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February 2010
"Oculus Lumina" | © 2010 Tom Bodhi Reeves
By reflecting the light of the Sun into the darkness of night, the Moon nourishes the imagination and illuminates further perspective along the path of evolution. The cycle of light and dark is a natural rhythm that inspires revolutionary phases of growth and reflection. As we move into the unknown, we awaken faith in ourselves and find confidence in the ability to clearly envision something grand on the other side.
Having evolved in the wilderness, our forward-facing eyes and visually-inclined brains allow us to see through the clutter of our natural forest habitat and predict what lies beyond. Being able to imagine the other side gives us a better chance to adapt, but our imagination may lead us to create symbols or beliefs to calm our fears or sustain our hopes. Sometimes we see optical illusions, causing us to perceive things inaccurately. Mahatma Gandhi said that truth is by nature self-evident. I think that truth can be found in self-reflection.
Like the moon tugging on the surface of the Earth, pulling the tides and stretching the globe, so does our imagination pull on the fabric of our lives. To balance the ebb and flow of our emotions, we can draw upon the reflective powers of mindfulness, concentration, and insight so that we may survive the darkness and thrive in the light. Our evolution takes place in countless changes, adaptations, and quantum leaps-- and it happens every moment, beginning with you and me.
January 2010
"Rising Up" | Eugene, Oregon, USA © 2010 Tom Bodhi Reeves
A lone tower sits nestled among the trees in a beautiful valley. It was built in the mid-twentieth century, just before high-rise buildings were banned from the city of Eugene. Today, this valley is filled with big houses and supermarkets near freeways to the mall and low-density suburban neighborhoods. Urban growth boundaries were set by the state of Oregon, but the bulging population continues to push those limits. A return to high-density mixed-use development is part of a smart growth solution called New Urbanism that attempts to reverse the severe environmental and economic costs of urban sprawl.
The reality of owning an affordable yet lavish house in the suburbs while commuting to work in an automobile has become rather limited by the rising price of gasoline and congestion on the freeways. In metro areas like Los Angeles or Atlanta, the car-centric infrastructure has created a nightmare for people who are struggling at the pump just to get to work. Many of them spend over a quarter of their income on gasoline. The health costs from traffic fumes, accidents, and a lack of exercise are becoming more and more unbearable.
New Urbanism is a movement that gives people choices for living an urban lifestyle in sustainable, convenient, and enjoyable places, while providing the solutions to peak oil, global warming, and climate change. It is a revival of the lost art of integrated place-making, the way communities have been built for centuries around the world. New Urbanism involves fixing and infilling cities, as well as the creation of compact new towns and villages. The American Dream is based on the belief that hardworking active citizens can better their lives, and that is exactly what needs to happen. Build some enthusiasm for independent research and you will be inspired to create a better future!
December 2009
"The Composer" | Vancouver, BC, Canada © 2009 Tom Bodhi Reeves
Carefully composed chords of steel and stone reverberate against walls of glass in the symphony of human progress. Like a piece of music being performed, the collective efforts of billions of minds play a score so beautiful the crescendo could take your breath away. Amidst the towering achievements of this production stands the lone composer: the human imagination.
The spider in the woods does not look at its own web in the morning dew and think, "Wow, that's phenomenal!", nor does the galactic Carina Nebula ponder its own creative magnificence as it swirls across light years of space. But even an ordinary person can close their eyes and imagine a spectacular skyline or hear an entire orchestra in their mind. By understanding how these wonders are composed, we have the ability to become creative masters ourselves.
The power of imagination is expressed by flexing the mind between rational thinking and intuitive sensing. But with the stakes of progress rising and certain costs spiraling out of control, this little blue planet is requesting a new tune. Balancing our internal processes with an awareness of the environment is the key to our awakened potential. The symphony seeks whole-brained innovators who understand the current challenges and can orchestrate sustainable solutions. Whether you are an original composer or just playing your part, be sure to wake up and integrate!
November 2009
"Local Soil" | Oregon, USA © 2009 Tom Bodhi Reeves
An edible plant will grow in healthy soil with the help of water and sunlight. This was the knowledge that launched the agricultural revolution over ten thousand years ago, but in the last century many human problems have been associated with an increased use of pesticides, fertilizers, and genetic engineering. A majority of corporate supermarket products are genetically modified and the very biological structure of those plants are patented for profit and experimentation by chemical and pharmaceutical companies. There is no debating that we are what we eat, so choose your produce wisely.
Setting a goal to buy organic food grown within 100 miles of your home provides great benefits to the economy and supports responsible land development. Many independent farmers sell their goods at local markets and seasonally rotate through a variety of crops that return nutrients to the soil, delivering better tasting produce that hasn't been transported across thousands of miles wrapped in plastic. Corporate industrial farms continue to deplete non-renewable topsoil and water tables while consuming huge amounts of fossil fuels in chemical production and global distribution.
By carefully considering where you shop and what you bring to the check-out line, you are voting for or against the dangerous monopoly that multinational corporations hold over food production. While these agribusiness companies may one day discover the genetic secrets that could replace chemical-dependent crops and eliminate the effects of malnutrition, we must ensure those advances are shared with the world and not hoarded for profits. In the words of Chief Seattle, "We are part of the earth and it is part of us ... What befalls the earth befalls all the people of the earth" So I say eat locally for now, and when it comes to genetic engineering, keep it open source.
October 2009
"Elevated Perspective" | Mount Rainier, Washington, USA © 2009 Tom Bodhi Reeves
Soaring past mountains and rising above the clouds used to be a vision reserved for dreamers, but modern air travel has enabled many people to see the world from a greater perspective. With airports on every continent and non-stop flights crossing the globe every day, commercial airlines are filled with travelers heading home, lovers on honeymoon, and business executives who are probably wishing they hadn't sold the corporate jet. Many fascinating conversations can be had with these people about why jumbo jets are amazing but so far terribly unsustainable, or perhaps talk of carbon footprints in the sky makes you tired, and you decide that sleep is the fastest way to reach your destination.
Personally, I am not one for sleeping on airplanes, and I always choose the window seat. Like the flying dreams I had when I was young, the rows of houses and tree-lined avenues far below look like little toy neighborhoods. The winding highways, checkered fields, and geometric urban designs are beautiful but reveal the significant impact of human progress. Mountains like Rainier, pictured above, rise above the trees and into the sky as strong symbols of the natural world. As the airplane continues to ascend, these massive volcanic mountains are strangely calming. I reflect on the immensity of geologic time and feel fortunate to fly so swiftly to such great heights.
Once revered as the home of the gods, majestic peaks are still incredibly impressive from 39,000 feet. The view is a benefit of our technologically advanced society, but it is also a reminder that our planet is not so big after all. The Wright Brothers were successful in making an age-old dream come true, and modern passenger jets are successful in bringing people together, but many more challenges lie ahead to make sure that we don't ruin the scenery along the way. How can we keep the dream of flight alive and take good care of the planet at the same time? If you have to fly, keep in mind that the elevated perspective we gain from up there is one that we can use to build a more sustainable community with our neighbors down here on Earth.
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September 2009
"King Street Station" | Seattle, Washington, USA © 2009 Tom Bodhi Reeves
While traveling in the States last year, I remember being pleasantly surprised when my train arrived on time! What had given passenger rail its unreliable reputation? After an historic peak almost 90 years ago, the railroad industry declined when highways and automobiles grew in popularity. By the 1950s, many passenger rail lines were eliminated as air travel became the choice of long-distance travelers everywhere. Today, with freeways congested and airports far from convenient, many Americans are reconsidering their options. Aside from being incredibly efficient, modern trains are spacious and quiet. Many improvements are being made to the passenger rail system in the U.S., and stations across the country are surging with activity as a result.
The largest train station in the Northwest is the King Street Station, located in Seattle, Washington. The station serves 2.7 million passengers annually. It was built in 1906 by the designers of Grand Central Terminal in New York City. Modeled after the Campanile di San Marco in Venice, Italy, the clock tower was the tallest structure in Seattle when it was completed. Over the years, the station fell into a state of disrepair. In 2008, the City of Seattle bought the building from a freight company for ten dollars. The city now plans to invest $26.5 million to restore this landmark building to its original glory, including the ornate ceiling that had been hidden by cheap paneling. The renovations will be LEED certified, bringing the station into the new century of sustainable design.
When compared to airplanes and automobiles, train travel is incredibly efficient. As further renovations are made across the country, our train stations will become efficient too. With revised energy codes, millions of people will be put to work upgrading all of our existing structures. Rather than building more power plants, we can significantly reduce power demand. The King Street Station is a great example of how the energy efficiency of an old building can be increased while also generating new business. Once completed, the renovations will bring long-distance rail, commuter rail, streetcars, and bus service together with a pedestrian-friendly plaza to support integrated, efficient public transit. Now when I step on a train, I know I'm stepping into the future.
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August 2009
"Some, For All, For Ever" | Lake County, Oregon, USA © 2009 Tom Bodhi Reeves
The showers we've recently experienced across Oregon make it hard to imagine being without water. It has been a hot summer though, and record-breaking heat waves had many of us heading for local lakes and rivers to splash, float, swim, boat, and relax in the cool refreshing waters. As a child growing up, summertime was always filled with wet, happy faces and deep swimming holes. A water shortage? Not that I could imagine-- until I found myself on the other side of the world.
It was February, and the dry season was in full effect in Southeast Asia. I could see across the border into Cambodia as I waited to renew my Thai visa. I hurried through the checkpoints, trying to ignore the hustlers and beggars along the way. As I crossed a bridge over a trash-filled puddle, a round-faced little boy with no clothes, dusty cracked feet, and a tear in his eye reached up and touched my arm. He cried, "Ao nam, ao nam, ao nam!" In Thai that means "I want water, I want water, I want water!" I'll never forget the look in his eyes. His focus moved from my face to the plastic bottle of water I was carrying. My heart cracked. Fresh water is something every human being should have, even if they have no money. I gladly gave him my half-empty bottle and knew he saw it as half-full.
The gift of fresh water is something I can never again take for granted. Here in the Pacific Northwest, we are blessed with abundant rain and many beautiful rivers, yet we now have to deal with decreased snowpack, depleted water tables, excessive waste, and drier summers. How is it that we've only just begun developing a comprehensive, sustainable water policy? South Africa's Ministry of Water Affairs and Forestry has a great slogan that guides all of their water policy decisions: "Some, for all, for ever." Water is not infinite, but everyone deserves some. Becoming educated about your water supply is an important responsibility. We can choose to make a difference for ourselves and for our children. This is the water planet, and fresh water is our life.
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July 2009
"Outback Bug" | Lake County, Oregon, USA © 2009 Tom Bodhi Reeves
In the first half of 2009, more bicycles were sold in the US than cars and trucks combined. There were still over two million new automobiles sold in that time, and all of them feature “climate controls” designed to manipulate the environment inside the cabin. How ironic. I'm more concerned about the global climate, so I decided to diversify my means of transportation by getting around on a Schwinn bicycle, a Sector 9 skateboard, a 60-mpg motor-scooter, a pedal tricycle with a boombox, and of course my own two feet. There are times when I choose to drive, especially to get away from civilization-- as shown in this photo of a lone VW Bug exploring the Oregon outback.
A more diverse transportation system will help us break our addiction to fossil fuels and gain energy independence, as Michael Brune explains in his book "Coming Clean" (2008). Electric cars alone are not enough to save us from climate disaster and the impending effect of peak oil, but they remain an important part of the challenge. The book offers plenty of active methods and resources we can all use to help fuel the change. Government policies offering subsidies for clean energy and investments for plug-in hybrids, high-speed maglev bullet trains, and a smart power grid are some of his sensible, but far-reaching proposals.
Transportation diversity is crucial, but only the beginning. Higher gas prices were a wake-up call for some people, but each of us needs to pay attention to where our money goes everyday. Find out if your bank invests in sustainable development, or switch to one that does. Ask your utility company to provide clean, renewable energy such as wind or solar. Buy food grown close to home and experience the delights of local, seasonal cuisine, while reducing the carbon cost of transporting food from afar. Ordinary motivated individuals who act on behalf of their ideals can have an incredible collective effect. Corporate power is nothing without consumer support-- use your dollar to vote for a healthy climate and sustainable planet, so we can all enjoy a better future.
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June 2009
"Green Building" | Eighth Avenue, Eugene, Oregon, USA © 2009 Tom Bodhi Reeves
We are in the midst of a revolution. To live in a time of transition is incredibly fortunate, but some of us are terrified that the world is coming to an end, as suggested by the Mayan calendar. Indeed, the world as we know it may cease to exist, but we shall survive and adapt. An environmental transformation may take place, but so will our lives transform as respect for the natural world becomes an integral part of our survival. My generation understands this global crisis as an opportunity to inspire a green economy and engineer new "green-collar" jobs. These images represent the challenge we face.
Like the tortoise and the hare, the slow process of evolution has been unfolding steadily for 3.5 billion years, while human civilization has advanced at an incredible speed. Ever since the introduction of agriculture, our social and technological development has left genetic evolution in the dust. The complex and carefully designed structures of the built environment are towering examples of human creativity and technological ingenuity. However, our study of biological evolution is now inspiring us to emulate the natural building blocks of living systems as we apply new ecological concepts to our designs. Granted, buildings can't yet feed themselves, but maybe someday they will! How we develop our new world will be a shining testimonial to our marvelous abilities, but we still have much to learn and accomplish.
Ecological architecture takes advantage of lessons learned from billions of years of experience. Design that emphasizes natural materials and the use of renewable resources is how life has always survived. Green roofs are a growing trend lately, but people in the rainy hills of Scotland took advantage of that technology more than five thousand years ago. Green roofs not only provide insulation and storm-water protection-- they also reduce the urban heat island effect, which has lately been proven to create violent storms and tornadoes over developed areas. A hotel in Vancouver, B.C. saves $30,000 a year by growing culinary herbs in a rooftop garden that hotel guests also enjoy. It is ideas like these that make perfect sense. The way we choose to combine our understanding of the natural world with the realities of civilization will determine our fate. The choice is ours.
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May 2009
"Dave" | Willamette Street, Eugene, Oregon, USA © 2009 Tom Bodhi Reeves
With the unemployment rate hitting 13.1% in March 2009, there are over 45,000 workers in Lane County who have no job. Most of them are nowhere to be seen as they live on state and federal welfare and don't advertise their status. Others take to the streets with cardboard signs and sales pitches, using their ambition and personality to make ends meet. Unfortunately, they deal with many awkward glances and rolled-up windows, surviving day to day on donations from less than ten percent of the passersby. Diligently staking out the busiest corners before dawn, they remain visible until after the evening commuter rush has ended. Returning to their tents if they can't afford a cheap hotel or decent landlord, the five men I recently spoke with seem to enjoy their personal freedom.
Homeless shelters like the Eugene Mission offer meals, showers, beds, clothing, and haircuts, but these institutions are sometimes worse than jail, says Dave on Willamette Street, pictured above. "You stand naked with 200 other guys waiting to take a shower. Breakfast is at 7am, and then you're forced to attend sermon for 45 minutes. After dinner, you're locked in for the night," he explains. "The mental health program has collapsed, so there's a lot of real unstable people over there. I stay away from those places." Clearly, there seems to be more dignity standing on the street asking for help directly from fellow citizens. "We would rather be working," he adds, while waiting for his son to come back from campus with news on a possible job clearing beer cans from a fraternity house.
Without counting the occasional odd job, the average earnings across town ranged anywhere from a few pennies to $30 a day. "Sometimes you can wait three hours before you get a hit," says Jimbo on 7th Avenue, who was born and raised in the neighborhood. I noticed they each had their own sense of etiquette and style. A lively character on Washington Street known as Poppi appreciates donations from his regulars every day on their way to work. "I've got great supporters, but I'm my own man. Not afraid to work neither!" he exclaims. The simplicity of being homeless gives me food for thought. What kind of person would I be without all my stuff? How much money do I really need? Whether by choice or not, homelessness is one way to survive urban sprawl while leaving a small carbon footprint. The next time you pass by one of these individuals, do smile and remain compassionate because they are just people too.
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April 2009
"Floating Frontiers" | Puget Sound, Washington, USA © 2009 Tom Bodhi Reeves
The ice is melting. The trees are dying. The next wars will be fought over fresh drinking water. I kept reading the news, becoming restless and uneasy. Seafood may soon be an oxymoron and the great pacific garbage patch is swelling, despite our improved recycling efforts. Agh! This was not the kind of change I was looking for! ...and why did I feel so guilty? After spending hours online, I finally stumbled on a rather new term called “eco-anxiety,” an affliction identified by unshakable feelings of impending environmental doom. Aggravated by politics and media based on fear, uncertainty, and doubt, the heart-pounding symptoms are also worsened by our increasing disconnection with the natural world.
Realizing I needed some time with nature, I turned off the news and travelled deep into the Pacific Northwest. This peaceful photograph is one of many that I made along the way. The lone ship's journey along uninhabited shores evokes a feeling of grand human potential, and our willingness to explore the unknown. I reflect upon our history and realize we're growing up and getting wiser now. While geographical exploration has long since revealed the globe, the capacity of the mind is limitless. As I look deeply at the genetics that hold all life together, I am struck with awe at our evolution thus far. I encourage you all to push the limits of your creativity without hesitation or fear, and to revel in the wonder of life.
So there you have it-- a simple cure for eco-anxiety. All it took was driving over a thousand miles in a gasoline-powered automobile. Admittedly, an easier remedy would be to simply turn off the news, get away from the computer, and go explore the world outside. On my trip, I slept in the wilderness next to rushing rivers, visited residential high-rises and suburban neighborhoods, slid down icy mountain peaks, and walked quietly among crowds of Northwest inhabitants. The mixed-use developments and green-roofed skylines of Seattle, Vancouver, and Portland are inspiring their residents and many other cities to be leaders in clean energy, design, and sustainable integration. The people I talked with are proof of the positive change now gaining momentum around the planet, a testament, no doubt, to the spirit of the many explorers who have found themselves in the natural beauty of the great Northwest.
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March 2009
"Re-Gen" | Pearl District, Portland, Oregon © 2009 Tom Bodhi Reeves
This photograph was taken while I was looking into whether Portland, Oregon is truly the "Greenest City in America". As I walked through the west side of the city, I definitely felt a sense of progress and pedestrian friendliness. When I entered an area known as the Pearl District, I noticed art galleries and small shops built into the deserted industrial blocks, growing like pearls inside crusty oysters, creating a striking contrast between the old and the new. There were many residential developments literally stacked upon former warehouses, much like the one pictured above.
These layers of urban transformation got me thinking about how the values and accomplishments of previous generations are developed by their successors. Like the bits of sand that become pearls, new ideas may be irritating at first, but then become more acceptable, and eventually highly valued. What I saw in the Pearl District was the successful integration of the old and the new, with a new way of life built upon past foundations. This seemed even more important to me than the competition among cities to be green-certified. For sustainable ideas to make a positive impact on society, we must communicate across generational gaps to build the support that is necessary.
As a member of the Millennial generation, I've often wondered what happened to the activism of the 60s and how it turned into the materialism of the 90s. We've grown up with a so-called endless war, political corruption, and corporate greed, and now we see the institutions of the past crumbling. We will eventually flourish like gleaming pearls, but we may irritate even you Boomers who started it all. Our generation departs from the norm because we have a much broader, more global perspective than any before us. We value a diverse, sustainable economy because constant growth is impossible on a planet this size. We need radical change. Let us integrate a strong foundation of ideals while building this social transformation that will ensure our continued survival.
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