Solarpunk is a genre of speculative art and fiction centered on depictions of ecologically sustainable futures, related to hopepunk and conceived as a counterpoint to cyberpunk. In its name, solar signals both renewable energy and an optimistic view of ecological possibility, rejecting doom-oriented environmental narratives, while punk signals grassroots methods of creation and countercultural, post-capitalist and decolonial values in building the future the genre envisions.
Facts
Place of OriginNo fixed physical origin; the term first appeared online in 2008, with the term and its associated works gaining popularity online in the years that followed. 1 Notable ExampleBecky Chambers' 2021 solarpunk novel A Psalm for the Wild-Built. 1 Defining TraitA genre of speculative art and fiction centered on ecologically sustainable, solar-powered futures, combined with a do-it-yourself, countercultural ethic. 1 Connections
Sources
1. Solarpunk (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia Foundation (Wikipedia)Lead section, first paragraph
The "solar" represents solar energy as a renewable energy source and an optimistic vision of the future that rejects environmental pessimism, while the "punk" refers to do it yourself and the countercultural, post-capitalist, anarchic and decolonial aspects of creating such a future.
Literature subsection, on gender in solarpunk fiction
Becky Chambers' 2021 solarpunk novel A Psalm for the Wild-Built included a main character who is non-binary.
Lead section, second paragraph
The term originated in 2008, with the term and associated works gaining popularity online over the following years.
View the Source Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.