Let’s connect and begin imagining our desirable alternative world, Earth 2.0.
Before diving into the series, I wanted to pause and share a bit about how I got here, what I’ve been reflecting on, what lies ahead, and a bit about who I am.
I’ve been away from Substack for a while. The truth is, creating the kind of content I really want to put out takes time. I’ve been waiting to start this new series properly, and after returning from London, I finally felt ready to give it the focus it deserves.
As part of this new beginning, I also reorganized my blog and opened a paid subscription. Writing here isn’t about money for me. I’m doing something I’m truly passionate about, and honestly my mind is already constantly occupied with these topics. This is part of my vision. I also love connecting with like-minded people here.
But if paid subscriptions help me dedicate more time and reach more people (and I heard it also boosts Substack visibility), then I’m willing to experiment. Most of my content will remain free, but for those who’d like to support, the option is there. My hope is simply that this allows Earth 2.0 to travel further.
Since we haven’t really introduced ourselves properly, here’s a little about me. (And I’d love it if you shared something about yourself too, whether in the comments or through any channel you prefer. I don’t usually enjoy talking about myself, but I’ll try!)
I’m Aysu, a critical optimist passionate about sustainability, impact, systemic change, and AI. My sustainability-related career journey began when my project was selected among the Global Top 50 in the Google Solution Challenge and later featured on Google’s blog. Since then, I’ve founded startups, built tools, and worked across business development and content creation, always at the intersection of sustainability, AI, AR, and behavior change. Originally from Istanbul, I now live something like a digital nomad life across Europe and the UK.
This series is about imagining our desirable alternative world in its simplest form. Together, we’ll explore questions like: What would its economy look like? What about culture, morality, governance, or technology?
As I see it, sustainability is not a “framable” problem; it is a system design challenge from day one. One of my missions, as I’ve mentioned in earlier posts, is to make sustainability problems visible everywhere and a little bit fun. Because honestly, what has ever reached a meaningful solution without engaging the masses? If we want sustainability to move beyond a niche or marginal concern and truly resonate with people, maybe we need to rethink how we present it.
In today’s world, almost everyone is already aware of the climate crisis. And at the same time, most people face daily challenges because of the systems we live within. Talking about heavy, often overwhelming issues like sustainability can sometimes feel less appealing compared to the instant dopamine loops we are surrounded by, like Netflix, TikTok, or Instagram. That’s why I don’t believe a constant flood of negative attitudes or exaggerated numbers will bring us closer to solutions. It feels like we’re kicking down a door that’s already wide open. People know there’s a problem, but what comes after “Yes, we believe this, and yes, we want to change”? The next step isn’t clear.
When you live inside a cage, you don’t always realize you’re in one. That’s why this blog Earth 2.0, for myself as much as for others, is about stretching boundaries, opening minds, and recognizing just how many alternatives exist. The more time we spend exploring these, the further we can move away from the dystopian narratives that often dominate sustainability and also inaction. To be honest, since the Trump era I’ve found myself almost unconsciously creating projects like Eco-Anxiety Guard and other experiments, simply as ways to cope.
I am not an expert in any one thing. I just bring these conversations to the table. And please you don’t need to be an expert either in order to join. For too long, unfortunately sustainability has been marginalized, trapped inside frameworks, metrics, and urgent policy jargon. Many people turn away when they hear about it. They feel excluded, or even helpless. But unless sustainability becomes simplified, relatable, and openly discussed, it won’t move forward apparently I think. (I don’t say this to blame anyone, it’s something I’ve also experienced myself. I’ve noticed so many times that when I talked about my own sustainability work using abbreviations or jargon, people simply didn’t understand me.) That’s why I created six Earth 2.0 characters. When you feel hesitant, you can always step into the shoes of one of the six characters. They are here to partner with us on this journey.
My aim with Earth 2.0 characters is for the outcomes to be more realistic and inclusive at the core, not just my personal ideas. I wanted to imagine what it would look like if six characters sat around a table discussing global problems and actually came up with something meaningful. Of course, global problems aren’t sweet or easy, they’re difficult, urgent, and sometimes heavy. So why not make the process of exploring them a little more fun?
And please remember: Everything is still experimental, so please don’t hold back your feedback.
Finally, my goal is not to judge or rank economic models, for example, as good or bad. What I want is to open up alternatives, to allow us to imagine different ways of living. To bring conversations about the economy and sustainability out of the margins, away from being the sole property of academics or policymakers. These are not rocket science. They are things that affect our daily lives now, and will affect our children’s lives even more. So they should not stay behind closed doors. You don’t need a degree or a title to think about them. Every day, we live inside systems that often leave us frustrated. Instead of only blaming politicians, maybe we need to ask ourselves: what kind of system would actually make us happy?
At the end of the day, everything operates within supply and demand. That’s why I believe real change starts with awareness powered by knowledge, grows with imagination, and becomes real through action.
Our first stop will be participatory economics. We’ll explore what it is, put it under a kind of “stress test” through the Earth 2.0 lens, and see what lessons or possibilities we might extract. One of the Earth 2.0 characters will share their perspective, reflecting on this model through a real-world case. In future posts, I also plan to invite guest contributors to speak as these characters, giving their unique takes on global challenges.
If you’d like to be a guest contributor yourself, feel free to reach out. And if you’re curious which of the Earth 2.0 characters you might be, you can take the test. For more details about the characters and their traits, you can also read my earlier post.
I’m excited for the journey ahead, and I’d love to hear your thoughts and expectations. Until the next post, take good care.
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