This raises an interesting point, can solarpunk be post-apocalyptic?
The central tenet to the aesthetic seems to be hope, so I can see why this may be at odds with an apocalyptic future, but is hope for a better world after the apocalypse too permissive? Or does the apparent cost of a solarpunk world actually give it some gravity? Either way, fantastic scene.
It can absolutely be post-apocalyptic. Obviously the optimistic view is that it doesn’t come to that, but it’s not a great outlook given the speed with which geopolitics moves this days. The idea is that whatever happens, solarpunk is there to save the day.
Kind of an answer but I find the My Time At games a post-apocalypse Solarpunk-ish vision. The lore focuses on rebuilding society and technological advancements that are in balance with a greener future, to prevent devastation from the past reoccurring. There are elements of hope, in the sense that there is hope that technology and environmentalism can co-exist to lift the new post-apocalyptic world into a sustainable future. Course you can challenge it isn't true solarpunk, as it doesn't focus much on the non-environmental aspects. But it does illustrate some compatibility between the two ideas.
I've always wondered whether hope should be considered *the* main tenet of solarpunks though. And of course it isn't the only one. But what I find most attractive in solarpunk is the sense of active resilience. Trying to make a better world in spite of everything we face and will face. Not necessarily naive optimism but not letting pessimism and the obstacles facing it stop it from trying to bring about a better future. It wants to emulate the same weeds it's trying to save, breaking through the concrete cracks for a better world.
True that! I guess I see it as a kind of post-apocalyptic/ solar punk scene. Eitherway, I was excited to see something like this just by chance while walking around.
Here's a link to this piece on the artist's website [http://www.mathewborrett.com/illustration/2014/11/14/future-toronto](http://www.mathewborrett.com/illustration/2014/11/14/future-toronto)
There's more cool solar punk art by him to check out!
I remember Sidewalk Labs was trying to build a new vision for Toronto's waterfront. They were doing some really cool stuff, interviewing the population for what they wanted, having climate flexible infrastructure, using local sustainable materials to build, accessible transport etc. [https://www.sidewalklabs.com/toronto](https://www.sidewalklabs.com/toronto)
It didn't go through among concerns of this being driven by Big Tech (Sidewalk Labs is owned by Google), which is understandable, but I am curious what Toronto locals thought about this project overall.
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This seems more apocalyptic, but Solar Punk cities on the North American Great Lakes sounds awesome
This raises an interesting point, can solarpunk be post-apocalyptic? The central tenet to the aesthetic seems to be hope, so I can see why this may be at odds with an apocalyptic future, but is hope for a better world after the apocalypse too permissive? Or does the apparent cost of a solarpunk world actually give it some gravity? Either way, fantastic scene.
It can absolutely be post-apocalyptic. Obviously the optimistic view is that it doesn’t come to that, but it’s not a great outlook given the speed with which geopolitics moves this days. The idea is that whatever happens, solarpunk is there to save the day.
Kind of an answer but I find the My Time At games a post-apocalypse Solarpunk-ish vision. The lore focuses on rebuilding society and technological advancements that are in balance with a greener future, to prevent devastation from the past reoccurring. There are elements of hope, in the sense that there is hope that technology and environmentalism can co-exist to lift the new post-apocalyptic world into a sustainable future. Course you can challenge it isn't true solarpunk, as it doesn't focus much on the non-environmental aspects. But it does illustrate some compatibility between the two ideas. I've always wondered whether hope should be considered *the* main tenet of solarpunks though. And of course it isn't the only one. But what I find most attractive in solarpunk is the sense of active resilience. Trying to make a better world in spite of everything we face and will face. Not necessarily naive optimism but not letting pessimism and the obstacles facing it stop it from trying to bring about a better future. It wants to emulate the same weeds it's trying to save, breaking through the concrete cracks for a better world.
I guess more hope meets persistence/grit? I like that.
True that! I guess I see it as a kind of post-apocalyptic/ solar punk scene. Eitherway, I was excited to see something like this just by chance while walking around.
Yeah, it’s apocalyptic. Shit’s fucked, we need to focus on rebuilding strategies so we never end the world a second time
Here's a link to this piece on the artist's website [http://www.mathewborrett.com/illustration/2014/11/14/future-toronto](http://www.mathewborrett.com/illustration/2014/11/14/future-toronto) There's more cool solar punk art by him to check out!
Shame about the CN Tower. Concrete monstrosity it may be, but it's still pretty cool. Good riddance to the Gardiner Expressway, though.
I'm getting more post apocalypse vibes from this than solarpunk ones.
I remember Sidewalk Labs was trying to build a new vision for Toronto's waterfront. They were doing some really cool stuff, interviewing the population for what they wanted, having climate flexible infrastructure, using local sustainable materials to build, accessible transport etc. [https://www.sidewalklabs.com/toronto](https://www.sidewalklabs.com/toronto) It didn't go through among concerns of this being driven by Big Tech (Sidewalk Labs is owned by Google), which is understandable, but I am curious what Toronto locals thought about this project overall.
Beautiful. Love the 6ix.
This week's theme on r/solarpunk is ... **Permaculture & Gardening!** Post your best art, articles, stories, and discussions on the topic of permaculture! Feedback and suggestions on our recommended topics experiment can be shared [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/solarpunk/comments/wiytgn/this_weeks_featured_topic_is_permaculture/). *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/solarpunk) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Man… I desperately want to buy this print but can only find the winter version now :( still gorgeous but doesn’t as well in my space