Solarpunk proposes a radical rethinking of how we interact with the natural world, challenging our conventional understanding of what civilization is, while also suggesting ways in which our current way of life can be overthrown and replaced by something better. With global climate talks in disarray, it’s no wonder people are looking for new ways to protect the planet. What if we could build renewable energy on every roof, using materials like glass and plastic? The possibilities are virtually endless: solar-powered public transportation, sustainable consumer goods, closed-loop agriculture, and more.
We live in a competitive society, and the culture seems to be populated by ambitious people hell-bent on climbing the corporate ladder at any cost. But what if we lived in a more cooperative, peaceful world? What if we took our competitive instincts and applied them towards seeking out and supporting those creative pursuits which help us survive and maintain a connection with our planet? Solarpunk appears to be the solution to these issues.
“The tech industry, social justice, and the environmental industry often see themselves as quite separate, and even at war with each other. Solarpunk is a very powerful cultural narrative that could really bring together efforts across these sectors in an aligned way,” explains scientist Phoebe Tickell.
Some companies have already become part of the movement. Carbon Upcycling Technologies (CUT), a company from Canada, is applying the solarpunk principles to focus on turning carbon dioxide into concrete additives. Last year, the company introduced a brand designed to sell consumer products created out of materials captured from carbon. The brand’s name is “Expedition Air” and it sells products such as T-shirts or paintings.
“We’ve used art and consumer products to de-risk the uptake of this novel material and start conversations with companies that have the production capacity to actually move the needle in terms of carbon reduction,” declared the lead of Expedition Air.
