SERIES 2 ON BBC WORLD
Since life so mysteriously emerged from the chemistry of a new planet billions of years ago, nature has been experimenting. Humankind has profited from copying, but only recently have our scientists begun to develop the know-how and technology to utilise aeons of trial and error for commercial benefit.
Mercedes, for instance, is adapting the
design
of the box-fish
for fuel efficiency.
‘Biomimicry’ is the subject
of ‘Doing
What Comes Naturally’ showing
that
ironically as humans lay waste to
species diversity faster than at any
point for 60
million years, we are
beginning to find ways of
using
bio-inspiration for profit.
> NATURAL PREVENTION
Nature Inc. finds out how much better off we are – and safer – in places where natural barriers to disaster remain intact.
> DOING WHAT COMES NATURALLY
Natural selection is a three billion year old product design process that can’t be beaten.
> UNION OF GREEN
The ‘triple crunch’ of climate, credit, and energy insecurity has forced states to see the “green economy” as a way to make a sustainable recovery.
> ONE SEXY TUBER
Agribusinesses and farmers are beginning to see sustainable profits and productivity in encouraging crop diversity.
> STANDING PROFITS
There are moves afoot to put an economic value on the carbon stored by tropical rainforests.
> NOW AND FOREVER
Eminent scientists have warned of climate change's effect on our economies - where a 3°c warming could kill 40% of species and displace 200 million people.
