Hollywood loves to depict dystopia in films, and let's face it we eat it up too. Movies like Blade Runner give us a glimpse into a derelict future filled with brutalist concrete buildings, rampant pollution, and a co-dependent relationship with technology. The sci-fi sub-genre "Cyberpunk", what Blade Runner is based on, is rooted in a low-life and high-tech future that isn't too difficult to imagine given our current state. And cyberpunk works well in media because its the perfect environment for the "hero's story", where our protaganist has all odds against them and emerges amidst the utter chaos. After all, its easier to visualize being a hero in an apocalypse, than a reality where we all work together to create a utopia, isn't it?
well that's where Solarpunk comes in.
Solarpunk
Solarpunk is an art-from / sci-fi sub-genre that envisions a collectivist future where technology progresses alongside the environment. The nature of solarpunk is usually framed as the direct opposite to cyberpunk which emphasizes themes such as urban decay, a heavy corporate influence, and xenophobia. Solarpunk instead focuses on highlighting the importance of community and partnership between human beings and the surrounding Earth. Its aesthetic harps on bright visuals and optimism, envisioning a society where the climate crisis has been resolved, or at a minimum being approached with camaraderie.
It definitely represents a more ideological approach, opposing philosophies such as capitalism, consumerism, materialism, and eco-fascism. Yet at the same time, solarpunk aims to promote a society that is equally communal, sustainable, and technologically advanced. However, my favorite depiction of solarpunk, comes from thinker Rhys Williams who says solarpunk denies any fashionable pessimism and stands for being "against a shi**y future". What a great slogan-
How Achievable is it?
If the name didn't already suggest, solarpunk is deeply engrained in climate-tech and sustainability. Things like walkable cities, sprawling plant life, and abundant sunshine are all components you'll often come across. But if we wanted to get down to its bones, we'd see principles like renewable energy, climate-friendly agriculture, zero-waste, and technology that has little influence - however significant utility for us, all being at the forefront. Although art tends to idealize the perfect world, the main principles of solarpunk are directly drawn from a our understanding of what a sustainable future consists of. So everything may not look as sparkly and beautiful as it may in the first picture, but even if we fell a little short, why wouldn't we at least try?
Conclusion
This is a bit of different topic, but I hope it opened up your minds as to how media influences us and how maybe having a little more solarpunk and a little less cyberpunk might make us more optimistic about our future. Climate in traditional industries like energy, food, waste, and transportation have been getting pretty decent exposure as of late, but maybe climate in art-form can give it a little extra boost. And if you're still interested to know more about solarpunk from a more analytical pod - check out the video below.
