Humanitys Greatest Challenge

Will 2013 Blog Action Day be a success?  Of course it will be this years subject is Humanitarian in Nature and is a perfect fit for addressing Humanity's Greatest Challenge yet undertaken by Mankind.  

The continued threat of Global Warming on the Worlds Food Supply caused by extreme weather.

I recently wrote about the changing weather patterns that I link to global warming and my experiences growing up on a Ranch in North Missouri.  I mentioned simple facts that cannot be denied: We do not have prolonged periods of cold weather that keeps the snow that falls from melting 'normally', we have more ice and less snow, and we are feeling the effects of climate change.

And now it is effecting our Nation's Food Supply.  Just recently 4 feet of snow fell in the western plains^[1].  The Snow was so deep and came so early that tens of thousands of cattle were killed- a tragedy for the Ranchers and their herds.  

This is not only a loss of income for the Ranchers and the businesses in the area; it is going to affect the prices of the Nations Food Stock.  

While it may be normal for 4 feet of snow fall in the Western Plains.  It is not normal for 4 feet of snow fall this early in the year.  The snowfall came so early and was unexpected for both the Ranchers and Cattle they were ill equipped and still ill equipped since our Government has shut down^[2]- removing all the aid that is deserving for the bestricken Ranchers.  

The normal pattern of how animals grow their winter coats that usually grow middle to late fall, had not yet fully developed.  So the cattle were out there with jean jackets on instead of down filled winter coats.  Just like a human would freeze to death so did the cattle and wildlife.  

Did you notice the Natural Weather pattern was altered- 

Winter came earlier and more severe.  

This is not the normal weather pattern.

To help my readers understand how extreme weather affects the daily shopping routine at the local Schnucks and Dierbergs hometown grocery stores let me share a little background on Beef production.

• A loss of 1 steer will produce an average of 800 pounds of beef.  10,000 steers produce 8,000,000^[3] lbs of meat that American Families need to eat for survival.

• Supply and Demand determines the markets^[4].

• Less supply equals higher prices in the cattle market-Cattle Prices Could Break Records this Week^[5]

So yes Global Warming does affect us in StLouis even though we were not directly in the Last Path of the extreme weather patterns caused by Global Warming from the burning of Fossil Fuels that create CO2^[6] see IPCC 5th assessment report^[7].

Labadie Dirty Coal Plant Photo by:Richard Keeling

Labadie plant among top emitters of greenhouse gases-StLouis Post Dispatch

It is going to hit us where it will hurt us Humans the most [in a struggling economy] in our bank accounts when we go to the grocery store.  

Lucky for us there are things we can do to lessen the effects of the Extreme Weather that is causing Global Warming and the damage from Climate Change.  

Yes StLouis can make a difference in Humanity's Greatest Challenge.

Simple acts of reducing the energy needed for your home does make a difference because less energy needed is less Dirty Coal that is burned to create the electricity StLouis Needs.  This means that the 4th most polluting coal plant in the USA^[8] that is located just a measly 45 minutes to the west of StLouis will need to burn less coal which is the biggest form of CO2 emissions^[9].  Here are just 4 simple acts that have the biggest influence in reducing Climate Change caused by Global Warming:

• So the little act of changing a light bulb to a new style that uses less energy can help as well as turning off unused gadgets- 10% reduction of coal burnt electricity.

• The Simple Act of Recycling and Growing a Back Yard Garden^[10]

• Beefing Up {staying on the Ranch Theme} the insulation in your home or office will mean less electricity is needed-Weatherizing your home has additional benefits as well-15-30% reduction of coal burnt electricity.

• Installing a clean energy solar system will also dramatically reduce the CO2 Pollution-greatest savings for bank account and reduced CO2 emissions 90-100% of reduction of coal burnt electricity.

I realize that #2 and #3 have sizeable investment hurdles.  Luckily we have a local program in StLouis to help with making Energy Efficiency, Energy Conservation, and Clean Energy Resources possible for our Area.  This is not your normal go to the bank for a loan financing.  It is better!  This program, Set the PACE StLouis^[11] is geared to help local people do their part to reduce climate change and save money.  Its a match made in heaven and just what the doctor ordered.

This program will not only:

• Save you money on Reducing the energy needs for your Building.

• It will improve the Value of your Property

• You will have MORE money- because the Loan Payment Charges are lower than the price you were paying for the energy.

If you could do all those things and reduce the Dirty Coal that produces the most CO2 Pollution from being burned what is not to like about such a program?  When more people are joining in and making a difference we will be meeting and mitigating the Humanity's Greatest Challenge

Scotty

Scotts Contracting, StLouis Renewable Energy

We Can Build a Green StLouis^[12]

Key Words for Blog Action Day 2013 : #BAD2013, #OCT16, #Humanrights, #BlogActionDay, #GlobalWarming, #CO2,#ClimateChange

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[1] "Early snow kills thousands of cattle in SD - Weather, forecasts, news ..." 2013. 15 Oct. 2013 <http://local.msn.com/early-snow-kills-thousands-of-cattle-in-sd-1>

[2] "Government Shuts Down As Congress Fails To Reach Spending ..." 2013. 15 Oct. 2013 <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/01/government-shuts-down_n_4020219.html>

[3] "How much meat does a steer usually produce? - Cattle Forum ..." 2008. 15 Oct. 2013 <http://www.cattletoday.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=43995>

[4] "Supply and demand - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." 2003. 15 Oct. 2013 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supply_and_demand>

[5] "Cattle prices could break records this week | Beef Today - AgWeb." 2013. 15 Oct. 2013 <http://www.agweb.com/article/cattle_prices_could_break_records_this_week_NAA_Greg_Henderson/>

[6] "Extreme weather, more extreme greenhouse gas emissions beckon ..." 2013. 15 Oct. 2013 <http://dandelionsalad.wordpress.com/2013/09/03/extreme-weather-more-extreme-greenhouse-gas-emissions-beckon-urgent-activism-by-patrick-bond/>

[7] "IPCC - Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change." 15 Oct. 2013 <http://www.ipcc.ch/>

[8]Inserted better link to http://kbia.org/post/amerens-labadie-plant-named-top-greenhouse-gas-emitter-epa some reason ameren ue removed this link> "Labadie - Ameren." 2010. 15 Oct. 2013 <http://www.ameren.com/sites/aue/source/AboutUs/pages/adc_au_labadie.aspx >

[9] "Energy-related carbon dioxide emissions - US Energy Information ..." 2011. 15 Oct. 2013 <http://www.eia.gov/forecasts/ieo/emissions.cfm>

[10] "Little Green Thumb Recycling Adventure |St Louis Renewable Energy." 2012. 15 Oct. 2013 <http://stlouisrenewableenergy.blogspot.com/2012/06/little-green-thumb-recycling-adventure.html>

[11] "Set the Pace St. Louis." 2013. 15 Oct. 2013 <http://www.setthepacestlouis.com/>

[12] "Scotts Contracting - St Louis Renewable Energy." 2009. 15 Oct. 2013 <http://www.stlouisrenewableenergy.com/>

Thank you for stopping by St Louis Renewable Energy. Feel free to comment in the section below or contact Scotts Contracting- St Louis Home Improvement Projects and Energy Reducing Needs Get Your Green Building Tips and Resources at St Louis Renewable Energy Green Blog

Voters are Responsible for Shutdown~Lesson Learned~BlameGame

Yes I said and do mean that.  The Tea Party and their fellow GOP cronies were elected by the People.  So I point the finger in the blame game back at 'We the People' the Voting Public for electing these clowns into office.

I will admit that when I first learned about the Tea Party. I believed they were making a few valid points.  Though it was not enough for me to contribute $Money$ to support their political endeavors.  Some of the info was at least worth looking into.

Like any informed Voter studying the Issues that are affecting the USA and its Interests.  I want the facts-not the hype from the Media Networks.  I learned long ago when I started studying the effects of Climate Change that it was the Humans Fault. (IPCC-The IPCC report shows the Man Made CO2 is creating warming temperatures Worldwide )

I've written many green blog posts on Climate Change and the Causes and never understood why more efforts to end wars over Oil, Clean Energy Jobs, and protecting America's Greatest asset "We The People" were not adopted and enacted by our Elected Officials.

I had to know why wouldn't any elected official who campaigns on what's best for the American Public and then FAIL to:create and enact laws and regulations to support the endeavor.  To understand and research this topic I luckily found the websites: Open Secrets and Follow the Money.

I had the Ah-hah Moment. 

I honestly couldn't believe the amount of money Big Business and the Oil Industry was giving to our Elected Officials.  And when I look at the Government Shutdown created by the GOP and the Tea Party Members.  I realized these are the same people who are taking the most money from the Fossil Fuel Industry.

Coincidence or Fact learn for yourself from the people at: Open Secrets and Follow the Money.

I rest my case.

Sincerely,
Scotty
Scotts Contracting, StLouis Renewable Energy


Roy Blunt Missouri Senator is a perfect example of Big Business and Dirty Energy Money in Politics

Roy Blunt Missouri Senator is a perfect example of Big Business and Dirty Energy Money in Politics

Thank you for stopping by St Louis Renewable Energy. Feel free to comment in the section below or contact Scotts Contracting- St Louis Home Improvement Projects and Energy Reducing Needs Get Your Green Building Tips and Resources at St Louis Renewable Energy Green Blog

StLouis Gateway Arch Grounds SlideShow with Bid Request

Great Rivers GreenWay Project Slide Show

Great Rivers Greenway Presentation for MBE/DBE Stakeholder Meeting on CityArchRiver 2015 Project (9/6/13) from GreatRiversSTL

ADVERTISEMENT copied from:http://www.greatriversgreenway.org/projects/public-bids-rfqs.aspx
Central Riverfront, Leonor K. Sullivan Boulevard and Bikeway
Raising and Reconstruction of Leonor K. Sullivan Boulevard
Federal Project TDG-0705(333)

Notice to Contractors

Sealed bids for the raising and reconstruction of Leonor K. Sullivan Boulevard, will be received at the office of the The Great Rivers Greenway District, 6174A Delmar Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63112 until 2:00 o'clock P.M. (Central Daylight
Time) on Thursday, October 24, 2013. Bids will be publicly opened and read at that time (2:00 o'clock P.M.). All bids to be submitted on the bid forms provided in the specification package.

The large scale project is a mile and a half in length on the St. Louis City riverfront and is centered in front of the Gateway Arch. The proposed work includes: a complete reconstruction of Leonor K. Sullivan (LKS) Boulevard with an adjacent bicycle
path, pedestrian guardrail, a pedestrian walk and streetscape improvements and amenities. ADA accessible pedestrian sidewalks will be constructed on both sides of the Leonor K. Sullivan Boulevard to provide new ADA accessible walksfrom
the Arch groundsto the Riverfront. Overall work to include, but not limited to,site demolition, rough and finish grading, extensive retaining wall construction, utility work, sewer construction, flood wall modifications, landscaping installation,
lighting installation, pavement marking, signing, traffic control, and sediment and erosion control.

Bidding registration must be completed prior to obtaining bid documents. Locations for obtaining bid documents will be provided after registration. All requests for bid documents should be addressed to Bill Chilton at David Mason & Associates at
(314)534-1030, bchilton@davidmason.com, or 800 S. Vandeventer Ave., St. Louis, MO 63110.

A pre-bid conference will be held at 10:00 AM on October 7, 2013, at 1520 Market Street, St. Louis, MO 63103. A DBE Mixer conducted by the Construction Manager, BSI, will be held immediately after the pre-bid meeting. All bidders are encouraged to attend both the pre-bid meeting and DBE Mixer with the Construction Manager.

All labor used in the construction of this public improvement shall be paid a wage no less than the prevailing hourly rate of wages of work of a similar character in this locality as established by the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (Federal Wage Rate), or state wage rate, whichever is higher.

The Great Rivers Greenway District hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively ensure that in any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, religion, creed, sex, age, ancestry, or national origin in consideration for an award.

This project will be broken into 10 different packages, and a contract will be awarded to a prime contractor for each of the 10 packages. Many packages will require the contractors be on MoDOT’s Qualified Contractor List per Section 102.2 of
the Missouri Standard Specifications for Highway Construction, 2011 Edition including all revisions. The contractor questionnaire must be on file 7 days prior to bid opening.

Contractors and sub-contractors who sign a contract to work on this project must conduct a 10-Hour OSHA construction safety program, or similar program approved by the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, to be completed by their on-site
employees within sixty (60) days of beginning work on the construction project.
A cashier’s check or a bid bond in the amount of 5% of the total bid shall be submitted with each sealed bid.

The Great Rivers Greenway District reserves the right to reject any or all bids.
DBE goals exist for each of the 10 packages – goals range from 9% to 26%.
No 2nd tier subcontracting will be allowed on this project.







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Local StLouis Green Builder WINS Ridgid Tool

Scotts Contracting aka @StLHandyMan on #Twitter just won the 4Ah battery on the September Promotion offered by Ridgid Tools 

Scotts Contracting aka @StLHandyMan Wins September RIDGID Tool Promotion

Congrats to our September Giveaway winners @StLHandyMan & @Jagator21 - winners of a RIDGID 4Ah battery! #giveaway
— Ridge Tool Company (@RIDGIDtoday) September 30, 2013

Post by RIDGID Tools.

Thank You Ridgid Tools.  I will put the RIDGID 4Ah battery to work Building Green and Sustainable Projects for the Homes and Businesses for the Great People of the StLouis Region!

For those who haven't used or heard of the Great Tools Ridgid manufactures check out the following YouTube Video of the New Ridgid 2Ah and 4Ah Hyper Lithium batteries

Thank you for stopping by St Louis Renewable Energy. Feel free to comment in the section below or contact Scotts Contracting- St Louis Home Improvement Projects and Energy Reducing Needs~Get Your Green Building Tips and Resources at St Louis Renewable Energy Green Blog