Biomimicry as a Sustainable Business Tool: Nature Inspires Impact and Profitability.

By James Diebel, Sustainability Analyst, DevryBV Sustainable Strategies

Photo credit: PBS.

What is biomimicry?

Biomimicry is the practice of learning from nature to create and design more sustainable products, processes, and systems. Biomimicry can be applied to almost any industry, but it is currently most commonly used in architecture, design, material sourcing, healthcare, robotics, transportation, and textiles. Biomimicry is responsible for countless technological advances and improvements to existing practices in recent years. One of the most famous examples of biomimicry is the creation of Velcro, inspired by the hooks on burrs that cling to fur. Other examples include the bullet train inspired by the Kingfisher, coastal ecosystem restoration inspired by oysters, and even underwater adhesive inspired by mussels.

Why does biomimicry matter for the evolution of sustainable businesses?

Using nature as inspiration allows us to find more sustainable and natural ways of managing modern issues. The natural world is a steady force that has existed since our inception and will be around long after we are all gone. If we look at how nature has adapted and changed over time to be resilient, we can make our designs and processes more resilient. Biomimicry will help us solve some of the most significant issues businesses face regarding climate change. Reforestation efforts have improved by learning the best conditions for planting and growing. Carbon capture tech is based on photosynthesis in trees, and sourcing naturally produced biodegradable materials mimicking natural objects allows us to reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfills.

Learning from natural life, which has survived for thousands of years without releasing copious amounts of carbon dioxide into the environment, is one of the most sustainable ways of approaching modern issues. Biomimicry guides us to better adapt to our changing environment and any issues we may face in the future.

What is Biomimetics24?

Panelists at the Biomimetics24 Conference, University of Minnesota, October 8, 2024.

Biomimetics24, conceived, created and organized by Michael Wright, former high tech executive and futurist, and hosted by the University of Minnesota, is a gathering of the biomimetics industry. This conference brings together academia, researchers, policymakers, native nations, and businesses to discuss the state and future of biomimicry.

The inaugural symposium is today, on October 8th, 2024, at the Northrop Best Buy Theatre in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Biomimetics24 features an excellent group of expert speakers covering all areas of biomimicry, from research to application and more. At Biomimetics24, our CEO, Devry Boughner Vorwerk, will lead a panel on valuing ‘The Humanverse™’ leading up to our Humanverse™ Summit the following day on October 9th at the Hennepin in Minneapolis. The panel will highlight the Humanverse™ business model, prioritizing outcomes for nature and people.

Biomimetics24 Agenda:

8:00-8:10 am Possibilities, Purpose, Pragmatism,  Persistence, and Patience …Pays.

8:10-8:30 Welcome / Transformative Opportunities  Offered Through Bio-inspired and Biomimetic Pathways.

8:30-9:00 Biomimetic Regional  Development: A Northern Minnesota Case Study.

9:00-9:30 Hypernatural: Architecture's Evolving Relationship with  Nature.

9:45-10:15 Decay and Regeneration in Architecture.

10:15-10:45 Bringing More Biology into Biomimetics:  Opportunities and Challenges.

10:45-11:15 Biomimicry  Innovation: A View From The University-Industry Interface.

11:15-11:45 Beyond Anthropocentric Design.

12:55-1:10 Discovering the Smell Molecules: Mimicking the Olfactory Engine.

1:10-1:40 Leveraging Nature: Inspiring Commercially Viable Pathways to Ecosystem Resilience.

1:40-2:10 Biomimetics and Public Policy: Advocacy Pathways for Sustainable Innovation.

2:10-2:40 Sustainability Progress in Owned Brands at Target.

2:55-3:50 Panel: Valuing ‘The Humanverse™.’

3:50-4:20 Open Discussion and Q&A.

4:20-4:30 Biomimetics International: Reaching Critical Mass.

Conclusion.

The natural environment has been tried and tested through thousands of years of evolution, and we have much to learn from its resiliency. If we look to our surroundings for solutions, we will see that there are an endless number of opportunities for sustainable improvements. Biomimicry is a critical aspect of sustainable business because it helps business leaders uncover efficiency and design improvements that are already successful in nature. Additionally, research on biomimicry is constantly bringing light to new approaches for solving complex modern problems related to climate change, including waste reduction, reforestation, and managing greenhouse gas emissions.

No matter the size of your company, no time is better than now for you as a business leader to take inspiration from the environment and solve your problems sustainably with biomimetics.

To learn more about biomimicry and Biomimetics24, click here.