New to Solarpunk? Welcome!

I made this page to help out anyone who wants to learn more about solarpunk.

Right off the bat, I want to make a distinction. Solarpunk is both a speculative science fiction genre, and a movement of people who look to that genre as inspiration for actual change and personal beliefs. I will be talking more about the latter here. It's good, when trying to make positive social change, to have a vision, a plan, and a set of ideals to guide your actions when moving in today's hyper-capitalist world.

Solarpunk History: How did we get here?

2008

The first documented use of 'solarpunk' comes from a blog post by Republic of the Bees, titled 'From Steampunk to Solarpunk' (posted April 20th, 2008) where the author discusses a literary genre similar to 'steampunk' that uses older tech to replace the use of oil. This was brought on by the discussion of the MS Beluga Skysail, a modern ship partially powered by a kite rig. (the first of its kind!)

2009

Matt Staggs posted a 'greenpunk manifesto' on his blog, hoping to define a eco-friendly fiction movement.

GreenPunk: a technophilic spec-fic movement centered on characters using and being affected by the use of DIY renewable resources, recycling and repurposing. GreenPunk would emphasize the ability of the individual – and his or her responsibility – for positive ecological and social change.

Rejecting steampunk’s romanticism while embracing its focus on approachable, “knowable” technology (as opposed to the “black box” nature of digital tech), GreenPunk envisions a world in which the detritus of consumer culture as propogated by the Elite is appropriated and repurposed by the masses toward the reconstruction of a devastated ecology and the address of social ills.

Original blog link has been broken, here is a post discussing Matt's by Lauren Davis

2014

Olivia Louise creates a post on Tumblr, with character and cityscape art, discussing solarpunk. This post also compares it to 'steampunk', but also creates a visual aesthetic that many still use when creating 'solarpunk' art to this day.

Aesthetically my vision of solarpunk is very similar to steampunk, but with electronic technology, and an Art Nouveau veneer.

So here are some buzz words~

  • 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!

Check the links in the sidebar for more resources to build your own website!

- Cat Ipsum -

Rub my belly hiss swipe at owner's legs sniff catnip and act crazy growl at dogs in my sleep sit on the laptop for hiss at vacuum cleaner i like to spend my days sleeping and eating fishes that my human fished for me.

Head nudges eat my own ears. Hey! you there, with the hands why can't i catch that stupid red dot, shed everywhere shed everywhere stretching attack your ankles chase the red dot, hairball run catnip eat the grass sniff, or roll over and sun my belly curl up and sleep on the freshly laundered towels.