A better future is emerging. Here are five examples.

Welcome to my new Substack 🚀

“The old world is dying, and the new world struggles to be born; now is the time of monsters.” — Antonio Gramsci

“Another world is not only possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing.” — Arundhati Roy

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In my videos on Instagram and TikTok, I talk about the ways we can work together to build a better future. By “better,” I mean a future that is more just, more sustainable, and more enjoyable for humans and other species.

But times are changing — and arguably not for the better. Look around and you’ll notice that global world order of the past few decades is breaking down around us. During this slow (but accelerating) death of the old world — during this “time of monsters,” as Gramsci put it — authoritarian regimes are taking advantage of the uncertainty to consolidate their political power.

Within this broader context, it can be difficult to imagine a “better future.”

But the good news is: We don’t need to imagine it, because a better world is already emerging. It is happening around us, right now. And on days when “fixing” things feels overwhelming — when it feels like things are changing so fast that we can barely keep up — perhaps it can be helpful to remind ourselves to simply notice the good things, and ideally, find ways to usher them more quickly into existence.

So I thought a great way to kick off my new Substack(!) would be to share a few already-existing, emergent examples of a better future — both to ground our future discussions, and, hopefully, to remind us of the good things already happening. Along with each example, I’ve shared a few ideas for how to get involved.

Without further ado, here are 5 emergent examples that give me hope:

Emergence 1: Rise in post-capitalist ownership models

Across the world, a growing number of businesses and communities are rejecting extractive capitalism in favor of cooperative, worker-owned, and community-led ownership models. As more of these projects emerge and succeed, they’re proving that ownership doesn’t have to be concentrated in the hands of the few (read: the 1%).

One of the most successful examples of this shift is the Mondragón Corporation in Spain, a vast federation of worker-owned cooperatives employing over 80,000 people. Mondragón has been around for nearly seven decades, and its impressive success proves that cooperative ownership can scale profitably while maintaining democratic governance. Another example: In the UK, Suma Wholefoods operates as a worker cooperative where employees have equal pay and decision-making power, demonstrating that equitable ownership can work in competitive markets. And Barcelona has become a hub for “platform cooperatives,” offering alternatives to extractive gig economy platforms: Mensakas, a worker-owned food delivery service, provides a just alternative to companies like Deliveroo; and Som Energia, a renewable energy cooperative, empowers citizens to take control of their energy production.

If you’re inspired by these examples, consider supporting local cooperatives, advocating for community wealth-building policies, or even exploring cooperative ownership models in your own workplace. (Investors and CEOs, we’re looking at you.) You can also find ways to support nonprofits who are pushing for more cooperative and employee ownership, like Zebras United or Ownership Works here in the US.

Emergence 2: Growing self-determination and influence of Indigenous movements

Indigenous communities worldwide are gaining increased recognition, funding, and political power, empowering them to reclaim land, steward natural resources, and lead governance initiatives rooted in ancestral knowledge and sustainability.

One powerful example is the First Nations Land Management Act (FNLMA) in Canada, which grants Indigenous communities control over their lands without requiring federal oversight. This has empowered many First Nations to develop sustainable economies and protect their environments on their own terms. Meanwhile, popular movements like Land Back in North and Latin America are quickly gaining ground, with Indigenous communities reclaiming stewardship of their traditional lands and implementing sustainable practices that challenge the logic of capitalist exploitation. In South America, Indigenous groups in Ecuador and Bolivia have successfully pushed for legal recognition of the Rights of Nature, ensuring ecosystems are protected as living entities under the law. And within global climate negotiations, Indigenous-led groups are slowly but steadily gaining influence.

You can support Indigenous movements by advocating for local Land Back initiatives, taking courses in Indigenous-led conservation practices, or donating to Indigenous-led organizations working on climate justice and self-determination.

Emergence 3: Advancements in post-growth economic policymaking

For decades, economic success has been measured by GDP growth, but more nations and cities are questioning this outdated metric and pioneering new policies that prioritize human and ecological wellbeing over endless expansion. This is especially relevant in the Global North, where economic growth has progressed well beyond ecological limits — and beyond what’s needed for human flourishing.

The Wellbeing Economy Governments (WEGo) Alliance, which includes Scotland, New Zealand, Finland, and Wales, is leading this shift by embedding wellbeing indicators into national policymaking. Instead of chasing GDP growth at all costs, these nations are focusing on reducing inequality, improving public health, and ensuring ecological sustainability. Similarly, several cities — most notably Amsterdam — have adopted Kate Raworth’s Doughnut Economics framework, redesigning city policies to operate within both social and planetary boundaries. Meanwhile, the body of research on post-growth economics has continued to progress, recently culminating in a Beyond Growth Conference at the European Parliament, and a UN resolution to “go beyond gross domestic product” that was adopted at the inaugural UN Summit for the Future in 2024.

Advocating for wellbeing-oriented policy changes in your own community — through local government participation, advocacy, or grassroots organizing — can help bring these approaches to more places. For a playbook on how to apply these ideas to your local context, check out the Doughnut Economics Action Lab (DEAL).

Emergence 4: Wellbeing-oriented urban transformations

Across the globe, urban spaces are being transformed into greener, more communal, less car-dominated environments — all for the sake of improving the lives of local citizens.

Paris, for example, has embraced the 15-minute city model, aiming to ensure that residents can access work, schools, healthcare, and leisure within a short walk or bike ride from their homes. In Bogotá, an extensive network of car-free streets and public transport expansions is reshaping the urban landscape, improving air quality and fostering stronger community connections. Meanwhile, Barcelona’s superblocks are reclaiming streets from cars, converting them into vibrant pedestrian spaces filled with trees, parks, and local businesses.

These transformations demonstrate that urban spaces can be designed for people, not profit. Whether by pushing for better public transit, pedestrian-friendly policies, or urban greening initiatives in your own town/city, there are many ways to get involved in this shift toward human-centered cities. Have you tried guerilla gardening yet? :)

Emergence 5: Innovations in commons-based models for public infrastructure

A renewed focus on the commons is offering a viable alternative for managing resources, knowledge, and infrastructure in democratic and sustainable ways.

One of the most exciting developments in this space is the resurgence of community-owned energy projects, such as Germany’s Bürgerenergie movement, where over 1,000 citizen cooperatives collectively own renewable energy infrastructure. In the digital sphere, the rise of decentralized social media platforms like Mastodon offer an alternative to corporate-owned networks, giving users control over their online interactions. Similarly, open-source technology projects — like OpenStreetMap, a community-led alternative to Google Maps — are challenging the dominance of Big Tech by creating decentralized alternatives to AI and software monopolies. And there is a growing focus on ways companies can implement regenerative business practices to help restore the commons in their areas of operation.

By supporting and participating in local commons-based projects — community gardens, cooperative housing, open-source tech, energy co-ops, etc. — we can help contribute to building a more democratic and sustainable future.

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Taken together, these emergences signal that the “new world” Gramsci spoke about is already emerging — piecemeal, imperfectly — but undeniably.

These alternatives are showing us what comes next. The question is: How will each of us find our own way to participate in building it?

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Going forward, I’ll use Substack to do deeper dives (like this one) into topics that are referenced in my videos. I’d really appreciate it if you subscribe, and/or share this with someone you think would be interested. Thanks :)

-Michael