Sharing our way to a solarpunk future
Highlights of Shareable's 300+ guides on living more solarpunk
We at SolarPunk Stories know you want more practical examples of how to live a more solarpunk life today.
One concept close to the dense hydrogen core of the many shades of our sunnier future is the equitable sharing of sustainable resources.
That’s why today we’re outlining some solarpunky ways to share things.
Sharing is caring (and also solarpunk)
[Image: The George & Dragon Pub was refounded as a community co-op]
Putting the notion of ‘sharing’ at the heart of our communities and lifestyles is a powerful change in perspective from the economic orthodoxy of the past 40 years.
It’s already moving us towards the sustainable and socially just world that we desire. The sharing transformation has been described as,“a global movement of movements emerging from the grassroots to address today’s biggest challenges.”
This quote comes from Shareable – a website and non-profit organisation that I recently heard about and wanted to (ahem) share with you.
I particularly love how this quote from them aligns so well with my idea of solarpunk:
“Amid crisis, new and resurgent people-powered solutions are democratizing communities.
The solidarity economy, open source software, transition towns, the maker movement, right to repair, open government, public banking, and participatory budgeting are just a few of the movements showing a way forward based on sharing.
The sharing transformation shows that we can govern ourselves, build a green economy that serves everyone, and create meaningful lives together.
It also shows that ordinary people can meaningfully address the world’s biggest challenges — like wealth inequality and global warming — by working together.
It shows that not only is another world possible, but much of it is also already here.”
The folks at Shareable not only publish regular news concerning the sharing transformation, but have also curated three hundred (!) how-to guides that, “can help you save money, reduce waste, and build community through sharing.”
Plus, they’ve also written a book entitled ‘Sharing Cities: Activating the Urban Commons’ A truly valuable resource for anyone looking to live – and share – a more solarpunk lifestyle.
Solarpunk chickens
Skimming down the list, I was immediately drawn to the guide How to Share a Chicken (or Two). The article shows us one example of a contemporary commons.
This is the age-old concept where people work together to improve a shared (rather than privately owned) resource for the benefit of everyone involved despite the views of some orthodox economists.
Volunteers tend to the farm’s chickens in return for their eggs. Unlike the classic sketch from Portlandia, there is no charming cult leader required.
I not only love this because an urban chicken co-op features in SolarPunk Detective #1. It’s also because these types of farms are a great way to build community and a shared sense of purpose.
This seems like a wonderful solarpunky way to shake the isolation and anxiety of the pandemic that still haunts so many of us.
Other ways to share
More guides that could be of use in your sharing solarpunk lifestyle include:
How to Share a Vegetable Garden - Not into eggs or chickens? This article provides a way for apartment dwellers to set up shared vegetable garden spaces.
How to design the commons (or, Elinor Ostrom explained) – this explains the works of political economist who debunked the pro-privatisation essay, The Tragedy Of The Commons.
How to set up a community co-op – these are member-owned businesses where those who are part of the co-op have a direct say in how it’s run.
How to be an urban fruit forager – Useful tips from an expert to get that sweet, sweet fruit for free.
How to Throw a Community Swap Meet – getting a bunch of like-minded people together to give away or barter anything from homemade butter to old garden tools.
How to Start Participatory Budgeting in Your City – Like solarpunk, this started in Brazil then spread across the world. Cities, states, schools and more have used it to give local people more control over public spending.
And there’s SO MUCH MORE. From Hosting Food Swaps to Building Bike Corridors, there’s undoubtedly something inspiring in the list that you could introduce to your community.
If there is, please let us know in the comments below. And why not share a little something with Shareable as a thank you, too?
Until Next Time
That's all for this update. If you like what we’re trying to do here and know someone else who might do too then please share.
See you in the sunshine,
Simon Chester
Great piece Simon, inspiring examples shared in a fun and accessible way :)