Initially a loosely defined internet aesthetic, solarpunk has since grown into an ideology and – for some — lifestyle that advocates for the widespread implementation of this vision in our actual world. Its design is beautiful, with a tone of green, much like how 7Slots casino looks.
Search “solarpunk” on Pinterest, Tumblr, or even Reddit, and you will inevitably come across mood boards and story-like fiction writing artwork. Though sprawling up is much easier than developing, you will find stunningly tall buildings surrounded by field crops on their top floors (yes, plantations), condominium commune high rises covered in forestry, and even 3D renderings of lush green cities yet-to-be-built.
What is the core spirit of Solarpunk? At heart, this philosophy prioritizes our ecological custodianship and pragmatic pragmatism: what can be done right now? It also comes imbued with a DIY ethos that is communal, sustainable, and optimistic.
Pillars of the Movement
At its heart, the Solarpunk movement is about envisioning and bringing to life a postmodern society that manages sustainably. Its essence is tied to ecosystem preservation, social justice, and climate change activism. Its basic principles are as follows:
- Sustainability: Focusing on renewable energy usage, waste reduction, reuse & local provisioning.
- Community resilience: Broadening grassroots organizing & aids.
- Diversity and inclusion: We should reserve space for groups pushed to the fringes and integrate them into our everyday lives.
- Anti-subordination: Ensuring that all people have equal rights and dignity.
The above pillars form the core of the movement, guiding pieces from fiction and art to activism work and experiments in living sustainably. The movement is meant as a hopeful rebuff to today’s control systems.
Solarpunk in the Real World
This vision of the world might sound like a pipe dream far from our current reality, but so much is already being done around the planet to make it happen. These are some examples of what projects and initiatives the possibility for this culture to inspire real change:
Solar-Powered Buildings
One of the critical features of solarpunk-inspired architecture is that we should use solar power (and other renewable types) in activities where it is available, such as nightlife and day working or living spaces. One of the best examples is the Heliotrope in Freiburg, Germany, designed by architect Rolf Disch. The building rotates to follow the sun for the most efficient solar power generation at any given time. Another example is the Solar Settlement in Freiburg, a 59-home neighborhood that produces more energy than it consumes.
Urban Gardens and Green Roofs
The key to these cities in the future is green space. Fruit and vegetables are grown in rooftop urban gardens, improving the air quality in the cities. In addition, they build a community. One of the most striking vertical forests in residential construction is The Bosco Verticale, located in Milan (Italy). This design influences biodiversity and reduces the urban heat island effect.
Similarly, models such as New York City’s High Line — previously a historic elevated rail line reclaimed from dilapidation to create an iconic green public space intrinsically tied to contemporary urban spheres.
Community-Based Renewable Energy
Another dominant feature of the communities is decentralized, community-based energy projects. Denmark’s Samso Island community has transformed into a carbon-neutral region by adopting alternative energies such as solar, wind, and biomass. Their success shows the power of collective action in building sustainable living environments. With the Brooklyn Microgrid in New York, this reliable concept is illustrated even more vividly as citizens are incentivized to support each other with locally produced solar power through blockchain technology and work towards local electricity autonomy.
Sustainable Transportation
Solarpunk offers an answer and suggests cities should encourage people to walk, bike, or take public transportation instead. Over 50% of Copenhagen residents commute by cycling. This is because the city has developed an extensive cycling infrastructure, and the local culture has been developed to emphasize environmental sustainability, allowing cyclists access. Brazilian city Curitiba and its pioneering public transport system—are the sort of places that have bus lanes, low fares, and no long waiting times.
Regenerative Agriculture & Permaculture
An ethos favoring sustainable food production argues that we move from industrial agriculture towards regenerative methods. It complements its values by aligning with some permaculture fundamentals (for example, mimicking natural systems, promoting biodiversity, and using local resources).
Located in Seattle, the Beacon Food Forest is run by community members marrying permaculture to urban farm production and environmental education — a potential glimpse into what a solarpunk-inspired food system could look like.
Sustainable Water Management
A futuristic city must also consider ways to manage water and conserve systems. Some examples include the Turenscape Qunli Stormwater Park (pictured above) in China, which implements futuristic designs that transform flood-prone areas into beautiful and functional green spaces that manage runoff water while serving as public parks.
Solarpunk and Sustainability
Whether you are a solarpunk or only just now hearing about it through this article, we all need to be moving in the same direction when building that better world for our progeny. The weight of the climate crisis, environmental degradation, and near-incomprehensible uncertainties can seem overwhelming. Powerlessness and neglect will slide in if we cannot see a solution. The principles brought forward by this movement are a lighthouse to the fisherman in a storm and a light of hope at the end of the tunnel. It makes us use our heads and gives us a new dream. It ignites the flame within us and guides us to do better for others.
Solarpunk has no answers to everything, but we must choose a more optimistic path.
