Design Like Nature: Biomimicry for a Healthy Planet

Design Like Nature: Biomimicry for a Healthy Planet is part of the “Orca Footprints” series for middle graders. Encouraging a thoughtful, “small steps towards big change” approach to environmental issues, this well-researched and thought-provoking nonfiction title explores innovations and inventions inspired by nature.

An intriguing quote by Janine Benyus, cofounder of The Biomimicry Institute, opens the book: “The secrets to a sustainable world are all around us.” Early chapters, such as “Inventions Gone Wild” and “Nature as Engineer”, provide an introduction to the relatively new discipline of biomimicry. Clearly written, the scientific concepts are broken down into easy-to-understand language: “Bio means ‘life’ and mimicry means ‘the action of imitating’, so put them together and you’ve got the science of copying nature.”

This engaging, conversational narrative style invites readers on a historical journey that charts how humans have gone from using only what was available in the environment, to taking too much: “Can you imagine playing soccer with a ball made of tree sap? Or growing the material for your T-shirt and then dyeing it with smashed bugs?” Many more relatable examples of how natural materials have been used throughout the ages are provided, like cloth armour worn by ancient Greeks.

The layout and design of Design Like Nature also supports close inspection and reflection. “Fact” boxes are scattered throughout, offering pithy anecdotes to ponder, like “Hippopotamuses ooze a natural oil that prevents them from getting sunburned. One day our sunscreens might be inspired by hippo sweat!” Active participation in the subject matter is encouraged with “Copy That, Copycat” prompts, like “Sketch, photograph or journal about an amazing creature that can do something you can’t … Notice ant highways, leaves that spin sugar out of sunlight and fungi that can eat trees.” In keeping with the personable and friendly tone, readers also get to know more about the authors in “Nature’s Journal” photographic entries, like how Kim Ryall Woolcock makes “a tasty snack for her garden” by putting her old jeans in the compost bin.

Later chapters, such as “Asking Advice From Nature” and “Reducing our Footprint”, consider how biomimicry can help restore the planet by looking to nature to solve problems. From imitating the stickiness of burs found on a dog to develop Velcro, to copying gecko feet to create a tape that can hold up a person scaling a wall, many clever inventions are profiled. Products in development are also examined, like a research study focusing on the mouths of mosquitos to lead to a less painful needle; the possibility of spider silk to make compostable winter jackets; and robotic arms patterned after elephant trunks. Profiles of current student projects are sure to inspire. The University of Calgary’s WindChill design copies the way animals keep cool in nature to create a fridge that doesn’t need to be plugged in and uses only a small amount of electricity from a solar panel.

A list of print and online suggested readings is included in back matter, along with a glossary and an index. Design Like Nature is an essential STEM resource and offers a challenge to readers: “When you put this book down, we hope you will walk outside, look at nature with new eyes and think about how you could help everyone learn from nature.”