Biomimicry
1997
$18.95 (CAN)
Even though Janine Benyus' book Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by Nature has been around since 1997, this may be the first time some of you are encountering the idea. I have to admit that I was new to this concept when I first picked up her book more than two years ago.
Whether new to the topic or not, biomimicry is truly inspiring. The practice of biologists studying species and plants to mimic what they do so "naturally" to help inform how to make new products and processes is just plain cool. And there are loads of great examples of this work in Benyus' book.
Observe, Analyze and Mimic: I've started to realize that many of the books I tend to find the most captivating are ones that take you on a journey. That's what Benyus does in Biomimicry. Readers are taken along to many interviews with biologists and biomimics in the field to show us some of the best examples of how nature is inspiring sustainability shifts in how we grow food, harness energy and manufacture products. The thought is, nature has been around for a very long time - its had to adapt and perform its functions with minuscule resources and waste. Therefore, there are all of these really great examples and ideas that we can borrow from to improve the waste-intensive processes we use today.
Some of best case studies of biomimicry in this book include: following the prairie's system of growth to produce food; manufacturing materials the way nature does (the classic example of the strength of spider silk if one of my favourites); and following the lead of primates in selecting highly nutritious foods and even finding medicines. The lessons of using energy efficiently, seeing waste as a resource, and using material sparingly are ones that every business should follow as part of their operating principles.
Nature, Benyus shows, is so incredibly valuable. There is so much that we can learn from the biodiversity around us. It makes sense, then, to do what we can to slow down and observe what nature has been doing and try to echo and protect these really precious resources. Its a fun read and very relevant to the innovation that is needed in the state of today's economy.
If you're interested, I also recently conducted an interview with Benyus for TerraChoice's eQ publication late in 2010. Read the interview here: http://tinyurl.com/4gbodam.
About the author: A natural sciences writer, innovation consultant and author of six books, Janine Benyus is an accomplished biologist. Some may be familiar with her work as Co-founder of the innovation consultancy Biomimicry Guild and as Founder of The Biomimicry Institute (a not-for-profit promoting learning from and educating about nature). She has an impressive number of environmental and science accolades to her name. The 2009 Champion of the Earth award in Science & Innovation from the United Nations Environmental Programme, the Rachel Carson Environmental Ethics Award and being honoured as one of TIME Magazine's Heroes for the Planet are just a few.
For more information about Benyus and her work, visit: www.biomimicryinstitute.org or www.janinebenyus.com.
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