Orangeville Lions Club has teamed with its Amaranth counterparts for the fourth annual Eco Energy Expo at Orangeville Fairgrounds next weekend, Sept. 13 and 14.

Frank Gray Sr., one of the Lions organizers, said Tuesday he believes the show will be even better attended than in the previous three years, as the public is getting fed up with energy costs and has become acutely aware of global warming from carbon dioxide emissions.

"I believe the public is ready to accept change." He said mankind has the capability to find solutions to every problem that arises - global warming and dwindling resources being among them.

"I am old enough to have witnessed the end of the horse-and-buggy days, and the switch from coal and wood." Similarly, he said he expects to see a transition to renewable energy. And that's what the exposition is all about.

One of the indications of the readiness might be the rush for hybrid cars. An ad for the show indicates a hybrid will be displayed, but Mr. Gray said the dealers are scrambling to get one or more. He said it appears the demand is such that there might be only one demonstrator available for every five dealers.

"People aren't going to rush right out and replace their cars, but when it's time, most of my friends are looking for something that doesn't guzzle gas."

The show will be focussed on more than just energy savings with new kinds of automobiles.

Mr. Gray said things are rapidly changing, and people want to be aware of the changes.

As an example of energy efficient appliances, he said not as many people as previously are relegating their 20-year-old refrigerators to the basement "as a 20-year-old beer fridge." They are more likely now to pay a $15 fee to get rid of the inefficiency.

There are some astounding developments in the world of energy, not all of which could be housed in one show.

Mr. Gray, to demonstrate how seriously energy conservation is being taken, cited a television show in which entire roofs were built of solar panels made of what appeared to be a metallic substance.

He said there was a prediction that the solar roofs would soon become the norm for new home construction.

Surprisingly, even the oil-rich United Arab Emirates appear ready to practice energy conservation.

In Dubai, a proposed residential/commercial tower that would reach 2.4 km upwards is designed with solar panels on the exterior of the top 40 or so storeys.

The Orangeville show will feature information and demonstrations of a wide array of energy efficiencies — everything from appliances to heating, including geo-thermal, and has plans for automobiles.

Orangeville Lions, with its approximately 50 members, got involved with the Amaranth club's 15 members this year because "many hands make light work," Mr. Gray said, and because the club felt it needed another project in support of its community work.

The show has 60 booths, and some are still available for other vendors.

It runs Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 13 and 14. Times are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.