Main activities
Six lines of work, one goal. Reduce, and where possible reverse, the damage human activity does to the planet, and raise the quality of every life on it through science.
What does a humanity-run project for our planet actually do on a Tuesday? It writes, it teaches, it builds tools, it talks to the people who make decisions, and it turns out the lights so a town can see the stars. Here is the whole picture.
A. Explaining problems, and what fixes them
We publish clear, sourced explainers on everything our initiatives cover: water and plastic pollution, sea-level rise, resource use, energy, light pollution and healthy-ageing research. Every explainer lists its sources and is free to reuse under CC BY-SA 4.0.
B. Free education for everyone
A child with a phone should be able to plan a trip to Mars, for free, in their own language.
Our current priority is the Magenta Initiative: a free learning platform on the solar system, orbital mechanics, space travel and the space economy. Lessons come at three depths, from a first look to university level, so everyone can start where they are, with interactive tools that run on ordinary phones. No account needed.
C. A bridge between science and the real economy
Environmental problems are often treated as purely technical. In practice they are also economic and regulatory. We explain the evidence to the people who decide how things are made and financed:
- Industry: the real footprint of processes and supply chains, and cleaner alternatives.
- Governments and regulators: how policies such as deposit-return schemes, lighting ordinances and producer responsibility perform in practice.
- Finance: how capital can favour low-carbon and carbon-negative projects.
D. Awareness campaigns
We run information campaigns, online and through volunteer events, aimed at the people most affected by a problem and least likely to hear about it. The Light Initiative’s dark-sky evenings are one example.
E. A research network
The International Research Network is a free, closed forum where qualified researchers can discuss work in progress with peers.
F. Local action through chapters
Chapters are local volunteer groups that organise events, talks and dark-sky observations. Chapters do not collect money on behalf of Local Solar System; all donations go through our donation gateway.
Who pays for it
All activities are paid for from the Treasury, supplied by voluntary crypto donations. The Treasury covers everything the project needs: the people who build it, suppliers and services, servers, software and licences, research and testing, and administration. See donate and the public ledger.