‘Sustainable Energy Day’ generates interest

Wellesley on Sept. 24 was among more than 2,000 communities throughout the world to host an event designed to showcase means of slowing global climate change.

This was the second year that Wellesley has hosted the event, held in conjunction with other “Moving Planet” rallies in more than 100 nations. While last year’s sustainability day in Wellesley featured an afternoon symposium, this year’s event had a more festive atmosphere and was better-attended, according to Dick Joyce, director of Wellesley’s municipal light plant.

The event included a trade exposition on the grounds of the town’s municipal light plant.

“From about 10 to 12 [in the morning] it was just wall-to-wall people,” Joyce said.

Vendors included Commonwealth Card Service, the maker of a device called EnergyMizer that is designed to reduce energy use in a home or building by at least 8 percent. The town intends to purchase the device, which should pay for itself within 18 months, according to Joyce.

He added that the municipal light building itself was built to meet LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards developed by the  U.S. Green Building Council.

“This is a building that you can hold this kind of meeting in and not feel like a hypocrite,” Joyce said.

The event in Wellesley concluded with a bike ride to Christopher Columbus Park on Boston’s waterfront, where a Moving Planet rally was held.