Peter Bursztyn is a former university academic who taught and carried out research at universities in Africa, Britain and Canada. Now retired, he refers to himself as a “recovering scientist" and has had a lifelong passion for “energy," including how societies obtain the power to function. On a personal level, he has brought energy efficiency into almost every aspect of his life. Modest energy consumption allows Peter and his wife to live well on a small budget. A founding member of Environmental Action Barrie (now Living Green Barrie) and a member of several other environmental groups, he was a member of the City of Barrie’s environmental advisory committee for eight years and chairperson for four. Peter is also a member of the Barrie Rowing Club and has been a Rowing Canada umpire for more than 20 years. Peter has also been a volunteer porter at Barrie’s Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre and is a member of the BarrieToday community advisory board. Peter and his wife have two adult daughters, one who teaches university geology and the other who is an ophthalmologist.