Solarpunk is a relatively new speculative movement that term originated with the user "missolivialouise" on the popular social blogging platform Tumblr in August 2014;^[1][2] a literary, aesthetic, and artistic subgenre^{[citation needed]} that was created in the wake of cyberpunk and its other derivatives biopunk and steampunk.^[3]

In contrast to the other Science Fiction genres that it derives from, however, Solarpunk narratives have a distinctly positive and Utopian foundation^[4]- as opposed to what are often Distopian narratives found within Science Fiction; it is a collaborative social effort to imagine and design a world of prosperity, peace, sustainability, and beauty- one which is realistically achievable with current technology.^[5] Aesthetically it also sits opposed to the often plain and sterile aesthetics of other futuristic subgenres.^[6]

Influences[edit]

Though as a literary sub genre Solarpunk has not produced any literature of its own yet, its major literary influences include Kim Stanley Robinson and Ursula K LeGuin.^[7][8]

As a direct response to current global problems such as Climate Change, Solarpunk is heavily tied into eco-political activism. On the whole it predominantly concerns itself with subjects like sustainability, renewable energy, green politics, and related ideologies and movements ^[9] which therefore influence every aspect of Solarpunk. It also draws significant inspiration from contemporary movements including transition towns, climate justice, and social ecology- as well as the broader fields of study surrounding Resilience and Ecological Economics.

Aesthetically, as a movement it places heavy influence on Natural Design, DIY, natural fibers, and more- particularly drawing inspiration from the soft, naturally inspired designs of Art Nouveau. Other influences also consist of Victorian and Edwardian fashion, particularly when talking about the rising elements of Solarpunk as a fashion subculture.^[10] Mostly, however, it places emphasis on the concepts of intentional living and Art as Utility, and this is shown heavily in its political, aesthetic, architectural, and other influences.^[11]

In this nascent stage, solarpunk appears as a loose collection of ideologies, manifestos, and desires for a sustainable, achievable future. It's elegant high-end technology powered by renewable energy. It's a shift away from geometric centralised infrastructure to a decentralised, organic, free-flowing design. It's microgrids instead of national grids. It's stained glass solar panels, and natural fabrics merged with solar cells. It's bespoke instead of mass-produced. It's permaculture and microbreweries. It's communal instead of corporate. It's radical sustainability: when hippies and hipsters meet, and techno-geeks crash the party.^[12]

Etymology[edit]

The prefix "solar-" has been attributed to the idea of green energy- specifically to solar energy, photosynthesis, plants, and greenery. The prefix is also a commitment to an accessible, evenly distributed utopia for all humanity, as well as all other lifeforms, as sunlight is a universally accessible good that cannot be privatized and made into a commodity by corporations.^[13]

The "-punk" suffix refers to counterculture elements, and the rebellion against the contemporary structure, corrupt governments and corporations who pollute and deny climate concerns.^[14]

See also[edit]

	Literature portal
	Speculative fiction portal

• Climate fiction
• Postcyberpunk
• Technogaianism

References[edit]

External links[edit]

• Solarpunk: Notes toward a manifesto, Hieroglyph
• Solarpunk: we are golden, and our future is bright, scifiideas.com
• On the Political Dimensions of Solarpunk, "Medium"