GoingTrueGreen's Blog Postings

The Look Of Our Oceans

7/17/2023

Oceans, Ocean, Water, waterways, pollution, plastic, plastic in our oceans, going true green, back to blue, Nippon Foundation, saving water, saving oceans, out of sight out of mind

What View Do You Prefer?

Going swimming this summer? I have posted several Going True Green blogs about our water supply, our oceans and pollution over the decades. While in many cases pollution in our waterways and oceans has improved, we also have created new ways that cause pollution in our oceans. Plastic pollution being the most concerning - please peruse my blog post: Earth Day Impaired.

Many of us heard the saying: Out of sight, out of mind. Sadly, that is the case many times with our oceans. Work being done under Back to Blue will hopefully end the blackout of information on chemical pollution in our oceans. Below is a release from last year and Links to more information:

TOKYO, JAPAN: March 2022 - Back to Blue, an initiative of Economist Impact and The Nippon Foundation, is releasing a new report, The Invisible Wave: Getting to zero chemical pollution in the ocean. The main purpose of the report is to raise awareness of marine chemical pollution, the scale and potential impact of which are not widely appreciated, and to focus minds on delivering solutions to achieve a zero-pollution ocean. To visit, use this Link: backtoblueinitiative.com for the full report.

As for “Back to Blue” this is an initiative launched by Economist Impact and The Nippon Foundation in 2021 to focus efforts on evidence-based approaches and solutions that tackle escalating ocean challenges, such as those posed by pollution. The Nippon Foundation was established in 1962 and is Japan’s largest philanthropic foundation, providing support to public-service activities in a variety of fields across national borders. In ocean affairs, the Foundation aims to cultivate human resources who will chart a course for the ocean’s future and to pass on the ocean’s riches to future generations.

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

1/24/2022

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Salt, road salt, blacktop, roads, winter, black ice, EPA, Prochlorococcus, rain forests, going true green, going green, sustainability, plastics,

Road Salt on Blacktop Roads

In many GoingTrueGreen blog posts I have written about what is on our streets will go into the sewers and then everything will be deposited in our waterways. Yes, everything from animal waste to dental floss. Our streams, rivers and oceans are the recipients of our careless littering and blatant use of toxic products such as paint and road salt.

With winter coming every year for many parts of the world, road travel becomes difficult. So many townships use Road Salt and this will end up in our oceans. Perhaps causing issues with Prochlorococcus, 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.

We have many environmental impact questions about Road Salt and very few answers. We already know Prochlorococcus are being damaged by plastic pollution in our oceans, so perhaps a closer look into Road Salt is needed.

Road salt prevents black ice and saves many lives from winter road accidents. The minerals use are calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium. Combined with water, this is a solution that doesn’t freeze and is operational in less than 30 minutes.

Nevertheless, what are all the ecological issues created by road salt? I don’t believe we know. EPA states that high levels of salt in water can affect wildlife, insects, fish and humans. Salt has found its way into our drinking water tables, wells and reservoirs. A report out of Columbia University suggested that the road salt's accumulation problems we have today, is from applications made decades ago. Additionally, we do know that soil erosion is enhanced by road salt.

I have read about many alternatives to Road Salt, but will the supply of sugar beet juice or pickle juice meet the demand? Brines help, but will a certain mixture be as effective as Road Salt? Are sustainable de-icers any use? What are the cost comparisons in money, damage, supply and lives?

Many questions need answers, sadly too many pretentious scientists and other salty people from both extreme camps, are busy making money off of politicizing our environment, instead of actually studying and respecting our environment. To sum everything up, use this LINK to visit the recent past after reading this GTG post.

If any reader or someone you know is associated with a study being done on these topics, please let me know. Any additional data from a university or lab study that can be shared would be greatly appreciated so I may update this GTG blog post.
(Click this LINK now.)

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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Shipwrecks, Forensics & Three Village Historical Society

11/22/2019

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

Brett Curlew's Marine Forensic Lecture

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

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

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

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

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

Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
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Humankind's Contamination Of Water

8/28/2019

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We are all to blame for the contamination of our water. Some may immediately believe that they do not fall into this category of guilt, but before we take that stand we should first answer the following questions:

Litter, Litterbugs, Litter Bugs, pollution, water pollution, contamination, water contamination, lead, lbuprofen, naproxen, anti-anxiety drugs, recharge, ground water, acid rain, toxic waste, landfills, gasoline, oil, laundry detergent

We are Infested with Litter Bugs and any litter washing into the street sewers, ends up in our waterways.

- Did we ever cause anything to go into a street sewer?

- Have we ever dropped one piece of litter anywhere?

- Have we ever used fertilizer on a lawn?

- Have we used the outdoor ground for a bathroom?

- Do we use manufactured cleaning chemicals?

- Do we use toilet paper that has a color?

- Have we washed and waxed a car?

- Have we ever spilt gasoline or oil on the ground?

- What laundry detergent do we use?

Contaminated water and levels of toxins are more of a concern now then ever before. Below are the reasons:

We now know more about what is in our water than ever before. Today's technology and equipment sensitive enough to detect very low levels of compounds, and chemicals justifying concern on our part.

The following has been recently reported about toxins found in our water:

Traces of Ibuprofen, Naproxen, anti-epileptic and anti-anxiety drugs to name a few Pharmaceutical chemicals.
We have already been aware of what may be in old pipes, such as inorganics leaching from rust, copper or lead. In addition, build ups of organics can create an estuary-like environment supporting their life and the life of pathogens such as E.coli.

Unfortunately, things do not stop there:

- Our drinking water tables underground are becoming low (weak) as more and more people pump water out and they really DO NOT provide an equal amount of RECHARGE back into the ground.
- The more ground we pave over the more polluted the Recharge, if any.
- Our drinking water tables underground are also infiltrated day after day with:
* Acid Rain derived from air pollution
* Toxic Waste from land fills
* Chemical spills from Industry
* Salt water from oceans near our shores
* Gasoline from old leaking tanks at closed down gas stations
* Nitrates, Pesticides, and Fertilizers from farms
* Chlorine and Fluoride from Municipal Water Treatment
* Human waste from individual houses with Septic tanks

End result is that EPA has set up enforceable safety standards for us. So far about 90 standards have been set, but over 2,000 chemical compounds have been found in our water. We have a long way to go so we can all be swimming in clean water... Not drowning in polluted water.

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

6/10/2019

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litter, litterbugs, pollution, garbage, water bottles, plastic,

We are Infested with Litter Bugs

When will this type of littering stop? One of the largest areas where litter accumulates is a street corner by a red light or stop sign. Especially the street corners at the end of a highway's Off Ramp.

We have an infestation of Litter Bugs and they seem to have an urge to void themselves of all unwanted items after a drive on a highway by tossing them out the car window. From cigarette butts to water bottles and cups we see them piling up and clogging sewer grates.

cigarettes, cigarette butts, litter, litterbugs, pollution, garbage, water bottles, plastic

Cigarette Butt Litter

What these Litter Bugs don't realize is that everything you throw out your car window, even a piece of dental floss, will eventually find its way down the sewer and into our water ways. That means our rivers and oceans. If anyone has gone swimming and a long brownish-gray string came across your face, that is not seaweed, that was someone's used dental floss. More drastic is the fact that fish eat what is in the oceans that we polluted and we eat fish. We are our worst enemy.

Now, since I do not wish to "Be A Triple C" person, that is someone who Constantly Complains and Criticizes. I will also present solutions, because a Triple C person never accomplishes anything and they never help to find solutions or solve a problem. Sadly the majority of our politicians are Triple C people.

Nevertheless, we the individual are the solution and what we need to talk about with our townships is the installation of cameras at the various street corners that have a large volume of litter. The cameras should be relatively easy to move from one location to another when deemed appropriate and should be used to catch people tossing anything out their car windows. License plate numbers will be recorded and a summons mailed to the owner of the car. This money can then be used to clean the litter and our oceans. All without raising taxes.

Don't Be A Triple C and don't be a Litter Bug.

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

5/9/2019

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Bill Lauto, roofs, roof repairs, solar, NASA, rain water, collecting rain water, rain barrels, toilets, astronauts, Florida, going green, saving water, saving money, cleaning solar panels, Tesla, gardens, watering flowers, sustainable living, sustainability

Altering Perspective

I have been on a several roof tops recently. A person's perspective is always altered when viewing their surroundings from a different angle, especially from above. I had the good fortune to meet with an American Space Shuttle Astronaut when visiting NASA in Florida one year. His view when in space was an extreme perspective of our Earth. Many astronauts described that view as an altering perspective.

Much closer to the ground, on my rooftop, I just did some air vent repairs and wiped down my solar panels for optimum performance. I also cleaned out the rain gutters to prepare for my next project. Collecting rainwater to flush my toilet!

Tuscany Rain Barrel

I can no longer subscribe to paying money for clean drinkable water to flush away waste. Rainwater is Free and after a filter system to catch roof gravel, I am planning to implement my system for at least one toilet ASAP. I already collect rain water off my roof for my garden and lawn. From Tuscany style rain barrels to a giant rock design holding 80 gallons.

One's perspective must always include all angles to truly see all their surroundings and one's impact on God's green earth.

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

4/30/2019

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Water, rain water, pool cover, swimming pools, pools, going green, sustainable living, Holy Name Society, lower water bills, save money, money saving ideas

Collected Rain Water

The other day at a Holy Name Society meeting, my friend Roger came over to share a water saving action he came up with before removing his pool's cover.

Roger grabbed my attention by telling me that he came up with a great idea and I would be proud of him. So much so, that I would do a Going True Green blog post on the subject. He was right, so below is his water saving idea.

For everyone who owns a swimming pool on their property or the roof of an apartment building and you have some cold months where you cover the pool, the following can occur: Rain water may accumulate on top of the cover and instead of letting the water spill onto the patio/walkway around or into the pool, siphon off the water for your garden. This rain water is perfect to use with a siphoning hose to water your plants coming up in a garden or flower bed.

Several gallons of water can be sitting on a pool cover, so this is an excellent way to save water and lower your water bills. Just another great action, we as individuals, can take towards being a solution and preventing any possible future environmental issues.

Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
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Car Washing Saves Money

9/26/2018

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Car Wash, hand car washing, going green, rain water, save money, Wax on wax off, Karate Kid

Michelle is one of Going True Green's followers and she emailed us some follow-up questions on a previous Going True Green Blog / Article. Below are the questions which I believe prove useful for everyone to share:

Michelle Wrote:
Thanks! I've been thinking about this article and wondering something specific. Is there any research to show improved mpg by washing the car, and if so, how does it compare to the carbon footprint of getting the car washed? Would be interesting to know.

We emailed our answers back to Michelle and below we have the data from those answers along with updated information:

GoingTrueGreen:
Thank you so much for contributing those questions. As far as we know, various research is from wind tests done on a car's aerodynamics. Dirt build up does interrupt the flow of air over the surface and will not be as smooth.

If you ever saw these wind tunnel tests, they have white smoke blowing over the car with the wind, so we can see the disturbances. The difference in MPGs, I do not know. Too many variables involved... the amount of dirt, design of the car, how fast you are going, and how far you travelled. However, some tests showed that due to the increased friction created by the dirt the "average" gas mileage would be around 24 miles per gallon. A clean car would obtain a higher average of 26 miles per gallon. Also a TV science show did an episode on this very topic and their conclusion was a 10% decrease in gas mileage with a dirty car.

Nevertheless, in my article I described a "hand washing" of one's car and with collected rain water. Therefore, to come out ahead with a far smaller carbon footprint, we would have to forgo the car wash using electricity and clean drinkable water.

When I was young and helping my Dad hand wash and wax his car, I complained by asking, "Why can't we go to that new automatic car wash?"
My Dad replied, "I didn't have a Car Wash when I was your age and besides, don't you want to get stronger by exercising more?"
This conversation occurred fourteen years prior to the famous "Wax on, wax off" movie quote from Karate Kid.

Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
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Plastic Water, Air and Food

12/27/2017

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Microplastic Fibers

New studies and reports are now quantifying what has been a growing concern for many years.
Allow me to first present statements that are being considered facts today by many scientists:

We are drinking Plastic Fibers
We are breathing Plastic Fibers
We are eating Plastic Fibers

I am not trying to yell the sky is falling, but we have created a monster. For those of us who don’t eat meat or fish, grow some food, and have counter top water distillers, a sense of brief relief may arise. However, this is an ever growing interconnecting issue, that is rapidly becoming serious for the world. Mainly because we do not know what the end results will be for humankind, animals, and nature!

How we are eating plastic:
Our clothes have more synthetic materials today than any other natural material. That evening dress we will wear this New Year’s Eve, the fleece coat we will use when shoveling snow and our exercise clothes for those workouts. Polyester equals plastic. An analysis was done by Tecnon OrbiChem on the data showing chemical use worldwide. Polyester is the world’s mandated fiber since 2007.

We then wash our clothes. Microplastic fibers that can’t be seen, are washed down the drain. A recent study found each washing machine cycle could release 700,000 fibers.

Also don't forget plastic microbeads in facial scrub products! These plastic fibers end up in our waterways, our oceans, because Water Treatment plants are unable to catch all of them. Dr. Alice Wemaere, EPA Research Manager said, “Consumers can help by checking the product labels for cosmetics and cleaners to see if they are certify microplastic free."

Next these plastic fibers absorb things while in the water. Things like: Oil from spilt motor oil, Pesticides from spraying weeds, Drugs from discarded medicine pills, Bacteria from Sewage and Wastewater Treatment plants, Chemicals from just about anything that went down the street’s sewer drain. To summarize in one word… Toxins.

Plastic Microfiber being ingested, Image by Dr. Kirby

Fish then eat these polluted plastic fibers and we eat the fish. Additionally, Plankton that support the entire marine food chain also eat plastic. The image shown is a still frame from a video done by Dr. Richard Kirby. The footage shows a 3mm long blue plastic microfiber being ingested by a planktonic arrow worm. This is our Food Chain and we may be hanging ourselves with that very chain.

We don’t recycle plastic well and an additional source of plastic for fish to eat also may come from, for example, 38 million pieces of plastic waste that washed up on the sands of an uninhabited South Pacific Island.

If Polyester is the mandated fiber, then the question is… Mandated by who?
Manufacturers, Profits, Consumers? We are all guilty.

How we are breathing plastic:
Studies done in 2015 by SETAC Europe (Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry) told researchers that microplastic was atmospheric and offering substance to the old adage: The sky is falling. A minimum estimated of three tons of plastic fibers were being deposited each year onto the city of Paris. The question now is: By what means are these microplastic fibers getting into the air?

Professor Frank Kelly led research done in London and reported to the 2016 UK Parliamentary Inquiry the following:
“If we breathe them [microplastic] in, they could potentially deliver chemicals to the lower parts of our lungs and maybe even across into our circulation.”

How we are drinking plastic:
Plastic fibers have been found in our tap water around the world and I don’t mean a small sample. Plastic particles are found in 83% of the samples taken. The United States of America leads the way with the highest contamination rate at a staggering 94%. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found plastic fibers in the drinking water of their Headquarters and buildings used by Congress.

India and Lebanon came in second and third with the next highest rates. The UK, Germany and France had a 72% contamination rate. An independent study done in the Republic of Ireland by Dr. Anne Marie Mahon at the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology also found microplastic particles in well water and tap water.

“We don’t know what the [health] impact is and for that reason we should follow the precautionary principle and put enough effort into it now, immediately, so we can find out what the real risks are,” said Dr. Mahon.

Another statement made by Dr. Mahon causing consternation was, “If the fibers are there, it is possible that the nanoparticles are there too that we can’t measure. Once they are in the nanometre range they can really penetrate a cell and that means they can penetrate organs, and that would be worrying.”

Compound that statement with microplastics absorbing bacteria found in sewage, because some studies have shown harmful pathogens on microplastic downstream from wastewater treatment plants, now the world's population has a bigger problem.

Beer, Germany Beer, Microplastic Fibers, Microplastic, plastic pollution, plastic in water, distillers, food chain, planktonic, pesticides, water treatment, water, food, SETAC, Prof. Kelly, Dr. Kirby, going green, sustainability, going true green

Plastic with your Beer?

We now know of several sources on how microplastics can arrive into our water. Water is used to make everything, even Beer. Studies in Germany found plastic fibers in all of the 24 beer brands they tested. They also found plastic in honey and sugar.

Therefore if we are drinking plastic polluted water, then so are the animals. We then consume the chickens, cows, turkeys and pigs.

We are our own worst enemy.

We have no idea what the long term results will be for babies, children, and adults, when we consume years of microplastics with toxins. How our organs, muscle tissues, and overall health will be altered is still a quagmire.

I teach Outdoor Education part time at BOCES. I tell my students that everything is connected and there are consequences to all our actions. Our world’s ecosystems are being suffocated by plastic as these fibers become ubiquitous in the world. We are risking adverse consequences, but as I also tell my students, “There is always another way.” The last pull-over shirt I received as a gift, was 70% cotton. Much better than a few years ago, but still not the same as my 100% cotton shirts, T-shirts and jeans.

Visit our Lifetime Membership program for details, online class about water is available to all members. Please use the GTG Membership Link above to become a member or sign in if you are already a GTG Lifetime member. Thank you.

You will not be tested by me, but life may test your grandchildren.
Can you teach them what they need to know?

God’s green earth is becoming a plastic earth. I am sorry to say that I can’t find a Happy New Year in that possible indomitable issue.

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