How We Can Make Solarpunk A Reality (ft.

[@Andrewism]

Solarpunk is a vision of the future that we can implement today. Here are just a few ways to get started!🌞 Correction: At 7:32, I meant to say quantity over quality. Edit: The comment about the terracotta cooling system has already been made. Yes, it only works in dry environments.

[@TheWinterscoming]

Saw that in the text. Thank you for the clarification. Also thank you for pointing out the "less scientific concern about health effects" from GMOs. They are definitely going to be necessary and sometimes people on our side get a little too worried about anything not directly made by nature

[@ilikewaflz9463]

I can’t tell if your anti-capitalistic or just believe in reforms of such

[@RealBradMiller]

​@@ilikewaflz9463 you're*

[@soycrates]

You should make the background on your videos black to save electricity usage :p

[@RealBradMiller]

@make None I only correct rude people. :)

[@CCDR07]

I know you've mentioned this before, but just allow me to re-emphasize that many Indigenous Peoples past and present have figured out how to generate values, governance institutions, and land practices that actively demonstrate the essence of solar punk as described here.

[@commentingisawasteoftime7195]

I think that's where a lot of inspiration for solarpunk comes from.

[@gustavsantos6225]

that's exactly what Amazofuturism is about

[@lowwastehighmelanin]

Yeah and as an Indigenous and Black individual, I can tell you we are basically all anarchists lol

[@TheSchmuck2]

@@gustavsantos6225 why are there no Amazo-Futurism videos on KZbin 😭 it sounds amazing

[@thetaomega7816]

And all of those have been poor and underdeveloped lmao

[@chwayitayose845]

There's literally someone called the 'Cabbage Bandit' in South Africa and he was fined by the police for planting cabbages in front of his lawn. He was doing it to help his wife feed people in his community. Some South Africans are supporting him and a Minister even spoke up against the man being charged. So a change is happening!!!!!! ❤️

[@thomaswhite3059]

What like, on his own property? That's just giving the game away yeah? "we don't want you to feed the poor, we want them dead."

[@brookecorry4827]

I've heard of similar stories coming out of LA. A guy named Ron Finley had planted foods in front of his house in the barren strip of dirt between the sidewalk and the road. He wanted to plant food available to everyone as he lived in a food desert. The city told him he had to remove it and fined him repeatedly I think, but he fought them and got the laws changed where he lives. I think he then started helping others in the community start their own gardens, super radical guy , goes by the 'Gangster Gardener'

[@FuzzyLittleWolf123]

@@brookecorry4827 no way!!! I live in a low-income neighborhood and literally wanted to do this myself but had never heard of someone else doing it before. I'm a Texan though and y'all know how Texas can be about... literally anything that benefits anyone besides the rich and wealthy. I'd be down to fight for the cause though.

[@paulsmart4672]

These stories of people getting fined for growing food on their own property... The lie of free markets. You're allowed to eat if you funnel your money to the grocery giants and the mega farms. Try and go around them, and they sic the state on you.

[@omegabae1293]

I am a 40 year old mom to a daughter that will have to grow up in this contaminated world. Each climate report filled me with grief and sorrow for the world my child was doomed to inherit. Today I was introduced to the concept of Solar Punk and I cannot explain how much hope this has brought me. I am literally fighting tears. I ran downstairs to explain it to my dad. I will get educated and do my part to build a better future. Thank you very much for this information.

[@insomniacresurrected1000]

I’m a 40 year old bloke that only shags women and has no kids. I have none of your worries. 😂

[@felixicide400]

thank you ❤

[@paigeh9798]

A tip for guerilla gardeners: wear high-vis and no one will question you 😏

[@LexYeen]

If you look like you _should_ be doing something, most people won't ask questions. ;)

[@kindclaw6605]

You can literally do anything in high vis! 😂

[@camipco]

If in doubt, add a clip board.

[@BeautifulEarthJa]

love it

[@celestialbeas9214]

Don't forget the hard hat!

[@toethumbghost]

solar punk is a vision of the future that speaks to me aesthetically and practically thank you for educating me about its existence

[@Steampunkkids]

I had no idea SolarPunk was a thing. I really appreciate this information!

[@sasha-taylor]

while ingenious, efficient, and environmentally conscious, Terra Cotta coolers are in essence a normal swamp cooler and come with one very large drawback. They cause a very significant rise in humidity of the space they cool. They work through evaporative cooling, they suck heat from the air through the phase change of the water as it evaporates. In a desert climate they work magnificently, but in humid areas it can make you feel even worse. Maybe in humid areas you could use a heat exchanger (think air to air intercooler) and run water over the outside of it, and keep air moving through it, and pipe the air you'll actually use for cooling a room through the interior of the intercooler so it stays isolated from the water and humidity. You'd lose efficiency but prevent the main problem with a swamp cooler

[@aarontoussaint8364]

Swamp coolers don't even work in humid environments, the water won't evaporate quickly due to vapor pressure and the cooling effect will be miniscule due to the dew point being barely below the temperature

[@sasha-taylor]

@@aarontoussaint8364 wow you're totally right, thanks for the input!

[@domsusefulstuff]

I was wondering about this and your idea is interesting so I just wanted to say thanks.

[@TheWinterscoming]

I think the anarchist response here is: Of course! No such thing as a single solution to a problem that will fix everything. Personally I am looking into geothermal. A high efficiency electric heat exchanger powered by solar/wind power for heat in the winter and cooling in the summer, mixed with a highly insulated house. There are so many options for heating and cooling beyond AC. Hell, new houses can be built mostly underground like how peoples from around the world have for thousands of years before classic stick and sheetrock construction. House builds now try to emphasize size and ease of construction over environment and I think the options are only going to expand as people remember old construction techniques from before the copy - paste housing developments corrupted everything.

[@sasha-taylor]

@@TheWinterscoming I completely agree. Geothermal makes a ton of sense. A really cool channel called Technology Connections has a couple good videos on that topic. Things like solar panels and a planted roof are definitely on my list for when I amas the resources needed as well. I'm definitely one for the old ways, from before reliance on large corporations when people had to be able to build and fix things themselves. I think drawing from those techniques, along with optimisation with modern technology, is a real way forward for us.

[@OurChangingClimate]

As always, a stunning video!!! Loved working on this with ya, and thank you for showing me the beauty of a solarpunk world!

[@ForeignManinaForeignLand]

Yuh definitely convert a fellow Caribbean content creator to Solarpunk w/ this one. Keep up the omen's work.

[@Andrewism]

Any time! Let's do this again soon!🌻

[@fennec70]

You're both great :)

[@sebbychou]

Question about the Terracota device : Can they survive harsh winters to be used again in the burning summers or should the tubes be replaced regularly?

[@miguelrico9924]

@@sebbychou Cant find anything suggesting that terracotta suffers under low temperatures, probably would be good to shield it from storms and the like, because they break easily but the cold shouldn't be a problem (I did a quick google, don't trust me too much)

[@ArgaJacint]

This video unironically gives me hope that I can actually do something to help save the climate or at least mitigate damage. Rare to see things like that, and is very appriciated.

[@Manyaraz]

you can do it you can do it we can all do it

[@xsistence13]

Honestly, I broke down in tears with this video and Our Changing Climate's video because of something I haven't felt in a long time: Hope

[@dirkmcgurk]

A few things to add about food forests.. the importance of sheet mulching (Groundcover isn’t going to suppress weeds without it), fungi layer, plant propagation (buying plants for a food forest is expensive), and volunteer organization (it’s a lot of work to get planted /established)!

[@h4rrish4wk97]

It's also really good to wear hi-viz vests that you might see city workers wearing - not because it would draw attention but because it will make many people think you're possibly an official worker doing what you're supposed to do causing you to be less likely to be harassed by some civilians. I notice someone else in the comments already said this but it's always good to repeat so it doesn't get completely buried. Also - if you're willing to seek permission on the side try and get your local community together to apply to your local government branch to have community gardens on verges and public spaces (they can often say no - but some politicians may want to cultivate a "green" image with constituents and which means they may let you and thus the garden is less likely to be destroyed) -- but keep doing the guerrilla stuff on the side regardless. Just because you engage with the hierarchy doesn't mean you have to restrain yourself from only doing that. You can also increase food growing in window boxes in apartment buildings, container gardening on roofs, balconies, around paved over gardens. This allows the plants to be moved around if you are afraid of them being vandalised and destroyed to keep them safe - but also allows in conjunction with very tall raised beds a chance of it being more accessible to disabled members of the community - including the elderly who may have some existing knowledge of gardening.

[@BeautifulEarthJa]

seed bombing ah, what a world we'd live in if this was the only kind of bombing that was taking place

[@thomaswhite3059]

"Commander! The enemy has dropped hyacinths!"

[@azhyrbooth5982]

​@@thomaswhite3059🤣🤣🤣

[@multiasking757]

So effing relevant today

[@HollisPresnell]

You should do a colab with Crime Pays But Botany Doesn't. He does something like guerilla gardening. But mostly has videos on different environments with commentary about botany, but also funny social and political commentary.

[@hollyexley]

💯 that would be some top quality content

[@LexYeen]

Yesssssssss.

[@zeamaiz945]

Yooooo this would be insanely awesome. Joey is a legend

[@commentingisawasteoftime7195]

"now, Drew, look at dat fuckin' Asteraceae over dere"

[@zeamaiz945]

@@commentingisawasteoftime7195 "oh yah look at that stamen babee 🥵"

[@MossCoveredBonez]

I'd like to add that quail and ducks are also great options with specific benefits for a food forests. Mint will spread like fire. And try raising dragonflies and ladybugs if they're native to your area. Cuts down on aphids and mosquitoes

[@LexYeen]

Catnip is a great option if you have a rodent problem. It'll draw local felines in. Just treat it like mint, because it grows similarly, and keep it along the outskirts of your garden.

[@dontnoable]

If you can provide a safe and appropriate home for ducks rescued from the animal farming industry to live out their natural lives, I think that is a win win.

[@shoutmon1337]

As a couch entomologist I think I might just have to do that dragonfly and ladybug move.

[@strawberrythiefproductions]

I watched this whilst embroidering "solarpunk" across the back of my battle jacket and when you started talking about DIY and anti-consumerism I was like *Spiderman's pointing at each other meme*. Love this video, your content is always such a good watch ☺️🌱

[@SweetKnock]

I would love to see more examples of technology that can be used or repurposed for solar punk goals. I have studied electrical engineering and am looking for inspiration for how I can use my skills to benefit my community.

[@dennismitchell5276]

I'd love to see electric carriages based on light weight bike technology. Figure 35mph, 40 miles between charges. After all most driving is less than 20 miles, most urban roads have 35mph speed limit. Affordable is vital.

[@Vaeldarg]

Studied computer science, but have always believed in a balance being able to be struck between nature and technology. Lamp posts/street lights often see mentioned as messing with animals/insects from being too bright at night ("light pollution") so maybe look into a way to light up parks/food forests/streets in a better way?

[@wn9500]

Municipal power grids based on renewables / small scale nuclear are still a grand electrical engineering challenge!

[@IndustrialParrot2816]

Electric railways (with catenary wires not batteries) also setting them up for renewables/nuclear

[@PhantomMenyace]

Concrete, probably. Aside from needing an outdoor kiln as part of the process, as long as you have limestone nearby you could probably make it. Concrete is useful for quickly constructing things in a manner both cheap and durable , which is part of why it is so prominent in brutalist architecture, even if it doesn't really fit the aesthetic of Solarpunk.

[@raeorion]

Yellow/orange reflective jackets go a long way to making sure people don't ask questions about what your doing in an empty field 🌻🌱

[@MintyFarts]

Another great way to maintain indoor temps is "earth tubes" where tubes about 9in to 12 in wide are dug tens of feet into the ground. It uses the eath as a heat sink like how a vegetable cellar works in the cooler climates. However in the winter it helps keep it less cold as the temperature from that far down in the earth is relatively stable.. also taking advantage of convection air flow and wind in architecture..

[@joep359]

Acoustic heat pump :)

[@LtCaveman]

That's called a GAHT - Ground Air Heat Transfer. In case you need to study that more.

[@MintyFarts]

@@LtCaveman thank you

[@sweetpeabee4983]

I remember reading somewhere (not sure how legit the source) that one of the problems with earth tubes is like, mold & bacteria & stuff like that. Convection and air flow are 👍👍 though, from what I can recall; there's a lot that can be done with even just a few well-placed vent fans.

[@moeezS]

This was inspirational, especially the food forests! Steel-strength bamboos, fruit and veggie medicines, bioluminescent tree lamps, tree sap soaps, radiation-absorbing mushrooms, and plastic destroying microorganisms all sound awesome!

[@IndustrialParrot2816]

Bamboo also grows at rate of almost an Inch per day and could be useful for biocoal and other solid biofuels (which are essential for making steel)

[@ForeignManinaForeignLand]

Ah reach, big bredda 🙏🏾 listennn, when the NY times push out that article on the UN declaring a climate catastrophe in the coming years, I immediately thought of you dread. And within days, you come out w/ exactly the insight I was looking for. "We living in hell" hits too close to home and too near the bone. As a fellow Caribbean man, we know better than anyone that Mother nature is coming back to take what is hers and she starting with us. The sea so close to swallowing us up imna di Bahamas! And it's us that feel the consequences of the culprits who fostering this environment. Us with little resources to even withstand the inevitable impact of what's to come. Smt don't get me started man, it's just noon on this side

[@Jack13001]

One thing to say about food forests. Yes they’re great and effective however they definitely have their limitations. In Ireland where I’m from (and probably the uk too) if you turn your garden into a dense food forest you will have disease problems due to the cold humid climate. Productivity rates of fruit trees will also suffer due to competition for the relatively small amount of sunshine we get. In some cases a straight up small orchard of 4-5 trees will be far far more productive than a food forest. I suppose the choice is yours however imo a small nut tree orchard like hazels/heartnuts/ walnuts will almost always be a greater source of calories in the uk/Ireland if you just have a small garden to work with.

[@TheTurtleWithATopHat]

Not knowing a lot about plants, I think it would be great to have knowledgeable people guide what food forests should look like in different places. After all, different places have different climates / animals/ insects / etc and thus need different plants and configurations!

[@micah1848]

it does definitely depend on the local climate and ecosystem. a food forest in the eastern US wouldn't work in arid parts of spain, and tropical fruits like bananas will not grow successfully in canada. i think coming up with a term other than food "forest" might help with enforcing the notion that it would look different in different places

[@robogecko4067]

@@micah1848 I think you just need to switch out for different local plants and also observe how your local environment deals with dense vegetation

[@sirrivet9557]

Also in some areas there just aren’t good native plants for food. There’s kind of a reason all the examples he gives are from tropical areas.

[@Jack13001]

@@sirrivet9557 tbf the nut trees I mentioned can be grown in a vast range of plant zones.

[@russelldouglas8746]

I really appreciate that you're a proponent of both permaculture and GMO crops. It's refreshing.

[@MintyFarts]

Thank you for being honest about GM crops. I'm a molecular scientist and it bugs the heck out of me when ppl make absurd claims.

[@tissuepaper9962]

People like to muckrake GMOs, nuclear power, etc without understanding what it is they're fighting against.

[@robertgaines-tulsa]

Ceramic cooling looks interesting, but it looks like another type of swamp cooler. True air conditioning also removes humidity from the air so it doesn't feel sticky. Air conditioners also hold the key to climate friendly heating. Air conditioners are just heat pumps, and when reversed they can heat the home with just as much efficiency as gas. Combine heat pumps with climate friendly forms of power such as wind and solar, they can be a leap forward in tackling climate change. Yes, air conditioners usually use gasses that aren't environmentally friendly when released, but we don't have to use those gasses. It's the same with refrigerators and freezers. You can also combine air conditioners with swamp coolers for greater efficiency since the air conditioners will pull the extra humidity out of the air. This might even help make thermal-electric (peltier) heat pumps more efficient as they are currently very inefficient.

[@yashagrawal88]

Swamp or evaporative coolers are effective for dry places. There there is no need for removing humidity. So there is no need for air-conditioners. Whereas, for humid areas, dehumidifiers and fans would be the best.

[@celestialbeas9214]

Im planning to set up a makerspace co-op soon, My goal is to have a good workshop where i can fabricate, repair, and refurbish old equipment and tools for farming. As well, i'd like to have a tool library for people to check out tools for their own repairs. I think those sort of spaces are good to have to build communities around a solarpunk mindset.

[@moriahhumphrey1879]

This is a super cool idea!

[@robogecko4067]

That’s super cool!

[@rachumsmcone9184]

I have absolutely loved learning about things like permaculture and food forests from this channel! Would love to see these ideas implemented more wherever society flourishes.

[@pe003]

This right here! I have studied environmental issues from a scientific, anthropologlic and religious perspective and this is what we need, bring the environment back to the people, and have hope

[@felixwingfield3110]

I unknowingly grew up in a food forest. It hadn't been managed as one in at least a 100 years, but I would spend my summers staying out for days, only coming home when I finally got hungry. Maypops, grapes, nuts, mushrooms! All kinds of things to eat & spring water to drink. Mum never realized what she had bought.

[@ociosfilms]

I really appreciate you talking about GMOs in that way. We have to be open minded and take what is beneficial. Great video! Gives me hope for the future

[@youduntknowmyname]

It's videos like these that fill me up with hope for a better future. I struggle a lot in finding ways of making peace with the world, but this, this is a way to make peace. Thank you for sharing this, I'll try to do something productive today

[@finngswan3732]

Hey, your visions of the future of plants isn't too far fetched. Sunflowers are planted around Japanese nuclear plants to absorb the radiation and rehabilitate the land.

[@zeamaiz945]

Sunflowers, amaranths, mustards, hemp, poplars, etc, not to mention oyster mushrooms or biochar. Nature already gave us the solutions

[@IndustrialParrot2816]

What radiation coal plants are more radioactive because of all the junk that gets mixed in underground

[@carloslinares991]

Your moonshot thinking with applications of GMOs to optimize our living conditions was truly inspiring. I can't wait to think on these problems in new ways

[@elijahclaude3413]

This was absolutely FANTASTIC!!! Thanks so much for this!!

[@RomanBearProductions]

I absolutely love this! I'll be doing some guerilla gardening for sure.

[@noemi9985]

I think gmos that could make crops less water intensive would be hugely beneficial in the coming years

[@SketchyHippopotamus]

Honestly just straight up sexual selection is probably the best Avenue here. Two plants fucking is going to create way more biodiversity than one expensive lab variety. The real place I suspect generic engineering could actually be useful is in resurrecting lost indigenous crops

[@LieseFury]

@@SketchyHippopotamus I think you underestimate exactly how long evolution takes. If sexual selection alone could work fast enough, we wouldn't have crop shortages.

[@zeamaiz945]

@@LieseFury evolution for annual crops like corn via sexual selection actually happens insanely quickly (relatively speaking); most crop shortage today has way more to do with misallocation and with growing practices, rather than a lack of production from genetic limitations. I am literally working on a breeding project to do just that with corn: create an extremely biodiverse, nutrient-dense landrace corn able to tolerate climate extremes and the worsening complex of crop diseases and pests that are only going to get much worse. You'd be surprised how quickly certain traits can be inherited and transferred, and how racial hybridization (corn races) can be used to create new landraces that can meet the needs of the people in light of the shitstorm we're in. And you'd be surprised how much diversity exists that can actually meet those criteria, while also being relatively productive.

[@miguelrico9924]

@@SketchyHippopotamus Biodiversity is the main concern I have with gmos, gmos are great for monocultures because they can reduce all the problems monocultures have (water intensive crops , need for herbicides, soil degradation, etc) and make a better produce for consumption But if you're doing a food forest and you're focusing on mimicking the environment you should allow diversity within the species you're cultivating to make it more resilient to climate changes and diseases

[@remicaron3191]

@@LieseFury we don’t have crop shortages. What we have is a population explosion which is far beyond the carrying capacity of the planet and that my friend won’t be solved by GMOs. Most GMOs today are engineered to resist pesticides and not produce seed unlike what was said in this video. There is a place for GMOs but more in the form of variety’s of plants. In Capitalism nothing is ever done without a profit motive so if you truly think GMO researchers are looking to produce better crops without also limiting peoples ability to self sustaining themselves you’ll be very disappointed.

[@brandobin]

Your videos are an antidote to the pessimistic paralysis I've felt. I'm exceedingly grateful to have found them. Thank you

[@jd-mp3uf]

One thing that may or may not work for some; maybe when guerrilla gardening in the day you could wear a hi-vis vest so people think you are a city worker? If city workers where you live wear them of course. Where I am it’s a 50/50 chance of seeing the city workers wearing them when tending to flower beds outside of government buildings, so it *might* help in some cases

[@jd-mp3uf]

Also one tip I have for strawberries is try to find some copper wire and line the outside of the pots or make a ring around the plant as much as possible; my neighbour did that and for some reason slugs stopped eating her strawberries

[@djmannik]

I'm sure you'll geta lot of pushback on that one but I appreciate your nuanced take on GMOs here (and agree obviously). It's unfortunate capital has got it's claws in this too

[@FlauFly]

It's a collaboration I didn't expect, but is very fitting. This video bring me some ideas which I could try to bring into my life, although with the way I'm isolated from local community, neighborhood, it's definitely not that easy.

[@bengoodchild883]

Thank you Andrew and OCC. I needed this to get me energized again. You've gained a new sub, and given me a better word to describe my feelings on these subjects. Have a lovely day both of you, I look forward to all you can accomplish.

[@Nkanyiso_K]

I loved the first Solarpunk video as well, I'm really glad you got to collaborate with *Our Changing Climate* to expose the message to more people

[@blackflagsnroses6013]

I also support GMO as modern tech that can help bolster biodiversity. I even think cloning can be beneficial towards animals facing extinction, or multiplying sustenance. Of course such projects are best served by community and socialist institutions rather than exploitative and greedy institutions

[@robogecko4067]

What ideas do you have about socialist and cooperative research institutions? If you have any resources about this topic I’d love to see :)

[@camazotzz]

Also there are seeds that germinate better if they pass through the gut of birds, you can simply feed pigeons/crows ect the seeds and they will distribute them with bonus fertilizer.

[@h_k_hellion7268]

now thats big brain time

[@IndustrialParrot2816]

Though if you see blackberries pick them it stops the birds from spreading them also they are invasive

[@camazotzz]

@@IndustrialParrot2816 not everywhere

[@AtaraxianWist]

​@@camazotzzYeah, good note there, both of you.

[@miketacos9034]

It’s so cool how all of these solutions don’t require any super advanced tech, but just appreciation of cool plants.

[@butterflyfilms939]

I'd love to see more Solarpunk Content, it fills me with hope every time!

[@morgan0]

on the topic of soaps made from plants, there are plants naturally high in saponins like the soapberry, which is used for soap in some places (forgetting where exactly). with some modification it may be possible to get more soap and less of other stuff to make it able to clean more with the same input resources, and provide actually natural cleaning for people that they could grow themselves.

[@azertyQ]

on Terracotta Evaporative cooler section: Water is also going to be a more and more scarce resource, and evaporating it away is NOT a closed loop. other's have pointed out how they are not feasible in high humidity (as well as their increase in humidity as they cool) Great video otherwise!

[@hollyexley]

You deserve those 50k views and so much more. Thanks to both of you for making such inspiring content.

[@polivarp3200]

this is wild and just what the world needs :)) I'll definitely show this to everybody in my affinity group !

[@vtechvsmile]

okay im sold im a guerrilla gardener now

[@yungbayes6314]

Thank you for this video! The terracotta cylinder solution only works if relative humidity is low though, it doesn't work in humid climates, where the heat is even more uncomfortable. You have to actually dry out the air before it can receive more water, which is a bit more complicated.

[@RoundHouseDictator]

Evaporative cooling only works if the air is dry. If the air is humid, it makes the heat index worse. Earthships run air through the thermal mass of land, but you need land for that. I saw one thing once about a device that turns heat energy into uv radiation and shoots it back to space, but that doesn't work with clouds. Honestly my best advice for staying comfortable in the summer is to identify which side of the space has cooler outside air and oper those windows. Then, as opposite side of your space as you can, open a window and mount a box fan to push air outside, so you suck in the cooler air. Fresh air is less humid and it doesn't take much airflow to overcome your own radiative heat, which can really mess you up. You are upper 90sF as a creature, so if you move air cooler than that over your skin, you will cool off. I keep a second fan pointed at me most of the summer to keep the summer sweats away. When I think in this way and do these things, I find it very easy and even pleasant to acclimatize with the seasons

[@samanthaaversano5889]

Hearing more and more about this stuff just makes me want to start a food forest, too bad I live in an apartment

[@thekingoffailure9967]

Same

[@halfpintrr]

Get a window box! :) it’s something. I’m going to grow some lavender and mint

[@ToniGlick]

I also live in an apartment but it's above a credit union who helped finance our single mom and senior housing. During covid the city put in some popup seating on the street next to us, blocking/calming traffic and giving people a place to sit and eat. People like it so they are making it permanent and adding an indigenous garden. The credit union side needs work though so I plan to ask them about the space. There are trees but adding beds around them would improve things a lot!

[@zeamaiz945]

The thing is, at least as it applies to "golden" crops, we don't necessarily need GMOs to produce crops with these vitamins; as far as maize is concerned, many indigenous and improved varieties exist (examples including Cateto/Camelia, Yellow creole, Nalo Orange, and Nostrano/marano) whose kernels are literally made of carotenoids, just like Golden Rice. Scaling-up community breeding projects based on using these varieties as germplasm can go a long way in curbing vitamin and mineral deficiencies.

[@therealsunnyk]

One of the big problems with GMOs is that the companies which produce them tend to mostly produce varieties which are resistant to weed killer (which the same companies also produce). This has pretty terrible consequences for the land and future crops, and this is made worse by the companies being very litigious with farmers anywhere nearby having crop which seems anything like the GMO crop. This has been devastating in India, causing farmers to get, for lack of a better term, "addicted" to the expensive GMO crop (which, of course, is the entire point). In theory GMO crops are great, but I haven't heard of varieties which are superior when combined with techniques like permaculture or traditional / small-scale farming practices.

[@05Matz]

@@therealsunnyk Tech has gotten to the point where people could do it themselves in small co-ops though, though the testing/regulatory process to openly use something outside lab conditions is usually hard to work through as in most places it's specifically designed to exclude everybody but big pesticide companies. The Thought Emporium is a channel that covers a lot of DIY science stuff, but genetic engineering is a big part of it. If your desired change can be expressed as adding or removing a protein in a particular part of the organism, a bit of research, a good little lab, and (quite a bit of) slow, careful, and expensive trial and error can lead to a viable organism with a new trait. In particular, producing various vitamins or medications in tanks of modified single-celled organisms such as yeast or algae (which don't require growing outside lab environments anyway, so pose less risk and 'heat') is reasonably easy and could seriously help communities to supplement them with substances they would otherwise have to import. Even more complex substances like spider silk knockoffs with custom 'attachment points' for other molecules can be produced in this fashion, allowing the renewable production of substances such as super-high-strength synthetic fibres (designer's choice of biodegradable for general use or antibacterial for safety-critical structures) that would otherwise require access to petroleum and its associated infrastructure. Sadly, The Thought Emporium's project to do just that stopped being open-source a little while ago, apparently as part of a "devil's bargain" with whatever organisation funded the construction and equipping of his new lab? The 'original' test version of the plasmid is still open-source, though, and could be a good starting point for similar work.

[@05Matz]

Also, conventionally-bred crops are just as subject to Capitalism and IP's hunger to control everything -- I think in India (or was it another country? I forgot.) all crops grown must provide a patent number (and thus, must be patented, presumably), GMO or otherwise. This means the dependency problem is present regardless. Realistically, monopolistic patents are crimes against humanity anyway.

[@therealsunnyk]

@@05Matz +1 on both points, though I will caution that no strong controls + decentralised GMOs can be a bit dangerous.

[@stockhuman]

I've never committed to watching a video faster. Since when was this crossover a thing? How great. :D

[@gearandalthefirst7027]

Holy shid, that 1/30 of an acre statistic is incredible! Most European and even permaculture methods usually land around 1 whole acre per person under ideal circumstances (at least from what I've read, which is probably outdated), so that's like, wow that's an increase in productivity

[@Andrewism]

Yeah I'm a bit suspicious of that stat myself, considering it comes from an article referencing only one anecdote, so I'd love to get more info from more sources. But considering the permaculture success stories I've heard, I doubt it's far from reality.

[@coolkid5199]

@@Andrewism there's a book called "the Backyard Homestead" by Carleen Madigan that outlines how a well organized homestead can feed a family of four on just a quarter acre or 1/16th of an acre per person including living space. its not a food forest but the book is still a great read.

[@bootstrap_paradox]

hope is a precious resource that must be cultivated and prioritized in the revolutionary movement! in order to create change, we must be able to imagine it first. this video positively radiates hope! thank you for making it

[@Visigoth_]

*Terra Cotta Cooling Systems* In otherwords *Evaporative Cooling* only works in *Low Humidity* environments... it fails in humid environments. - The *Heat Island Effect* has a greater impact on local temperature then people using ACs. *Solutions:* reduce solar gain by covering structures with *Plant Walls* and *Green Roofs* and increase airflow with Wind Towers (check out Masdar City). Another cause of the heat island effect is all the concrete, pavement, and a lack of plants... Use *Permeable* construction materials to allow rain water to soak in, instead of runoff into storm drains and out into the rivers and then the ocean.

[@scriber36]

I loved the "hypothetical internet stranger" part. It gave me some shivers. Why? Not as if breaking the 4th wall is a big deal, but explicitly taking on the perspective of the other, in this case the audience, is such a gesture which really is a big deal in my opinion. Even though it did not give much to the information conveyed (rather it was used as a rhetorical tool), helped to put all that into a respectful and dialogue-like framing, which is just very comfortable to experience as a viewer. Especially for such rationality-oriented people like myself, I guess. Kudos! :)

[@electricerger]

I'm so glad that you got OCC, your partnership brought me to your channel, and I'm excited to learn more about ground worker techniques.

[@antony558]

I found this incredibly inspiring, I wonder if I can find some like minded people in my area to start gardening with

[@Estradiol_Gaming]

if you need gardening supplies, here's something you definitely shouldn't do. Let's say you want 10 bags of potting soil. go to your local lowes grab 5 bags and pay for it at the register in the garden section. Then go back inside grab 5 more bags and leave through a different entrance. if anyone asks just show the receipt. I repeat do not do this.

[@remicaron3191]

Finally someone who understands that our current way of life is over and that change is coming whether we want it or not. Our consumption, over use and being served by others because we have a planet destroying job is coming to an end and for most people will be very difficult to adjust to but if we start now we can transition slower than if we ignore it until Mother Earth imposes it on us. Living in harmony is a much better way to live than this constant competition we have created for ourselves where the few get all out of life while the many pay for it. We can all work together and all have our needs met with very little effort yet most continue to defend this system. I don’t understand but I hope you’re videos explain it to more people and we can finally grow as a specie into our place in the universe instead of dying out as a failed specie. All the best love your videos and let grow together for the good of all instead of apart for the few.

[@willabyuberton818]

It's awesome to see someone talking about and popularizing solarpunk! I'm getting caught up on your videos and really enjoying them all!

[@arquitetobioclimaticourban5489]

Wooowww!!! I want moooore videos and moooore Solutions!! Thank you so much!!

[@arcies9286]

This is the sort of stuff that needs to be in trending

[@fredredfredred]

I love the idea of guerilla gardening. time to start prepping for spring!

[@fabian2684]

Great job! Nobody is talking about Guerrilla Gardeners as solarpunk precursors and you are providing simple examples of how to be solarpunk. Thank you very much!

[@Momo-zs2gy]

Dear Andrew! I just want to thank you for the videos you make and the effort you put into pushing Solarpunk further, showing us ways of acting now!

[@kuryamtl]

Really great work I love this. Especially food forests. We really can build a better future for ourselves but only if we work together in a collaborative non-hierarchical manner. Where everything is shared and not just kept by the few.

[@Dantalliumsolarium]

I love your work so much. So happy to have found your work, slowly chewing thriugh

[@MiadasSchaf]

This video got me so excited, I really want to start applying these ideas in my day to day life, but I guess the biggest challenge is to build a community of people ready to start guerilla farming. I will try to look for communities that may already exist but sadly arnachist principles are really not that populat in my part of the world. There are a lot of research to do but honestly this is a video that makes me excited to start the journey nonetheless. Thank you so much for this 💜

[@eldritchcorvid]

everyone needs to see this video. we need hope and direction like this

[@EezhamDemon]

Seem bombing is so cool. I have a new screenplay idea now. Great work as always, this was really inspiring.

[@thomaswhite3059]

Not only are you an incredible essayist but like Comrade I could listen to you talk for hours. Chill, educational, revolutionary vibes.

[@BeautifulEarthJa]

Saved to one of my existing playlists but I'm gonna start a solarpunk playlist Thanks Andrew!

[@Plexuz0]

I would love to see a part two. Hearing about the solutions themselves, their realism and methodology is very inspiring.

[@SolarpunkLife]

Another great video! Thank you

[@TangiersIntrigue]

Another benefit of food forests, like other forests, is depending on the area they are planted in they can be used to contain excess water from the rain, preventing landslides. The top layers of soil have higher porosity, the deeper root system acts as an anchor for the soil on top. A lot of the water from heavy rains saturates the soil instead of running freely, while the excess water runs normally (but slower due to more resistance from plants. But only the water runs, most of the soil stays in place. This is another tool, food forests can be grown in areas that have a steeper topography (and usually wouldn't be used to build housing) and they can be used strategically to protect said housing from landslides and to a smaller degree, even flash floods.

[@psukebariah3435]

I've sometimes wondered if living walls (featuring alpines...the small cactus like plants sometimes used in air gardens) could be used for temperature regulation, as well. But I love the terra cotta for areas that have the water available.

[@UdderlyEvelyn]

I really like the terracotta AC idea but one of the issues with evaporative cooling is it introduces a lot of humidity into the air - this is fine if you live in a dry climate, but if you live somewhere very humid it's not as effective nor as comfortable.. I think methods based on running tubes underground to pump air through in a U shape are probably a better idea for humid places, as this doesn't introduce humidity nearly as much.

[@jsutherland74]

I think your analysis on GMOs is spot on. So much untapped potential with that technology!

[@joshsandquist6917]

been buying local seeds in 5 pound bags, and i ride around in spring this year and just dusted areas for pollinators. then been saving the hard seeds from fruit to plant. just found a grove from some cherries i threw out last year, that blew up. it was glorious find. and looks like its helping out some of the homeless population already.

[@philmichel3]

Although I somtimes worry about these types of efforts not being enough in the face of the issues we face, I find it kinda comforting to see that you've arrived to the same place I have. Been working in food co-ops trying to get some contact with living things, get some feeling of control back thanks to producting food, and learning how to work cooperatively. I know some groups call for more direct sabotage of the system, but I think endeavoring to build a greener, more engaged lifestyle is part of the pre-figuration you talk about. We need parallel actions in the end I suppose!

[@tankfire20]

Thank you!

[@smuirhead3107]

The video looks very well done. Thank you

[@Jcewazhere]

Those terracotta coolers are slightly better than bog-standard swamp coolers in that they have high temperature retention. Once you get them at the right temperature they stay there longer, but that also means they take longer to get back to the right temperature after a long day of use. The big downside to them (and swamp coolers) is they don't work when it's humid as air can't really evaporate off of them. They can even be harmful as it could raise the local humidity enough to prevent sweat from evaporating causing heat stroke to be more likely. They can also promote mold growth. Thanks for the PSA on GMOs and monocultures. Solar reflecting paint and panels can keep a building cool without the downsides of the swamp coolers, but they take more money for the same amount of cooling. They're cheaper in the long run if you have to buy the water for the coolers.

[@shmackydoo]

It's a good day today, St. Andrew has released a video and it's a hopeful one. ✊ Thank you for sharing solarpunk with your reach! Tip for potential DIY in the wild folks: dress well, wear a neon vest, work boots and gloves, not only for practical purposes, but it's helps to dress the part

[@anarchion2141]

This was incredibly informative and generally well done. Amazing! Thank you!

[@Foon2Death]

ah boy, great to HEAR more content from local creators! keep making and hope that you get more eyes and ears on your work

[@lizwrites2463]

This is an amazing video, I’m definitely hoping for a part two!

[@RoabertG]

This is very inspiring! Definitely want to try out these ideas locally

[@omegajoule]

The new age of punk has come

[@crazywavybaby]

Your voice is very soothing. I just love your cadence and emphasis. Idk it reminds me of carving wood. You’re definitely my favorite voiceover channel on KZbin

[@Wadetrtl]

I appreciate so much the balanced discussion of GMOs! It's often so one-sided.

[@Manyaraz]

you're amazing and I am in awe

[@shaunaburton7136]

Code red for humanity, it will still be ignored by many. Cool video

[@adoxartist1258]

Thank you! I came here from Our Changing Climate. Liked and new sub. 👍

[@BeautifulEarthJa]

yes yes yes! for the collab! and i want ALL of theseeeeeeeeeeee!

[@newsjunkie7135]

This is the kind of nuanced discussion of GMOs that I've been looking for for a long time. Thank you!

[@Osterbaum]

Thanks! As I find myself highly frustrated and at worst depressed about on-going cutting down of last remaining old forests in the part of my country where I live and the destruction of small green areas in my city, this is the kind of inspiration I need.