The Future We were Promised.
Clean Energy Revolution, Community Third Spaces, and a Solarpunk Reality.
Issue #25| October 2025
Happy October, Fam! 🍂
I don’t know about you, but one of the best things about being a millennial is that we were born right into the information era. The internet cracked things wide open. It gave us decentralized media, access to global intelligence, and receipts…
See, what our parents and grandparents didn’t know was this: first, they make the rules. Then they laugh at us for following them. Then they flip the rules whenever it benefits them. And because centralized media was basically one giant propaganda faucet, our folks never stood a chance. But us? The truth is setting us free and resistance is popping up everywhere baby.
Every industry is flipping. And the clean energy revolution? It’s already here. Solar, wind, and batteries are now the cheapest forms of power on Earth. They’re cutting costs, creating jobs, and keeping wealth right here in our communities.
But of course, some politicians and industries are still trying to drag their fossil feet. Not in the DMV, though. Around here, we’re keeping the momentum alive.
SunDay x Electrify DC ⚡
No org gets this better than Electrify DC, a local initiative helping folks swap out fossil fuels for clean, electric tech. We’re talking solar panels, induction stoves, heat pumps…the whole package. They connect you with real neighbors who’ve made the switch and contractors who can get you there too.
One of their coolest projects this year? A collaboration with Sun Day. Picture this: a nationwide open house where residents literally open their doors and show off their solar setups and electrified homes. You get to walk through, ask questions, and imagine what’s possible for your own home.
This year, up to 80 DC residents volunteered to share their journeys and solarpunk dc was on the ground capturing it all.
First Stop: Sycamore & Oak 🌳
We kicked things off at Sycamore & Oak, a gorgeous community space that served as a Sun Day hub. I grabbed a few words from the folks at DC Sustainable Energy Utility (DCSEU), then hit the road to meet residents.
Next stop? Homes in Ward 7 and Ward 8, where families are literally powering their everyday lives with clean energy.
Why This Matters
Remember guys, Solarpunk isn’t about worshiping gadgets…it’s about reimagining our city as greener, more connected, and more joyful. A world where your stove doesn’t poison your air, your house doesn’t drain your wallet, and your block generates its own energy.
I hope this video inspires you to start your own journey toward clean power. Whether it’s how you move around (EVs, e-bikes, scooters), how you power your home, or even something small like charging your devices with a solar battery pack. Every step counts.
All we’re asking is that the boomers scoot over a little and let us cook. 😏
Stay punk.
—Lavala 🌾
Sycamore & Oak: A Community Hub for the Future
Tucked in Congress Heights, Sycamore & Oak isn’t your typical retail space. It’s part food hall, part cultural stage, and part incubator for Black-owned businesses. On Sun Day, it became a hub for residents to learn about electrification, but the bigger story is how spaces like this redefine urban resilience.
Instead of another strip mall or chain-dominated plaza, Sycamore & Oak demonstrates what happens when design prioritizes community ownership and cultural expression. That’s solarpunk in action.
eWaste Warriors Launch → A new grassroots group tackling electronics waste in the DMV. Follow them here.
Upcoming: Climate DC → Register for our upcoming happy hour (Tuesday, 10/7)
📧 Drop any feedback or requests to: community@solarpunkdc.com or tag us