Life’s Principles in Biomimicry 5: Being Resource Efficient
Continuing with the Biomimicry’s Life’s principles series, here’s the next principle of Being Resource Efficient. This means using resources efficiently without wasting or abusing any materials or energy. In nature, nothing is wasted. Once material or energy is used for its original purpose, then it is used for something else. A great example is a leaf: once it has performed its function of making food and oxygen, it falls to the ground and becomes compost for other organisms.
Many times, we’re reminded not to waste electricity or water, and sometimes we totally ignore these nudges, not realizing that we need to share and use resources efficiently.
This very important principle has four strategies – let’s look at these.
1. Using low energy processes
In nature, an apt example is the polar bear. They are very active during warmer months and hibernate during the very cold winters. They change their metabolism and rest to survive severe winter conditions.
In very hot conditions, other animals and humans also stay in a cool place and slow down their metabolism to avoid overheating. In some countries, humans have designated siesta time to slow down the metabolism, to tackle high temperature conditions.
2. Use multifunctional design. Looking at leaves again, they serve as a platform for light absorption, which is mandatory for photosynthesis (using sunlight to make nutrients from carbon dioxide and water, and giving off oxygen). Leaves also transpire which has a cooling effect; storing food on a long and short term basis; some leaves have a corrugated structure to facilitate loss of excess heat – using forced convection; some leaves have waxy cuticles on the surface to facilitate self-cleaning as well as many other functions.
In humans, our skin is like leaves with multiple functions of protection, perspiring, making vitamin D and more. We also create utensils and gadgets for multiple purposes. One example is the Swiss army knife, which can be used for multiple functions. Then there are sleeper chairs that are used for sitting and sleeping.
3. Recycle All Materials. Nature does this all the time with leaves, trees, fruits, animals and birds. Leaves fall and become compost; trees die to become habitat for other organisms and plants; birds and animals eat fruit and drop the seeds on the soil where they grow into plants; animals and birds die and become compost. Humans are now recycling used printing paper; plastics are recycled into other products and reused. Recyling mimics nature’s own mechanisms and helps us keep the planet healthier.
4. Fit form to function. This strategy describes how materials are produced by nature for specific functions and an organism can use its own form to facilitate its functions. Bird wings are shaped to match its functions. They spread out feathers to allow for aerodynamic design, which is copied by humans for airplanes. Seeds have wing-like structures so they can be carried by wind for dispersal. Humans also have made gadgets like hammers that can push nails in with the flat surface but also can pull nails out using the sharp component. We also make jackets to fit our body snugly to keep warm using our own body heat, or wick away sweat when we are exercising.
Share with us your examples of any of the four strategies above. Let’s learn together to be more efficient.
