Red ribbons given for green leadership in Toronto
People, groups chosen as environmental leaders
Despite nearly 40 years experience as an engineer, sustainable technology designer, and environmental consultant, Greg Allen said he never sought to be a leader. 
Others, however, view him that way and he was honoured with the Leadership Award at the Green Toronto Awards, which recognize the individuals, organizations and companies helping lead the way to a cleaner, greener Toronto.
"I never sought to be a leader so this is a very unusual position to be in," he said as he accepted his award April 25.
The East Yorker said he was surprised to hear his name announced, but learning about all the individuals, groups and businesses in Toronto working to better the environment gives him faith that the city can be turned into what it needs to be.
Allen is a partner in the firm Sustainable EDGE Ltd., an engineering and planning firm dedicated to promoting viable, sustainable solutions for the built environment. One of the projects he is working on is the Regent Park redevelopment.
In addition to his design work, Allen has founded or been a part of several organizations, including Eneract, the Canadian Solar Industries Association, the Urban Ecology Centre, the first Green Community initiative, the Better Buildings Partnership, the Coalition for a Green Economy, the Toronto Renewable Energy Coalition, the Ontario Sustainable Energy Coalition, the Toronto Atmospheric Fund, the City of Toronto's Energy Efficiency Office, the Sustainable Building Association of Canada, and the Toronto Sustainability Roundtable as co-chair of the Waterfront Committee.
Allen said he became interested in sustainability as an engineering student being told about how the world would be running out of resources in 40 years.
Seeing that so many others are doing good works makes Allen optimistic for the future. "Particularly the work of the next generation," he said.
This generation includes award winner Gerald Mak. The North York high school student was presented with the Youth Award for his work reviving the Eco Team at Earl Haig Secondary School.
"I thought I wasn't going to win because I was going against a school full of students and a company," he said after the ceremony.
Mak, a Grade 12 student, is most passionate about planting trees, greening schools and promoting environmental awareness - something at which he excels. During Earth Week he organized a cleanup every day involving a total of 400 students and more than 20 schools.
Joan Boms, the staff advisor of the Eco Team, nominated Mak for the award and was beaming in the audience as his named was called.
"I was at the back yelling and screaming. I'm so thrilled he's getting the recognition he deserves," she said. "I have never met another student like him."
Mak has been interested in the environment most of his life. He became president of his first green team in Grade 7 and continues to hold that title in high school. He pushed to have Earl Haig become an EcoSchool and it achieved the gold level this year.
His drive won't let up next year when he heads to Ryerson University, either.
"I plan to green the post-secondary institute too," he said.
The awards were give out by Mayor David Miller and Ward 19 (Trinity-Spadina) Councillor Joe Pantalone in conjunction with the Green Living Show last month.
"I hope you found all the winners' stories inspirational," Pantalone said. "Tomorrow we can start again to make sure we can make a better Toronto and a better humanity."
More than 100 nominations were received for the fourth annual awards event.
"You're a credit to our community and an inspiration to all of us... I would like to thank you for your good work," Miller said.
Here is the list of winners in the 11 categories: Elizabeth Harris, Community Projects; South Kingsway Village, Energy Conservation; Planet in Focus, Environmental Awareness; The Living Wall, Green Design; Urbanspace Property Group, Green Roof; Toronto Bruce Trail Club, Health; Greg Allen, Leadership; Local Food Plus, Market Transformation; Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Water Efficiency; Gerald Mak, Youth; and Toronto Community Housing Corporation, Bob Hunter Environmental Achievement Award.
