In the past 2 decades Dave has focused on science, health, and environmental topics. He directed a documentary about Greenpeace USA's 3 month journey down the Mississippi River, filmed the first national documentaries on AIDS and Alzheimer's Disease, and has more recently photographed health and socially-oriented documentary projects in Haiti, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Malawi, Israel, and Ukraine.

Dave is the founder of the Sustainable Media Network, and has been actively engaged in sustainability issues since 1997, joining the Colorado Renewable Energy Society (CRES), in 1999. He served on its Board for 4 years and led the group as its President in 2004. That year, as a member of the statewide committee that won Amendment 37, America's first direct vote on renewable energy, Dave worked on voter education and fundraising efforts. In June 2004 he wrote a 700 word editorial "Get Real on Energy", published in the Denver Post, and was repeatedly interviewed and quoted in statewide newspapers, radio, & TV stations about clean energy topics. His video work that year included producing and writing a nationally broadcast 30 min. show "The Power of Tomorrow" about renewable energy, and his video footage was integral to Amendment 37's campaign commercials. In recent years, he has made substantial contributions to the writing, design, & photography of CRES' website. Related energy work includes leading the Association for the Study of Peak Oil (ASPO-USA) as its Executive Director, serving as the group's chief spokesman, media coordinator, conference organizer, and primary administrator.

Bowden holds degrees in Fine Arts from the Bournemouth and Poole College of Art in Dorset, England, and the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. His broadcasting work has received numerous national awards.