protect and defend the quality of life of our descendants

 As a parent and grandparent, I strongly urge we begin now to ensure the protection of our descendants' future quality of life. You may not expect to bear the brunt of climate disruption, but they will. They will either remember us fondly if we protect and maintain our ecosystem in a healthy, sustainable condition, or else with disgust if we leave them with a toxic mess. That's presuming they actually survive the climate chaos ahead. 

COVID mortality rates for kids are very low - but not for the older folk they come in contact with

 While it's true we don’t need to mandate a COVID- 19 vaccination shot for kids, we should remember that we are also protecting their parents, grandparents, and others who are older and more susceptible to COVID-19. 

Remember, Typhoid Mary didn't get sick, but she infected hundreds, many of whom died as a result. How would parents feel if their children infected their elder relatives, resulting in hospitalization or death? The children would be traumatized when they realized they were the cause of beloved relatives dying, and could well blame their parents for not getting them vaccinated. 

Looking at the statistics, it seems a reasonable, logical choice to have children vaccinated to avoid the chance of causing others to die. And while COVID-19 is not as lethal for children, a significant number do die of it. Do you really want to take the chance that YOUR children will become statistics? I would not. 

While it's true kids have a survival rate of more than 99.9%, 27% of the deaths are in my age group. 

What can Congress do about the looming climate disaster caused by fossil fuel combustion?

 Why is there no fossil fuel tax (on oil, coal, and gas)? Why are the fossil fuel companies still getting tax breaks but solar, wind, and other non-polluting energy sources do not? Why is there not a "luxury tax" on new vehicles that are not electric? Why are the tax incentives for electric vehicles not higher, using "luxury tax" and fossil fuel tax to pay for them? Why is solar plus battery not more emphasized as a way to avoid PG&E power outages? Why is packaging that uses fossil resources not legislated out and taxed? 

Report unleashed dogs and their owner

A reasonable response for unleashed dogs and irresponsible owners is to read and carry a copy of the animal services ordinance (https://library.municode.com/ca/marin_county/codes/municipal_code?nodeId=TIT8AN). Be ready to quote relevant sections, especially 8.04.260 - Penalty for violation. Do not be confrontational or threatening, but video your interaction with the dog and owner with your phone especially while the dog is threatening you, and any interaction with the owner. If necessary or requested, send the video to The Marin Humane Society (https://www.marinlafco.org/marin-county-animal-services-marin-humane) or 415-883-4621 and ask for assistance. 

Of course, if you feel physically threatened by the dog or owner, call 911. This applies to any animal, including coyotes, wildcats, etc. 

You might consider carrying a large, automatic-opening umbrella. This appears to increase you size and can act as a shield if necessary. Pepper spray would also be useful. 

“They Knew” - a damning new expose by James Gustave Speth, an inescapable indictment of the federal government’s responsibility for the climate crisis

In a damning new expose, James Gustave Speth - former Chair of the U.S. Council on Environmental Quality during the Carter Administration and an expert witness in Juliana v. U.S. - proves that presidential administrations from Carter to Trump possessed conclusive data on the apocalyptic approach of a climate crisis caused by fossil fuels - but still chose to ignore that data for decades and increase the aggressive promotion and support of a fossil fuel-based energy system.

In this new book, Speth outlines in clear, compelling prose what the Juliana youth plaintiffs and Speth’s fellow experts have been affirming for years: The federal government has known its actions are causing and will continue to cause the climate crisis. 

With a foreword by Juliana attorneys Julia Olson and Philip Gregory, and using rigorous documentation via original source material - identified through extensive research of the public record as well as Speth’s first-hand knowledge as a member of President Carter’s administration - “They Knew” presents an inescapable indictment of the federal government’s responsibility for the climate crisis, both in the past and continuing today.

Masks should be worn by choice to save lives and prevent Covid-19 spread

 "Your freedom ends where my nose begins." 

August 18, 2021 saw 1,105 deaths from COVID-19. That's in ONE DAY. Does this scare you? So far, 644,854 people have died from COVID-19 in the USA alone, 4,442,829 worldwide. 

Whether it's a punch or a virus particle from your sneeze or cough, you do NOT have the right to infect me or anyone else. I'm wearing a mask, and you should too, not only to keep any sickness to yourself, but more importantly for YOU personally, to protect yourself from the sickness of others. 

So your right to bear arms allows you to carry a weapon for self-protection? A much better protection would be a mask. Your weapon is NOT effective against virus particles, but a mask is. Every day, only 106 people die from gun violence. 

You don't like people blowing cigarette smoke in your face? Neither do most people, and now there is a restriction against smoking where it will affect others, including you. We don't want to get lung cancer. COVID-19 is a similar risk, though much more immediate. There are more than 1,600 deaths from cancer each day.

You don't like people speeding or running red lights and stop signs? No, neither do most people. So we have laws against it, enforced by the police. Look at the stats, it's much more likely you'll die of COVID-19 than a speeder or red-light runner.  "More than two people are killed every day in red light running crashes, including drivers, passengers, pedestrians and cyclists". Should we not have some stricter laws to protect us? And only about 28 people in the United States die every day in drunk-driving crashes. COVID-19 is much more dangerous, yet we have stricter enforcement of DUI. 

In 2019, an average of only 137 people die daily from drug overdoses. We have strict laws against drugs, yet COVID-19 is far more deadly. 

So from what are you afraid of dying? Check out the stats on Google, ask for daily deaths from 'your greatest fear', and see if you have more to fear from COVID-19 than what you are afraid of. Now PUT ON THAT MASK AND PROTECT ALL OF US!

The use of cellphones may be associated with an increase in brain cancer and related tumors

Article in AskWoody Plus – 18.30.0 – 2021-08-09 – The sheriff in the inbox 

PUBLIC DEFENDER

Is your smartphone giving you brain cancer?

By Brian Livingston

A group of scientists and researchers is actively promoting findings that the use of smartphones is associated with an increase in brain cancer and related tumors.

Joel Moskowitz, director of the Center for Family and Community Health at the University of California, Berkeley, told the Berkeley News on July 1: "More than 250 scientists ... have signed the International EMF Scientist Appeal, which calls for health warnings and stronger exposure limits." He added that the new 5G standard, which is replacing the old 4G network, "is an even bigger reason for concern."

 Whether or not you fear cancer, you can cut the risk of using cellphones to almost zero

To reduce your cancer likelihood to an absolute minimum, you can easily take the following steps (from Moskowitz's Berkeley News interview):

• Reduce your use of cellphone transceivers and cordless phones. Turn off your smartphone's cellular data and use Wi-Fi calling whenever you're in an area with strong and secure Wi-Fi, such as your home or workplace. Use a landline when possible.
• Use texts, a phone's speaker, or wired headphones. Keeping a smartphone 10 inches (25cm) from your body instead of one-tenth of an inch reduces your radiation exposure to 1/10,000th as much as when it's pressed against your head. When moving about, store your phone in a bag or purse. If you must carry a phone in your pocket, temporarily turn on airplane mode, which disables the transceiver and sends your incoming calls to voicemail.
• Avoid using a phone when it has a weak signal of only one or two bars. Phones increase their radiation to complete calls where the signal is poor, such as inside an elevator or a car.

A much bigger threat that smartphones pose to your life is to use one while you're driving. More than 38,000 people in the US alone were killed in car crashes in 2020. Cell-phone use was involved in 14% of those fatal crashes, according to an Erie Insurance analysis.

The time for everyone to get vaccinated is NOW

Now is the time for all good people to come to the aid of their country (apologies to Charles E. Weller). These are the times that try our souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but they who stand by it now, deserve the love and thanks of everyone (apologies to Thomas Paine).

We are all in the front lines against the COVID-19 virus and its variants. We must do our duty to our fellow humans and our country. and get vaccinated. I've been vaccinated, but my doctor has told me I am at special risk because of other medical conditions. I must depend on "the kindness of strangers" to protect my health.

Our elected representatives must step up to their responsibility to defend the people and insist, by legislation if necessary, to ensure everyone gets vaccinated, unless medically contraindicated.

Certainly, the Federal and State governments should mandate that all public employees paid by our tax dollars get vaccinated. To do otherwise puts all our citizens at risk, even those who have been vaccinated. This also puts our economy at risk.

Please act quickly and firmly. 

Marc Levine

Mike McGuire

Gov Newsome

 

Recent news about Tesla being dangerous is incredibly hyperbolic. No real comparison to the fatalities incurred by other vehicles. A quick calculation shows Tesla to be about 100 times safer than the average vehicle. 

Since Tesla introduced Autopilot in 2015, there have been at least 11 deaths in 9 crashes in the United States that involved Autopilot.

Tesla "For those driving without Autopilot but with our active safety features, we registered one accident for every 2.05 million miles driven [NB .0205/100 million miles]. For those driving without Autopilot and without our active safety features, we registered one accident for every 978 thousand miles driven [NB .01/100 million miles].Apr 17, 2021"

https://www.iihs.org/topics/fatality-statistics/detail/yearly-snapshot#trends

Year     Deaths     Crashes     Motor vehicles     rate per million miles

2015    35,485    32,539            49,477                    115

2016    37,806    34,748            52,714                   119

2017    37,473    34,560            53,128                   117

2018    36,835    33,919            52,286                   114

2019    36,096    33,244            51,247                   111

Total    183,698

Tax benefits are needed for American-made electric vehicles

 I'm looking to get a new car to replace a 2010 Prius. I'd prefer an American-made Tesla (or other Made-In-The-USA electric car. I strongly urge you to support legislation to give a hefty tax deduction or credit for buying electric Made-In-The-USA vehicles. Give only a very small or no deduction for foreign-made vehicles. 

As a senior, I need all the help I can get driving and navigating. A USA-only credit or deduction will both encourage electrifying our highways to reduce pollution and CO2 emissions, and supporting American auto companies and their employees.  An additional benefit is the added safety of cars, like the Tesla, that can help drivers navigate safely. 

sent: 2021-07-08 Alex Padilla. Diane Feinstein. Hoffman

Update 2021-07-11

There is a saying, "put your money where your mouth is." I'd like to remind our elected representatives, who are encouraging us to "go green" and "buy American", to follow that maxim. Do you really mean it when you advocate reducing CO2 emissions, increasing vehicular safety, encouraging American businesses, and helping middle-class Americans? Then vote to restore and increase the tax credit for American-made electric vehicles in the Infrastructure Bill that is wending its way through Congress.

To our State governors and legislatures, you are likewise encouraged to make it less expensive to buy American than Chinese, Korean, EU, UK, etc. Keep the money at home and use it to truly Make America Great Again (this time without Trump's disruptive, divisive antics!).

Thanks,

Stan & Kiyomi Hutchings
San Rafael, CA 94960

sent: 2021-07-08 

• Senator Alex Padilla. 
• Senator Diane Feinstein. 
• Representative Jared Hoffman, 
• Governor Gavin Newsome, 
• Assemblymember Marc Levine, 
• Senator Mike McGuire

Desalination comments on cost and environmental concerns

 

Desalination traditionally requires a “deep water outfall.” The purpose is to dilute the brine discharged to avoid harming the ecosystem. The 2.4 million gallons of recycled water Marin dumps into the bay daily could be used to dilute the brine to an acceptable limit.  But other viable options are available for Marin.

The mixing of fresh water and salt water (brackish water) in Suisun Bay and the Delta provides essential estuarine habitat for migratory fish like salmon and resident fishes like delta smelt and striped bass. There is already a large variation in salinity. A well-planned discharge array would not significantly disturb the ecosystem and would indeed create a new ecosystem that would be quickly inhabited. 

Nearly 400 billion gallons of water flow through the Golden Gate every day (https://sfenvironment.org/article/hydro/tidal-energy#:~:text=Nearly%20400%20billion%20gallons%20of,in%20the%20lower%2048%20states)  In 2005, San Francisco took part in a study conducted by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) on the technical and economic feasibility of tidal power in seven areas in North America, including San Francisco.

The study conservatively estimated that the Golden Gate site has 35.5 megawatts of total extractable average annual power, and that 15 to 17 average megawatts (MW) of this power could realistically be extracted by technologies currently in development. The cost of electricity generated, assuming incentives similar to those provided to other renewable resources, is estimated at six to nine cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh)—a cost competitive with current wind and natural gas generation, and about one-third the cost per megawatt of solar power. 

A desalination discharge array at Point Bonita or Point Diablo would have a huge volume of water available for dilution of brine from the daily tidal flows. The tide could also be used to power the plant, in addition to solar and/or wind. 

Instead of a 6-mile pipeline across the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge, a pipeline could be run from a sewage treatment plant to a desalination plant to provide water for dilution of brine prior to discharge into the bay. 

The entire Carlsbad Desalination Plant project cost about $1 billion for the plant, pipelines, and upgrades to existing SDCWA facilities to use the water. The fresh water output from the plant is sent by a 10-mile pipeline. It can produce up to a maximum of 56,000 acre-feet per year. This is equivalent to 43 million gallons per day (mgd), or about 86% of the plant's output. Energy is a large part of the cost of producing the water so inexpensive, non-polluting sources should be fully utilized. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claude_%22Bud%22_Lewis_Carlsbad_Desalination_Plant

The time to prepare for drought and water shortage is NOW, if not 10 years ago

 Several recent articles in the Marin Independent Journal have already said it. Drought conditions are getting more frequent and as the population increases, water is becoming more scarce. Our government must act before it reaches a crisis. 

The prospect of ongoing water crises demands more permanent solutions. "Water, water, every where, ...Nor any drop to drink." will soon be a full chorus from water suppliers around the world. There are already cities and counties singing the tune. The words of the Ancient Mariner also point the way to our solution, made possible by technology: the ocean (or lake, river, bay - whatever constant source of water is available nearby). 

Technology CAN desalinate and purify the available water to drinking water standards. The impediments are politics and money. Potable water is a requirement for life; without it, everything dies (except a few lifeforms that will inherit the Earth after we perish). A water distribution infrastructure is more essential to life than roads, airports, bridges, petroleum products, and other luxuries of modern life. Obviously, the solution is easier said than done. But surely it’s better than praying for rain, while imposing increasingly stringent water use regulations. Climate change is real. We need to take bold steps to mitigate its damage.

Katie Rice

Sen Mike McGuire

Senator Jared Huffman

Assemblymember Marc Levine

Reuse bathwater with a recirculation, reheating, filtration, and disinfectant system

With the drought predictions and water rationing proposals here in California, I've been considering the unnecessary wastefulness of emptying a bathtub down the drain after every use.

If building codes were modified to allow a system of recirculation pump, water reheater, purification system, and filter, then people could briefly shower, then get in the bathtub to soak, then soap down in the shower before a quick final rinse.

It is common practice in Japan to heat the water in a tub, maintain the temperature, and use it for the whole family's bath. No soap or dirt is allowed in the tub. A shower to soap up, shampoo, and rinse prior to entering the tub is mandatory in homes and in the many public and private spas.

With the addition of a filter to remove skin cells, hair, and other small debris, and suitable purification by UV and/or chemicals to kill any microorganisms, the water could be reused for days or even weeks. This is already done with outdoor spas; people do not change their spa water very often.

I'm recommending building codes be modified to allow a similar system in a residence, but requiring electric heating only, preferably solar, to avoid air pollution and CO2 production.

We got the vaccine!

I'm happy to report I got my second COVID-19 vaccination. I got the Pfizer and had virtually no reaction. Only a shoulder that was tender after the second shot, but only if I pressed on it.

My wife got the second Moderna shot, and she had just a little fatigue and sore shoulder for a day or two.

We'll still wear masks in public and avoid crowds, but a lot of stress has evaporated. We may get the flu, but probably will not have a serious case. 

Death from COVID-19 vs death from vaccine

2020-03-15 COVID-19 USA deaths 534,000 1.8% chance of dying from COVID-19 Age 75-84 COVID-19 deaths 141,384 Compared with 5—17-year-olds, the rate of death is 45 times higher in 30—39-year-olds, 2,800 times higher in 75-84-year-olds, and 7,900 times higher in 85+-year-olds.

Over 92 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines were administered in the United States from December 14, 2020, through March 8, 2021. During this time, VAERS received 1,637 reports of death (0.0018%) among people who received a COVID-19 vaccine.

support Delaware Sen. Tom Carper, chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee over efficiency and vehicle emission standards.

Please support Delaware Sen. Tom Carper, chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee over efficiency and vehicle emission standards. The California agreement is a useful starting point that all automakers should join to fulfill the goals of the Paris climate agreement and slow the climate disruption caused by vehicle emissions.

The SUVs and trucks can just as well be electric, which would further lower emissions and help the environment. Gasoline powered vehicles should be phased out as soon as possible. If they are not offered by auto companies, no one will buy them except as used. Transportation emissions is the single biggest U.S. contributor to climate change, so changes to vehicle emissions will have a large impact on our pollution footprint. Most of the large SUVs and trucks I see are single-occupant commute vehicles, except for contractors' vehicles. There is no reason these cannot be electric, or at least high mileage vehicles.

See https://enewspaper.marinij.com?selDate=20210313&goTo=A01&artid=2 for the complete article.

concern about the availability of clean, inexpensive water for my home's drinking and cooking

I sent this to my senators and representative:

I am very concerned about the availability of clean, inexpensive water for my home's drinking and cooking. Bottled water is too expensive and contributes to plastic pollution. My local water company cannot guarantee uninterrupted service, nor purity, and the cost increases every year.

I would like to supply my home with drinking and cooking water from Source Hydropanels installed on or near my home. Does the government have, or do you plan to offer, rebates or other incentives for this technology? If not, I suggest this would be a valuable and beneficial program.

If you are unfamiliar with Source (previously Zero Mass Water), see https://www.source.co/residential/ [google 'source water company'. For our family of 6, the two panels would cost $5,500 to $6,500 and provide 10 liters (~2.6 gallons) per day drinking/cooking water for at least 15 years (~55,000 gallons) for ~$0.10/gallon. It would be helpful to have some kind of tax credit, rebate, low-cost loans, or other help with the cost. 

This technology could provide a service similar to the solar power/battery systems that are reducing the need for PG&E electricity while assuring customers an uninterrupted supply of electricity. Providing drinking and cooking water would similarly reduce the demand on water resources and ensure a reliable, safe source of water.  This would be especially important during the increasingly frequent natural disasters, such as hurricanes and other weather-related disasters, earthquakes, fires, droughts, etc.

support the Sunshine Protection Act of 2021 to make daylight saving time permanent

Today I asked California senators Feinstein and Padilla to support the Sunshine Protection Act of 2021 to make daylight saving time permanent.

Source water for drinking and cooking suggestion

Sent a reply to Marin Water suggesting Source Water Hydropanels I'm planning to build an ADU in Marin County. I would like to supply it with drinking and cooking water from Source Hydropanels installed on or near my home. Do you have, or do you plan to offer, rebates or other incentives for this technology? If not, I suggest this would be a valuable and beneficial program.If you are unfamiliar with Source (previously Zero Mass Water), see https://www.source.co/residential/. For our family of 6, the two panels would cost $5,500 to $6,500 and provide 10 liters (~2.6 gallons) per day drinking/cooking water for at least 15 years (~55,000 gallons) for ~$0.10/gallon. It would be nice to have some kind of rebate or other help with the cost. This technology could be similar to the solar power/battery systems that are reducing the need for PG&E electricity while assuring customers an uninterrupted supply of electricity. Providing drinking and cooking water for Marin would similarly reduce the demand on Marin Water sources and ensure a reliable, safe source of water. 

observations on the Tesla PowerWall

Interesting observations about the Tesla Powerwall:
The smoke and ash from the wildfires last summer reduced the solar panels' efficiency dramatically. I hosed them down with water after the air cleared, and they improved considerably, but still not back up to new condition. I suppose I could hire someone to clean them, but I don't think I need to. Now that the rains have come, they are doing pretty well, considering the season.

Sep 2019 produced 1,240 kWh, Sep 2020 produced 978 kWhBecause we are in the shade most of the time from October to February the panels only generate a few kWh per day (photo).
An interesting side effect is that we get more power on cloudy and foggy days than on clear days. I suppose this is due to the sun reflecting and refracting from the clouds.

I've set my battery Reserve to 75% for these low-production months. That should last about 16 hours. Probably that's excessive, based on the outages I've had so far, but better safe than sorry.

I joined the OhmConnect effort to reduce the need for "dirty" power production. So when I get a request to save energy, I go full battery for the hour or two. I "game" the system by resetting the Customize to Cost Saving, Reserve down to 50% just before and during the hour or two and reset to 75% after, and Edit Price Schedule to Peak for just the hour or two of the requested saving period. It works pretty well. Instead of predicted usage of about 1 kWh, I get 0 usage.

It's interesting that even when all the appliances are off, I still see a background power usage of 300-400 W. Presumably, that's the "power vampires" that suck power continually.

The Tesla PowerWall app is very useful for tracking energy usage, monitoring solar power produced, checking the battery level, and setting custom criteria. I check it multiple times per day.