Sustainability Final Assignment -Biophilia

Question 1: If this photo were in an art gallery, what title would you give it, and what would be the written description of the subject of the photo, in 1-2 brief sentences?

Title: A Brief Escape

Description: Take a moment to step out of the fast-paced world and connect with the natural one. Feel the serenity of water flowing endlessly and the trees standing timelessly, inviting you to pause, breathe, and find clarity in nature's gentle embrace - just go with the flow.

Question 2: Where was it taken, and at what time of day?

This photo was taken on November 27th, 2024 at 12:30 p.m. I took a walk down to Princess Point with a cup of coffee and found a chair with the perfect view of the lake. 

Question 3: What does this photo tell us about you as a person? Why did you choose this subject matter?

My favourite part of nature is an oxymoron - I can’t even swim, but I absolutely love the open water. Sitting by the water is captivating; it embodies a unique blend of calmness and mystery. It feels serene, as though time freezes when I'm near it. Despite it being everflowing, observing it has always offered me a profound sense of stillness.  I watched a family of ducks glide slowly by and it reminded me of life’s interconnectedness and the fundamental role water plays in sustaining us. When I sit by the water, the flow pulls my mind from stress to clarity, as if to whisper “Just go with the flow.”  As it soaks up my worries, being near open water leaves behind a therapeutic, grounding peace. Responsibilities and stresses will always be present, and though I had these thoughts in the back of my mind, gazing at this view somehow took over my mind. Almost hypnotized, I couldn’t seem to focus on anything else but the vast landscape of blue in front of me.

This subject matter is especially fascinating to me because of how much there is left to learn about it. Water is essential for life, supporting physical health, ecosystems, and mental well-being. We don’t go a day without its benefits -  it nurtures the environment, sustaining plants and animals. Beyond its biological role, water has a calming psychological effect—its flow, stillness, and proves to reduce stress, enhance focus, and evoke feelings of peace. Whether for physical survival, ecological balance, or mental clarity, water is an invaluable and therapeutic resource.

Water submerses me into a state of ethereality. I study Software Engineering, so my daily exposures are virtually the opposite of natural. As I come to the completion of my final year, I’ve become more aware of how much of my attention is taken up by screens and how the integration of nature has little to do with this career path. Over the last few years, I’ve made it a point to step away from the screen more often and devote time to being outside for the sake of mental clarity, at minimum. The more I connect with nature, the more I want to continue doing it. Of course, I’m happy to have learned what I have in my education, but I have to confess that there is a part of me that wants to find a way to spend time outside more often. I don’t know the solution just yet, but I would be excited to work with technology in a way that incorporates the fruitfulness of nature.

Question 4: Can you relate the photo, and your process of selecting the subject of the photo, to the concept of biophilia?

Upon reading the prompt for this assignment, my mind instantly went to finding water. Every time I find myself in its presence, it gives me an opportunity to drown out the noise, hence the title: A Brief Escape. It reminds me that I am a small stroke in the painting that is life. In a way, it is relieving to know that in the grand scheme of things, my personal worries aren’t as big as they may feel from time to time. While, yes, we all lead a complex and important life, there’s such beauty in sharing it with a larger system of interconnected beings and ecosystems, reminding us that we’re part of something greater than ourselves—a vast, dynamic network of life where balance, growth, and coexistence thrive.

To me, biophilia is the way nature draws us in, heals our minds, and provides a sense of belonging. When I selected this scene—a serene view of water framed by trees—I was drawn to its calming, timeless quality. The gentle flow of water, as I described above, embodies abundance and serenity, while the trees symbolized resilience and stability, grounding me in the moment. I’m reading a book called “Why We Sleep” (Walker, M. 2017) that details the discovery of the circadian rhythm among plants. While I know that plants are living creatures, it was humbling to internalize that their anatomy and physiology is just as intricate as ours. Then, what makes their longevity any less important than ours?

This choice to capture water was reflective of how I connect with nature. The photo captures the aspects of biophilia that resonate most with me: the therapeutic effect of being near water, the fascination with life’s simplicity and complexity, and the sense of peace that nature provides. The ducks floating past and the ripples on the water’s surface remind me of the interconnectedness of all life—a core tenet of biophilia. My decision was influenced by how nature offers an escape from the everyday stress of responsibilities. By interacting with nature, we tend to find a sense of clarity. It was as though nature compels us to pause, focus, and find perspective. Even with tasks looming in the back of my mind, the natural scene had a way of anchoring my thoughts, offering an unspoken reassurance that life continues to flow forward.

In selecting this subject, I wanted to express how nature fosters reflection and mindfulness. This connection aligns with biophilia’s emphasis on the psychological and emotional benefits of engaging with natural environments. My thought process was guided by a desire to capture not just the physical beauty of the water and trees but also the emotional solace and balance they provide.

The modern world often neglects biophilia due to urbanization, technology, and disconnection from natural environments. Our cities are designed for efficiency and growth, frequently prioritizing concrete infrastructure over green spaces. Excessive screen time and a fast-paced lifestyle reduce opportunities for outdoor experiences, making people less aware of their innate need to connect with nature - ironically, to “balance” this, most of our desktop screensavers are natural landscapes.  Environmental degradation, pollution, and loss of biodiversity further erode this connection, limiting the restorative and psychological benefits nature provides. This neglect has significant implications for both individual well-being and ecological sustainability. It feels like we are in a never-ending race to keep modernizing our experiences. But, in our search for an advanced life, why are we neglecting what has been its foundation since the beginning of time? 

I retain hope, however. It reassures me that the more we learn about our actions, the more people are looking to find a new approach. It’s relieving to see cities like Singapore, Stockholm, and New York, (Blaustein, R. 2013) finding ways to prioritize biodiversity in their urban planning. It’s empowering to learn more about community-led groups like Stop Sprawl (Stop Sprawl HamOnt, n.d) from my second ELP, and Project Harvest (Project Harvest - Guatemala, 2018) from my first. Taking this course has opened my eyes to the importance of the natural world; taking part in various learning opportunities has helped me re-focus on the important things in life. What are my personal goals if there isn’t a world to host them? I’m happy to say that slowly, but surely, I’m striding towards achieving the learning goals I had set in place at the beginning of this course. Inspired by the people who are taking action, I hope to continue appreciating and fighting for the longevity of our Earth and all of its life.

References:

1. Walker, M. (2017). Why We Sleep. Scribner. 

2. Blaustein, R. (2013). Urban Biodiversity Gains New Converts. BioScience, 63(2), 72–77. https://doi.org/10.1525/bio.2013.63.2.3 

3. Stop Sprawl HamOnt. (n.d.). Farmland To Save https://www.ssho.ca/ 

4. Project Harvest - Guatemala. (2018). Our Work https://www.projectharvest.org/