Solar-Powered Flashlights? West Orange Environmentalists Convene

WEST ORANGE, NJ — It’s simple-yet-important innovations like a solar-powered flashlight that will change the planet. And during the West Orange Environmental Commission’s annual event at Thomas Edison National Historical Park, several local advocates for the environment shared their own ideas on how to make their corners of the world a better place.

The March 14 event kicked off with a reminder from WOEC Chair Mike Brick about the 2018 “Earth Hour.” Brick shared suggestions on what families could do during the one-hour period when lights are turned off in a symbolic struggle against “accelerating climate change and staggering biodiversity loss.”

Learn more about Earth Hour here.

Thomas Edison National Historical Park Superintendent Tom Ross discussed Edison’s inventions and particular interest in the environment, sharing the inventor's prescient quote:

“We are like tenant farmers chopping down the fence around our house for fuel when we should be using Nature’s inexhaustible sources of energy--sun, wind and tide. I’d put my money on the sun and solar energy. What a source of power! I hope we don’t have to wait until oil and coal run out before we tackle that.”

David Alexander, a senior naturalist at the Essex County Environmental Center, briefed attendees on upcoming programs (and yes, the butterflies will be back). Alexander also encouraged attendees to take a guided river tour in the area.

West Orange Environmental Commissioner and Environmental Consultant Christina Faust discussed sourcing fresh water supplies on a local and global basis, reminding attendees that fresh water makes up only 2.5 per cent of the earth’s supply, and only 1 % of that is accessible.

West Orange High School Class of 2015 alumnus and environmental science major Andrew Cumming discussed his experiences at Rutgers University, particularly as part of an indigenous bee research project. He recommended using only bee-friendly repellents and planting flora indigenous to New Jersey to help promote the growth of the bee population.

• See related article: This Bumblebee Once Flourished In New Jersey, Now It's Endangered
• See related article: New Jersey DEP: These 107 Wildlife Species Are Facing Big Threats

Later in the meeting, WOHS students discussed solar projects that they’ve been working on under the guidance of WOHS Supervisor of Technology Ryan DelGuercio and Engineering and Design Solutions instructor Rudy Petrella.

• WOHS student Jasmin Awany demonstrated a solar-powered flashlight that she designed
• WOHS student Tony Homere informed attendees about a group project to build a frame for a solar-powered bus shelter with solar lights and a phone charging station
• WOHS student Ahmeer Brooks showed attendees the solar lanterns that high school students developed with Liter of Light in December
• WOHS freshman Riya Goel was the final presenter, wrapping up the event with a discussion about vegetarian options not only for the school district, but for the entire community.

See all the photos from the event here.

See the information on the solar-powered flashlight and bus shelter here and here.

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Photos courtesy of Cynthia Cumming

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