Solartober
Stories highlighting green spaces, community-based governance, and circular economy.
Celebrating Our First 50+ Subscribers! Free giveaway!
Hey neighbors,
Happy to share a little milestone with you—we've surpassed 50 subscribers! Thank you so much for your support and for joining this journey toward a more sustainable future :).
I've got something exciting planned: Upon reaching 100 subscribers, one lucky subscriber in the DMV area will win a free e-scooter or e-bike! This isn’t just about growing our numbers; it's about expanding our community of like-minded individuals who are passionate about solarpunk ideals and sustainable living.
Please help spread the word by sharing our newsletter with friends, family, and anyone who dreams of a greener, more connected world.
Wait, is Trump solarpunk?
#CommunityBasedGovernance
Guys, the first transaction by a president on a Bitcoin protocol buys a burger and a diet coke— Of course, I'm talking about none other than your boy, Trump! Sorry, the picture above is the best my AI agent could come up with – wild that we can say we have AI agents now, right? 😏 Anyway, earlier I tuned into The Journal podcast and learned that Donald Trump recently visited a Bitcoin-themed bar called Pub Key in the Big Apple. He used his smartphone to hover over the NFC reader and bought burgers and diet cokes for a community of Bitcoin supporters in hopes to gain their vote for the upcoming election.
Disclaimer: I love the blockchain network and genuinely believe that Bitcoin is the biggest transfer of wealth in modern history. It's incredible how it serves as both a store of value with a finite supply and an exchange currency. I was an early crypto adopter and even used it to buy my current EV.
Before getting back to thoughts on Trump, let’s talk about Bitcoin solving the double-spending problem. Well, in the good ol' days of online transactions, there was a major issue: how do you stop someone from copying and pasting their digital money and spending it twice? It’s like trying to pay for your burger and your ex’s therapy bill with the same dollar—messy and should be impossible to get away with. That’s where Bitcoin comes in.
The Bitcoin network has something called blockchain, which is like a public ledger. Think of it as the world's nosiest neighborhood watch but with way cooler technology. Every transaction is recorded in a block, and that block gets added to a chain (hence, blockchain!). The beauty is that once a transaction is on there, it’s stuck—carved into digital stone for all eternity. This ensures that every Bitcoin you spend is verified by everyone in the network, so you can’t cheat the system. No double-dipping on those burgers, Trump! 🍔
Now, on to the decentralized aspect. Bitcoin isn’t owned by any one person, company, or shady government. Nope, it’s like a financial co-op, except without the awkward "so how are we all splitting the tab?" moment lol. Decentralization means there’s no central authority controlling Bitcoin. Instead, it’s run by people—regular folks and tech nerds—who maintain and validate the network through mining (meaning computers doing some complex math). It’s like a digital democracy where everyone gets a say, and not even the Federal Reserve can mess with your stack.
So how is Bitcoin community-driven? Everyone participating in the network—from miners to developers to everyday users—keeps the whole thing running. It’s a grassroots, people-powered revolution with immutable transactions and some serious market volatility. It’s chaotic, it’s rebellious, and honestly, it’s kinda fun.
However, Trump's newfound alliance with crypto is a bit odd, especially considering he’s been on record claiming that Bitcoin competes against the dollar and has no value. The Journal claims his shift might be because of his 2022 launch of digital trading cards on the NFT network, where many buyers used crypto instead of dollars. But I think it’s a bit more nuanced than that. See, the Trump campaign knows that the cryptocurrency community is incredibly loyal—they're the kind of single-issue voters who will rally behind Bitcoin above all else. If Trump promises to back Bitcoin, he can win over that entire community.
Here’s the big question; is this a sign that Bitcoin is truly going mainstream? Well, if the former president is out here buying snacks with crypto, who knows—maybe it really is the currency of the future. Perhaps Trump's just trying to win over those crypto voters, or maybe he’s accidentally stumbled into the solarpunk dream. Either way, watching it all unfold is just as entertaining as the idea of Trump reading Satoshi Nakamoto’s white paper 🤣.
So, is Trump solarpunk? Maybe by accident. I think he's helped bring awareness and pushed the agenda forward, which, in the end, could be a good thing. And I'd love to see more merchants in the DMV area adopt crypto too—it would be amazing to see the future of transactions take off right here at home.
Hope is Punk
#CommunityBasedGovernance
We are of the fundamental belief that in order to upend the current economic and energy systems that are supporting this unsustainable way of life, there needs to be a culture shift. Reading Rainn Wilson’s interview with Imagine5 made us feel so heartened to know there are others, especially with a major platform, that get it. Rainn Wilson, our beloved Dwight Schrute from “The Office,” draws inspiration from his Bahai’i faith to emphasize the need for a “spiritual revolution” to tackle global crises like climate change. Humanity must reconnect with sacredness of nature, like the indigenous and ancient cultures did.
“I think that instilling hope and fostering joy is one of the most rebellious acts that someone can take today. I think… the forces of darkness want us to be pessimistic and cynical, because then we’ll sit on our couches and we won’t do anything. Yeah, I think to be really punk rock in this day and age isn’t to have, like, safety pins in your cheek. It’s to provide hope and joy and inspiration.”
The interview was a lovely insight into one of my favorite pop culture icon’s worldview, and I can’t wait to dive into his book, Soul Boom and his organization that focuses on the culture shift we know is crucial to address, Climate Basecamp.
Outside of the DMV: Chew Crews
#GreenSpaces #CircularEconomy
Along the Cumberland River, Nashville’s Chew Crew, a flock of grazing sheep, is doing more than just chomping on grass — they are a key part of local land management. This eco-friendly alternative to lawn mowers helps restore ecosystems and promotes biodiversity, while reducing emissions, supporting greener urban spaces, and a circular and regenerative economy. It’s a fun example of how cities can incorporate community-driven, innovative business solutions to mitigate the impacts of climate change as locals and tourists connect with these sheep and spark conversations about nature, climate action, and greener futures.
While the Chew Crew is transforming how Nashville handles urban landscaping, they are also nurturing vibrant spaces that center nature and people-as-nature. As these sheep graze, they create a thriving ecosystem along the riverbank, attracting wildlife and building resilient natural habitats. This approach echoes solarpunk dc’s vision of the future, where innovative, nature-based solutions restore balance in urban areas while residents enjoy sustainable and healthier living.
Summer recap!
#GreenSpaces
1. City Blossom
Thinking about volunteering at a community garden next summer that helps local families in the Shaw/Mt. Vernon area? Cityblossoms is where it’s at! 😎🍓🌿
2. The Well at Oxon Run
🌱 Have you heard of The Well at Oxon Run? 🌻 This one-acre community farm is not just about growing plants, but also cultivating community wellness and joy! You can sign up for yoga classes and host your own event there.
From blackberries and kale to passion fruit and peanuts, The Well harvests a diverse array of crops each year, freely available to the public.🥦🍓 You’re welcome to join in on the harvest or just enjoy the serene green space.
📅 Operating Hours: Tuesday–Friday: 10:00 AM–5:00 PM Saturday: 10:00 AM–4:00 PM Closed Sunday and Monday
#Circulareconomy
3. Community Forklift
Check out Community Forklift—they’re the DC-area’s nonprofit reuse center for home improvement supplies. They collect new and gently used building materials and make them available to the community at super affordable prices. 🛠️
It was amazing to witness how they support local nonprofits, neighbors in need, and even create green jobs while educating the public about sustainability. If you’re into reuse and want to get involved, this is the place to check out! 🌍💚
🔖Upcoming Calendar Events!
I wish we had the Chew Crew here in the DC area