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I wanted to capture the multiple modes of eco-friendly transportation can coexist harmoniously. You can see a cyclist, a pedestrian, tram tracks, cars, and even a ferry in the distance—all sharing space on cobblestone roads, a nod to historic infrastructure adapted for modern sustainable use. In the foreground, a vibrant local market reflects Finland’s cultural traditions, emphasizing the importance of supporting local economies and engaging authentically with communities when traveling. The Ferris wheel with a built-in sauna is a creative example of how Finland blends innovation with cultural identity. And so, this is the heart of Helsinki.

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Finland is a place of incredible natural beauty. In order to sustain these natural environments, we must maintain a minimal footprint when beholding them. While the wooden dock and solitary figure suggest signs of human activity, their existence does not contaminate the majesty of the lake. By creating only what we need and avoiding overpopulation and overpollution of nature we can maintain these serene environments. I travelled here on foot and left nothing behind in order to uphold these principles 

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Ferry to a foreign Finnish island: affordable, convenient, fun

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Horses gallop and trot! No carbon, so sustainable. Go Horses! 

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So often we think about traveling sustainably in cities and staying in hotels — in reality, all we need is a cabin on the lake (with a sauna!), and we can thrive off the nature around us.

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I was impressed at the integration of old and new building styles in Helsinki. In the background of this old train station we can see the modern apartment styles and the crane constructing new, modern buildings. The reuse of this old building was impressive, and allowing the urban plants take over the building made it feel even more sustainable. Instead of demolishing this old building and building something new, they repurposed the building to suit the modern needs, a very sustainable way of constant urban development. 

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Trolleys, secondhand, & walking. Reminder that everything consumed comes from somewhere.

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Canoeing is an ancient form of transportation that has propelled humanity across the globe. The act of canoeing has no carbon footprint and is an under appreciated form of exercise. In Finland we got the chance to canoe around a beautiful lake and appreciate the idyllic forest around us. 

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Thanks to Pekka I now know how to travel and live sustainably in the forests of Finland!

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An essential characteristic of life is that “everything flows”, which Heraclitus posits in watching the flow of water. Standing on the deck of our ferry, I felt myself pass a myriad of lives that I will never see more of than with the fleeting tug of the ship. This island in particular struck me. Seemingly desolate on the other side, this port to a few houses opened up the seas to a stopping point. Nonetheless, I watched multiple ships pass this island, it standing still in observance of the flow of so many life’s. I captured this picture in the instance of a bird flying over head, two ships framing the island in the land being the only spot of permanence in the vast water around it. Only the ships are subject to view such an occurrence, the island being only a speck from view of air travel. Only being on the deck of the ferry in that particular moment allowed me to capture such an already fleeting event and I’m so grateful I could. 

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Chairs in Stockholm that face each other to encourage discussion and social interactions. 

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Surrounded by tall pine trees and soft evening light, a small red cabin sits peacefully on the edge of a still lake. The distinction between reflection and reality is blurred by the water's glass-like reflection of the scene. The picture depicts a serene moment when nature seems unaltered—calm, quiet, and timeless—without any people or movement. It serves as a reminder of the impact that quiet can have when everything else becomes slower.

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Seeing this sunset in Nukksio helps us understand why sustainability is so important. Connecting with nature helps us empathize with the natural resources and beings we are destroying, giving us true hope for future change.