The ways in which we interact with our world, the ways in which
we affect the environment, are an important part of the legacy we leave for future generations.
The environment poses the quintessential intergenerational challenge. Global warming, destruction of rain forests, contamination of fresh and coastal waters, and depletion of the ozone layer all threaten the future of our planet. Many adults are deeply concerned about the environmental quality of the world their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren will inherit. Today's young people are more aware of environmental issues than any other generation before them – and eager to learn more and take action. The Legacy Project answers that need through the Our World educational program, workshops, and online resources.

Once completed, the Legacy Center will also have an ongoing function as a real-life research site, leading and responding to new technological advances. The research program is headed by Brian Puppa, MASc, PEng. Brian has a degree from the University of Waterloo in Systems Design (with a focus on energy systems), which enables him to take a big-picture approach. He has presented his work at several conferences, including the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the Association of Energy Engineers, and the Solar Energy Society of Canada. In his position with the Residential and Commercial Energy Management Department at BC Hydro, he was involved with building energy modelling and was part of the team that developed the PowerSmart initiative. He was a consultant to Ontario Hydro for their energy-efficiency programs. While with Renewable Dynamics, Brian supervised the testing of a new wind turbine blade design at the National Research Council laboratories. He has also done research on solar thermal and photovoltaic systems. He'll continue his energy research at the Legacy Center working with new technologies in the context of current economic and environmental realities.

"From a technological perspective, the design of the Legacy Center will be a little like the Lego blocks I played with as a child," says Brian. "Flexible technological design in which one module can be replaced with another to respond to new advances is critical to a sustainable approach."

From solar to wind to geothermal, the Legacy Center will implement and research renewable energy sources. The ultimate source of energy on Earth, and the source of all energy used by nature, is the sun. Wise use of energy starts with good design that maximizes passive solar, and builds from there.

The Legacy Center grounds and building will embody the leading edge of current thinking on environmental and design issues. They will balance form, function, and economics – through thoughtful choices – to offer practical ideas for the everyday person. At the same time, we'll be inviting the ideas of some of the top researchers to spark big-picture discussion and thought. One of the most interesting areas for technological development is biomimicry, in which nature is a mentor, model, and measure of the new technologies humans develop. The idea is to study nature's best ideas – from the forms of the trees in the Legacy Center's arboretum to the closed-loop systems nature has for recycling all parts of itself – and then imitate these designs and processes to solve human problems.

You can help support the Legacy Center's research and education programs by becoming a member of the Legacy Project. For updates on the Legacy Center, join our
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