'Four Generic Futures' from food futures scenarios…

scenario description

scenario description

After a series of extreme weather events, economic crises and pandemics, it was time for a disciplined descent. The local, national and transnational institutions from the top-down and grass roots initiatives from the bottom-up have began regulating and curbing excess in all aspects of life, from population control to amount and type of food consumed. The regulatory system has imposed taxes and fines enforced by the lifestyle police: production, distribution and consumption of food are highly constrained and regulated. This is the heyday of certification bureaucracy and micro-accountability mafia. People and products are traceable and information-rich, making use of the advanced internet of things. The “quantified self” has entered into the supply chain, making it possible for personalised diets and medicine to be delivered. Strict diets are followed as religions. Cuisine vegetal is one of the least strict regimes followed by many, in order to lower meat production. Meat and fish are still consumed, but rationed and used only as a luxury product.

Where top-down regulations aren’t effective, social enforcement is: neighbours and friends will report misconduct “for your own good”, and punishments are readily accepted as character building. Supply chains are as short as possible, creating small community enclaves with strict immigration procedures. In these enclaves cradle-to-cradle practices are created and protected through customs and rituals. Seed exchanges are authorised and regulated through transnational social networks. Bali (and its traditional agricultural system) and Switzerland are depicted as ideal social organisations where community, religion and economy are tightly intertwined. Food is produced using sustainable farming technologies and ultra-optimised agro-ecology and smart feedback systems. The food supply chain is contained in a circular economy with recycling as a highly valued activity. Outside of the supply chain, environmental protection and rewilding are attempts to conserve what little non-polluted environment is left.

Scenario