| | January 5, 2006 – Panel discussion on the book, Biomimicry by Janine M. Benyus
The book is frequently referenced in green building circles and presentations.
The main emphasis is connectivity to nature. By observing the small things it is possible to get a better grasp of the big picture.
Look at events in the recent news to see how this is true:Miners killed in accidentUS is dependant on coal for electricity, negative effects include:
i. Pollution
ii. Mercury emissions
iii. Government has not signed Kato treaty because of emissions
Effects on rainforestCleared land causes in crease in malariaGold mining causes negative effects on environment and increase in malariaTsunami – primitive society on island off coast of IndiaPeople expected the civilization to be devastatedIn tune with nature, saw warning signs and went to higher groundWe, the advanced society was caught off-guard
Premise of book
Look to nature to find solutions, examples:
1. spider’s web holds more weight proportionately than anything we can build
2. Wright brothers studied flight of birds to learn about drag and lift. Used this information to design their airplane
I. Nature runs on sunlight
a. How do leaves use the sun’s energy
b. How do we interact with the seasons, the change in sunlight. Do we go to bed earlier because it gets dark earlier and vice versa? Do we honor our needs for more or les sleep depending on the season?
II. Nature Rewards Cooperation
a. Biologists do research to do the research. Information needs to be shared between various disciplines in order for innovative ideas to be extrapolated and other applications for the knowledge to be realized.
b. Integrated design –
i. bringing everyone to the design table earlier
ii. using all the resources available to see how all parts of the design can work together
1. traditional resources: civil engineers, landscapers, architects
2. non-traditional: biologists, etc.
III. Nature Banks on Diversity
IV. Nature Demands Local Expertise
a. What plants existed in Indiana before man came and cleared the land
i. Number of species then was very great
ii. Number of species now is small
b. Permaculture – sustainable lifestyle
V. Nature Curbs Excess from Within
a. When you reach limits, things die
i. Ancient cities were limited to 30-50,000 inhabitants because of carrying capacity of surrounding land
ii. Rome was more than 1 million, but it required such a great infrastructure, army and bureaucracy which eventually caused its demise at which time the city returned to the optimal size
VI. Nature Taps the Power of Limits
a. Produce more food, population grows
b. We have the technology to produce much more, but should we?
VII. Nature Uses Only the Energy it needs
a. By looking at nature we can improve
b. Nature is simple, we make things more complex than they need to be
i. Box fish – few bones, but very strong structure
ii. Converted into computer program, using to design new products
iii. Car design, new designs reduce weight by 60% stronger, lighter and cheaper to build
VIII. Nature Fits Form to Function
IX. Nature Recycles Eveything
a. We have not faced implications of not returning energy to system
How do we take this information and use it as a guideline for living?
Janine Benyus answers this question with a list found on pp.253-254 of her book.
“Organisms in mature ecosystems:Use waste as a resourceDiversify and cooperate to fully use the habitatGather and use energy efficientlyOptimize rather than maximizeUse materials sparinglyDon’t foul their nestsDon’t draw down resourcesRemain in balance with the biosphereRun on informationShop locally
How can we apply these principles? RecyclingPlastic is made from stored sunlight, yet we throw it away readilyGlass is difficult to recycle – no market, plastic has taken its place, more convenientPackaging and transportingUses valuable resourcesProduce and use resources locallyEasiest solution is not necessarily the best for the long runRural areas have no curbside recyclingUsing waste as a resourceCorporations which had to take back a product after its useful life was over would have a different approach to design and materials used.City PlanningTake nasty businesses away from where people live
i. Ex. Tannery was always on the edge of town
ii. Manufacturing is on edge of townThrown out good with bad
i. Too many zoning classifications
ii. Not enough integration in citiesSuburban auto-dependant lifestyle is not convenient
i. Recapture small town experience
ii. New urban experience
iii. integrated business with housingKeep the integrated nature of old communities
i. Small communities provide sense of neighborhood
ii. Create same feeling within a larger town by neighborhoodsManufacturing
i. Can integrate somewhat in urban areas depending on level of pollution created
ii. Ft. Wayne has traditionally had a zone around the railroad, still exists and is being reinvigoratedBigger is Better – or maybe not
i. Wal-Mart
ii. Is it worth saving 15 cents on a gallon of milk by driving 5 miles?House SizeLots of books on use of space in a small houseSize of average new house is 30% largerPeople can afford more so they want moreCreate housing choices based on needs
i. Small houses for couples
ii. Larger houses for families
iii. Smaller houses for retireesQuality of life dependant on neighborhood Larger homes for space to do hobbies, etc.
i. What about using community spaces for this instead?
ii. Co-housing incorporated this ideaTransient nature of populationPeople move oftenChange jobs every 3-5 yearsElectricity40% of electricity is lost in transmissionlocal generation of electricity via solar and wind power
Discussing these topics is great, but how does it change the status quo?
Helps change the mentality of people. Raises awareness, educates others, builds a sense of community.
Biomimicry is learning from the locals, i.e. aborigines and American Indians, living in balance with nature.
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