"There's been an explosion of humans on the planet over the last 500 years," says Greg Allen. "That's just seven lifetimes -- it's not really that long ago."

But he challenges the common assumption that population growth is the cause of the world's environmental crises, instead pointing the finger at human behaviour -- our addictions, conditioning and expectations -- as the root of the problem.

"Only in recent centuries did the idea of exploiting nature emerge, and we began to view the planet as yielding up its resources for human utility. This was a new proposition -- that we could step apart from nature."

Allen uses a term -- Homo economicus -- to describe this system where human beings are self-interested individuals in pursuit of personal gratification and material accumulation. He is an engineer who believes that applied science has given credibility to this destructive approach.

Allen is a Toronto-based consultant who specializes in energy efficient and environmentally appropriate building design and engineering. He was recently brought to the Yukon by the Energy Solutions Centre for several engagements, including a Science Institute talk and meetings with the Canada Winter Games steering committee.

"Science has been part of the problem, and it's planted some seeds of destruction," says Allen, "We've been engineering buildings that are unsustainable and developing technologies that are entirely dependent on fossil fuels."

"But this is changing. Though many scientists would prefer not get involved, finally many are realizing that we must be part of the solution." Allen suggests that scientists are critical for helping interpret trends, provide guidance and answers, and lead the charge toward better solutions.

Allen suggests that we need to redefine ourselves to get out of our consumptive, self-destructive predicament. Policy changes and new technologies are not enough.

The term he coined for a new model is Homo ecologicus. "It's a system where we find new explanations for what it is to be a human being and truly understand that we are co-dependent with life," says Allen.

His message is both philosophical and practical. Allen cites examples like Denmark, where 20 per cent of electricity is generated from wind turbines.

"Wind power is expected to become Denmark's top industry, with wind technology accounting for half of the country's power," says Allen, "and it all started with a few farming families."

"Most Danish wind power projects are developed co-operatively by local guilds." Allen is himself involved in a co-operative that plans to install a wind turbine on the Toronto waterfront.

He shares examples of large-scale projects where technology was used to minimize environmental impacts and realize significant energy and cost savings. Features of some buildings have included composting toilets, re-used materials, passive solar design, green roofs and closed grey-water treatment systems.

Allen sees tremendous potential in the Yukon, and is quick to comment on our advantages over other jurisdictions.

"Yukoners are here largely because they have a strong attachment to place, to the environment," observes Allen, "and you're endowed with renewable energy power systems already."

He draws attention to the need to upgrade and retrofit the older building stock in Whitehorse. Allen also identifies an obvious weakness -- our tremendous dependence on automobiles and the trucking of goods.

"You need to take a serious look at alternatives to the car," he says, putting his finger on one of the issues Yukoners find most challenging.

"This could involve better public transit solutions, or looking at ways to capitalize on your existing rail lines. I think you could look more at import replacement. Greenhouses might be a good idea here, particularly with your current excess of energy."

Allen notes the environmental, economic and social advantages of having a local food productive landscape. He's impressed with programs like WasteWatch, but he points out that here in the North we still need to 'close the cycle', and local agricultural production can help achieve this.

While in Whitehorse, Allen met with local engineers, architects and the Canada Winter Games planners. He's heard of two or three co-housing projects afoot in Whitehorse, and sees the Games' athlete village as an opportunity for higher density housing to ward off further urban sprawl.

For information about Yukon energy programs and initiatives, contact the Energy Solutions Centre at (867) 393-7063, or on the web at www.nrgsc.yk.ca.