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Solarpunk Comes in Real Life in the San Francisco Bay Area
by Victor Perton
"There are so many young people out there who are disillusioned, who are feeling really down because the U.S. is going to pull out of the Paris Agreement, cut down on renewable energy, and ramp up fossil fuels. There are two paths now: Despair or real optimism. Solarpunk is optimistic," says Bruce Shigeura, founder of Bay Area Solarpunks, in Chase Hunter's article, "What is solarpunk? Inside an audaciously hopeful environmental movement that’s thriving in the Bay Area."
I like solarpunk, and it picks up a yearning from people of any age.
In my recent That Optimism Man podcast conversation with John Hagel, John said, "The way that I was able to maintain optimism was I would retreat to my bedroom and read science fiction novels. At the time, all science fiction was about utopian futures—the amazing, wonderful things that were going to happen in the future. If you look at science fiction today, it's mainly dystopian futures, all about the terrible things that are going to happen in the future. But when I was a child, seeing that utopian future gave me some optimism that, as challenging as my childhood was, things would somehow unfold for the better."
• 62 min
The Power of Exploration and Optimism: A Conversation with John Hagel
That Optimism Man Victor Perton
Play
Chase Hunter shares the story of Solar Punk Farms, set up by environmental activists Nick Schwanz and Spencer Scott. Their second-growth forest on a 10-acre property in Guerneville is an outdoor laboratory dedicated to the emerging environmental movement known as solarpunk. This creative integration of ecology, sustainability, and art embodies the heart of the solarpunk ethos. Hunter’s article provides a fascinating look at how solarpunk flourishes in communities like Guerneville and Oakland, capturing the intersection of technology, environmentalism, and creativity while offering concrete examples of how solarpunk ideals are being brought to life.
I like solarpunk because it inspires optimism and action. It aligns perfectly with The Optimism Principle: "The answer to life's most pressing questions is optimism."
• 54 min
The Optimism Principle
That Optimism Man Victor Perton
Play
Solarpunk shows how communities can build a better world by combining technology, creativity, and collaboration. It’s not just an environmental movement; it’s a cultural shift that asks us to reimagine what’s possible and take practical steps toward a brighter, more sustainable future.
At The Centre for Optimism, we commend solarpunk as a beacon of innovation and collaboration. Gardening, in particular, is central to the solarpunk ethos—and to optimism itself. Whether you’re tending a backyard, balcony, or community garden, the act of planting something is a statement of belief in the future. It’s a simple yet profound way to practice optimism and nurture a connection to the environment. By planting a tree or growing vegetables, we actively participate in shaping a better world, one small but significant step at a time.
I encourage people to start small: plant a tree, grow some herbs, or participate in a community garden. These acts, rooted in optimism, creativity, and sustainability, can ripple out to create transformative change.
Solarpunk reminds us that innovation and optimism are the antidotes to despair. It asks, "What kind of world do you want to create?" and shows us how to take the first steps toward building it. It’s an invitation to see the future not as something to fear but as something we have the power to shape—together.
Related Articles from The Centre for Optimism
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Explainer: ‘Solarpunk’, or How to Be an Optimistic Radical
An explanatory article that introduces solarpunk as a subculture blending optimism with radical environmentalism. -
Imogen Malpas: Solarpunk is Built on a Foundation of Climate Optimism
In this article, Imogen Malpas discusses how solarpunk combines climate optimism, inclusivity, and democracy to envision a sustainable future. -
Solarpunk, Robots and Optimism for the Future: Felipe Chavez
Felipe Chavez explores the intersection of solarpunk aesthetics, robotics, and a greener future, highlighting the movement's utopian ideals. -
The Spirit of Solarpunk is One of Craftsmanship, Egalitarianism, and Optimism
This piece delves into the core values of solarpunk, emphasizing its focus on craftsmanship, equality, and a hopeful outlook. -
Solarpunk is an Optimistic Vision of the Future that Rejects Climate Doomerism
This article presents solarpunk as a hopeful alternative to pessimistic climate narratives, focusing on sustainable solutions.
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