artwork by Molly Costello (instagram)

what is solarpunk?

“Solarpunks cherish nature, progress and science; the individual and the community.

They believe in a world that is green, colourful, and bright. It can be described as a literary genre, an aesthetic, or a movement. The key points are:

• An emphasis on renewable energy, especially solar power.
  
• A demand for technology and society to re-centre around sustainability, longevity, and balance.
  
• A focus on decentralisation, community activism, social justice and civic empowerment.
  
• A recognition that economic, social, and ecological injustices are all deeply inter-connected.”
  

- Sunbeam City

“Solarpunk is a literary movement, a hashtag, a flag, and a statement of intent about the future we hope to create” - Ben Valentine

Solarpunk as a concept emerged from the imagination of authors and creators in the early 2000′s, and was shared freely throughout the internet. It originated as a genre of creative writing and artwork, but it quickly began to be implemented into decentralised left-wing spaces. Nowadays, solarpunk embodies a whole range of politics, activism, design and art; but at its heart it encompasses positive, grassroots community action and innovation as a way to prevent ecological crises. 

resources

non fiction books, essays and articles

• Solarpunk: a reference guide
  
• Solarpunk: notes towards a manifesto 
  
• Solarpunk against a shitty future 
• What is Solarpunk?
• Solarpunk Resources

• Designing Regenerative Cultures by Daniel Wahl
• The Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes Us Happier, Healthier, and More Creative by Florence Williams  
• Powering the Dream: The History and Promise of Green Technology by Alexis Madrigal  
• Ecovillages: Lessons for Sustainable Community by Karen T. Litfin  
• Designing for Hope: Pathways to Regenerative Sustainability by Dominique Hes  

novels and fiction

1. Goodreads solarpunk list  
   
2. Solarpunk Press 
   
3. Solarpunk Story Exchange
   

• Sunvault: Stories of Solarpunk and Eco-Speculation 
• Ecotopia by Ernest Callenbach
  
• Glass and Gardens: Solarpunk Summers by Sarena Ulibarri
• Wings of Renewal: A Solarpunk Dragon Anthology
  by Claudie Arseneault
• Sunvault: Stories of Solarpunk and Eco-Speculation
  by Phoebe Wagner 
  
• Twenty One Twenty by Jason J. Robinson
  
• Winds of Change: Short Stories about Our Climate
  by Mary Woodbury 
  
• Ecopunk! - speculative tales of radical futures
  by Liz Grzyb
  

videos

Sunbeam Cinema
(my list of documentaries and films)

Imagining a Solarpunk future (TED talk)

podcasts

• Adventures in New America 
  
• The War on Cars
  
• Climate One 
  
• Future Perfect 
  
• The Impact 
  
• The Institute for Local Self Reliance 
  
• It’s Going Down
  
• The Shift Up Podcast
  
• Solarpunk Press 
  
• Strong Towns 
  
• Team Human 
  
• Occulture Podcast, ep. 122
• (my list of podcasts and radio shows)

websites and blogs

Sunbeam City Wiki 
Solarpunk Anarchists 
Solarpunk Station 

tumblr

This is where I need your help - I would love to collate a list of Solarpunk-themed tumblr blogs. If you post about Solarpunk and would like to be included in this list, please comment or message me with your blog URL. Thank you! 

Relevant posts

• my list of permaculture resources
  
• my tips and tricks for disabled activism 
  
• my post on gardening 
  
• my post on community activism
  

post updated: 8/7/2019