The Energy Fair was held at Whippany Park on Saturday, February 24. The fair raised awareness about environmental issues and taught ways to be more a more conscientious citizen by saving energy and taking care of the environment. The goal- to be part of the solution, not the problem. About 150 people from all parts of the community were in attendance.

Outside organizations, such as BASF and Bayer, displayed their new environmentally friendly innovations. Bayer’s agricultural division is working to save bees and help them thrive in their environments. There were also tables that discussed the importance of recycling, complete with a chair made of recycled coke bottles (111 coke bottles, to be exact)!

Acorn Home Improvement showed off their new product that monitors how much energy an appliance uses. For example, the average desktop computer uses 390 kWh per year. That is $46 a year just to keep your computer running. They also aim to show people how much energy is used even when your appliances are turned off. In America, $19 billion worth of energy is wasted every year by these appliances that are seemingly off.

Air Liquide discussed the positives of using a hydrogen fuel car. Instead of using gas, hydrogen fuel cars combine hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity. The electricity then runs the motor that powers the car. While many people still use gas-based cars, hydrogen fuel vehicles are more environmentally friendly since converting hydrogen into electricity creates much less pollution than burning gasoline. Hydrogen fuel cars have been shown to reduce pollution by approximately 30%.

The Energy Fair was able to spread ideas about different ways to improve our environment by converting to cleaner energy, and using it more efficiently. It was a great success, and the sponsors hope to have even more attendees next year.