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Bio-mimicry: Innovation Inspired by Nature Usha Srinivasan usrinivasan@devalt.org A ll organisms, plants, animals, fungi, algae and bacteria grow, maintain, feed, and reproduce to ensure their short-term and
long-term sustainability. The same is true for humans. Non-human
organisms, by and large, meet their basic life requisites within the
confines and constraints of their environment. Within that habitat
context, they adapt, migrate, or go extinct. Adaptations help sustain
individuals in the short term, and ultimately lead to genetic
adaptations that sustain the species in the long term. Over the last 3.8
billion years, these adaptations have led to the evolution of 30 million
species (and possibly upwards of 100 million), each with its own unique
way of meeting its needs in harmony with its environment. Ecologists
have long been intrigued by how complex, efficient, and effective these
adaptations are. Despite their immense variety, natural systems -
ranging from microscopic amoebas to entire ecosystems and biomes - share
at least one trait. They are limited in their adaptations by the
constraints of their environment and by the natural laws of biology and
hence their long term sustainability is maintained.
Adaptations by peoples of prehistoric and indigenous cultures
closely followed biological laws, because of their close and intimate
relationship with nature. They observed and learned from those organisms
sharing their environments and with similar needs and demands. For
example, Polar bears taught the Eskimos of northern America to build
snow houses and to use fur for warmth; people of the Amazon Basin
observed the toxic effects of the poison dart frog on its predators and
apply that same toxin to their arrows; and early peoples of Africa
observed primates for clues on edible plants. These peoples, living
within the context of their environment and biological laws, evolved
cultures that have sustained for almost 20,000 years. If we wish to
maximize long-term sustainability for the human race, we must emulate
nature in the same way. In recreating our industrial, financial, even
our civil systems, we must ask, “If nature had to create a system that
performed the services and functions that we as humans demand, how would she do it?”
We
have not effectively consulted nature as a source of information,
inspiration, and innovation. We need to look at the natural processes
like the solar-powered transpiration in trees as a means to silently
move tonnes of water up hundreds of feet, at how mangroves desalinate
water, and at how termites regulate the temperatures in their shelters
through structural design.
We
humans are at a turning point in our evolution. Though we began as a
small population in a very large world, we have expanded in numbers and
territories until we are now bursting the seams of that world. There are
too many of us, and our habits are unsustainable.
“How can
we live on this home planet without destroying it?”
“Doing
it nature’s way” has the potential to change the way we grow food, make
materials, harness energy, heal ourselves, store information, and
conduct business. In each case, nature would be a model, a measure, and
a mentor. 
totally biodegradable fibres, ceramics, plastics, and chemicals. Our
farms, modelled on vegetation zones, would be self-fertilizing and
pest-resistant. To find new drugs or crops, we would consult animals and
insects that have used plants for millions of years to keep themselves
healthy and nourished. Even computing would take its cue from nature,
with software that “evolves” solutions, and hardware that uses the
lock-and-key paradigm to compute by touch.In each case, nature would provide the models: solar cells copied from leaves, steely fibers woven spider-style, shatterproof ceramics drawn from mother-of-pearl, cancer cures – thanks to chimpanzees, perennial grains inspired by tall grass, computers that signal like cells, and a closed-loop economy that takes its lessons from redwoods, coral reefs, and oak-hickory forests. Nature as a Measure: Besides providing the model, nature would also provide the measure - we would look to nature as a standard against which to judge the “rightness” of our innovations. Are they life promoting? Do they fit in? How sustainable are they?
Nature as a Mentor: Finally, our relationship with nature would also change. Instead of seeing nature as a source of raw materials, we would see nature as a source of ideas, as a mentor. This would usher in a new era based not on what we can extract from nature, but on what we can learn from her.
We realize that all our inventions have already appeared in nature
in a more elegant form and at a lot less cost to the planet.
Humbling are the hordes of organisms casually performing feats we
can only dream about. Bioluminescent algae splash chemicals together to
light their body lanterns. Arctic fish and frogs freeze solid and then
spring to life, having protected their organs from ice damage. Black
bears hibernate all winter without poisoning themselves on their urea,
while their polar cousins stay active, with a coat of transparent hollow
hairs covering their skins like the panes of a greenhouse. Chameleons
and cuttlefish hide without moving, changing the pattern of their skin
to instantly blend with their surroundings. How do they do it? Bees, turtles, and birds navigate without maps, while whales and penguins dive without any scuba gear. How do dragonflies outmaneuver our best helicopters? How do hummingbirds cross the Gulf of Mexico on less than one tenth of an ounce of fuel? How do ants carry the equivalent of hundreds of pounds in scorching heat through the jungle? Living organisms have managed to do everything we humans want to do, without guzzling fossil fuels, polluting the planet, or mortgaging their future. What better models could there be? Small steps have been taken in the application of biological law to human system design. The principles of sustainable agriculture, green buildings, environmental design, and industrial ecology are based on natural systems. Biological designs, processes, and laws must be translated for accessibility and wider applicability. W hat Should We Do?
Become acquainted with life’s inherently sustainable design principles Learn how to incorporate bio-inspired design techniques in our spheres of work Make earth-friendly products in Earth-friendly ways References 1. “Biomimicry: Innovation inspired by Nature” by Janine Benyus 2. ZERI stories - ZERI (Zero Emission Research and Initiative) was launched by Gunter Pauli. The goal of the Zero Emissions Research Initiative was to respond to people’s needs with what they have, by seeking inspiration from natural systems where several and highly diverse species cluster together and nothing gets wasted. - Janine Benyus is the author of the book “Biomimicry: Innovation inspired by nature” and she has explored this idea and brought together innovators from around the world who are turning towards nature as a mentor. She calls this emulation Biomimicry. “ q |
