Solarpunk discussion

Almanac for the Anthropocene collects original voices from across the solarpunk movement, which positions ingenuity, generativity, and community as beacons of resistance to the hopelessness often inspired by the climate crisis. To point toward practical implementation of the movement’s ideas, it gathers usable blueprints that bring together theory and practice. The result is a collection of interviews, recipes, exercises, DIY instructions, and more—all of it amounting to a call to create hope through action.

This book is on the pricey side, and it’s not on Scribd, Kindle Unlimited, or my library. So if you were offered Kindle Points, and the special limited time punch card, you might want to consider purchasing this before Dec 31. I have mostly talked myself into it.

Lena wrote: "This book is on the pricey side, and it’s not on Scribd, Kindle Unlimited, or my library. So if you were offered Kindle Points, and the special limited time punch card, you might want to consider p..."

Oof, $26 for the digital edition! I may have to sit this one out, no Kindle points in this part of the world yet. But I'll be keen to live vicariously through the rest of you :D

Yes, I completely forgot to purchase this before December 31. But I have filled out some library request forms. The price is just crazy.

We have got Blackfish City as a backup if others also struggle to get hold of a copy, or don't want to purchase this one? We can keep it in the back pocket :)

True.

So how about a show of hands over the next day or two for anyone who bought the book and would like to discuss it here. If there is no one we will switch to Blackfish City, the other book from the poll.

I’ve bought the Almanac and have started reading, but am not enchanted. So am very happy to read sth else. Blackfish City sounds too dystopian for my liking (with a bit of hope sprinkled in at the end), so I won’t join in, but that’s not to stop any of you.

I am starting on the Solarpunk Dragon Anthology now (Wings of Reneaval) – would be very happy for anyone to join me on that!

Ouch, I didn’t know Blackfish was dystopian.

Sorry for the mess guys, anyone want to reread/re-discuss Wings of Renewal?

I'd be super keen for a re-read - let's do it :)

Ok, for anyone who bought this and wishes to discuss it I am leaving this thread. For anyone who wants an alternative, I put up the Wings of Renewal thread for re-reading!

great, thank you!

Contents
Introduction: The Situation So Far
Phoebe Wagner and Brontë Christopher Wieland

Part 1: Generativity

Not Just Solar: Creating Our Own Powers, Stories, and Spaces
Brontë Christopher Wieland

1. Solarpunk Is a Verb for Rising
The Commando Jugendstil and Tales from the EV Studio

2. In Defense of Hope
Margaret Killjoy

3. Feeding Imagination
Giulia Lepori and Michał Krawczyk

4. A Collective Gardening Shed of Concepts for Planting Solarpunk Futures
Christoph D. D. Rupprecht

Part 2: Independence

Building toward Autonomy: Ways of Reclaiming the Present and the Future
Brontë Christopher Wieland

5. Your Mineral Footprint
Gabriel Aliaga

6. Solarpunk Design Guidelines
Navarre Bartz

7. How to Build a Solar-Powered Website
Kris De Decker

8. Solarpunks See the World: Traversing the World without Destroying It
Craig Stevenson

Part 3: Community

“All Organizing Is Science Fiction”: On Dreaming a Solarpunk Community
Phoebe Wagner

9. Science Fiction and Disability: Engage!
Petra Kuppers

10. The Urban Reef: Breaking Down Barriers between Green Spaces in Urban Environments
Octavia Cade

11. The Commensal Canine
Susan Haris

12. Solarpunk: The Fruitful Revolution
Connor D. Louiselle

Part 4: Ingenuity

Solarpunk Ingenuity and DIY Projects
Phoebe Wagner

13. Visible Mending: A Recipe for Beautiful and Sustainable Clothing
Sari Fordham

14. Appalachian Solarpunk: Growing Trees from Seed for the Plant Revolution
Vance Mullis and Joy Lew

15. Anthrocene Strategy: Foraging
Michael J. DeLuca

16. Multispecies Community Garden: A More-Than-Human Design Concept Proposal
for Well-Being in Shrinking Cities
Christoph D. D. Rupprecht, Aoi Yoshida, and Lihua Cui

Conclusion: Looking Forward
Phoebe Wagner and Brontë Christopher Wieland

I've looked at the Intro and some of the first texts; the focus seemed to be on the absolute necessity for Solarpunk to be anti-capitalist (plus anti-racist etc) to ensure not just the right direction, but the depth of change needed.
That was my impression of the overall tone, anyway.

Also, I thought this would mostly be about the literary genre; but I guess it is more about the content of a political movement (which is kind of where I come from, so less personal need for input here)

I really want to read this one, it really sounds interesting, but I forgot to order it in December, so I may be late for the discussion.

I started reading this in early December without knowing that we'll be reading it here. :) There is a podcast episode where Joey Ayoub spoke with Phoebe Wagner may shed some light on the context for this book— she described the desire to bridge from fiction to action. Goodreads won't let me include the link, but I think you may be able to find it if you search for "Solarpunk and Storytelling w/ Phoebe Wagner" on YouTube.

Thanks Ana, that looks great :)

I'm running a bit late this month, so apologies for the short notice! Could you all please post your suggestion for April's book of the month by the 7th? I have also posted this in the other chat :)

I nominate Fauna:
“This dark, sensual novel invites the reader to imagine nature thriving in the toxic aftermath of human domination, and makes for an essential addition to the recent crop of eco-fiction.”
—Publishers Weekly