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 Introduction5:52 Solarpunk Technologies in Australia25:06 Aussie Solarpunk Communities 47:00 Solarpunk Culture in Australia 1:01:50 Good News StoriesWant 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

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 Introduction04:40 A brief history of climate change science15:50 Where this brings us (the problem)35:55 The solution (it's solarpunk)1:05:05 Good news storiesWant 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/

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 Introduction20:52 The science and benefits of optimism30:17 Unlocking your future super-empowered optimistic self38:01 The power of sharing optimism with others49:18 Good News StoriesWant 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 SustainableImaginable (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-bankingPlaces 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/)

Happy silly season! This December we’re exploring what a solarpunk community looks like when the sun goes down, and the delightful subgenre that is ~lunarpunk~ 🌃🌙💜. We touch on human-nature relationships after dark 🦉, solarpunk technologies at nighttime (think bioluminescence, decolonial space travel 🛰️🪼🍄), and also what evening culture and festivals could look like in a solarpunk/lunarpunk future 🪅. Press play to learn more!Episode time stamps:0:00 Introduction7:37 Human-nature relationships at night21:08 Solarpunk technology at night41:40 Solarpunk evening culture and spirituality1:00:41 Good news from our world!Want more? Here are some things that we spoke about in this episode that we recommend:- What is lunarpunk? (https://solarpunkmagazine.com/what-is-lunarpunk/)- The Matrix Resurrection Brings Lunarpunk to the Big Screen (https://solarpunkmagazine.com/the-matrix-resurrection-brings-lunarpunk-to-the-big-screen/)- Avatar (2009 film)- Star Trek- Octavia Butler’s ‘Earthseed’ series- For too long, colonial language has dominated space exploration. There is a better way (https://theconversation.com/for-too-long-colonial-language-has-dominated-space-exploration-there-is-a-better-way-264886)- Tender for the night: After-dark cultural complexities in the night-time economy (https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10304312.2011.617875)- Towards 24 Hour Cities: Reflection on Night-time Economy Policy Accelerator (https://worldcitiescultureforum.com/report/5th-edition/night-time-economy/)- Danny Bettay on Designing our Future Skies (https://cybernetics.anu.edu.au/news/2024/06/20/Danny-Bettay-on-designing-our-future-skies/)- Peter Swanton is using Indigenous knowledge to study the stars (https://reporter.anu.edu.au/all-stories/our-knowledges-are-significant-peter-swanton-indigenous-astronomy)Good News Stories:https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10-27/labor-rules-out-ai-training-copyright-exceptions/105935740https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2rz08en2po.amp

What happens when companies lie about their sustainability or pretend to be solarpunk? 🤥 Enter, the deceptive act of greenwashing 🤢⚠️⚠️ Press play to learn where the phrase comes from, why companies might do it, and how countries and communities are already combatting it to make the world a little more solarpunk! Bring your best selves, it’s not every day that a new Sci_Burst episode also coincides with a Taylor Swift album drop AND Mean Girls Day 😉☀️Episode time stamps:0:00 Introduction3:30 What is Greenwashing?21:45 Solarpunk washing ... it's a thing45:42 Moving away from greenwashing to the future of a more circular, sustainable, and solarpunk world58:47 Good news (clothing/fashion edition)Want more? Here are some things we spoke about in this episode that we recommend:• Greenwashing: Do you know what you’re buying? https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2898878/• Big oil coined ‘carbon footprints’ to blame us for their greed. Keep them on the hook (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/aug/23/big-oil-coined-carbon-footprints-to-blame-us-for-their-greed-keep-them-on-the-hook) • Concepts and forms of greenwashing: a systematic review (https://enveurope.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s12302-020-0300-3)• Jay Westerveld (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jay_Westerveld)• How to spot greenwashing buzzwords Instagram post https://www.instagram.com/p/DIxyiZXtZ46/?img_index=8&igsh=Mmgxc3JvN3Bva2V0• McDonald’s rolling out green logo in Europe (https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna34111784)• H&M Case Shows How Greenwashing Breaks Brand Promise (https://www.forbes.com/sites/retailwire/2022/07/13/hm-case-shows-how-greenwashing-breaks-brand-promise/)• Solarpunk, ESG and Greenwashing: How Firms Appeal to Green Investors (https://corporateinsight.com/solarpunk-esg-and-greenwashing-how-firms-appeal-to-green-investors/)• ASIC continues action on misleading claims to deter greenwashing misconduct(https://www.asic.gov.au/about-asic/news-centre/find-a-media-release/2024-releases/24-185mr-asic-continues-action-on-misleading-claims-to-deter-greenwashing-misconduct/)• Greenhushing: What is it, and why do companies do it? (https://lens.monash.edu/@cop/2024/10/29/1387058/greenhushing-what-is-it-and-why-do-companies-do-it)Good News Stories:https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/land-use-biodiversity/french-senate-backs-law-curb-ultra-fast-fashion-2025-06-10/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-24/australian-designer-takes-paper-clothing-to-catwalk/105319424

Loved the Superman (2025) movie and looking for more #punk hope? 👩‍🎤 You've come to the right place! Listen to this episode to learn all about the punk of #solarpunk, where it came from, and how it differs (in a very good way!) from other -punk genres like #cyberpunk and #steampunk 😎🤙 Kindness and optimism, with a dash of #sustainability, are officially IN!☀️🫶💛Episode Time Stamps:0:00 Episode intro1:36 What even is 'punk'? Definitions14:52 Punk in Solarpunk vs punk adjacent genres35:00 Towards a punk-i-fied future41:14 Good news segmentWant More? Here are some of the things we spoke about in this episode that we recommend:- Punk Identities, Punk Utopias: Global Punk and Media edited by Matt Grimes- “Solarpunk” & the Pedagogical Value of Utopia" by Isaijah Johnson (https://www.susted.com/wordpress/content/solarpunk-the-pedagogical-value-of-utopia_2020_05/)- Where is the Punk in Solarpunk? Questioning Tradition and Innovation in an Eco-optimist Digital Aesthetic? by Théo Maligeay (https://hal.science/hal-04295131v2/document)- Global cyberpunk: Reclaiming utopia in Japanese cyberpunk film by Sasha Myerson (https://www.liverpooluniversitypress.co.uk/doi/10.3828/sfftv.2020.21)- Planting Seeds of Hope: A Survey of Solarpunk Futures by Dilan Guner- Solarpunk: Notes toward a manifesto by Adam Flynn (https://hieroglyph.asu.edu/2014/09/solarpunk-notes-toward-a-manifesto/)Good News Stories:https://www.euronews.com/green/2025/04/17/clean-energy-from-rain-scientists-generate-electricity-from-falling-dropletshttps://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/infant-rare-incurable-disease-first-successfully-receive-personalized-gene-therapy-treatment#scicomm #popculture #radicaloptimism #kindness

On this sunny Sunday morning we bring you our final episode for Season 2! Join us, and special guest Isaac Martin, as we talk all things renewable energy ☀️, technologies of the desert 🐪, and the future of Australian car culture 🚗✨We explore Australia’s #potential as a sustainability hub & clean energy superpower 💚💛, the impacts & innovation of initiatives like the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge & ANU Solar Racing 🏎️, and all this alongside #popculture like Max Max and Summernats 😎…and if you listen till the end, you’ll discover our theme for Season 3 😉😉

What do ballon art and storytelling have in common? They are both great avenues for Science Communication AND are skills of this episode's guest: Dr Chloe Lim. Join us as we enter the amazing world that is SciComm for Kids! We're talking DIY science kits, STEM themed books, and even baking. This feel good episode also touches on being a business babe and a shining light for CALD voices in STEM. So press play and enjoy :)

Why do science labs look like *that* ? What is alchemy? What came before the science we know today? And what does spiderman have to do with all of this? Our guest Lilia deep dives with us into the history of science talking about alchemy, astrology, greek myths, spiderman, star trek and so much more. If you've ever wanted to know why evil/mad/genius science labs look like *that* in fiction - you've come to the right place! Add to the conversation! Let us know your thoughts on our socials @sci_burst or via our gmail sciburstpodcast@gmail.com ✨ Stay nerdy and we'll see you in the next episode.

Today marks the release of our 20th full length episode, all about sign language! 😲🎉🙌 Ever wondered how sign languages like Auslan communicate scientific concepts and handle technobabble? Or how signing is represented on screen & fictional pop culture media like Bluey, CODA and Dune? Join us and our special guest Bailey Kennedy - who has a vast array of knowledge in these areas - to find out! Add to the conversation! Let us know your thoughts on our socials @sci_burst or via our gmail sciburstpodcast@gmail.com ✨ Stay nerdy folks and we'll see you in the next episode.

Don't PANIC ! 😎✨It's Sci_Burst time Join us and our very special guest Adrian Schmidt in this episode as we explore Artificial Intelligence (AI). Together we dive into AI's recent surge in popularity, its appearances in popular culture, and its use in art installations across the globe. Add to the conversation! Let us know your thoughts on our socials @sci_burst or via our gmail sciburstpodcast@gmail.com ✨ Stay nerdy and we’ll see you in the next episode of Season 2!

For our final episode of Season 1, we’re ending on an uplifting note with a sustainable and optimistic vision of the future 💖 This one’s a little intro to the emerging sci-fi subgenre, aesthetic, and movement that is ☀️ Solarpunk ☀️ Join us in exploring solarpunk worlds in pop culture, where we might see them in the near future, and what a harmonious relationship between nature, community, and technology can look like. As always, let us know your thoughts on our socials @sci_burst or via our gmail sciburstpodcast@gmail.com ✨ And while we are taking a break from releasing episodes for a little bit, we will be very contactable and active online. Stay nerdy and we’ll see you in Season 2!

The elements - a scientific concept that emerged from natural philosophy and alchemy - permeate pop culture to the nth degree. In this episode, we discuss chemistry's roots, science and magic, and the colourful portrayals of the 'classical' elements in contemporary pop culture💧🔥🌬️🪨 Join us in exploring the wonderful metaphors that come with these representations and what they say about our understanding of science - from Pixar's "Elemental" and "Avatar: The Last Airbender" to "Potion Permit" and Pokémon"!