November 5,6 Safe Tech International News and Notes
Jolie Jones, Roman re: MS & EMF, Keith Cutter, Greenbank, Data Centers, The National Call: Protect Environmental & Historical Limits on Cell Towers
The news that singer Quincy Jones passed away may seem unrelated to EMR-S, (EHS)…except for the fact that his oldest daughter became an advocate for the condition, which she herself developed. I am so grateful that some members of the press covered it in such a respectful and matter-of-fact way - below
FEATURED
You may need to unlock one free post in order to access: Doc Malik Honest Health Podcast Interviews Keith Cutter Keith is a seasoned EMF Consultant and survivor of nearly four decades dealing with electromagnetic poisoning, shares his vast experience to help others safeguard their well-being. Drawing from a unique career that spans high-tech roles at companies like Apple and HP, to frontline healthcare work in Emergency Medical Services, Keith has seen how pervasive and often invisible EMF exposure can impact lives. He’s made it his mission to educate the public on the dangers of synthetic electromagnetic emissions through his Substack newsletter, The EMF Remedy podcast, and his YouTube channel. His work with the Weston A. Price Foundation has also cemented his role as a leading voice on EMF awareness. Keith doesn’t just talk about EMF dangers; he offers concrete solutions. From in-home assessments and consulting on new construction to remote advice for international clients, his approach is all about providing tailored strategies that genuinely reduce exposure. His emphasis is on practical, measurable steps, empowering people to regain control of their environments. Whether it's a simple fix, like reducing Wi-Fi usage, or more comprehensive planning for a new build, Keith's services are geared towards making homes and workplaces EMF-resilient for better health and peace of mind. About this episode - This was a fascinating chat with Keith Cutter about something we all know is out there, but we don’t give enough thought to, electromagnetic frequencies, or EMF for short. Keith’s story is both eye-opening and a bit alarming. He talks about how his high-tech career was derailed by what he calls “electromagnetic poisoning.” Imagine going from being completely functional to experiencing relentless anxiety, brain fog, and even insomnia. He says it wasn’t until he began making lifestyle adjustments—like turning off his Wi-Fi at night and using wired connections—that he finally started feeling like himself again. Keith gets into some pretty heavy stuff, like how EMF from our modern devices is completely different from the natural electromagnetic environment. He paints a picture of how our bodies are tuned to the Earth’s natural frequencies, like the Schumann resonance, which has been there since the dawn of time. But, he explains, our world has become filled with synthetic EMF from mobile phones, 5G towers, and so-called “smart” gadgets. These aren’t just harmless waves floating through the air; Keith argues that they’re doing a real number on our health, leading to problems like chronic fatigue, mental health issues, and even more serious illnesses. We even dived into the history of electricity and its eerie correlation with the rise of influenza. Keith isn’t saying that one caused the other, but he’s convinced there’s something there worth paying attention to. He also makes some strong points about how society’s blind trust in technology is a bit misplaced, comparing the unquestioned acceptance of smartphones to how people view vaccines. Thought-provoking, right? He also highlighted some pretty concerning facts about 5G, like how millimetre wave radiation, which was once the foundation for military weapons, is now being deployed for widespread public use without thorough testing. Keith’s take-home advice is practical but sobering. Be mindful and limit your exposure. That means simple things like using aeroplane mode more often and investing in proper shielding if you’re sensitive. He’s big on raising awareness and encouraging people to question the safety of our tech-dominated world. Because, at the end of the day, it’s about reclaiming some control over our environment to safeguard our well-being. Keith offers consultations to help people take control of their EMF exposure and create a healthier living environment. You can schedule a consultation and start your journey toward a safer, EMF-resilient life by clicking here. Enjoy Ahmad https://www.emfremedy.com/
NEWS AND NOTES
AFFORDABLE CARE PROGRAM BROADBAND: Seeing the Impact of ACP The Affordable Care Program lapsed in May of this year. At the time the program ended there were more than 13 million ACP recipients getting a discount on a cellphone plan and 10 million getting a discount on landline broadband. [] Many ISPs also offered an alternative low-income plan for qualified customers. It’s possible these low-income plans have enabled households to stay connected. On a national scale, there doesn’t seem to be a big customer drop as predicted by various surveys. If 13% of ACP recipients (1.3 million households) dropped broadband, it would be obvious in the quarter-to-quarter customer counts of big ISPs – and it’s not. I think it’s more likely that the results of the end of ACP will be more subtle, spread over time, and be harder to notice. While some homes likely dropped immediately, many have likely held on with one of the low-income alternatives offered by ISPs. Homes that find they can’t sustainably afford broadband will drop off over time and likely not make a noticeable ripple in the national numbers. The real victims of the end of ACP are customers of ISPs that have been building broadband networks in low-income neighborhoods or tribal areas and that relied on ACP payments to make a business case. I expect to hear stories over the next year of some of these ISPs having to shut the door. POTS AND PANS
AI: The cost of an AI query: Chatbot boom linked to massive energy drain AI is using up so much energy that the data centres in Europe where the technology is being developed are expected to need nearly three times the amount of power by 2030, according the McKinsey research, published in November. The study showed that electricity demand is projected to be more than 150 terawatt hours (TWh) by 2030, up from today's 62 TWh. This means AI will account for about 5% of Europe's total power consumption, compared to roughly 2% today, the study said. AI queries using 10 times more power than web search. Asking an AI chatbot questions uses up to 10 times as much energy as an internet search, recent reports by Goldman Sachs and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) showed. MSN
AI: Hospitals size up ways to ensure their AI works Health systems are under increasing pressure to embrace new artificial intelligence tools without a formal system for evaluating how well they work. Why it matters: Even AI developers can struggle to explain why a model makes a particular prediction or recommendation. That has big implications in clinical settings, where algorithm errors or bias can result in patient harm. AXIOS
AI: What AI knows about you Most AI builders don't say where they are getting the data they use to train their bots and models — but legally they're required to say what they are doing with their customers' data The big picture: These data-use disclosures open a window onto the otherwise opaque world of Big Tech's AI brain-food fight. In this new Axios series, we'll tell you, company by company, what all the key players are saying and doing with your personal information and content. Why it matters: You might be just fine knowing that picture you just posted on Instagram is helping train the next generative AI art engine. But you might not — or you might just want to be choosier about what you share. AXIOS
AI: Is AI Taking Control of Our Thoughts? Researchers Warn About the Emerging “System 0” Nobel laureate Daniel Kahneman's groundbreaking work on cognitive processes identified two primary modes of thinking : System 1 (fast and intuitive) and System 2 (slow and deliberative). However, recent research published in Nature Human Behaviour suggests the emergence of a third mode - System 0. System 0 represents an externalization of reasoning facilitated by AI technologies. This new cognitive pathway allows humans to delegate complex data processing tasks to artificial intelligence systems, potentially augmenting our mental capabilities. However, it also raises concerns about our growing dependence on these external cognitive resources. The implications of System 0 are far-reaching [] The concept of cognitive offloading - delegating mental tasks to external systems - is not new. We've long used tools like calculators and smartphones to augment our cognitive abilities. However, the advent of advanced AI systems takes this phenomenon to unprecedented levels. MSN
AI: 5 million tons: AI revolution could create mountains of e-waste by 2030, study warns
AUTOMOBILES: This 4-Way Waymo Standoff Is Self-Driving Car Comedy Gold Now that General Motors’s Cruise has left San Francisco after one of its vehicles hit and dragged a pedestrian 20 feet along the ground, Waymo has taken the city by storm. Its Jaguar I-Paces fitted with the company’s self-driving technology can be seen all over the city as they try to master autonomous operation — and sometimes, they produce some rather entertaining content in the process.[]The video in question today depicts a four-way Waymo traffic jam in San Francisco’s North Beach area, created when the autonomous cars try to figure out how to deal with an Amazon delivery van double-parked on a neighborhood street. The lead Waymo can be seen trying to pull out around the Amazon van – which would’ve put it in the lane of oncoming traffic – but it stopped short of fully doing so because another Waymo just so happened to approach from the opposite direction. Then, with one Waymo half-committed to going around the Amazon truck and the other stuck waiting to see if the lane will be blocked, two more Waymo cars pulled up behind the existing stand-off, in what can only be considered a case of excellent comedic timing. Of course, a human driver could’ve sorted through this conundrum within seconds, and traffic would begin to flow again. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen for the Waymos. The video’s creator spoke with Road & Track, and they said all four I-Paces were stuck staring at each other for about three to four minutes while traffic piled up behind them in both directions. They also noted plenty of honking and yelling from the humans stuck in the autonomous standoff. MSN
BIG TECH CRITIQUE Brian Merchant One year of Blood in the Machine (the book) On a year of rehabilitating the luddites, resisting AI, and beginning to build a better future I wanted to take a minute to note that it has officially been a full year since Blood in the Machine (the book) was published, and share a quick update on what’s happened since then. []the true story of the Luddites—not the derisive myth of technophobic rubes—has made its way into the mainstream, where it, hopefully, can offer a critical lens for thinking about things like AI and gig work. As such, the best part of publishing the book has been getting the opportunity to talk about the Luddites, about labor and technology, with hundreds, probably thousands, of students and workers. With folks in just about every line of work who are thinking about AI, automation, and how or whether to challenge them. []I’m seeing more of a support network come together; I’ve met lots of organizers and tech workers and thinkers who are doing great work here, building information resources and solidarity. It’s been great in fact to see folks broadening the horizon of what Luddism means in this particular moment; the scholar Charles Logan, for instance, is, which his colleagues, developing a luddite praxis for addressing AI in education. University professors are adding Luddism to their curricula, and I just heard from a high school history teacher who has started teaching a lesson on the Luddites. []But networks of resistance, both formal and informal, are growing. It’s clear now that generative AI is being used to undermine and eliminate creative jobs, that AI slop is enshittifying the internet, that a new regime of software automation—that next to no workers asked for—stands to profit power at workers’ expense. With strikes, walkouts, protests, and class action lawsuits, workers are fighting back. The New Luddites, as I wrote earlier this year, aren’t backing down. BLOOD IN THE MACHINE
BROADBAND INDUSTRY: USDA Invests $8.6M in High-Speed Internet for Wisconsin Counties The investment is centered on expanding connectivity in the rural counties of Barron, Burnett and Washburn, where estimates say it may help 1,574 residents and 43 businesses get online. [] In Barron County, a $4.3 million grant will be used by CTC Telcom, Inc. to construct a fiber system to benefit 785 residents and 22 businesses in the area, the release says. Subscribers will have access to service up to 10 gigabits per second download and 1 gigabit per second upload, expanding access to economic, educational, health care and public safety opportunities. [] A community center space will be provided in Evergreen Town Hall "where residents can access the internet free of charge for at least two years," the release says. Recipients of Community Connect awards use grant funds to equip community centers that provide free access to high-speed internet service to area residents for at least two years. In total, the USDA is awarding more than $63.8 million in grants under the Community Connect Program to build high-speed internet networks in rural areas in Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Missouri, Mississippi, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin. GOV TECH
CANADA UPDATE BARB’S 11 04 SUBSTACK; includes: New video on a popular YouTube channel (“Yes Theory”) about The Quiet Zone / Green Bank, West Virginia. Do not worry that the title of their video is somewhat incorrect. It is only one day since they posted their video and already there have been more than 630,000 views! And their channel has more than 9 million subscribers. 31-minute video:
“Exploring the Town That Made Internet & Phone Service Illegal (100% Disconnected)”
Barb’s Substack also includes details re: First-come, first-served Requests-to-speak (via zoom or in-person) for 3 minutes during an event at Ontario Legislature building Nov 25th.
CELLPHONES: Are Americans too attached to their phones? Here’s what different generations say about their smartphone usage. People have become so attached to their mobile devices that many have admitted in polls that they can’t imagine life without them. As different generations have different communication preferences, smartphone use inevitably varies across age groups. Spokeo analyzed generational trends in and perceptions of smartphone use amid public health concerns, using data from Pew Research Center and Gallup. As of 2022, 58% of U.S. adults believe they spend too much time on their phones, up from 39% in 2015, according to the Gallup poll. Not only has the amount of people with phones increased since 2015, but all age groups were more likely to express this concern. Additionally, Pew reported that 38% of teens said they believe their phone use is excessive in a 2023 survey. A May 2021 review of 84 research studies published in the journal Frontiers in Psychiatry detailed several adverse effects of smartphone use, including personality changes, decreased cognitive processing, and sleep disturbances. These challenges increasingly occur alongside mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and OCD. SPOKEO
CHILDREN: Delaney from Screenagers AI Companion Chatbots - A 5-Step Parenting Guide a step-by-step guide to help you know more and discuss all this with your kids. https://www.screenagersmovie.com/blog/5-step-plan-ai-chatbots
CHILDREN’S HEALTH DEFENSE - EMR Stress Relief, Truth Talk Van & The People's Study Welcome back to “Good Morning CHD,” the weekly show that covers a wide range of health-related topics, relevant to you and your family! Today, we have a jam-packed program on electromagnetic radiation, medical freedom and hospital protocols. First in the lineup is Stephen McCristall, EMR safety advocate. Have you heard about the relationship between sleep quality and wireless exposure? Or perhaps you are accustomed to strange ailments that are often correlated with sensitivity to technology and other sources that emit irritating wavelengths? Today, Stephen provides practical advice for identifying and eliminating the things in your environment that may be contributing to symptoms of ill health in your life. CHD TV (I don’t know Stephen) 36 Minutes
DATA CENTERS ENERGY: Amazon's nuclear datacenter dreams stall as regulators reject power deal Federal Energy Regulatory Commission cites grid stability concerns Amazon has hit a roadblock in its plans for nuclear-powered US datacenters. Federal regulators rejected a deal that would let it draw more power from a Susquehanna plant to supply new bit barns next to the site, on the grounds this would set a precedent which may affect grid reliability and increase energy costs.…[]In its summary, FERC said PJM had not demonstrated that its proposed "non-conforming" provisions in the amended ISA are necessary deviations from the existing agreement, and therefore rejected it. One dissenting voice was FERC Chairman Willie L Phillips, who claimed the order was "a step backward for both electric reliability and national security." He said he believed that PJM had addressed reliability issues comprehensively in its filing, and the ruling risks America's leadership in AI because "reliable electricity is the lifeblood" of the datacenters required for developing AI. However, Commissioner Mark C Christie explained that co-location arrangements of this type present "an array of complicated, nuanced, and multifaceted issues, which collectively could have huge ramifications for both grid reliability and consumer costs," and it was being rejected because PJM had failed to meet its burden of proof. MSN
DATA CENTERS: Mark Zuckerberg’s Nuclear-Powered AI Plan Ruined by Bees Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta saw plans for a new AI data center fall through in part because a rare species of bee was found on land where the data center would be built, according to a report. Sources told the Financial Times that Zuckerberg was hoping to reach a deal with a nuclear power plant operator to provide electricity for the proposed data center, but the deal was hit with a series of complications, including regulatory environmental challenges. MSN
DATA CENTERS: Microsoft's building data centres out of wood hoping we'll forget AI's made its carbon emissions 29% higher than when it pledged to go 'carbon negative' in 2020 Now, I don't believe for a moment that Microsoft thinks that two wooden builds are going to make much of a difference here, especially in light of how much energy they're going to consume, but every little helps. CLT is a bit more expensive than standard steel and precast concrete builds, so Microsoft is at least putting its money where its mouth is. I think I might have an idea for something it could try to further cut down on carbon emissions, though. How about it stops adding AI to everything it makes, so fewer AI servers are needed? Yeah, I guess not. MSN
DRONES: Amazon gets FAA approval for new delivery drone as it begins tests in Arizona MSN
EMPLOYEE RIGHTS: ‘Right to disconnect’ — Why 90% of workers want the law to save them from email anxiety
EMR=S / EHS: Quincy Jones Daughters: From ‘Parks and Rec’ to Animal Rights— How Quincy Jones’s Daughters Are Making Their Mark Across Industries Music legend Quincy Jones’ influence extends beyond his groundbreaking productions and arrangements – his six daughters have carved their own paths in entertainment and business. From acting to fashion design, these accomplished women demonstrate the creative DNA inherited from their father. [] Jolie Jones Levine, the eldest daughter born to Jones and Jeri Caldwell in 1953, pioneered as a model before transitioning to music and activism. Her work raising awareness about Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity (EHS) has helped others facing similar challenges. Quincy Jones Daughters: From ‘Parks And Rec’ To Animal Rights— How Quincy Jones's Daughters Are Making Their Mark Across Industries AND
Quincy Jones Was a Father to Seven Children From Five Women — Where are They Now? Quincy's eldest daughter, Jolie Jones Levine, was born on Oct. 4, 1953. She is the daughter of Quincy and his high school sweetheart, Jeri Caldwell. Jeri has not only modeled and dabbled in acting, but she is also an artist and writer. She has opened up about her struggles with electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS), detailing some of her experiences on her website. AND
Meet Quincy Jones 7 kids, including his famous actress daughter Rashida The music industry legend, who passed away aged 91, welcomed 7 children with 5 different women His first daughter left the spotlight over a rare health condition. Though Jolie, 71, did some modeling growing up and briefly worked in both film and music, she has opened up about retreating from the public eye because of her struggles with Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity, which doesn't have scientific basis, but refers to those suffering non-specific symptoms from exposure to electromagnetic fields. On her website, Jolie has described it as a "debilitating impairment" and points to "exposure to radiofrequency waves emitted by our cellphones, wifi and other wireless devices," as the cause."I had to become a refugee from the modern world," she also stated, and that because she "is unable to be anywhere near radiofrequency waves generated by cell phones and wireless devices," she subsequently "lost connection with friends and family."
FCC: FCC Defends Bus Wi-Fi Before 5th Circuit The court weighed whether a school bus can be considered a classroom under the E-Rate program’s guidelines. []The case, Molak v. FCC, brought by Texas residents Maureen and Matthew Molak, challenged whether federal money contained in the FCC’s E-Rate program, meant to support educational access within school buildings, can legally extend to buses. https://broadbandbreakfast.com/fcc-defends-bus-wi-fi-before-5th-circuit/
5G; Five Years Later, Has 5G Lived Up to Its Promise? The high-speed connectivity standard continues to drive change in live production It’s been five years now since the wireless carriers began rolling out 5G connectivity. Claims—sometimes exaggerated—about its possibilities were rampant then, including better steering of scalpels in robotic surgeries, downloading of HD feature-length movies in milliseconds, alleviating traffic jams and obsoleting human control of automobiles. Not all of these glowing promises have come to fruition, and only time will tell if they ever will. One thing about 5G is certain, though, and that’s its much-less-hyped impact on TV broadcasters and content producers. []What About Trucks?
Ostmo noted also that while his organization had eliminated some of its conventional microwave and satellite trucks, he felt that it was important to retain a backup to cellular, despite the claims made for 5G. “We need the ability to broadcast after a large natural disaster such as a hurricane or tornado, and cellular networks could be destroyed,” he said. “This is especially in tornado- or hurricane-prone areas.” Ostmo observed that as microwave or satellite trucks “age out” and are retired, there will always be a need for microwave and two-way radio linkage from the field that’s independent of common carriers. Perhaps the biggest problem with 5G right now, according to Ostmo—whose responsibility extends over Sinclair stations spread over several states in the south-central portion of the U.S.—is lack of solid coverage. “Where it’s available, we get a more robust connection and better throughput,” he said. “But it’s not available everywhere. In San Antonio, there’s good coverage in the city and not-so-good coverage as you go further out. There’s not any advantage in Nebraska.” TV TECH
5G INDUSTRY: 5G Americas-Influencing The Future Of The Wireless Industry 5G Americas is an industry trade organization focused on advancing LTE and 5G wireless technologies across the Americas. It includes leading telecommunications service providers and manufacturers, aiming to develop a connected wireless community and lead 5G development in the region. This organization creates white papers on spectrum, standards, and all related issues needed to launch 3G, 4G, 5G, and the recent 5G Advanced version that is coming out this fall. Its work is fundamental to the growth and direction of all wireless technologies that become the heart of this and next-generation wireless standards. [] One big focus of this year's 5G Americas was the move from 5G to 5G Advanced. This step is the next significant evolution of 5G before the eventual move to 6G sometime at the end of this decade. []Some of the new capabilities unleashed in 5G Advanced are higher speed for VR gaming, enhanced coverage, 70% lower cost via lower power consumption, more accurate positioning, resilient timing so GPS is not required indoors, network operation efficiency, enhanced sidelink meeting public safety needs, potential sidelink to XR devices and reliability up to 99.9%. It also supports current 5G speeds of up to 10 GPS. [] One key topic discussed is how AI will be used to help manage wireless networks. One other theme surprised some of us: the role of integrating NTNs (non-terrestrial networks) or satellites into traditional cellular businesses. In September, Elon Musk confirmed that TMobile will get exclusive rights to Starlink mobile internet for one year. Apple has partnered with satellite provider Globalstar Inc. to provide messaging services, which were recently critical for victims of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, to contact family when they lost power and cellular services. While the integration of satellite services within cellular networks is currently focused only on SOS and text messaging, satellite voice calling may soon become an added feature. FORBES
HEALTH THE POWER COUPLE: Is multiple sclerosis caused by EMF? Biophotons | Infrared light | Hypoxia | DHA 1. What is multiple sclerosis? 2. How does the Sun power our immune and nervous system? 3. What role does hypoxia play in MS? 4. How do we use DHA fatty acids to harvest light? 5. What are biophotons? 6. Why do those with MS lose heat? 7. How do our mitochondria harvest energy from water? 8. What are common symptoms of MS? 9. What is the tibial compression test? 10. Why do those with MS have low levels of vitamin D? 11. Why are higher rates of MS found in northern climates? 12. What type of diet can help MS? THE POWER COUPLE
HEALTH: Obsessing Over Your Health? The Case for Ditching Fitness Trackers MSN
HEALTH: Courtney Snyder MD Understanding the Pineal Gland, Melatonin & Sleep The "Seat of the Soul," Our "Dreaming Neurotransmitter, Melatonin Synthesis, Relationship Between Cortisol & Melatonin, Brain Waves & Sleep Cycles 15 MINUTE AUDIO
INSPIRATION: Katherine Johnson Martinko Does It Need to Be Said? A radical proposal for less texting, more living No longer do we need to choose our words with care or consider what’s worth saying. We just say it all, because we can. We talk easily and incessantly with friends, family, and strangers, sending near-constant text messages, emails, direct messages or comments on social media platforms, and making calls by phone, FaceTime, or Zoom. Not only that, but a torrent of photos is sent or posted online to illustrate one’s private life. Sometimes it feels like we inhabit a snow globe of information. It’s pouring down on us, inundating and accumulating, to a point of oversaturation where nothing soaks in anymore. []I wonder if humans are innately wired to want to share every detail of their lives with the broader world or if the technology made us this way. I lean more toward the latter. The digital devices we all own exploit a natural instinct to connect with others, distorting it and turning us into sort of sad, desperate versions of ourselves who can’t get enough of this thing we know we need, but certainly not at this level of intensity. A phrase that has begun echoing in my head recently is, “Save it.” Don’t be so quick to offer up that information to the maw of the device. Instead, hold onto it. Keep it close. Contemplate it. Consider whether the world needs to hear. Sometimes I ask myself the now-famous set of questions that was first outlined by Craig Ferguson: “Does it need to be said? Does it need to be said by me? Does it need to be said by me now?” And often, the answer is no. Katherine Johnson Martinko Author of "Childhood Unplugged: How to Get Your Kid Off Screens and Find Balance Does It Need to Be Said?
POLICY MAKING/REGULATION - CENTER FOR HEALTH ENVIROMENT & JUSTICE: Do Environmental Standards Protect Public Health? Federal environmental standards were created to protect the environment and human health. Regulations to limit chemicals in water, air, soil, and food set requirements that must be upheld by all levels of government (local, state, tribal, etc.), ideally creating uniform policy and protections for communities across the country. Examples include the Safe Drinking Water Act, Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act and the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act that regulate pollutants in drinking water, air, water and food, respectively. It’s natural to think that these laws would protect people from exposure to toxic chemicals, but this is only partially true. While these regulations have made significant improvements in drinking water, air, water and food quality, there are many gaps and limitations in these regulations that result in people unwittingly being exposed to toxic chemicals, especially in environmental justice communities.[]It’s reasonable for people to think, and expect, that government wouldn’t allow unsafe levels of toxic chemicals in the air we breathe, the water we swim in, the soil we play in, and in the food we eat. However, that’s not the case. With exception of drinking water, existing environmental and public health regulations do not set health-based standards that define a level of exposure that’s “safe” or even acceptable. Instead, we are left with unenforceable guidelines that give federal agencies enormous power to negotiate with the companies responsible for the contamination. This may be practical, but it’s not protective of public health and it leaves communities vulnerable to toxic exposures that can negatively impact their health. CENTER FOR HEALTH ENVIROMENT & JUSTICE
SPACE: Astronomers urge FCC to halt satellite megaconstellation launches Over 100 astronomers from leading U.S. universities have signed an open letter calling for an assessment of potential impacts of satellite megaconstellations on Earth's environment. The researchers urge the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which approves satellite deployments in the U.S., to halt megaconstellation launches and conduct a thorough assessment of their possible environmental impacts before awarding further licenses. U.S. government agencies are bound by the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA), which requires them to consider the environmental impacts of their decisions. A 1986 categorical exclusion, however, means that satellites are exempt from this requirement. []The U.S. nonprofit Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) conceived the letter following the release of its report detailing the potential hazards of satellite mass incineration in August. PIRG estimates that when megaconstellation deployment reaches its peak, some 29 tons of metallic waste will be vaporizing in Earth's atmosphere every day, the equivalent of "a car falling from space" every hour. Satellites are mostly made of aluminum, which forms aluminum oxide when burnt. Aluminum oxide, or alumina, contributes to ozone depletion and can alter the atmosphere's ability to absorb heat, thus affecting Earth's climate. Satellite reentries also produce nitrogen oxides, which, too, are known to damage ozone. []PIRG campaign director Lucas Gutterman, the main force behind the initiative, told Space.com in an email that the group has reached out to FCC Space Bureau Chief Julie Kearney, asking for a meeting to discuss the concerns expressed in the letter. MSN
SPACE: Pentagon's Huge Satellite Spending Boost Could Mean Funding Windfall for Starlink
ACTION ALERT:
FROM THE NATIONAL CALL Protect Environmental & Historical Limits on Cell Towers
Congress has put up near-zero resistance to carpeting our neighborhoods, schools and parks with dangerous, ugly cell towers. HR 4141, and related bills HR 7376 and 8230, would exempt most cell towers and antenna expansions from environmental and historic preservation review required under NEPA and NHPA (National Environmental Policy Act and National Historic Preservation Act).
For example, it’s because of historic preservation review that NYC is successfully stopping construction of many 4G/5G cell towers on its city streets in historic districts or in front of historic structures that are on, or eligible for, the National Register of Historic Places. These bills would wipe out those successes.
This affects all of us, including our birds, bees and trees – in urban, suburban, and rural areas, federal lands, and our National Forests.
The Natural Resources Committee in Congress already voted yes against our interests and sent HR 4141 to the full House, which can now vote on it at any time. Congress is deciding which bills to vote on when it returns on Nov 12th.
Now is the time to SPEAK OUT!
Contact your U.S. Rep this week.
Forward this email to your email lists.
Please:
1. Click Identify to find your U.S. Rep.
2. Go to their website “contact” page
3. Copy the below message and paste into that page
4. On their website locate their phone number and call to “urge opposition to HR 4141, 7376, and 8230”
5. In your email & call, request a “Zoom next week to discuss Telecom bills to bridge the broadband digital divide”. Email hello@thenationalcall.org with any response you get regarding scheduling. See below for availability of professionals to attend with you to discuss the bill(s).
If you have already spoken with your U.S. Reps’ offices, contact them again by email and by phone to discuss this, and include the message below. No need to schedule a Zoom meeting.
Send This Message to Your U.S. Rep:
Oppose HR 4141, HR 7376, and HR 8230. Keep NEPA environmental and NHPA historic preservation reviews for ugly and radiation-emitting cell towers (which property owners want zoned away from neighborhoods, schools and parks). Respect consumer preference for wired broadband that is safe, reliable, secure and more affordable.
Oppose inserting any of these bills, or pieces of them, into larger “must-pass” legislation
Oppose all other Wireless language - in the FARM, Parks & NTIA Reauthorization bills – that will take away local control over the siting of ugly and radiation-emitting cell towers and antennas.
Cosponsor HR 8082 (Smith, NJ), restoring local government discretion on antenna location - so property owners can work with authorities to zone cell towers away from bedrooms, classrooms and parks.
Time availability of professionals to attend the Zoom calls with you who will discuss the bills:
Week of Nov 4 (ET):
M 10am – 4pm
Tu 2:30-4pm
W 10am-11am; 1:30-2pm; 3-4pm
Th 1:15-2:30pm
Fr 10am-12:45pm
Week of Nov 11 (ET):
M 10am - 4pm
Tu 2:30-4pm
W 10am-11am; 1:30-2pm; 3-4pm
Th 1:15-2:30pm
Fr 10am-3:30pm
Speak out, while we still can!
Sincerely,
Odette Wilkens Chair The National Call for Safe Technology
Lisa Smith Co-Chair The National Call for Safe Technology
Congrats Keith!