About GreenLathe

GreenLathe is a collaborative network which seeks to empower a sustainable and healthier future by connecting solarpunk scientists, researchers, inventors, volunteers, and projects. We believe the fight against global warming is best tackled through open science, technology, collective action, and equitable access. We host open science initiatives, scientists, researchers, and inventors and encourage networking, learning, and opportunities. We also will be posting information on events, projects, groups, and opportunities which align with our philosophy.

What is “solarpunk”, and how does it apply to science and technology?

Solarpunk is a movement that focuses on a sustainable future through a balance of nature, community, and technology. “Solar” comes from “solar energy,” serving as a symbol of renewable energy and an alternative to the fossil fuels which are a critical source of cause for anthropogenic climate change, and “punk” refers to the DIY and decolonial counterculture aspects of the movement, such as empowering community action, enabling access to knowledge, prioritizing human well-being, focusing on open-source technologies, and finding alternatives to capitalism.

The solarpunk philosophy is a critical aspect of our network, as we believe that open science and technology are critical paths to a better future. Decentralizing knowledge and power are essential to empower as many communities as possible. Increasing accessibility to reliable food, safe water, clean energy, medicine, abundant shelter, practical and interdisciplinary education, and open source designs are essential for an equitable future. The fight against climate change is primarily a fight against culture, which pushes back against unsustainable industrialism, corporatism, greed, inequitable power structures, and manufactured scarcity. By working together, we can forge a sustainable, healthier, and more promising future.