January 15 Those bright cold days that used to find their winter roosts in our valley? They haven’t returned yet this year. They had always come by now, before. But today is the same as yesterday and the days before; the air is wet enough to carry traffic sounds up from Franklin and the light comes … Continue reading A blindfold
爥 A wildfire carried by wind, Consuming life before realization, so alive that rain-soaked moss withers and lights, Whips across miles, Like dust in a gentle breeze For the orbital lens An ember rests deep in the ashes Ripples its old light out in darkness The bond tears, the grain cracks And there, it flies free … Continue reading 爥, a poem.
Hey, Everyone! The posts have been sparse, but what do you expect? I’ve been reading and writing, but most of these past two weeks have been taken up by two of my favorite things: family and plans for ’round-the-world adventures. For those of you just joining us, my name is Forrest Watkins and I’m cycling … Continue reading Help Fill in the Map of the 360 By Bike Silk Road Tour
The response to the climate deal signed last week in Paris has been overwhelmingly positive, though it is not without detractors. America’s right wing is toeing its usual line and Jim Hansen, the father of US climate awareness, called it ‘a fraud’ over its lack of concrete action. In my mind, though, the success of the deal can be summarized in one … Continue reading Paris Reactions, People Power
On November 29, 2015 people gathered together all around the world to show their support for real and lasting action on climate change. Their actions coincided with the beginning of the final week of this year’s COP21 negotiations in Paris. The following are photos from the Hong Kong branch of those protests, organized by local group … Continue reading Worldwide Climate March: Hong Kong
Editor’s note: This story comes to us from Molly Presson, a college classmate of mine. Molly studied Politics and Environmental Studies at Whitman College. She currently resides in Oakland, CA. Editorial A community that experiences high levels of poverty, homelessness and joblessness also experiences unusually high levels of pollution. West Oakland illustrates the parallel forces that … Continue reading Climate Change in West Oakland: Molly Presson
When people talk about climate change, they talk about hope. They discuss prospects, ifs thens, and perceived inevitabilities. In the end or from the very beginning the chatter settles around two questions, asked as synonyms: Do you have hope? Are you hopeful? Around two months ago I was couchsurfing with a woman in Guilin (桂林）, … Continue reading Hope in the Discussion of Climate Change
In the eyes of its residents, Guangzhou runs different. Where the last century saw Western influence purged from the buildings of South China, Guangzhou’s opulent colonial homes and old embassies stand repurposed into businesses, restaurants and galleries. People wistfully tell of the time Cantonese was almost chosen over Beijing dialect as the basis for Mandarin. They are quick to point out … Continue reading Rice Harmony: Growing an Organic CSA in the Pearl River Delta
Last days in Hong Kong, camping on the southern island of Po Toi. Local fisheries have collapsed in recent years, and many locals have had to leave to search for work elsewhere. Nature is retaking the land, and it has become a popular place for weekend campers Continue reading Out of Guangzhou: Images from the Road
Pictured above: Me, Li Luying (黎璐英) and Li Qiang (李强 ) , taking a break from the road near Huaihua (怀化) Three cars roll down out of the Hunan countryside, their lines bold and new. Golden hour sunlight warms three fresh coats of wax. The leader, bluebird against the unblemished white of its followers, pumps pop music out … Continue reading The Twisted, Hopeful World of Chinese Electric Vehicles
360 by bike 