The Alaska Solar Tour in 2022 was in many ways the best yet and left everyone looking forward to what happens next. We managed to represent in both Anchorage and Fairbanks, and we had good contrast of systems. From one small residential system to the largest system ever to grace the national tour with a utility scale solar project from the top of the world capable of providing seasonal power to over 70 homes. We were blessed to have local and state leadership speak at related events and in Fairbanks got to here from a Space Foundation teacher liaison as we sought to weave the idea that solar, like all clean energy sources, are built to serve the industrious activities of cities large and small.

We extend a heartfelt thanks to the contributions of state Representative Geran Tarr, FNSB Assembly member Savannah Fletcher, Janice Lynn Park, Lyn Franks, Eric Friend, and Marci Ward, speaking for the Space Foundation. We couldn’t have made this happen without the financial, logistical, and technical support from Alascorp, and Solar Punk Magazine. A special shout out to Tom Delong and John Sloan from the local cooperative GVEA who opened and let us tour the utility scale system, answering questions and helping us see how the light becomes power. Without question, the good food and supportive staff from Pike’s Landing was the cherry on the top of a very sweet Sunday afternoon in October.  Thank you all for it making a great day and marking the calendar for another successful event.

As for what happens next, well, that’s where thing get really exciting! Unknown to many Mrs. Ward has been working for a number of years with the Space Foundation to introduce the next generation to the current generation of astronauts and, often at her own expense, bringing up these inspiring figures every other year.  Also, working diligently in the background, as they all dutifully do, local teacher Beck Hanson has been inspiring her student to engage in the future by adapting elements of the Future City competition hosted, nationally by DiscoverE as a lesson plan for her middle school students.

Although we host the annual solar tour and regenerative planet summits, ARK, essentially is a workforce development group gearing to serve as a component of mainstreaming the regenerative economy. This year we were inspired to put solar in the context of clean homes and green cities as a way to keep moving the future forward.  Drawing on the American Solar Energy Society annual event, the Future City competition, and the Space Foundation we created the Tour of Future Cities. Homes, businesses, schools, roads, infrastructure, industry, and social services can seem overwhelming when looking though a microscope but through a telescope that are all critical components of a cluster of development, we call a city. From a densely populated urban core to the most remote Alaska village, to sustainable, grow, and thrive, they both need culture, commerce, an economic base, and as always, Nature is the force that bring it all together to endure.

Enter Ecodistricts. A method of measuring the metrics that lowers the cost of living and improving the quality of life for all. Utilized as a city planning tool, permaculture is the design science that honors and replicated ancient indigenous wisdom. Through their voluntary protocol, communities large and small can organize and assemble a comprehensive civic strategy for influencing the economic development strategies. This plan of action drives investment priorities with a focus on climate resilience, civic independence, and food sovereignty as the short-term investment that yields the best long-term profits for us and those who come after.

The Future City competition is only open to middle school aged kids and concludes in January. However, the Arctic Innovation Competition is ongoing with submissions due in March and awards given out on Earthday Saturday, April 22^nd. As we get into the swing of annual deadlines for multiple events, we see how the prompt of “how do you see your city in 100 years” is an inspiring question that when incentivized can motivate folks to put their best ideas forward. With a $2000 kicker prize for climate resiliency its sure to get people looking up.

To many the world right now seems dark and divided, the Tour of Future Cities is an opportunity to rise above the partisan politics and divergent goals to find common ground in a clear vision of a positive and peaceful future.

Stay tuned for future events.