From egocentrism to ecocentrism: Tracing the regenerative voice in Solarpunk narratives

Abstract

This paper explores the Solarpunk genre as a dynamic cultural and aesthetic movement that challenges dominant dystopian narratives within speculative fiction. Rooted in ecological awareness, technological optimism, and anti-capitalist resistance, Solarpunk envisions sustainable, equitable futures where humans coexist harmoniously with nature. Through a post-anthropocentric lens, the paper interrogates the epistemological and affective potential of solarpunk to inspire real-world environmental and social transformation. Drawing from contemporary climate discourse and the genre’s distinct emphasis on community resilience, DIY ethics, and renewable energy, the paper highlights Solarpunk’s role in reorienting the human imagination toward hopeful alternatives beyond ecological collapse. It further examines how Solarpunk reclaims futurity as a site of possibility rather than despair, positioning itself as a form of everyday resistance and speculative activism. Ultimately, this study argues that solarpunk is not merely a literary or artistic genre but a praxis that redefines relationalities between humans, technology, and the planet in the context of the Anthropocene and its aftermath.