Solarpunk Collective

"Our aim should not be to secure a somewhat thicker slice of bread today, even if this would make us happy; we must not forget what our real aim is. Our main duty is to consider the needs of others. If we become alive to this duty, there will be no unjustly treated people in our midst, and we, in turn, shall not be treated unjustly. Our day-to-day motto should be: "Your problems are also my problems." We must extend our friendship and strengthen our solidarity." Anna Walentynowicz A few months ago, I started working on an idea for a Solarpunk Role Playing Game. At the time, I felt it was possible to leave the setting completely open, so that GMs could design their own worlds. It can be hard work though to create a compelling universe for people to visit, and having some backstory, shared elements and persistent elements which wouldn't change from game to game would be something that would appeal to hosts and players alike. Since then, I've ...

What is solarpunk? That's a question that gets asked a lot. At least one source claims that solarpunk grew out of single post on tumblr in 2014. Solarpunk is a genre of Speculative Fiction that focuses on craftsmanship, community, and technology powered by renewable energy, wrapped up in a coating of Art Nouveau blended with African and Asian aesthetics. Some of the themes which were brainstormed in that original post were: Natural colors! Art Nouveau! Handcrafted wares! Tailors and dressmakers! Streetcars! Airships! Stained glass window solar panels!!! Education in tech and food growing! Less corporate capitalism, and more small businesses! Solar rooftops and roadways! Communal greenhouses on top of apartments! Electric cars with old-fashioned looks! No-cars-allowed walkways lined with independent shops! Renewable energy-powered Art Nouveau-styled tech life!  You can certainly find a lot of images on line which follow those ideas. Drawing by Owen C. ...

Welcome to A Solarpunk Collective. Hold the phone! What is Solarpunk?? If you're looking for something like the Berlin Interpretation , get ready to be disappointed. There's no international agreed interpretation of what Solarpunk is. Part of the fun of it comes from finding out through creating a consensus of what it might be. It's not enough to oppose an old order. Something new must be put forward in its place. Solarpunk seems to be emerging as a place to try and define what that something might be. A positive vision of the future which rejects surrender and despair in favor of a celebration of the human spirit and rebellion; Where humans are the masters of machines, and not the other way around. What's this blog about then? This blog will be open to contributors who want to write about Solarpunk themes, ideas and possible solutions for the future. The posts will be light, not more than 1500 words or about 5-10 minutes of reading. Comment on the blog if ...