oil, thus helping to protect tropical forests! The best part about this product is the taste! Please give this a try.

The Second new product was a Bamboo Toothbrush.

Made from Moso bamboo with a biodegradable handle and BPA-free. I had no issues with using this tooth brush at all. I will be doing more research into the manufacturing methods and procedures established for this product.

The Last new product I tried is called Babo, a roll of toliet paper made from Bamboo.

This unbleached Bamboo Tissue roll is stated to be Tree-free, septic safe, durable, non-toxic, sustainable and
ECO-friendly. The natural color of bamboo presented the most significant issue... Visual conformation of a clean and completed wiping job is a little harder due to the light brown natural color of bamboo. Also the dissolving rate is not the fastest in a side by side test that I conducted. The individual sheets are also a little more difficult to tear off.

Just a few more actions we can all look into doing for our everyday living that moves a little more toward true green.

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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