Golden Ray of Solar

I want to become more solarpunk and sustainable but going cold turkey is hard. So, I'm starting off with 3 goals a year and add more goals each year to slowly turn more eco-friendly.

Project Pan: Using up what I have to reduce waste and consumption

Cruelty-Free Commitment: Choosing products that honor all life

portable x-ray machine

ear thermometers

shoe insoles

enriched baby formula

fire resistant equipment

anti-icing systems for planes, wind turbines, and cables

video image stabilization

invisible braces

OpenStack

chemical detection

scratch resistant lenses

cordless motor drill and other cordless tools

memory foam

freeze drying

water filters

smoke detectors

artificial limbs

long distance telecommunication

wireless headphones

LED innovations

improved tires

emergency extraction tools like the jaws of life

foil blankets

home insulation

I know that this isn't exactly solarpunk but needs to be said as humanity and science progresses towards space exploration and research.

The International Space Station was first launched in 1998. Outside of research on space exploration, numerous experiments in medicine, fundamental physics, quantum physics, biology and more have been conducted. Over 2,000 publications have been published from research done on the space station with participation to build it from 15 countries and 5 space agencies. The station was supposed to only last for 15 years but due to its massive success, it's life has been extended to over 25 years with talks of its decommission in 2030.

Below are some of the research that was conducted on the station and how that research has helped people back on Earth.

Faster x-ray technology to reduce radiation exposure for patients with better image quality

Research for new drugs for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Forming the components for producing artificial blood for animals

Robotic arm technology in an automotive factory

Multiple research studies conducted by students that have been sent to the station

New water purification system that has been deployed to remote areas around the world

Stem cell research

Multiple studies and data collected from NASA’s ECOSTRESS payload on plants, cities, and water currents to help reduce heat retention in cities, better water allocation, reducing fire risks in forests, helping farmers efficiently deliver water to their farms, etc.

Developed ultrasound procedures and protocols in remote parts of the world which leads to more effective and efficient healthcare for everyone

Air purification system research which led to prolonged shelf life of fruits and veggies in grocery stores, enhanced wine storage conditions, and created air purifiers that eliminate the COVID virus

P&G’s Febreze Unstopables TOUCH Fabric Spray with touch-activated scent release technology from the colloid research (as of 2022, P&G has 3 patents from research conducted on the station)

Artificial retinas research for people who suffer from retinal degenerative diseases

Research on a easier, more convenient and cheaper way for cancer patients to get medicine delivered into their bodies

DNA sequencing microorganisms which would lead to DNA sequencing technology for remote locations on Earth

Body temperature regulation research and new technologies leading to devices to help farmers in extreme heat in Kenya and Burkina Faso along with people in extreme heat jobs like firefighters and fighter pilots

Research on combustion or fluid physics leading to discovery of cool flames (low temperature “burning” after apparent flame extinction that produce carbon monoxide and formaldehyde), better technology of electronic cooling and development of more-efficient, less-polluting vehicles

Experimented with Bose-Einstein condensates for research of quantum physics

Inspiring a new generation of astronauts, engineers, scientists and dreamers to develop better, faster and safer technologies for generations to come

Start small and use what you have. You can use old milk cartons, old cans or even plastic fruit cartons.

I would recommend with starting off with flowers since they are usually easy to grow.

Get cheap seeds at Dollar Tree, especially flowers. They usually have seeds starting around Easter time. Their seeds are not perennial but super easy to take care of.

Also check your local library for seeds (especially for vegetable or fruit seeds). My public library has a seed library that is free to use.

Or use seeds from fruits and veggies from your local farmers' market.

For soil, check your local Lowe's/Home Depot/Tractor Supply for sale on soil. (Sales usually happen around spring break/Easter)

Check your local city (or cities nearby) if they have free mulch and/or compost. My local city gives free compost and mulch for residents and cheap options for non-residents.

Label the containers with masking tape and sharpie. Take photos of the care instructions on the seed packets and keep in separate folder on your photos app.

Dollar Tree also has cheap containers, gloves and gardening tools. I've used mine from there for around 3 years now and they are still going strong. You can also use a spoon and fork if you don't want to get extra tools.

General rule of thumb for watering is if the first inch of the soil is moist, the plant doesn't need water.

Fireflies need cover (mainly leaf litter and tall grasses) during the day and they prefer moist areas.

Avoid chemicals/pesticides and let them live.

Minimize light pollution.

Leave natural, woody debris

Cruelty-free for brand and parent company (unless stated otherwise)

Must be certified by PETA or Leaping Bunny (unless stated otherwise)

Brand and parent company not on the BDS list

Budget friendly (~<$25)

Alba Botanica

Black Girl Sunscreen

Cocokind

Hawaiian Tropic

JASON

Pacifica

Trader Joe’s

Cruelty-free for brand and parent company (unless stated otherwise)

Must be certified by PETA or Leaping Bunny (unless stated otherwise)

Brand and parent company not on the BDS list

Budget friendly (~<$25)

Note: Elf was removed due to their support of the occupation of Palestine.

Acure

Bubble

Byoma

Cake

Cocokind

EOS

Ethique

Garnier (Not Parent Company)

Good Molecules

Humble

JASON

Kitsch

Pacifica

Peace Out

Peach Slices

The Inkey List

Tower 28

Trader Joe’s

Tree Hut

Ulta Beauty Collection

Cruelty-free for brand and parent company (unless stated otherwise)

Must be certified by PETA or Leaping Bunny (unless stated otherwise)

Brand and parent company not on the BDS list

Budget friendly (~<$25)

Boka

Dr. Organic

Hello Products

JASON

The Humble Co

Tom’s of Maine (Not Parent Company)

Cruelty-free for brand and parent company (unless stated otherwise)

Must be certified by PETA or Leaping Bunny (unless stated otherwise)

Brand and parent company not on the BDS list

Budget friendly (~<$25)

Note: Elf, Covergirl and The Ordinary was removed due to their support (or their parent company's support) of the occupation of Palestine.

Colourpop

EcoTools

Essence

Haus Labs by Lady Gaga

LA Colors

LA Girl

Milani

Pacifica

Physicians Formula

Revolution Beauty

Ulta Beauty Collection

Cruelty-free for brand and parent company (unless stated otherwise)

Must be certified by PETA or Leaping Bunny (unless stated otherwise)

Brand and parent company not on the BDS list

Budget friendly (~<$25)

Note: The Ordinary and Eva NYC were removed due to their support of the occupation of Palestine.

Acure

As I Am

Cake

California Naturals

Curlsmith

Ethique

Garnier (Not Parent Company)

Giovanni

Hairitage by Mindy

Hask

Kitsch

JASON

Odele

Olaplex

Pacifica

Rizos Curls

Saltair (Not Certified)

SheaMoisture (Not Parent Company)

Trader Joe’s

Ulta Beauty Collection

Cruelty-free for brand and parent company (unless stated otherwise)

Must be certified by PETA or Leaping Bunny (unless stated otherwise)

Brand and parent company not on the BDS list

Budget friendly (~<$25)

Ariana Grande

by rosie jane

Clean

Dossier

Glossier

Kayali (Not Certified)

LUSH

NEST New York

NOYZ

Pacifica

The 7 Virtues

Cruelty-free for brand and parent company (unless stated otherwise)

Must be certified by PETA or Leaping Bunny (unless stated otherwise)

Brand and parent company not on the BDS list

Budget friendly (~<$25)

Acure

Alba Botanica

Blume

Ethique

Humble

Saltair (Not Certified)

Cruelty-free for brand and parent company (unless stated otherwise)

Must be certified by PETA or Leaping Bunny (unless stated otherwise)

Brand and parent company not on the BDS list

Budget friendly (~<$25)

Acure

Alba Botanica

Blume

Cake

California Naturals

Cocokind

Dr. Teal’s

EOS

Ethique

Humble

JASON

LUSH

Kitsch

Method (Not Parent Company)

Odele

Pacifica

Saltair (Not certified)

SheaMoisture (Not Parent Company)

Trader Joe’s

Tree Hut

Ulta Beauty Collection