Human-made products based on beehives, whales, and seashells could generate $1.6 trillion of gross domestic product globally by 2030.
The seashells you collect or the beehive constructed under the eaves could be the inspiration needed to build the next energy efficient home. Nature has been finding energy-related solutions for millions of years, and intentionally looking to nature for inspired solutions for our own energy problems is called biomimicry. For example, the Wright Brothers famously studied the flight mechanisms of birds for inspiration in their design of the airplane. They didn’t copy the flapping of wings, but instead focused on the control of flight by wing-shape modification. Sales of biomimicry-based products and architectural projects have generated over $1.5 billion in revenue in previous years. Encouraging inventors and entrepreneurs to bring technologies inspired by biomimicry from concept to market can help usher in a whole new world of production that is environmentally friendly and energy efficient.
(00:20:15)
From Ted Talks
Look to nature to solve design problems. That’s what Janine Benyus advises innovators. There you’ll find designs for making things waterproof, aerodynamic, solar-powered, and more.
Entrepreneurs-in-Residence Program
See All Programs and Services
Visit: asknature.org
Visit: biomimicry.net
Visit: biomimicry.org
See All Research & Analysis