Greenhouse  By Travis Anderson

no, listen, when I say I want to integrate more specific solarpunk stuff in my life, i don’t mean to ask for yet again new “aesthetic” clothes that now you have to buy or make to show your support of the movement (screw that i’m consuming enough as it is), or more posts about impossible house goals, or whatever, I’m asking you what my options to build a portable and eco friendly phone charger are, im asking you viable tiny-appartment edible plants growing tricks on a budget,  im asking tips to slow down when my mind and society tell me im not fast enough, i don’t need more rich art nouveau amateurs aesthetics or pristine but cold venus project, okay, i know i should joins associations where I am tho i’m constantly on the move, thanks for that, just, you know, can we get a bit more practical ??? how do I hack my temporary flat into going off the grid for the time i’m here

Giant floating islands that turn atmospheric CO2 into fuel could prevent climate change, scientists say

If rolled out globally, the islands could offset the total global emissions from fossil fuels.

Scientists in Norway and Switzerland have proposed that “Solar Methanol Islands” could use solar energy to recycle atmospheric CO2 into methanol fuel.

The idea arose when scientists were trying to find a way to provide electricity to future off-shore fish farms without access to power grids. Solar energy could power hydrogen production and CO2 extraction from seawater, which would produce gases that could be reacted to form methanol.

The team of scientists wrote:

“Humankind must cease CO2 emissions from fossil fuel burning if dangerous climate change is to be avoided. However, liquid carbon-based energy carriers are often without practical alternatives for vital mobility applications. The recycling of atmospheric CO2 into synthetic fuels, using renewable energy, offers an energy concept with no net CO2 emission.”

Currently, the team of scientists is working on prototypes for the floating solar islands.

Thanks to @sabre-fish for sending this in! 

More on solarpunk education:

So I made a big post about cooperative, age-appropriate games as a solarpunk education method, but in my ideal solarpunk world that would only be one aspect of education. Here are some other education ideas bouncing around in my head. Like cooperative games, they all require a lot of time, knowledgeable teachers, and community investment, but I think they would lead to healthier, enthusiastic people, fully prepared to live well and be lifelong learners.

Food Science Education: Starting at a young age with simple gardening and cooking, stuff that young kids can get really excited about. As kids age, folding in the complete science of where food comes from, its relationship with the ecosystem, how to preserve it, and how to prepare it.The idea being that by the time you’re an adult you should have the tools to competently feed yourself even if you end up focusing on other things.  

Relationship Education: An improvement on sex ed. Much of the same content, but expanded with more information for all genders and sexualities, and good, non-scare tactic science on the human body, reproduction, contraceptives, stds, and common communicable illnesses. Also, workshops on healthy relationship communication, self-care, meditation/introspection/self-knowledge, basic first aid, how to help friends in the midst of crisis or mental illness, how to recognize predatory/manipulative/abusive behaviors (in sexual situations and otherwise oh my god it’s so important, why aren’t we taught this early and often?), some basic childhood development stuff. 

Artistic Expression & Upcycling: Art classes which would cover art theory and allow for a lot of self-expression, but would also teach young adults to make and repair their own clothing, use basic woodworking tools, work with ceramics, safely fiddle with metals and basic electronics, and other practical “specialty” skills necessary for a world with less waste. 

Rotating Apprenticeships: Starting out as small group field trips for younger kids, and evolving into longer choice-based apprenticeships in areas of interest, maybe taking up one day per week for high school aged kids. The community members involved in this experience wouldn’t necessarily give lessons on their livelihood – for example a farmer with a deep knowledge of medieval history and geology could focus on one of those subjects if they chose. This would give adults in the community a chance to delve deeper into subjects they loved, and kids a chance to learn a subject from someone truly enthusiastic.

Questing/Journeyman years/other travel: I know there are plenty of posts on solarpunk travel, but in an educational context I imagine it as a continuation of rotating apprenticeships. This would be a time for young adults to visit people and places related to their areas of interest. It could be very specific (like meeting and working with 5 scientists on 5 continents while studying food sustainability) or a more general exploration (visiting some great museums, WOOFing, contributing to public art, and journaling about the experience while trying to decide what to do next). 

Independent Project Salons: This would be a way to tie together celebration, community, and education. Informal salon settings would be a great place for young adults doing independent study or in the midst of travel to meet and talk about their experiences and ideas, and maybe show off their work. Possibly hosted by retired folks who could organize food and drink, introduce topics and guests, and add the benefit of their own experiences.

What other kinds of solarpunk educational programs do you love the idea of?

Would you be able to recommend any how-to books on going zero waste? I'm really upset at all the plastic I have to throw out in everyday life (mostly from food packaging, whether restaurant or grocery store) but I'm not sure where to begin in changing it. If there's a book that describes steps to take, that would be very helpful for me. Thank you!

Going zero waste

Realistic goals:

First of all, good on you for wanting to lessen your waste output!

Second of all, while going zero waste is a really noble goal, it's not always feasible, especially in our current economy. That's nothing you should feel guilty over. That's just a fact.

Those pictures of people who can fit a year's worth of trash in one mason jar look great, but it's okay if you can't do that. For example, while I personally try to avoid having to throw out plastic, I'm also very grateful for the fact that plastic allows me to have an emergency asthma inhaler on hand at all times. Another example could be how bulk shopping can help cut back on waste, but might not be feasible due to financial or physical constraints.

That being said, replacing some single-use items is still better than doing nothing at all. Don't let perfectionism stop you!

It's important to set realistic goals. For example: you mentioned you'd like to try and avoid waste from food packaging. If you often eat on the go, you could keeping a set of reusable cutlery in your bag so you don't have to use single-use utensils every time you buy food. You could check if apps like Too Good To Go or imperfect produce boxes are available in your area. Maybe you've got a local farmer's market or a bulk shop or a community garden around. Maybe your supermarket allows you to bring your own produce bags while shopping. You could try looking for brands that use less or recycled packaging if your financial situation allows for that. If you enjoy cooking, you could look into bringing your own food on the go more often, or learn how to freeze or preserve food.

You don't have to do all of these: pick out ideas that seem like a good match for your personal situation. Start with small changes and turn them into habits, rather than going all-out from the start.

Resources:

The one book I often see referred to when it comes to zero waste is "Zero waste home: the ultimate guide to simplifying your life by reducing your waste" by Bea Johnson. I haven't read the entire thing yet, but I've read parts and it's a handy place to start. If your local library doesn't have a copy available, you can borrow a digital version for free on Archive.org.

While not necessarily focused on zero waste, I quite like Marie Kondo's philosophy too. The manga version of her book is an easy read if you want something quick to get started with.

Not books, but Shelbizleee and Sustainably Vegan on YouTube also run interesting zero waste channels.

Take what you personally find useful from resources like these, but don't feel obligated to follow them to the letter. Eco-anxiety can sometimes push us to try things we're not comfortable with or which aren't safe for us, so it's important to remain mindful of your personal boundaries.

I'm sure others can add more book recommendations to this post. :)

The five R's:

One way to get started is to take a look at the five basic zero waste principles.

There are different versions of the zero waste "R" list, but the one cited the most is the five R's of zero waste: refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle, and rot.

(Image source) [ID: an inverted pyramid with five steps, reading from the top to the bottom: "Refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle, rot".]

Refuse: a lot of waste comes from things we don't really need. Will you actually wear that t-shirt that's on sale right now? Do you need another free pen even though you still have ten unused ones lying around at home? What about your junk mail, do you actually enjoy receiving all those flyers? The idea is to re-evaluate the objects that come into your possession, and to refuse the ones you won't use.

Note: the "refuse" and "reduce" principles can be stressful when you've grown up in an environment that was lacking certain material needs, or when you still find yourself in this situation. Take small steps, stick to your personal boundaries, and be mindful of your (mental) health.

Reduce: a lot of us own more than we actually need. If you find you've got objects you barely use, e.g. shirts you haven't worn in years or unused craft materials bought on a whim, ask yourself if you really need them. Would you miss them if you got rid of them, or would you barely notice? Do they make you happy, or do they just take up space? Maybe it's time to find a new home for these items.

Note: there are certain things in life we just really need, even if some of those things might seem frivolous to others. Don't get rid of things you might regret later, or that you actually need even though all the zero waste sources say you could probably do without. Everyone's situation's different. When you do get rid of things, don't just throw them out even if you plan on replacing them with sustainable alternatives: this will just create more waste. Use what you have first, and consider selling, donating or gifting items you don't need any more.

Reuse: one way to avoid waste is to reuse an item until it falls apart, or to find new uses for something. Mend your clothes, repair your stuff, reuse packaging when shipping parcels, cook with food scraps, shop second-hand,... Once you've finished something, check if you can replace it with a reusable alternative instead of buying it again (e.g. water bottles, reusable cutlery, fabric tote bags,...).

Note: be mindful of your health. Sometimes, things just have to be replaced!

Recycle: recycling isn't perfect, but it's important. Look up your local recycling policies, and sort your trash accordingly.

Rot: when organic trash goes to landfill, it will likely decompose in a way that will make it release a lot of methane. When we compost it, it will turn into plant food. If you've got access to an outdoor space, start a compost heap. If you've got a balcony, you could try vermicomposting or bokashi. If you don't have access to outdoor spaces at all, you could try indoor composting (if you're comfortable with that) or find a neighbour who composts and who'll take your scraps.

Conclusion:

Reducing our waste output is a great way to add our proverbial drop to the bucket. You don't have to be a minimalist or stop your waste output entirely to help out: going a 100% waste-free is awesome if you're able to, but 10% is better than 0%, and 10% is nothing to sneeze at!

Don't let perfectionism stop you. Do what you can, and don't beat yourself up over what you can't.

7 reasons why solarpunk is the most important speculative fiction movement in the last 20 years

It’s hopeful. Solarpunk doesn’t require an apocalypse. It’s a world in which humans haven’t destroyed ourselves and our environment, where we’ve pulled back just in time to stop the slow destruction of our planet. We’ve learned to use science wisely, for the betterment of ourselves and our planet. We’re no longer overlords. We’re caretakers. We’re gardeners.

Scientists are heroes again. And not just physicists and astronomers. Knowledge of biology and earth sciences matter, they’re the building blocks for a future on Earth. Scientific literacy isn’t just for academics – it’s part of daily life. People know how the things they use work, and if they don’t, they can access that information. 

It’s diverse. Solarpunk is rooted in using the environment, so it looks different in different places. Alternative energy is best when specific to place (I imagine geothermal, wind, tidal, and hydroelectric energy sources are still used in certain places) so no overarching government system is needed. Communities can organize themselves, taking their own location and needs and history into account. Brazilian, Inuit, Egyptian, Pacific Northwest, and New Zealand solarpunk can all look very different, but be unified in resourceful, intentional, low impact living.

Individuality still matters. In a post-scarcity society, ingenuity and self-expression are not sacrificed on the altar of survival. With solar power there’s no reason not to go off grid, if that’s what you want to do. Communities can self-organize. You can find a community that suits you, or go live by yourself if that floats your boat.

There’s room for spirituality and science to coexist. Solarpunk is rooted in a deep understanding and reverence for natural processes. There’s room for spirituality there, be it pagan, Buddhist, Sufi, Transcendentalism – anything. There’s so much to explore, from nature worship to organized monotheistic religions, and how they interact with solarpunk.

It’s beautiful. The most common solarpunk aesthetic is art nouveau, but again there’s room for diversity, incorporating art styles from multiple cultures in respectful, non-appropriative ways. The most important aspect of solarpunk aesthetic is the melding of art and utility. The idea of intentional living is strong in art nouveau, but it’s not the only art movement with that philosophy.

We can make it happen. Now. Earthships. Permaculture. Aquaponics. Algae lighting. Compostable products that turn into fields of flowers. Buy Nothing organizations. Tiny, beautiful, efficient homes. Solar power cells you can see through. That’s all happening now. Solarpunk is within our grasp, at least on a personal level. I’m not saying there aren’t still big, ugly infrastructures devoted to unethical consumption, but we can start to tear them down. We can build a solarpunk world with stories and small changes. And small changes lead to big changes. That’s the real beauty of solarpunk. It’s not a post-apocalyptic power fantasy. It’s not a wistful daydream, or an elite future only for physicists. It’s something we can work towards right now. It’s tangible.

Succulent Care Guide

I see a lot of people killing their succulents due to ignorance of how to care for them. Here’s a quick guide!

Lighting: Most* succulents require full sun, meaning they need direct sunlight for 4-6+ hours a day. South or west-facing windows are ideal for succulents. You can also move your succulent around windows throughout the day to give as much light as possible, if you want.

If your succulent has previously not received enough light, GRADUALLY give it more and more sun over two weeks. This will prevent sunburn.

Failure to give your succulent proper lighting will result in etiolation – a process in which your plant will grow lanky, weak stems in an attempt to find more light. 

If you can’t provide enough light, succulents probably aren’t right for you. Look into lower light plants, such as pothos or peace lily!

Type of Pot: Succulents need a pot with a drainage hole. End of story. No rocks in the bottom will help, no bullshit. Drainage. Hole.

Size of Pot: Pick a pot no more than one inch larger than your plant’s rootball. Overpotting will kill your plant. Oversized pot = too much soil = more water than your plant can use = death from root rot.

Soil: Regular potting soil is terrible for succulents as it’s water-retentive. Succulents like well-draining soil with lots of perlite or pumice, and gritty ingredients such as fine bark or turface. Look for a cactus&succulent soil mix, or just improve regular soil by adding 50% perlite. Avoid anything with peat moss! Avoid MiracleGro.

Time to Water: Find a wooden toothpick for small pots, or a wooden dowel for larger ones. Insert the wood into the soil. If it comes out wet, with damp soil sticking to it, it’s not time to water yet. If it comes out clean and dry, your succulent is thirsty! Think of checking brownies with a toothpick to see if they’re done baking. 

This is recommended because often times your finger cannot feel the soil towards the bottom of the pot, and you need to make sure all of the soil is dry before watering.

DO NOT WATER ON A SCHEDULE. DO NOT RELY ON A WETNESS METER (THEY ARE INEFFECTIVE). DO NOT WATER DAILY. Listen to your plant!

How to Water: When your succulent’s soil is dry, water thoroughly, until water drains out of the drainage hole. Allow all excess water to drain before putting it back into any saucers or decorative pots.

*Some succulents’ lighting needs may vary – such as Haworthias with “windows” in their leaves, who don’t like as much sun, or Sempervivums who need much more sun than most. Look up your specific plant’s care to be sure!

if you’re interested in mutual aid and aren’t sure where to start, i can’t recommend enough joining a local Buy Nothing group. in a nutshell, it’s a totally free gift economy— people give from their own abundance and ask for what they need. it’s indispensable as a recent grad household— we got the majority of our basic furniture, as well as an AC unit through the group— but what i find particularly wonderful are the ways other forms of community aid popup through the group.

i’ve seen people organize meal trains for strangers. people fleeing from domestic violence have gone from a suitcase of possessions to a fully stocked house in 48 hours. home hospices being set up with goods from six different households. cookbook lending. distribution of windfall apples and tomato harvest overabundance. grocery pickup for ill folks. people looking out for listings for others. everything from bread to baby carseats to house paint to pet food.

and much of it is done between strangers, often between people who would not recognize or identify with the term “mutual aid”. it lowers waste, goods go directly to people who need them, and it avoids the sometimes dubious morality of the thrift shop circuit. i’d really recommend it.