In honor of @wendys embrace of surge pricing (rechristened as discounts during down times due to backlash)…we wanted to share a very short food fiction we made in the winter of 2023: ECOSYSTEM SERVICE SURGE PRICING.
In the world of “Ecosystem Service Surge Pricing,” a revolutionary economic system transforms consumer habits. Here, the cost of every item dynamically reflects the ecosystem services it either supports or hinders. This shift profoundly impacts food and farming, where the cost of a menu perpetually oscillates based on the environmental impact of its offerings.
In a bustling urban eatery, patrons scan digital menus, their eyes widening as prices update in real-time. The once-favored beef burger now carries a premium, its cost elevated due to its substantial environmental footprint. In contrast, dishes made from locally sourced vegetables and sustainable grains are surprisingly affordable.
Amid this economic metamorphosis, consumers find their tastes evolving. Dishes once overlooked, like a salad of wild greens or a stew of ancient grains, become culinary trends. People start to savor flavors they never considered, guided by prices that nudge them towards environmentally benign choices.
Farmers, too, adapt. They shift from resource-intensive crops to diverse, eco-friendly farming practices, finding new markets ready to embrace their sustainable produce. This new economic paradigm fosters a symbiotic relationship between consumer choice and environmental stewardship, reshaping the culinary landscape.
In this world, every purchase is a vote for the planet, and eaters, guided by fluctuating prices, unwittingly become guardians of the earth, their palates expanding in harmony with nature’s needs.