From crowds in front of Queens Park to quiet discussion of the value of solar panels at Canclone's, the solar powered printers, Ontarians showed their commitment to green energy last Saturday, 24th September - the Green Energy Field Day.

David Miller kicked off the day, giving a rousing speech driving home the message that sustainable energy and conservation saves money and creates jobs where we need them - here and now. We, at OSEA, played our part including awarding the winners of the WattsNEXT? green energy video contest in which Ontarians show how sustainable energy and conservation are transforming their communities making them healthier and more prosperous places to live. Winning videos were determined by which had the most online views. The prize winners and their videos can be seen at http://wattsnext.ca/video.

The Queen's Park event was part of OSEA's Green Energy Field Day, a province-wide doors open event. Events included visiting an earth sheltered house near Tamworth with two solar installations that have produced enough electricity to power 360 houses and saved the carbon equivalent of burning 192 trees - since June. In Hamilton, EcoHouse  showed 75 people their new solar photovoltaic system as well as the many other energy saving improvements they have made to the 160 year old building. A pre-Confederation stone farmhouse, once known as Glen Manor, EcoHouse serves to demonstrate environmental technologies from the past, present and future. It  shows that it is possible to live in a sustainable manner, in harmony with our environment. 

On Wolfe Island, kids flew kites and painted a turbine while adults went for a drive  in a hybrid. It was a diesel electric hybrid boat, with solar cells capturing no-carbon power supplied by the sun. Sponsored by The New Energy Project (an initiative spearheaded by the local governments in the Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington Area, St. Lawrence College, Queen's University and Private Companies) the event also included a trade-show linking local businesses with new energy, local food and local community initiatives.

Another close to the Earth view of sustainable energy was provided by the Callaghan family whose farm includes 600 animals; mostly cattle doing what cattle do so well.  The Callaghans know that having an anaerobic digester (AD) will eliminate odours and pathogens, make it safer to spread natural manure on the land, resolve water safety issues and provide 500kw of electricity without the cost of fossil fuels and carbon emissions. No wonder 400 people came to see how the magic works.

In total OSEA supported groups holding 30 events more than 20 communities across the province. 

The date September 24 was specially picked to align with 350.org's global initiative Moving Planet - a day to move beyond fossil fuels. To see some of the amazing pictures from events from across the world visit http://www.moving-planet.org/.