Climate change has become one of the most important discussions today, where global citizens, scientists, and researchers are working tirelessly to improve our planet and its ecosystem. In the past few years, the world has faced uncontrollable wildfires, destructive tsunamis, killing heat waves, and floods that wipe away everything that come in their paths. This opens the floor to measures that need to be taken to reduce the harmful effects or reduce the speed of climate change.
It has also created awareness amongst people who are changing their lifestyles and opting for a no-waste, clean, and sustainable lifestyle so that they can play their role in the fight against climate change. Right now, the world needs a revolution that would introduce a future where there is greenery everywhere, and technology is developed in alignment with nature.
Expect Best/Pexels | Are you ready to learn all about solarpunk?
The Start Of Solarpunk
Launched in 2008, solarpunk initially started as an art movement that was supposed to be the antithesis of steampunk and cyberpunk. steampunk steams for steam-powered industrial revolution-inspired aesthetic mixed in with futuristic technology. On the other hand, cyberpunk is all about science fiction, which includes cybernetics and AI intertwined with monolithic corporations and societal collapse.
Similarly, solarpunk has a future destination, too, albeit one that is not similar to cyberpunk. It paints a rather positive utopian picture of the world where global citizens do not have to worry about existential crises like climate change. This is where technology and nature come together, and no one gets compromised due to the propagation of one. Usually, the Solarpunk tropes consist of artwork which showcases futuristic architecture alongside greenery and forestation.
Donald/Pexels | A depiction of what solarpunk artwork looks like
What Would Solarpunk Be Like?
The concept of art has started becoming more realistic in its presentation of what the future would look like. It incorporates more efficient, practical, and concrete ideas of the new world where energy will be entirely and completely derived from solar energy, circular economies will lead, and no fossil fuel will be utilized. The waste will either be reused or repurposed, and vegetation will be a common sight.
Pixabay/Pexels | Transportation will be based on clean and sustainable energy, and modern architecture will be developed while keeping nature in view.
That is not all; in the world of solarpunk, people will engage in activities like permaculture farming, rainwater harvesting, gardening, and community services with Indigenous practices and knowledge appreciated and celebrated.
Another important key factor to solarpunk is the political environment that is set. Unlike cyberpunk, which focuses on evil corporations that take over the world, solarpunk looks towards a decentralized society where profits come after the wellness of the planet. So, in solarpunk art, you won't see any hierarchies or excessive wealth accumulation. Rather, you will see a decentralized society which focuses on community building, cooperation, shared knowledge, and open-source technology.
So, what do you think of solarpunk? Could this art genre turn into a reality?
