By Dale Smith, Hometown News | View Source

A world-wide grassroots movement will bring its message to New Smyrna Beach during a one-day event called “Here Comes the Sun” Energy Expo and Showcase.

The October 10 expo at the Marine Discovery Center will focus on energy, conservation, the environment and climate change awareness.

This is the first time New Smyrna Beach has participated in the event and will be joined by more than 160 countries from around the world on 10.10.10.

The event will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There is no charge for admission or parking.

While the event may sound very scientific in nature, the energy expo will actually be a fun, learning experience for the whole family, organizers say. Vendors will showcase their energy production and conservation services in businesses such as hybrid vehicles, solar and geothermal energy, organic farming and landscaping, among others.

Children will enjoy boat rides, music, nature art and an assortment of food outlets.

Local organizers see the expo as an opportunity to showcase what’s available in the clean energy job market.

With so many area vendors already involved in the expanding field of clean energy, event organizers Pat and Grey Wilson say clean energy could be a key to the creation of scores of new jobs for the region.

“This is a grand coalition of all things great and small that can help the planet to breathe easier and for us all to live better lives,” organizer Grey Wilson said. “We want to support those companies in the area that have a vision for a sustainable future and who employ people in our area.”

Included in the scheduled expo activities and displays are solar energy demonstrations, mangrove greenhouse sessions, kayak and boat tours of shoreline and oyster restoration projects, a cardboard boat race, children’s sun/nature art, and live music.

For visitors who wish to recycle cell phones or printer ink cartridges, there will be a collection location at the event.

Organizers of the one-day event, 350.org and the 10:10:10 Campaign, say the day of action is being organized in cooperation with hundreds of other organizations around the world in more than 3,500 sites.

The number 350 is the number scientists say is the safe upper limit of carbon dioxide that’s measured in parts per million. That number is what scientists say is the level the world needs to get back to avoid runaway climate change.

For more information on the “Here Comes the Sun” Energy Expo, contact Jim Hampton at (386) 424-0207 or email him at jhamp25@gmail.com.