THE MATH BEHIND:

More people have solar panels than iPhones.

Overview

In our world, smartphones defined the 21st century. But in the sheconomy timeline, solar power became the global default.

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When women gained equal power in 1925, research priorities shifted. Female scientists are 25% more likely to direct resources toward environmental solutions. With women making up half of decision-makers, billions more went into renewable energy instead of fossil fuels. This early investment accelerated breakthroughs by decades, driving down costs and scaling adoption worldwide.

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By the early 2000s, solar energy reached grid parity years ahead of schedule. And with women consumers adopting green tech 6% faster, solar spread into homes as quickly as phones once did. By 2023, solar panels became more common than iPhones — the everyday technology powering lives around the world.

Reality data points that informed the research

Women are 12 percentage points more likely to express serious climate concern.

Women scientists allocate 25% more funding to sustainability research.

Events that led up to it

1925

Alternate reality begins

In this experiment, we went back 100 years and made women and men equal in the economy. Key changes included making women 50% of company executives, 50% of stock market investors, 50% of the startup founders getting funded, and 50% of financial decision makers at home.

1930s

Early renewable research funded

Equal representation directs major investments into solar and clean energy.

1950s

Fossil fuel dominance challenged

Women leaders push policy shifts toward sustainable alternatives.

1970s

Solar breakthroughs accelerated

Greater funding achieves key cost reductions decades earlier.

1999

Grid parity achieved

Solar becomes cheaper than fossil fuels 12 years earlier than in our reality.

2000s

Mass adoption of solar homes

Consumer demand, led by women, makes solar the default household choice.

2023

Solar outshines smartphones

More people own solar panels than iPhones.