Mother Earth: Science to the Rescue Volume 2
Mother Earth: Science to the Rescue Volume 2
We think biomimicry, the science inspired by nature, will help us look for answers from many living organisms that have evolved well-adapted structures over billions of years.
Let’s take the underwater tunnel to visit the scientists in (sic) biomimicry lab.
Yes, I’d like to talk to them.
Excuse us, can we speak with the head of the biomimicry department?
This way, please.
Welcome to our lab. I’m Jane.
Hello, I’m Toks. What do you do in this lab?
We want to develop “nature’s chemistry” which happen (sic) at low temperatures, low pressures and low toxicity so the environment we inherit can be passed on to our offsprings (sic) 10,000 generations and beyond. In the natural world, life upcycles everything, so we’re presently developing bioplastics using abundant discarded shells from insects, shrimps and crabs, called chitin, to make biodegradable plastic products.
As you all know, our lands, rivers, coasts, beaches and oceans are polluted with these petroleum based plastics which break down very slowly and when they’re ingested by fish, birds and marine mammals, they instill toxic chemicals. And humans, at the end of the food chain, are eating our own waste.
ter being hurled around in a thunderstorm, Gaia and Toks finally find refuge on a seemingly deserted island. To their surprise, they are rescued and taken into a cave which houses a state-of-the art science facility. Medical staff members are able to treat Toks’s injuries. They redesign the machine part of his brain, use a 3-D printer to make a new heart for him and then use biomimicry in order to allow his skin to blend with the environment. Their success means that Toks survives and then works in the bio-nanotechnology laboratory to help the scientists with environmental problems. Despite mistakes and setbacks, Toks is finally able to give them significant help.
Again, Lydia Lee takes her readers into the world of technology and science, but this volume relies less on fantasy and adventure and more on pure science. While robots like Bazzo and Zaddo seem to be intended for a younger audience which enjoys sci-fi and fantasy, the science of nanotechnology and fairly in-depth scientific explanations seem intended for an entirely different group of readers. Lee wants to point out the important work done by scientists, especially on the environmental front, but the book becomes didactic. There is little story or plot but lots of factual information. Even the villains who enlivened Mother Earth, (http://www.umanitoba.ca/cm/vol24/no26/motherearth.html) the first book, appear only on the final page. Presumably they will re-enter the action in a third volume.
The graphics add both colour and detail to the book and, in some cases, present very relevant and detailed scientific information.
The character of Toks shows readers the difficulties continually faced by scientists. In the bio-nanotechnology lab, Toks makes mistakes and is prepared to simply give up. The scientists remind him that is the nature of research. Mistakes and setbacks are to be expected, and it takes courage, persistence and teamwork to produce results. This theme is an important thread in the overall book.
There is little to entertain readers in this book since the adventure and fantasy aspects are downplayed completely. Those readers who are interested in the environment and want some serious scientific information regarding what is being done to save the planet will be a better reading audience for this latest volume of the “Mother Earth” series.
Ann Ketcheson, a retired high school teacher-librarian and classroom teacher of English and French, lives in Ottawa, Ontario.