Biomimicry with Janine M. Benyus

Biomimicry – What We Can Learn From Nature Can Save Our World with Janine M. Benyus

Aired Thursday, 13 October 2016, 7:00 PM ET

Nature is far more wondrous that we think – in fact, as scientists across the globe are proving, the natural world is full of hidden design clues that can save our world. Biomimicry is a revolutionary new science that analyzes nature’s best ideas – spider silk and prairie grass, seashells and brain cells – and adapts them for human use. In her seminal book, Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by Nature, science writer Janine Benyus reveals how nature is offering real solutions to human design challenges that can help us save our world– from creating toxin-free materials, to developing waste-free products and systems, to building entire cities that function like Redwood forests.

Topics will include:

* What leaves can teach us about gathering energy
* What spiders can teach us about weaving fibers
* What chimps can teach us about healing ourselves
* And much more…

About the Guest Janine M. Benyus

JANINE BENYUS is a biologist, author, innovation consultant, and self-proclaimed “nature nerd.” In her 1997 book, Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by Nature, she names an emerging discipline that emulates nature’s designs and processes (e.g., solar cells that mimic leaves) to create a healthier, more sustainable planet. Since the book’s release, Janine has evolved the practice of biomimicry, speaking around the world about what we can learn from the genius that surrounds us.

In 1998, Janine co-founded the world’s first bio-inspired consultancy, Biomimicry 3.8 (formerly the Biomimicry Guild), bringing nature’s sustainable designs to 250+ clients including Boeing, Colgate-Palmolive, Nike, General Electric, Herman Miller, HOK architects, IDEO, Interface, Natura, Procter and Gamble, Levi’s, Kohler, and General Mills.

In 2006, she co-founded the Biomimicry Institute, a non-profit dedicated to making biology a natural part of the design process. The Institute hosts annual global biomimicry design challenges on massive sustainability problems, mobilizing tens of thousands of students and practitioners through the Global Biomimicry Network to solve those challenges, and providing those practitioners with the world’s most comprehensive biomimicry inspiration database, AskNature, to use as a starting place.

https://biomimicry.org/ and http://asknature.org/