SolarPunk: Hope is in the air

Posted on June 1, 2024Comments Off on SolarPunk: Hope is in the air

Interest in SolarPunk is truly international:

Solarpunk inspiration from the Subcontinent – Sidmouth Solarpunk

The latest insights come from the Daily Mirror in Sri Lanka:

Originating in Brazil as a literary genre in the early 2000s, Solarpunk quickly picked up popularity via the internet. With Tumblr users posting various artwork and stories under a simple hashtag, the idea of a world where environmental and social issues of our times were taken care of promptly by technological solutions along with shared harmony between people and nature, began to grow.

With time, a social and creative movement that honoured both human and ecological coordination, quality of life, regenerating genuine kinship and economic relations, and an overall culture of abundance was built by a resilient community.

Let’s paint a picture of what that really looks like.

Imagine a skyline with organic architecture, dotted with translucent domes and buildings covered with plants. Where solar panels and wind turbines are a regular sight as we turn to more renewable energy sources and appropriate technology is used for efficiency. Projects like co-ops, community gardens, co-housing and repair cafes are found easily within reach. Fresh and clean produce is a staple and the community follows a ‘sharing is caring’ policy. The environment is warm and inviting with clear skies and a gentle breeze. Hope is in the air.

This aesthetic is crucial to Solarpunk as it promotes the idea that there will be a civilisation beyond the current climate and social crisis that holds its ground and stays true to its values – and that’s where the punk comes in, just without the tattoos and piercings. In a world that is trampled by a system based on ecocide and greed, Solarpunk is the rebellion against injustice towards our home.

Another example of evolving Solarpunk would be the urban gardens of Japan. Here, the rooftops of commercial facilities like train stations in busy cities such as Tokyo, are used as rental vegetable gardens where members can grow their food locally. It serves as a space for people to connect and share fresh produce and even encourages you to stay fit by participating in gardening yourself.

One of the most inspiring Solarpunk reports is of a small town located in Southwest Berlin, Feldheim, fully powered by locally generated renewable energy through wind turbines and biogas. As the town became self-sufficient, E.ON, the energy firm providing the space for power grids, refused to sell or lease it. The community then happened to showcase great resilience and unity by outsourcing services to build their own smart grid instead. Talk about a punk attitude.

Introducing Solarpunk Where Technology Meets Utopia – Life | Daily Mirror

From Brazil to Sri Lanka, and from Japan to Germany:

“A Feldheim that took a step into the future with courage, optimism, and readiness to engage in dialogue. A future not only for Feldheim, but for all. A future without nuclear power, coal, and oil. A future which is not at the cost of later generations”.

Self-sufficiency in Energy – the village of Feldheim – UNEP/UNESCO/BMUV course program

Comments Off on SolarPunk: Hope is in the air