Thinking globally and acting locally

The Hillsborough Environmental Action Team (HEAT) is planned as an advocacy organization that would emphasize eco-friendly living and education.

By: Charlie Olsen
   When South Triangle Road resident Wendy Michalewsky saw former Vice President Al Gore’s documentary film, "An Inconvenient Truth," she started thinking about the footprint she’s left on the environment through her everyday activities.
   As Ms. Michalewsky examined little changes she could make in her life — replacing incandescent bulbs with low-power fluorescent lights, reusing water bottles instead of throwing them away, planting more trees — she began to think of ways to bring these ideas to the community.
   She came up with the idea of the Hillsborough Environmental Action Team (HEAT), an advocacy organization that would emphasize eco-friendly living and education in small businesses, local organizations, schools and the community.
   "I asked myself what can I do to make changes to stop the progress of global warming that’s moving in a negative direction," Ms. Michalewsky said. "Polar bears are eating each other floating around on ice caps. I asked myself, ‘What can I do?’"
   Although HEAT is still in the planning stages, Ms. Michalewsky envisions a youth-driven group that would challenge both its members and the community to not only recycle, but also to reduce and reuse consumer products.
   Through poster contests, battle of the bands fundraisers, science fairs, and guest speakers, Ms. Michalewsky wants to educate people of all ages and walks of life on what they can do as "citizens of the planet."
   "I envision Hillsborough as a model community for others to follow our lead," Ms. Michalewsky said. "It’s all about choices."
   She said that people who turn off or unplug electronics and lights when they leave their homes, plant trees and drive fuel-efficient vehicles have less of an impact on the environment —but also on their own wallets because of energy costs.
   At the Sept. 27 meeting of the Environmental Commission, Ms. Michalewsky made a presentation about her vision, and has been working with Deputy Mayor Anthony Ferrera and Hillsborough school district K-12 science supervisor Kim Feltre to bring her idea to fruition.
   Ms. Michalewsky, a 43-year-old Plainsboro student assistance counselor, said she pitched the idea as part of a leadership course – the Self Expression and Leadership program – she is enrolled in with San Francisco-based Landmark Education.
   But the major turning point for her was former Vice President Gore’s documentary.
   "It was as if I’d been asleep," Ms. Michalewsky said. "I can’t throw away anything recyclable now … my mission is to heighten individuals’ awareness."
   The main drive to cutting down global warming is reducing carbon-dioxide emissions. Each person who drives a car, owns a house or rents an apartment, or takes public transportation has a "carbon footprint," Ms. Michalewsky said.
   "Carbon dioxide gases are gathering in amounts greater than ever before," she said. "Our planet is destined to lose species … we could experience another Dust Bowl."
   A carbon footprint calculator, which can be used to determine how much of an impact a person’s activities have on the environment in terms of greenhouse gases produced, can be found at: www.carbonfootprint.com.
   Residents looking for more information, or who want to become involved with HEAT (the tentative name for the organization), can reach Ms. Michalewsky by e-mail at: [email protected].