New Jersey is going, going green

This past weekend, New Jersey was painted green at PSEG GreenFest. Friday through Sunday, the Garden State Exhibit Center in Somerset consisted of exhibits, workshops and speakers that provided guests with knowledge of how to live environment friendly lifestyles.

JEFF GRANIT staff Above: PSEG's Johnny Veprek demonstrates the difference between regular and compact fluorescent light bulbs at the Garden State Exhibit Center in Somerset April 3. Many famous activists came to speak at GreenFest, such as actress Daryl Hannah, actor Ed Begley Jr., Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins, who is the chief executive officer of Green for All, and Martin and Chris Kratt, zoologists and television hosts.

One keynote speaker in particular gathered a large crowd at his workshop. Bill Nye, a scientist, engineer, comedian, inventor and author, spoke of the crisis of climate change. Nye used comedy to relate to his audience and encourage them to help save the planet.

"I was very excited about coming here until a guy asked me if Bill Nye was my real name. I told him it was William … and he asked why I changed it," Nye said, putting the crowd at ease to learn.

Nye spoke of his background as a scientist and engineer, stating his life was influenced largely by his father who collected rocks and was heavily interested in sundials. While living in Washington, D.C., Nye's father Edwin discovered many sundials, photographing them and publishing books. Nye claimed that his fate as a scientist and engineer was inevitable, judging by the way he grew up.

Nye showed pictures of the Earth's atmosphere as seen from space, and discussed the severe effects of global warming due to the deterioration of the atmosphere. According to Nye, the Earth's atmosphere is currently thinner than the shell of an egg.

"Our world is changing," he said.

Nye showed the audience a picture of Uppsala Glacier in Argentina in 1928, which was a large sheet of ice. The next picture shown was taken at the same place in 2004, with the sheet of ice no longer existing. Next, a picture of Mount Saint Helen in Washington was shown erupting, its stature diminishing greatly from global warming, according to Nye.

"No matter how you cut it, the world is getting warmer," the scientist said. "But for many people, climate change does not seem possible.

"If a chunk of Antarctica falls off, the ocean gets warmer and expands. If the sea level goes up, everyone in Florida will be up to their knees in water," Nye said. "I want you, especially you young people, to change the world — make it new and better."

Nye explained that his and Ed Begley's idea for a brighter future can work if everyone does less. "In a perfect world, we would all consume less, drive less, buy less clothes … as a matter of fact just wear dirty clothes," Nye said. "Obviously no one is going to stop eating and washing their clothes, but Ed and I ask you to do more with less."

Nye encouraged guests to switch to solar heating, drive more energy-efficient cars and support wind turbines, especially in New Jersey.

"New Jersey has enormous wind resources. You have five times as much energy as you need just in wind. Put turbines offshore," Nye said.A

large problem, according to Nye, is the "vampire problem." This is when you have multiple things in your home plugged in at once, sucking all your energy without killing it. Nye spoke of a device still being perfected, called the "green switch." This device sends radio signals to outlets in the house, turning them off by simply sliding the switch. This is one of the many devices working to help the environment.

"I hope many of you at GreenFest will embrace science so you can change the world," Nye said.

Another guest speaker, Grayson Marshall, spoke of the profitable market of the green industry.

"Everywhere you turn around, it has something to do with going green," Marshall said. "Bentley Motors has now gone green. If highend cars go green, there's obvious profitability in the market."

Exhibits at GreenFest consisted of a wide variety of companies advertising organic products, green cleaning products, and organizations dedicated to teaching students about the benefits of taking care of the environment.

The Grand Falloons presented their "Earth Science Circus," using silly entertainment to get children's attention and interested in science. The Grand Falloons state that they provide "fun environmental education and a unique and lively exploration of resources made not only accessible, but also exhilarating."

Another organization focused on participation from students is Green Market Fundraising, working to bring CFL light bulbs into more homes through their "environmentally friendly fundraising in schools," said Helder Cristovao. This organization works with New Jersey's Clean Energy Program, helping students raise money for their schools, as well as benefit the environment.

PSEG also provided its own tips on how to protect the environment and conserve energy during the summer. These ideas included the replacement of incandescent light bulbs with fluorescent, planting shade trees close to your house, closing blinds to help fans and air conditioners cool more efficiently, and waiting to do laundry at night.

For more information on how to conserve energy in your home, go to www.pseg.com/environment.

GreenFest did not just provide information for guests, it also set examples. Organizers said the garbage from the food court would be composted, the fliers were made from recycled paper, reusable water bottles were handed out with a station to fill them, and energy-efficient transportation was provided to eliminate the number of vehicles used to attend the event.

"This festival is all about taking care of ourselves and the planet," Nye said.