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Energy will be entirely dependent on solar and wind generation, with no fossil fuel or dirty emissions in sight – and circular economies are the only system in place. All waste will either be reused or repurposed, and resources and transport are guaranteed sustainable and clean. Activities such as rainwater harvesting, permaculture farming, and community gardening will be commonplace, while Indigenous knowledge and practices are celebrated and used across sectors to improve efficiency of resource consumption.
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LEARN MORE ➡️ earth.org/solarpunk/

#Economics #Science #Environment #Climate #ClimateChange #ClimateCrisis #Degrowth #SolarPunk

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Unlike cyberpunks who imagine the world being dominated by evil corporations, solarpunks imagine a society where people and planet are prioritised over the individual and profit. Essentially, say goodbye to conglomerates, hierarchies, and excessive wealth, and say hello to decentralised and open-source technologies, shared knowledge, as well as community building and cooperation.
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LEARN MORE ➡️ earth.org/solarpunk/

#Economics #Science #Environment #Climate #ClimateChange #ClimateCrisis #Degrowth #SolarPunk

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The ‘punk’ element in solarpunk refers to the movement’s unapologetically optimistic take on the future despite our growing pessimism and even apathy, and passionately calls for radical societal change — abandoning current capitalist markets and infrastructure.

The movement sparks discussion about current systemic problems and the need for societal changes, as seen with the increasing popularity of concepts such as degrowth, which seeks to scale down the resource use of high income nations’ economies by shrinking sectors that are ecologically damaging and offer little social benefit, and pursue growth not by economic expansion, but that is ecologically and socially just for all.
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LEARN MORE ➡️ earth.org/solarpunk/

#Economics #Science #Environment #Climate #ClimateChange #ClimateCrisis #Degrowth #SolarPunk

Thank you! I love the optimism and looking forward to see this getting reality!

@BlumeEvolution

@raganwald the only thing I don't understand in your list is the connection between thrift and self-discipline? Like thrift to me is circular economy, making sure not to hoard stuff but move it on to people who will find use for it (and receive the same) — there's no "self-discipline" in that (which seems to imply restraint?). It's community building and very satisfying.

If you mean "thrift" as in "going without" I don't see that as very helpful, not compared to the rest.

@NatureMC

@raganwald I think I would call that resisting of the siren call "anti-consumerist" or "experiences not things" rather than thrift (with its multiple meanings) or even frugality (a less negative term but still sounds like something you have to do because you've got a budget).

My father was "frugal" — he used that as a control mechanism, denying me/my brother/my mom things because they "weren't important" by which he meant TO HIM. This included things like clothes and heat...

@NatureMC

@raganwald so that's where some of my *personal* negative association comes from. Plus I don't think it's a long-term winning strategy to say "you should be denying yourself things you want!" — not everyone is a born ascetic. You don't need religious self-denial ethos to be anti-consumerist, or to value experiences over things. Experiences/people are *intrinsically* more rewarding. Things are a stand-in for what we really want:connection.

This mindset shift IMO is more sustainable.

@NatureMC

@NatureMC it's hard to talk about this stuff, to find the right words, cuz we're all still trapped in the old systems while we create new ones.

Just means we gotta use more words for clarity! Plus just opening up possibilities and talking about the benefits — most people don't even know clothing swaps exist or Buy Nothing groups, much less understand the benefits. So saying things like "these thrifted things I got are *better* cuz it's stuff you can't find anywhere now" helps.

@NatureMC It doesn't mean people ought to hoard but it's important to get rid of things for the right reasons.

Stuff I just didn't like for whatever reason (poor fit for me, not aestheticly enjoyable for me, not practical for me, etc) I've had no regrets over. But I have regretted things I loved but felt I shouldn't want to keep because I thought I was being "practical".

@NatureMC I think it's good to teach people that you are allowed to cherish things because they are made of resources and labor. Every item is deeply connected to the earth and all that lives on it.

Valuing that item is a way to value those connections.

100% being intentional & thoughtful with "things" is really part of this, at least for me. Understanding your values & not be pressured into sacrificing... super important.

My parents passing was formative for me re:"stuff"-- how much went in the landfill, what *they* treasured, what simple things had so much meaning to *me*. Meaning & connection is what we want. If we keep that focus, the rest follows.

We deserve joy. We just have to key into what truly brings it.

@NatureMC

For those of us in upstate (functionally oneonta area and east of it) new york, weve just started our own little mutual aid thing.

fingers crossed that it takes off. 15 folks have signed up so far!

nice! Thanks!

Tho my instinct tells me that making is better than many other things.

@clew because the rapacious consumerism all around us makes you save up for criticsl medicare care… or go without

@NatureMC

“The more you know the less you need.”

Until you need an MRI and/or chemotherapy, but that’s half what I’d like to be saving resources for anyway. @NatureMC @susankayequinn