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Going True Green Blog:

Please use our SEARCH BOX above to find a specific subject. Also use our ​Membership link to receive access to valued benefits.  This GTG Blog started on Earth Day 2013. Also see our "blog" style postings dating back to 1995 from our original two websites, as well as articles written and published since 1982 at our link Yesteryear Articles & Blogs.

See the Back Story - Blog Preface

Collegiate Commencement: 1978

11/4/2021

10 Comments

 
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 i
n 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.

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 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
Contribute your comments!​

10 Comments

How Many Miles Makes A Sustainable Supply Chain?

10/26/2021

2 Comments

 
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!​
2 Comments

Harvest of Mine and You Can Too

10/10/2021

1 Comment

 
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
Contribute your comments!​
1 Comment

Houses Built 3D Printing Style!

9/27/2021

2 Comments

 
3D printing, Extruder, shelter, homeless, sustainable, housing, affordable housing, energy efficiency, going green, going true green, climate, affordable homes, high density insulation, Community First! Village3D 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.

3D printing, Extruder, shelter, homeless, sustainable, housing, affordable housing, energy efficiency, going green, going true green, climate, affordable homes, high density insulation, Community First! VillageExtruder 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
Contribute your comments!​

2 Comments

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
Contribute your comments!​

0 Comments

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, gardensRain 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
Contribute your comments!

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Healthy Herb Harvest

7/12/2021

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Basil, Herbs, Oregano, Thyme, compost, composting, Mint, Sage, Rosemary, Basil, Mint, Oregano, parsley, Sage, Lavender, sustainable living, sustainability, going green, gardens, veggie gardens
Basil, Oregano and Thyme
A Triple H is always wonderful... Just sharing that my first Healthy Herb Harvest for this year came in last month and the aromas were amazing! They are always amazing each time a new pick is done.

Having your own herbs is something we all can do! From
clay flower pots on a windowsill or in a small sunny area of a yard or on a green roof top. Add some compost,* that can be made by us over the winter months, along with appropriate watering, we can all enjoy some fresh picked Basil or Mint or Oregano or Parsley.

NOTE: Herbs such as Thyme, Sage and Lavender are perennials. Parsley is a biennial and Basil is an annual. Use this information to plan for getting seeds.
* Use the SEARCH text box at the top of this page for more information on making your own top soil, aka: Compost. Just type in the word COMPOST.
Bon Appétit !

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

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 environmentWrapped 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.

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
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
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, access hole
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. 
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 environmentNEW 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
Contribute your comments!

0 Comments

Why Re-Paint When We Can Mop

5/15/2021

0 Comments

 
Going Green, Going True Green, painting, paint, spring cleaning, saving money, save paint, save earth, save environment, paint less, clean ups, sustainable living, sustainability, environmental solutionsSpring Cleaning Outside and Inside
Ahh, Spring Cleaning... Trim the bushes, wash the windows, mop the floors and mop the walls! Well, not exactly, here is the situation...

About 7 years ago we put a new coat of paint on the walls and this springtime's bright sunlight pouring through the just cleaned windows shows that our walls have become dull and dingy. Accepting the fact that a new paint job is needed is one thing, getting the money for supplies and moving covered furniture
all around the rooms is another. Also don't forget about painting the ceiling... my arms hurt just thinking about what that project involves.

Additionally, we have the direct and indirect impact on our environment in our house and outside in our world. The manufacturing of paint leaves a mark on the environment and also on our indoor environment. Now this Going True Green blog post is not about all the facts that are detrimental, this is about an alternative and a new solution to painting less often.

I have discovered, tested and experimented with the following that can avoid the need to paint again for many additional years.

First Fact - Walls do get dirty and will need to be wiped clean as those events occur.
Second Fact - Walls get dusty from floor to ceiling and ceilings get dusty too.
Third Fact - The first two facts make walls look dull and dingy or in the need to be painted again.

Solution,
Part One - Wipe dirt spots off of walls with mild soap and water as soon as they happen.

Solution, 
Part Two - Try to have shades or curtains that can be drawn or closed for all the windows. Sunlight or more specifically, UV light will fade colors. 

Solution, 
Part Three - With each Springtime cleaning use a broom stick or a swifter with a dry dusting cloth attached. Then DUST clean all the walls from floor to ceiling systematically. Methodically go over every part of the wall and I strongly suggest to remove all hanging pictures or items on mounted shelves. Then do the same to dust the ceiling.

Dust will build up on walls and ceilings making them look dull. Dusting them will bring back the brightness of the original paint job. Doing this each year should put off Part Four of this Solution to prevent painting often. However, over the years smoke from candles, oily substances from cooking and other compounds will build up on the walls and ceiling. Thus, every five to seven years we may need to do part four of this solution.

Solution, 
Part Four - Using the same method as in Solution Part Three, mop the walls and ceiling with a cloth damp with water. Not wet, just damp to help remove any dingy stains to the paint's color. The pole will allow us to reach every corner and clean evenly so the glow of that original paint job returns.

​Yes, there will come a year that we may see the need to repaint or redecorate with different colors. Nevertheless, putting off several paint jobs over the years will always help our budget, back muscles, inside environment and our outside environment. 

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

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Will Earth Day Become Dooms Day?

4/22/2021

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Earth Day, Home, Earthday, earth day 2021, sustainability, going green, going true green, sustainable living, saving earth, saving energy, environmental issues, environment, dooms day, CO2, overfishing, save money, superheroHOME
Do you hear the logomachies almost everyone is having every Earth Day? Has Earth Day been reduced to a war about what verbiage should be used? Sadly, yes and our Planet will be doomed if we believe that a…

…politician, corporation, political party, government, organization, celebrity or the UN will save us all.

…purchasing some energy saving light bulbs, an energy star refrigerator, wrist band, or even a Going True Green hat will make a difference.

…media report, reporter, movie or documentary gives us the complete picture and doesn’t lie through the process of omission to present a selling narrative that makes them lots of money and will coagulate a magical solution.

…donation or implementing some of the energy saving “tips” from utility companies, instead of real actions, will suffice.

…massive singular solution will squelch all concerns, fears and corruption when some hero solves the CO2 threat by seeding the sky or solving the issue of overfishing and our oceans will have no other problems or only if everyone had an electric car or genetically engineered food in a lab will feed the masses and we are not fooling ourselves.

Nobody knows if the world is doomed or if everything will turn out to be roses. However, I do know humankind has and can accomplish “amazing”. We are intelligent, we are capable, we can evaluate and transition into real solutions that acknowledge everyone and everything is connected! We must stop believing predictions hosting a good or bad narrative for the future that is based upon one singular issue and narrative. Our world’s environment is not singular, we have a multi-complex, never ending connected environment that humankind has yet to learn all the facts. Thus, what is needed is education of the complete picture
and a narrative that is hosting all the possible solutions.

We need to be ebullient on Earth Day, not mad or fearful, so each and every one of us can be the solution by living a more "sustainable life" within our own budget of time and money.

We will obtain a better tomorrow while saving Money, Health, Energy, and Earth without making any sacrifices! But we must work as a Team toward good Environmental Stewardship! Education of the facts, trade secrets and encouraging support, is what the world needs. The Blame game must end. We make the difference ourselves! The evidence of this from over the years is proof that each one of us is the superhero. Each one of us is the solution, because each one of us is connected to our one team, one environment. Only then can we say that we didn't squander our children's tomorrow here on Earth. 


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

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