Photo by Karen Mancuso.
The 10-10-10 Business Energy Expo held by the NSB Marine Discovery Center drew enthusiastic crowds Sunday as part of a worldwide effort to encourage alternative energy sources, including the people shown in this photo with the Intracoastal Waterway asa backdrop. Some 2,500 people attended Sunday's NSB event.
Check out lots of photos at the event by clicking here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/djk21011/2010_10_10?authkey=Gv1sRgCKWt1uOM1660pwE&feat=email#
Editor's Note: The following was written for NSBNEWS.net by Grey Wilson, a volunteer at the Marine Discovery Center, whose wife, Pat, and other volunteers, organized the event:
NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Sunday the tenth of October did not pass by without a meaningful business energy expo event in New Smyrna Beach. The energy conscious business exhibit offered the public a view of the ongoing 21st Century consumer products we have seen emerge in the last decade.
Most of these products were in the developmental stage or early phases in the late 1990s. Now they have reached the business-entrepreneur level and been mainstreamed with large area companies like Home Depot (featuring energy saving bulbs/window tiniting/star energy appliances and more), Ace Hardware, NSB Mullinax hybrid Fords, Deland Toyota Prius with solar roof, Fox Bicycle (local manufacturer), Gulf Atlantic Electric vehicles (division of Chrysler), Waynes Solar, Solar Fit, AiA Energy Savings and Power Solar Shift with its 100% street-legal solar vehicle.
Volusia County definitely sees the energy savings by combing mass transportation with its new line of hybrid transit vehicles - one of which was on display.
So common are these early steps into energy savings..which all have a common thread: less carbon.
We see businesses that we might not automatically associate with this technology: Absolute Comfort Air Conditioning, Tire Kingdom, and Sound Wave Technologies (its just not home entertainment - but computerized household energy savings control), Max Your Macs (Apple), and New Smyrna Beach's highly touted computer and lighting technology firm - Nu Way Technologies. Let's not forget Geoflow and what is now starting to be common place in new homes and condos - geothermal energy.
New Smyrna Beach Utilities Commission's message of the day: "Save energy, conserve fuel, and save money."
Courtesy photo
These two youngters prepare exhibits at one of the 70-plus booths at the NSB solar expo.
Local nurseries and farms, Kopp's Nursery, Ivy League Landscapes, Green Flamingo Farms, Full Moon Natives, The Green Logo, Eco Outdoors, The Farmhouse 407, Access to Organics, Bountiful Earth, all remind us that shopping locally in and of itself saves energy costs.
Less energy used to receive goods from across the country and its home grown taste. Very Special Arts, Coronado Elementary, and New Smyrna Middle School took the occasion to a higher level - the arts interpretation of the event. 350.org and its message of reaching a sustainable level of carbon in the atmosphere (350 ppm) perhaps was captured best in their displays.
The earth and future are theirs and attendees overwhemingly found their message filled with hope and energy. With the 2,500 attendees, .the 70-plus exhibitors each had a chance to engage with potential consumers about their offerings.
Our vision was that this goal (350 ppm) can be reached in small steps. Business revolving around energy related businesses that take our reduce dependance off carbon related sourced businesses not only will make the world a healthier place to breath, but a safer place. It will reduce the importance of the Middle East conflicting region of the world and at the same time keep our dollars here.
This is a win-win for NSB, the U.S. and the world. By taking small steps we will get there. Now let's get to work !