Why Solarpunk? Why now?

Discover the compelling journey of climate change discoveries, following actions (and lack thereof), the stories that have been told about climate breakdown, and what alternatives to those stories are now surfacing. Tune in to hear about why facts aren't always enough, why media literacy is a necessary climate communication skill, and why new inspiring, connecting, and hopeful stories might just be the solution...

There are hundreds of reasons for solarpunk, and right now there are more than ever before!

Episode time stamps:

0:00 Introduction

04:40 A brief history of climate change science

15:50 Where this brings us (the problem)

35:55 The solution (it's solarpunk)

1:05:05 Good news stories

Want more? Look through the material that both inspired and informed this episode:

- Dr Karl's Little Book of Climate Change Science (2021) by Karl Kruszelnicki 

- The Myth Gap: What Happens When Evidence and Arguments Aren't Enough (2017) by Alex Evans

- Media Literacy with Saffana Banana: https://www.youtube.com/@SaffanaTeachingComms

- Solarpunk Means Dreaming Green by Jay Springett: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xq16vAsB18Q&t=2175s

-“Solarpunk” & the Pedagogical Value of Utopia: https://www.susted.com/wordpress/content/solarpunk-the-pedagogical-value-of-utopia_2020_05/

-Solarpunk: A Container for More Fertile Futures: https://solarpunkmagazine.com/solarpunk-a-container-for-more-fertile-futures-jay-springett/

-Deny, Deceive, Delay: Documenting and Responding to Climate Disinformation at COP26 and Beyond: https://www.isdglobal.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Executive-Summary-Deny-Deceive-Delay.pdf

-The Day After Tomorrow (2004)

-Mad Max movies

-Monk & Robot series by Becky Chambers

-1997 Kyoto Protocol: https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-kyoto-protocol

-2015 Paris Agreement: https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement 

Good News Stories:

-https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/china-is-reportedly-testing-a-new-airborne-wind-turbine/ 
-https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/ireland-launches-its-permanent-income-for-the-arts-scheme-becoming-the-first-government-committed-to-paying-artists-180988226/