Hey everyone, I’m fairly new to the concept of Solarpunk and since in the near future I’m going to be the owner of an apartment I wanted to know if the community has any suggestion about practical things I can do in an indoor only environment.
The place is a small attic and has 3 rooms: a kitchen+livingroom, a bigger bedroom and a smaller bedroom/studio. It has got plenty of sunlight coming in. If you need more info please ask
Edit: Thanks for all the kind suggestion, unfortunately the house has no balcony, but I’ll try to gather knowledge on the other topics that came out in the comments.
You might be interested in the balcony gardening community here, much of it can also be done indoors near a window (or in a growth tent with LED lights).
If it is an attic apartment you might also be able to install some solarpanels on the roof.
But in general Solarpunk isn’t primarily about growing plants and solarpanels, that’s just the maybe most visible part of the aestethics.
Much like punk culture in general it about all sorts of anti-consumer and DIY culture as well as connecting with others for mutual aid and disaster preparedness.
One thing I think about is making sure to get as much out of the sunlight as possible so you don’t have to turn on your lights so much. You can grow plants including herbs or even veggies on your window sills.
I would start or participate in your local community garden. They are solarpunk af! If they don’t already have it, an apartment composting scheme at the community garden.
As far as inside goes: maximising natural light and doing a balcony garden and filling the living space with house plants. Hydroponics is solarpunk. I would set up a wee fishtank nutrientcycler like they do in east asia. They look aesthetically solarpunk and help fertilise your garden…just make sure you get the right sized tank for the fish you choose.
@Wigglet @pH3ra Years of links to advances in city and advanced agriculture at http://cityag.blogspot.com
Grace Lee Boggs in Detroit used community gardens as an organizing tool:
https://hubeventsnotes.blogspot.com/2016/04/the-next-american-revolution.htmlAs did Mel King in Boston
https://solarray.blogspot.com/2023/04/how-many-ways-did-he-change-world-mel.html
@pH3ra Well–when you have plenty of sunlight, you can grow veggies. Starting with potatoes is easy.
You can check out !balconygardening@slrpnk.net.
I’m doing !hydroponics@slrpnk.net, but I also have quite a few pots of soil (dirt) there.
They are mainly there for co-plants that attract beneficial insects and help to improve the biodiversity of this concrete hell I live in.
This “intact” ecosystem with healthy organic living soil, beneficial plants and other stuff also has the benefit that it attracts predatory insects like ladybugs, which naturally kill any lice and other harmful pests without any pesticides.
Oh, and it looks nice, and I always can gift other people I like some flowers if the need arises, for example as a last-minute birthday present ;)
I will also create an insect protection community here on SLRPNK if you’re interested :)
https://youtube.com/@footprinthero This guy talks about what he can power with solar panels using only a bit of money. With enough sun, and right battery system, maybe your fridge runs for free?
