Sci_Burst

We saved the best for last: welcome to our episode on Aussie Solarpunk! In this season finale of Sci_Burst we record live from the Woden Library to bring you a joyous episode close to our home & heart. 
Join us in a chat on community owned solarfarms, Mad Max, reconciliation, science communicators, men’s sheds, and of course, the famous Hills Hoist clothesline.
Australia has some serious Solarpunk potential! 
To complement this special episode, we’ve created a little game of Aussie Solarpunk themed BINGO: https://www.sci-burst.com.au/solarpunk-in-australia-bingo/ 
Episode time stamps:
0:00 Introduction
5:52 Solarpunk Technologies in Australia
25:06 Aussie Solarpunk Communities 
47:00 Solarpunk Culture in Australia 
1:01:50 Good News Stories

Want more? Here are some things that we spoke about in this episode that we recommend:
-Household solar electricity generation in the Australian national accounts https://www.abs.gov.au/articles/household-solar-electricity-generation-australian-national-accounts
-Comparing and ranking the global cost of green industrial electricity (Graham & Havas, 2023) https://mssanz.org.au/modsim2023/files/graham125.pdf
-Goulburn community solar farm plugs in after 12-year journey https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-27/goulburn-community-farm-opens-after-significant-delays/106494962 
-Australia's largest community-owned solar farm begins powering homes in Canberra https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-11/act-community-solar-farm-opens-in-majura/13238882
-Majura Community Energy Project https://www.solarshare.com.au/majura-community-energy-project 
-Broken Hill String https://www.ibys.org/index.php/2012/09/21/broken-hill-string/
-Sydney 2000 Olympics Closing Ceremony https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlOTGzPZvfw
-From earth, cans and tyres: Earthship Ironbark https://renew.org.au/renew-magazine/reuse-recycling/from-earth-cans-and-tyres-earthship-ironbark/
-Earthship Ironbank http://www.earthshipironbank.com.au/
-Matt and Kate built an earthship house with recycled bottles and the help of strangers https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10-16/grand-designs-australia-earthship-cygnet-matt-kate/105782588
-Australia’s Net Zero Plan https://www.dcceew.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/net-zero-report.pdf
-Hobbit homes to earthships: the NSW village setting a green example for Australia https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/hobbit-homes-to-earthships-the-nsw-village-setting-a-green-example-for-australia-20220908-p5bgjg.html
-Narara ecovillage https://nararaecovillage.com/
-Sunshine Coast eco village turns 30 as pioneering permaculture ideas become mainstream https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-07-03/crystal-waters-eco-village-celebrates-30-years/9929342
-Solarpunk + Solarpunk at Home https://www.dancehouse.com.au/whats-on/solarpunk/
-Ginninderry https://ginninderry.com/living-here/sustainability/
-Community Toolbox Canberra https://www.climatechoices.act.gov.au/community-projects/community-projects/community-toolbox-canberra
-The Men’s Shed Movement in Australia: Rights, Needs and the Politics of Settler National Manhood (Boucher & Robinson, 2021) https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/1031461X.2021.1901946
-Acknowledgement of Country and Welcome to Country https://www.reconciliation.org.au/reconciliation/acknowledgement-of-country-and-welcome-to-country/
-The First Scientists: Deadly Inventions and Innovations from Australia's First Peoples by Corey Tutt (2021)
-The Koala Brothers (2003-2007)
-Tracey McBean (2001-2006)
-Play School (1966–)
-Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
-Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024)
Good News Stories:
-https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-04/students-innovate-to-address-climate-change-livability/106200782
-https://www.scarymommy.com/entertainment/ryan-gosling-andy-weir-project-hail-mary-interview

Hold solarpunk in your hands as you listen to this episode, where we dive deep into the aspects of a tangible solarpunk future that are already here!
Discover soilpunk, permaculture, gleaning, friction-maxxing, mending circles, analogue media curation, junk journalling and more as we discuss why physical, tangible and intentionally crafted living is SO necessary right now.
A brighter, greener, more sustainable future is in reach!
Episode time stamps:
0:00 Introduction
1:56 Soil, Gardening, and Permaculture
33:43 Return to Analogue Media
1:01:10 Thriving DIY
1:13:24 Good News Stories
Want more? Here are some things that we spoke about in this episode that we recommend:
-What is Soilpunk? https://aarongreider.medium.com/what-is-soilpunk-c2bc2301dfbc 
-@greengirlleah and @tractorbeam.earth on Soilpunk: https://www.instagram.com/p/DM-12DZpJJ_/?igsh=OW43cjlucG9obHRs
-Introduction to Permaculture (1991) by Bill Mollison
-Permaculture: A Designer’s Manual (1988) by Bill Mollison
-How to prepare (not prep) for uncertain times: https://susankayequinn.com/2025/04/how-to-prepare-not-prep-for-uncertain-times-and-build-a-better-world-in-the-process.html
-Association of Gleaning Organizations: https://gleaningorgs.com/
-Why owning nothing is so expensive: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AKn-zJMIwY
-A love letter to cassette futurism: https://twistedwonderland.substack.com/p/a-love-letter-to-cassette-futurism
-Why friction-maxxing could be good for your brain: https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2026/04/07/friction-maxxing-benefits/
-Nonnamaxxing: do Italian grandmothers hold the secret to a long and happy life?: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/apr/15/nonnamaxxing-italian-grandmothers-gen-z?CMP=default&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=LinkedIn#Echobox=1776269045
-‘Nonnamaxxing’ Is the Cozy Trend Gen Z Swears Is Changing Their Lives: https://www.vice.com/en/article/nonnamaxxing-is-the-cozy-trend-gen-z-swears-is-changing-their-lives/
Good News Stories:
-https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp9vx1z4jkno 
-https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2026-04-12/nasa-artemis-ii-earthrise-geopolitics-wonder/106548512

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/

Dive into the world of solarpunk games and ‘playing’ imagined, hopeful futures in this episode of Sci_Burst! We talk about solarpunk (and solarpunk-adjacent) video games, board games, RPGs, and more - including what already exists and what is soon to come… Tune in to also learn why gamers are particularly solarpunk ready and how we can make a sustainable future through play. Plus discover a whole bunch of radical games to add to your wishlists!

Episode time stamps:
0:00 Introduction
6:24 Why gamers are solarpunk ready
11:08 Solarpunk video games
42:40 Solarpunk board games and RPGs
56:26 Other solarpunk ‘games’
1:06:43 Good News Stories

Want more? Here are some things that we spoke about in this episode that we recommend:
-Imaginable: How to Create a Hopeful Future (2023) by Jane McGonigal
-Gamification: https://www.education.gov.au/australian-curriculum/national-stem-education-resources-toolkit/i-want-know-about-stem-education/different-kinds-stem-education-initiatives/gamification
-Blog post on solarpunk games: https://alxd.org/notes-towards-a-solarpunk-game-design-overview.html
-Terra Nil (2023, video game): https://store.steampowered.com/app/1593030/Terra_Nil/
-Solarpunkification (2019, video game): https://girldebord.itch.io/solarpunkification
-Loftia (upcoming, video game): https://store.steampowered.com/app/2320980/Loftia/
-Solarpunk (upcoming, video game): https://store.steampowered.com/app/1805110/Solarpunk/
-The Guardian of Nature (2025, video game): https://store.steampowered.com/app/2421950/The_Guardian_of_Nature/
-Future? No thanks! (upcoming, video game): https://store.steampowered.com/app/3861870/Future_No_Thanks/
-Crescent County (upcoming, video game): https://store.steampowered.com/app/2202650/Crescent_County/
-Bumpkin and Sprout (upcoming, video game): https://store.steampowered.com/app/2611600/Bumpkin_and_Sprout/
-Silkgrove (upcoming, video game): https://store.steampowered.com/app/3570350/Silkgrove/
-Life in Reterra (2024, board game)
-Solar City (2020, board game)
-Harmonies (2024, board game)
-Fully Automated! (2024, RPG)
-Solarpunk Futures (2022, RPG)
-Solarpunk 2050 (2024, RPG)
-Fly Softly (2021, RPG)
-Beyond Design: The Game of Social Solution (2020)
-LEGO Friends

Good News Stories:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/honey-making-stingless-bees-in-the-peruvian-amazon-become-the-first-insects-to-gain-legal-rights-180987937/
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-04/how-austin-appelbee-saved-his-family-in-miracle-ocean-rescue/106306586
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-02/teen-rescuer-blackmans-bay-beach-hobart/106292890

In this episode we bring you a ray of sunshine all about solarpunk optimism, resilience, and staying defiantly hopeful about our future. Being optimistic has several benefits (backed by extensive science!) for your health, wellbeing, and overall experience of life. And sharing optimism and hope is inspiring and contagious. So tune in for a breath of fresh air from all the negativity and dystopian narratives that tend to dominate today’s media, how to find radically good news, and what you can do to start building our hopeful future. This episode will truly brighten up your day! 
*sorry for the weird feedback noise in this one folks, we have no clue what happened with our tech!

Episode time stamps:
0:00 Introduction
20:52 The science and benefits of optimism
30:17 Unlocking your future super-empowered optimistic self
38:01 The power of sharing optimism with others
49:18 Good News Stories

Want more? Here are some things that we spoke about in this episode that we recommend:
-Imaginable: How to Create a Hopeful Future (2023) by Jane McGonigal
-Not the End of the World: How We Can Be the First Generation to Build a Sustainable
Imaginable (2024) by Hannah Ritchie
-Better Things Are Possible: How rebellious hope will change the world (2025) by Jack Toohey
-How to Save the Whole Stinkin’ Planet (2019) & How to Save the Whole Blinkin’ Planet (2024) by Lee Constable
-The Science of Optimism (YouTube Video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynjOQgll5PE
-https://hal.science/hal-04295131v2/document
-https://thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/the-new-science-of-optimism-and-longevity/
-https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0146167202289012
-https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2752100
-https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2002-08527-005?doi=1
-https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11284214/
-https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S000187911300170X
-https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2015-09924-001
-Forrest Gump (1994)
-The Sound of Music (1965)
-Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
-Amelie (2001)
-The Martian (2011 book; 2015 movie)
-The Good Place (2016-2020)

Good News Stories:
https://www.designboom.com/technology/3d-printed-ceramic-sculptures-raphael-emine-hotels-insects-small-wildlife-wasp-02-05-2025/
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/nov/05/uk-to-launch-pilot-scheme-that-helps-homeless-people-access-banking

Places to find good news stories:
Good Good Good Co (@goodgoodgoodco, https://www.goodgoodgood.co/)
Wattle Media (@wattle_media, https://www.youtube.com/@Wattle_media) 
The Happy Broadcast (@the_happy_broadcast, https://thehappybroadcast.com/)