Raphael Thys
Nature taking back the built environment. Cape Ivy Delairea odorata growing over an old stone ruin. Monterey pine Pinus radiata forest in the background. Image by Sonya.
Solarpunk has come into more common use in the media in recent times and refers to climate change mitigation and adaptation, although perhaps not as conventional as the IPCC and the UNFCCC.
Like those organizations, Solarpunk also seeks to correct past environmentally damaging practices.
The term uses punk as it counters current culture with an alternative view, a movement away from civilization growing out of control, a civilization that needs to be moderated.
It describes an artistic genre and a social movement.
Solar refers to renewable energy, resources, and practices.
What have we done to nature? This is an old weathered stump of Eucalyptus obliqua Messmate Stringybark, the tree was cut from an old-growth woodland many years ago and the stump has been used as a strainer post for a farm fence. The woodland has long since been protected from clearing or logging but none of the regrowth is as large as this stump. Image by the author.
Indigenous ecological knowledge learning is by doing and experiencing not just writing, learning is done in place, on the land, using fire correctly, learning where water can be found, how the animals behave, and knowing the plants and their different uses.
This traditional learning teaches respect for Country by keeping our use in balance and practicing respect for the Elders who can’t be seen.
Solarpunk also learns, expresses, and teaches with doing, by art, and by stories.
There is now a well-known need to reduce our production of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, in short, to decarbonize our economy.
These words are almost becoming boring, remembering that they are also critical.
It is not surprising that a movement has formed that uses different ways of conveying a similar message.
We all need to discern that the Earth, the source of all our prosperity and advancement, is trodden beneath our feet.
We have to tread lightly and reduce each of our footprints, here is a movement that may help us reduce our impact on nature and the Earth.
To further describe Solarpunk, terms that come to mind are — reduced capitalism, using new technology to advantage such as solar, wind, and battery SWB, sustainability, mutual beneficence, ecological, and communal.
Solarpunk activities can be many and include urban and communal productive food gardens, sustainable building design, and reduce, recycle, and reuse.
Solarpunk is about finding a way back to nature.
Other worthwhile projects:
The Half-Earth Project Half-Earth Project — E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation and
RewildingEarth Rewilding Earth Welcome — Home of the Rewilding Institute
Other related articles:
Biodiversity Sensitive Urban Design | by Peter Miles | Age of Awareness | Mar, 2022 | Medium
For a more detailed description of Solarpunk see Antonio Melonio’s article Solarpunk Wants to Change the World — What Is It? | by Antonio Melonio 🍉| The Universe is a Melon | May, 2022 | Medium
Dead wood. An old heavily weathered log of Eucalyptus obliqua Messmate Stringybark but it is still providing a home underneath for insects. Image by the author.
