The price of green energy, a documentary by Jean-Louis Pérez and Guillaume Pitron, now available in English. A follow-up to Jeff Gibbs’ “Planet of the Humans” and Julia Barnes’ “Deep Green Lies,” this German film reports on the ecological damages and worker hazards involved in manufacturing computers, solar PVs, industrial wind, e-vehicles and batteries. It explains that reduced CO₂ emissions in Europe and North America depend on extracting and processing ores in other continents—and results in destroying ecosystems and people who live near the mines and factories. The film also explains why coal plants are necessary for “the transition.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqSqNIsC04g  

“Calming Behavior in Children with Autism and ADHD,” Katie Singer’s 2016 report about pediatrician Dr. Toril Jelter’s free, EMR-reduction protocol—and case studies of families that have used it—has just been revised and published by Wall Street International Magazine: https://wsimag.com/science-and-technology/68592-calming-behavior-in-children-with-autism-and-add 

Notes on Electric Utility Brownouts: New Mexico’s largest utility recently announced that ratepayers can expect brownouts this summer. Brownouts are caused when customers demand more electricity than the utility can produce. The utility then reduces the electric system’s capacity and voltage by 10-25%. A brownout may last for less than a second. With decreased demand, the utility can restore full power levels—and avoid a blackout.  

During a brownout, electric service is not interrupted completely—but electronics and appliances may “fry” or malfunction when the power is restored: the momentary surge of power can damage electronics.  

A blackout is a large-scale service interruption, typically caused by downed power lines or blown transformers. A blackout lasts from hours to days or even weeks. Blackouts shut devices off, and so they tend to be less harmful to equipment.  

Could we consider this brownout warning an opportunity to reduce electricity demands—especially from 7-9 am and 4-7 pm (peak demand times)? Instead of buying and running air conditioners, could homeowners paint roofing with white, reflective paint? People of means might opt to buy generators to keep their households’ electricity uninterrupted. Alas. Generators tend to be toxic, expensive, flammable…and inverters chop the 60 Hz cycle. How/could we discuss options for the common good?  

all of Katie Singer and Miguel Coma’s reports are available at www.OurWeb.tech/letters  

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