How to be a Solarpunk!

/ comic, solarpunk / By Jammyness

how to be a SolarPunk - a black and white comic by jam.
Page 1 - panel 1: a little cat-person in a farmer's hat and overalls is holding a potted plant. Behind them are windmills and solar panel on a partly-cloudy day.

Cat: SolarPunks believe that we can create a better future together. One where we all thrive without damaging the planet or its people. Maybe you've wanted to join in on the fun!

p2: A confused looking cat-person: But what if you don't know where to start?

p3: Just decide!
Cat (Arms raised in excitement): I want to be a SolarPunk!"
You can start today, wherever you are!

p4: Being a SolarPunk is all about making decisions. In our lives, there are some options that are more or less aligned with the SolarPunk ethos. To be a SolarPunk, choose the best aligned option as often as possible.

In this panel the Cat-person is walking with a map. They are walking away from a sign that reads Less Solarpunk pointing to a heavily industrialized city and signs that say buy buy buy! They are walking towards a sign that says More Solarpunk and indicates a community powered by green energy with aquaculture gardens and bicycles.

How to be a Solarpunk - a comic by jam, page 2.
p1 (A farmer-looking cat person is lecturing another cat person. They are saying no to cars and spending money, and yes to bikes! The person being lectured at looks nervous, they are thinking of their three kids and groceries that need to be carried...) Not everyone will agree on what the most SolarPunk option is in a situation.

p2 (The two cats agree on a bus and shake hands): But learning to disagree and compromise for the greater good of all is part of being a SolarPunk!

p3 (Many different kinds of people are shown over a landscape that transitions from suburban to rural to urban): You don't need to dress, work or eat a certain way, or live in a certain place. SolarPunks can be anyone and can start their practice from anywhere!

How to be a Solarpunk - a comic by jam, page 3.
p1 (A montage showing buying local, right to repair, zero waste, a repair cafe, biking to work, going veg, help a neighbor, plant a garden): There are lots of ways to start your journey to being more SolarPunk. Try them out bit by bit, and don't worry about doing them all at once. Before you know it, your whole life will start transforming into something completely new!

Cat person (with stars in their eyes): Wow! So many options!

p2 (a beautiful SolarPunk community with solar panels, libraries, windmills, gardens, water towers, and lots fo people around): When millions of SolarPunks are all working together, we can be sure we'll create a worls where both people and our planet will be able to heal and flourish.

I was recently invited to contribute to the Fodongo free culture zine! I was delighted to be able to put together this 3 page introduction to the solarpunk lifestyle so anyone has an easier understanding of what it means.

You can also find it on the ‘definitions’ page of my solarpunk.lol site!