Social Issues,WorldAPR 26, 2022

The "Solarpunk" Online Group Shares 30 Environmental Memes That People Who Are Sick Of Capitalism Destroying The Planet Can Relate To

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It’s no secret that our planet is not in the healthiest state. Global temperatures are rising, weather disasters are increasing, more and more species are in danger of extinction, yet big corporations seem to only care about profits. We participate in “Meatless Mondays”, swear off plastic straws and cut down on car usage, but as individuals, our efforts to save the planet can often feel futile.

However, finding an online community passionate about saving the Earth is a great step in increasing our impact and spreading environmental enthusiasm. Meet the solarpunk subreddit: a group dedicated to sustainability. With the motto, "move quietly and plant things", r/Solarpunk self-describes as “everything from a positive imagining of our collective futures to actually creating it” which includes focusing on “aesthetics, afrofuturism, art, cooperatives, DIY, ecological restoration, engineering, ecofuturism, gardening, green architecture, green design, green energy, indigenous practices, intentional community, solar power, sustainability, tree planting, urban planning, volunteering” and much more.

As with the task of saving the planet, the solarpunk description may feel overwhelming at first, but after checking out this list of their posts, I'm sure their vision will be clear. Below, we even have an interview with scientist and solarpunk activist Phoebe Tickell to help explain their mission. So slide into your vegan leather Birkenstocks, grab some home-brewed kombucha and settle in to read all about solarpunk. Then when you’re feeling like embracing your inner Greta Thunberg, check out these other Bored Panda pieces focused on reducing waste and loving Mother Earth.

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#21 Scrolling Through This Sub

smsteele123

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Another real-world example is the Global Ecovillage Network, or GEN Europe. As described on their website, GEN is a “network for ecovillages and sustainable communities” with a mission to “support and connect the ecovillage movement, encourage ecovillage development, educate for sustainability and ultimately create a world where empowered local communities are at the forefront of creating a fairer society that regenerates the earth, and ourselves”. With over 100 ecovillages across Europe, GEN is working hard to “regenerate the environments” of these villages and inspire more cities globally to do the same.

#22 To Combat The Threat Of Desertification Of The Sahel (The Region Immediately To The South Of The Sahara), The African Union Is Leading An Initiative To Plant The Great Green Wall, A 7,775 Km (4,830 Mi) Belt Of Trees Crossing The Entire Breadth Of North Africa

To Combat The Threat Of Desertification Of The Sahel (The Region Immediately To The South Of The Sahara), The African Union Is Leading An Initiative To Plant The Great Green Wall, A 7,775 Km (4,830 Mi) Belt Of Trees Crossing The Entire Breadth Of North Africa

InkyScrolls

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#23 On /R/Cyberpunk/ Now: "We Thought That Tokyo Was Going To Become Cyberpunk, But It's Actually Turning More Solarpunk -"

arizonaarmadillo

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#24 “Parkipelago” Of Floating Islands

visualatelier8

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Copenhagen is another dream destination for passionate solarpunkers. CopenHill, or Amager Bakke, is a heat and waste-to-power plant that was built in 2017 and is now world famous for having an artificial ski slope atop the plant as well. Copenhagen has a goal of being carbon-neutral by 2025, and they’re on the right track by housing the cleanest waste-to-energy power plant in the world. The artificial ski slopes don’t rely on natural or man-made snow, making them usable year round, and for those not interested in skiing, CopenHill also features a climbing wall, running track and café.

#25 Gardening Is A Revolutionary Act

HegelsPsychiatrist

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#26 I Detect No Lie

doththedoth

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#27 Positive-Imagining-Of-Future-Solarpunk

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Imagining the future of the world is a daunting task, but at the rate we're currently at, the planet may have limited future left. Solarpunks aspire to embrace technology but to care for nature as well, rather than exploit it. If we keep an open mind to what our world can look like, maybe we can work towards a more sustainable and technologically advanced Earth. After all, living in a high rise that's covered in greenery and surrounded by urban gardens sounds pretty appealing to me.