What solarpunk story shade are you?
What type of solarpunk do you want to read?
We’re keen to hear what your favourite type of solarpunk tale would be.
In our previous substack, we let you know we’re writing a piece about what we see as the many shades of solarpunk.
In that update we asked what your favourite visual shade was. Now we want to know what your favourite story style would be.
IMAGE: Claire Alexis @SolarPunkStories
To help with this we’ve made a diagram to reflect what we see as two of the most important axes distinguishing solarpunk tales from each other. Happy to Thrilling and Rooted to Fantastical.
The most Happy Solar tales are ones in which there is low to no conflict, and no violence.
At the other end are Thrilling Solar stories. These show better worlds where conflict and violence still exist, though typically at much lower levels than today.
Fantastical Solar are stories which have things like genetically engineered creatures and interstellar travel.
IMAGE: Wings of Renewal by Claudie Arseneault and Brenda J. Pierson
It’s easier to see how Rooted Solar stories could happen in the not too distant future.
The technology in them isn’t so outlandish and their future histories are easier to trace to the world we live in now.
IMAGE: WATG Architects
Where would you place the type of solarpunk stories you would buy and read on this diagram?
Are there any other X/Y axes for placing stories that you think are more relevant than these?
Let us know by leaving a comment.
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And some links…
Sponge cities: a solarpunk future by 2030 @ Freethink
£3m tree-planting package for London announced to combat climate change @ E&T
How We Can Build A Solarpunk Future @ Andrewism
From our SolarPunk Playlist: Freedom (Franky Wah x Future Utopia Remix) @ The Future Utopia
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,
Alex Holland
Founder, SolarPunk Stories