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(WEST ORANGE) -- Assemblyman John F. McKeon recently joined West Orange Mayor Robert D. Parisi, Councilwoman Susan McCartney, members and co-chairs of the West Orange Energy Commission (WOEC) Mike Brick and Patti Taylor, and Dr. Anthony P. Cavanna, Superintendent of Schools, West Orange Board of Education, for a curtain raiser to Earth Hour at the Thomas Edison National Historical Park on Main Street in West Orange.

Hundreds of millions of people in thousands of cities and towns around the world are expected to turn off their lights in observation of the largest environmental event in history. More than 5,200 cities and towns in 135 countries worldwide participated in 2011, sending a powerful message for action on climate change.

McKeon, Parisi, Brick and Taylor joined Erica Prince and Kristin Donadio, students from West Orange High School, in a simulation of Earth Hour as they pulled a switch to turn off four generations of light bulbs - a multifilament bulb, an incandescent, a compact flourescent and an LED light. The students are also part of the West Orange Sustainability Committee. In what was symbolic, the event was held at the Edison museum, dedicated to the man who invented the incandescent bulb.

This year, Earth Hour, will be observed on March 31 between 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

The co-chair of the West Orange Energy Commission Michael Brick led the call for residents to switch their lights off on March 31.

"The inventive genius of individuals like Thomas Edison pushes the frontiers of science with breakthroughs like the incandescent bulb that enhance our quality of life. We call upon the same inventive genius in all of us to fight climate change," Brick said. "Participating in Earth Hour is a powerful symbol of our commitment to help heal the planet and an important step in making that a reality."

The Township of West Orange is a participating member in Earth Hour. The town's Mayor Robert Parisi called for greater participation by residents and commended the West Orange Energy Commission for its initiative to raise awareness of Earth Hour.

“Thomas Edison was one of the most influential figures of the millennium because he provided light and power to the masses," said Parisi. "Turning out the lights at Edison’s West Orange laboratories is a monumental symbol that shows the world West Orange is committed to fighting climate change and the future health of our planet.”

"This one symbolic act, of switching off one's light for only 60 minutes, connects millions of people from around the world," said Councilwoman Susan McCartney who also serves as the Commission's liaison to the Township.

The Township's school superintendent Dr. Cavannah briefed the audience of how the school system in West Orange is in the process of developing environmental sustainability into the K-12 school curriculum. Energy Commission member Dave Wolk, who also serves as program manager for New Jersey's Clean Energy Program, stressed the importance of the development of a clean energy economy.

Assemblyman McKeon, one of the state's leading advocates for the environment, underscored the importance of fighting climate change, at a time when carbon dioxide levels are reported to have risen to 30 percent more than the highest natural levels over the past 800,000 years.

"The impact of global warming is evident in the rising of tides, acidifying of oceans, intensifying of heat waves and the melting of glaciers including the shrinking of Arctic sea ice. It has resulted in a higher incidence and greater severity of natural disasters like tsunamis, hurricanes, droughts and flooding as well as increased coral bleaching, which threatens to wipe out entire reef ecosystems.

"Thousands of species risk extinction from disappearing habitat and changing ecosystems while others have experienced a disruption in migration patterns as they are forced to shift to higher altitudes in search of cooler habitats," McKeon (D-Essex\Morris) said.

The excessive burning of fossil fuels and increased deforestation has resulted in escalated levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, which are reported to be higher than any time in measurable history. Since CO2 captures heat, this has led to an overheating of the planet's surface, causing a disruption of earth's ecological balance and natural ecosystems, a phenomenon known as global warming. By speeding up the cycling of water between the ocean, atmosphere and land, for instance, climate change has resulted in more intense rainfall.

"Global warming is real and threatens our survival, our livelihood and quality of life. We need to accelerate our fight against climate change to preserve the natural world that we cherish and protect the earth's atmosphere from further degradation."

McKeon commended the Township of West Orange, Mayor Parisi and the Energy Commission for their groundbreaking work in energy conservation and spreading awareness on climate change in an Assembly ceremonial resolution presented at the event.

He made a special mention of commission co-chairs Patti Taylor and Michael Brick, and members - Susan McCartney, Mary Ellen Morrow, Nick Salesi, David Wolk, Max Manshel, Deborah Levine, Jerry Tarnoff, and Kelly Wenzel.

McKeon also called on residents of West Orange to fight efforts by the Christie administration to dismantle environmental protections:

"In New Jersey, we have enacted some of the most significant environmental legislation in a generation like the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act to protect the source of drinking water for more than 64 percent of the state's population and a multi-bill package to turn the tide on the degradation of Barnegat Bay, one of New Jersey's most valuable watersheds, which contributes $3.6B to the region's economy.

"Progressive policies and initiatives have catapulted our state to a leader in clean energy, including in wind and solar. We were at the apex of progress. In the past two years under the Christie Administration, we have taken a giant step backwards in our march towards a clean energy economy and in protecting the environment. We must stand up and fight."

JOINT LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION

By Senator Codey, Assemblyman McKeon and Assemblywoman Jasey

WHEREAS, The Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey are pleased to note that a Curtain Raising Event for Earth Hour in West Orange hosted by the West Orange Energy Commission will take place on March 19, 2012, at the Thomas Edison National Historical Park site; and,

WHEREAS, This year’s International Earth Hour is scheduled for March 31, 2012, between 8:30 and 9:30 p.m., and the Township of West Orange is a participating member of International Earth Hour; and,

WHEREAS, The West Orange Energy Commission is joined by the Township of West Orange in calling on all residents to participate by switching their lights off at that time; and,

WHEREAS, During the Curtain Raising Event, the lights will be switched off to simulate Earth Hour, and West Orange was one of more than 5,200 cities and towns in 135 countries which participated in 2011, sending a powerful message of action on climate change; and,

WHEREAS, Earth Hour in West Orange represents the culmination of an extensive planning process, which has been brought to fruition only through the extraordinary labors and efforts of the West Orange Energy Commission, including Co-Chairs Mike Brick and Patti Taylor and members Nick Salesi, Mary Ellen Morrow, David Wolk, Max Manshel, Deborah Levine, Jerry Tarnoff, Kelly Wenzel, and Councilwoman Susan McCartney, who is also the Commission’s liaison to the Township of West Orange; and,

WHEREAS, During the event at the historic Edison Park site, which is dedicated to the inventor of the electric light bulb, highly esteemed members of the community will serve as speakers, including West Orange Mayor Robert D. Parisi, West Orange Superintendent of Schools Dr. Anthony P. Cavanna, and students from the high school ecology program/club; and,

WHEREAS, In addition, the West Orange School System is commended for plans to develop an environmental sustainability program into the K-12 school curriculum; and,

WHEREAS,  It is altogether proper and fitting for this Legislature to recognize the Curtain Raising Event for Earth Hour in West Orange on March 19, 2012, and salutes the West Orange Energy Commission and Township of West Orange for taking a stand against climate change; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

That this Legislature hereby notes the occurrence of the Curtain Raising Event for Earth Hour in West Orange, and pays tribute to all those whose efforts have contributed to this praiseworthy endeavor; and,

Be It Further Resolved:

That a duly authenticated copy of this resolution be signed by the Senate President and the Assembly Speaker and attested by the Senate Secretary and the Assembly Clerk.