Biomimicry and Natural Capital

7/28/2019 Biomimicry and Natural Capital

1/65

Sustainability Frameworks and

Tools

Lecture 6


2/65

Frameworks & Tools Frameworks: general view of how to implement sustainability

Natural Systems Behavior (General)

The Natural Step (General)

Natural Capitalism (General) Industrial Ecology (Industry)

Biomimicry (Design)

Factor 4 and Factor 10

The CERES Principles (General)

The Hannover Principles (Built Environment)

LEED?

Tools: methods of determining where we are, how we are doing, and how to makedecisions Ecological Footprint

Ecological Rucksack

Ecoefficiency

Ecolabeling

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)

Life Cycle Costing (LCC)

Environmental Management and Auditing Scheme (EMAS)

ISO 14001


3/65

Ceres Principles

Protection of the

biosphere

Sustainable use ofnatural resources

Reduction and

disposal of wastes

Energy conservation

Risk reduction

Safe products and

services

Environmentalrestoration

Informing the public

Managementcommitment

Audits and reports


4/65

Hannover Principles

Rights of humanity and

nature to co-exist

Interdependence between

humans and nature

Respect relationships

between spirit and matter

Responsibility for

consequences of design

Safe objects of long-term

value

Eliminate the concept of

waste

Rely on natural energy

flows

Understand the limitations

of design

Share knowledge for

constant improvement


5/65

Biomimicry

Term coined by Janine Benyus in a book ofthe same name in 1997

Definition:

The conscious emulation of lifes geniusInnovation inspired by nature

Doing it natures way

A potential framework for sustainabledevelopment and industry


6/65

Biomimicry (Benyus)Ten lessons Four steps to a biomimetic future

1. Quieting: immerse ourselves in nature

2. Listening: interview the flora and fauna of ourown planet

3. Echoing: encourage biologists and engineers to

collaborate, using nature as model and measure

4. Stewarding: preserve lifes diversity and genius


7/65

Biomimicry (contd)

With respect to materials, nature has four

approaches

1. Life friendly manufacturing processes

2. An ordered hierarchy of structures

3. Self-assembly

4. Templating of crystals with proteins

Bottom line: nature sets the precedents and

humans must follow


8/65


9/65

www.biomimicry.org


10/65


11/65


12/65


13/65

Natural Capitalism, Creating the Next Industrial Revolution, Hawkens

et al.,1999


14/65

The Natural Step

A Global

Framework

for Sustainable Development11/25/00


15/65

The Purpose of The Natural Step

To develop and share a common framework comprised

of easily understood, scientifically-based principles that

can serve as a compass to guide society toward a just and

sustainable future.


16/65

The Natural Step Created by Karl Henrik-Robrt, a Swedish oncologist, in 1989. He

noted the connection between human illness and toxics in theenvironment.

Developed in collaboration with 50 Swedish scientist, 21 iterations

Provided to every household and school in Sweden

Based on Four Systems Principles

TNS formed 20 independent professional networks:Doctors for theEnvironment, Farmers for the Environment, etc.

The networks share the Four Systems Principles and coreknowledge about how to transform their profession and its

organizations
http://www.naturalstep.org/events_and_resources/events.html


17/65

Beginnings

The Karl-Henrik Robert Story


18/65

A Systems Perspective Emphasizes:

Focusing upstream

Principles rather than details

Shared framework and a common language

Necessary (non-negotiable) system conditions


19/65

Science Principles:

Matter and Energy cannot be created or destroyed (the

Conservation Law, or 1st Law of Thermodynamics)

Matter and Energy tend to spread spontaneously (Entropy,or the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics)

Biological and Economic value (quality) is in

concentration and structure (order) of matter (this is what

we consume)

Green cells are essentially the only natural net producer of

concentration and structure (Photosynthesis)


20/65

Sustainabilitya systems

perspective

Matter and energy can only be transformed.(Newtons 1st Law of Thermodynamics-Conservation of Matter and Energy)

The earth is a closed system with respect to

matter.

Energy enters the system as solar energy,

leaves as heat radiation.

i.e. nothing disappears Earth has same mass as 4.5.billion years ago

carbon in your body in dinosaur

fuel in your car doesnt disappear

Matter & energy do not disappear


21/65

Sustainabilitya systems

perspective

Matter & energy tend to disperse All processes irreversibly disperse matter (and energy)

into ever more chaotic states.

Newtons 2nd Law of Thermodynamics

(Law of Entropy)

i.e. everything disperses

car to rust, carpet to dust, ink in water, etc.

QuickTime and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor

are needed to see thispicture.


22/65

TNS System Conditions for

A Sustainable Society

concentrations of substances

extracted from the earth's crust

concentrations of substancesproduced by society

degradation by physical means

and, in that society

people are not subject to

conditions that systematically

undermine their capacity to meet

their needs or the needs of future

generations.

In a sustainable society, nature is not subject to systematically increasing:

1

2

3

4

4

3

2

1

Slide provided by TNS Canada


23/65

Four System Conditions

Substances from the Earths crust must not systematically

increase in the biosphere.

Substances produced by society must not systematically increase

in nature.

The physical basis for the productivity and diversity of nature

must not be systematically deteriorated.

There needs to be fair and efficient use of resources with respect

to meeting human needs.


24/65

System Condition No. 1

Substances from the Earths crust must not

systematically increase in the biosphere.

This means: fossil fuels, metals and other minerals must

not be extracted at a rate faster than their redeposit and

reincorporation into the Earths crust.


25/65


Substances produced by society must not

systematically increase in nature.

This means:

substances must not be

produced faster than

they can be broken

down and bereintegrated into the

cycles of nature or be

deposited into the

Earths crust.

HALOGENATED

COMPOUNDSchlorodifluoromethanechlorotrifluoromethanedichlorofluoromethanechloromethanetrichlorofluoromethanedichloroethyleneFreon 113methylene chloride

chloroform1,1,1-trichloroethane

carbon tetrachloridetrichloroethylenechloropentanechlorobenzeneiodopentane3-methyl-1-iodobutanechloroethylbenzenedibromodichloromethanedichlorobenzenechlorodecane

trichlorobenzene

ALDEHYDES

acetaldehydemethyl propanaln-butanalmethyl butanalcrotoaldehyden-pentanaln-hexanalfuraldehyden-heptanal

benzaldehyden-octanal

phenyl acetaldehyden-nonanalmethyl furaldehyden-decanaln-undecanaln-dodecanal

KETONES

acetonemethyl ethyl ketonemethyl propyl ketonemethyl vinyl ketoneethyl vinyl ketone2-pentanonemethyl pentanonemethyl hydrofuranone2-methyl-3-hexanone4-heptanone3-heptanone

2-heptanonemethyl heptanonefuryl methyl ketoneoctanoneacetaphenone2-nonanone2-decanonealkylated lactone

phthalide

OXYGENATED

ISOMERSC4H6OC4H8OC5H10OC4H6O2C6H12OC7H10OC7H14O2C6H6O2C6H14O2C6H16O

C7H8O2C7H10O2C9H18OC8H6O2C10H12O2C10H12O2C10H14OC10H16OC10H18OC10H20O

C10H22O

C9H8O2C11H20O

ALCOHOLSmethanolisopropanoln-propanol1-butanol1-pentanolx-furfuryl alcohol2-ethyl-1-hexanol phenol

2,2,4-trimethylpenta-1,3-diolx-terpineol

ACIDSacetic aciddecanoic acid

SULFER COMPOUNDS

.

.

.


26/65


The physical basis for the productivity and

diversity of nature must not be

systematically deteriorated.

This means: the productive surfaces of nature must not be

diminished in quality or quantity, and we must not harvest

more from nature than can be recreated or renewed.


27/65


There needs to be fair and efficient use of

resources with respect to meeting human

needs.

This means: basic human needs must be met with the most

resource efficient methods possible, including equitable

resource distribution.


28/65

Applying the System Conditions

How can we reduce our dependence on mining and fossilfuels?

How can we reduce our dependence on persistent,unnatural substances?

How can we reduce our dependence on nature-consumingactivities?

How can we increase our resource efficiency(do more with less)?


29/65

Applying the System Conditions

Does this Decision: Yes No

reduce our dependence on mining and fossil fuels?

reduce our dependence on persistent unnaturalsubstances?

reduce our dependence on nature-consuming activities?

increase our resource efficiency?


30/65

Backcasting

One method for changing the way people think about sustainability is

something people at The Natural Step call backcasting. Backcasting isframing goals with regard to a future desired outcome, and

determining short-term decisions and investments needed to achieve

that future.

How does systems thinking tie into backcasting? According to this

model, systems thinking means discovering, mastering, and adhering

to the overall principles of a system. Once a person masters the

principles, they can get more and more skilled at handling the details.

In a sense, the principles help people to stay on course as they process

the myriad bits of information and decisions involved in long-term

planning. If they lose sight of the principles, they will most likelyfail, especially if their goal is complex.

Backcasting is used for Goal Setting, Strategic Planning, Innovation, Envisioning Scenarios,

Lateral Thinking, Competitive Advantage, Marketing & Resource Efficiency management


31/65

Step-By-Step

TNS advocates a step-by-step implementation strategy. Organizations are not

expected to achieve long-term goals immediately. On the contrary, they are

encouraged to move systematically by making investments that will provide

benefit in the short-term, while retaining a longer-term perspective. They can

use the Natural Step to map out a series of steps that will eventually lead to

full sustainability. Organizations using TNS are encouraged to start with the

"low hanging fruit", those steps that are easiest to take and will achieve results

that help move an organization closer to its goals. The Natural Step is notprescriptive, and does not judge. Instead, it serves as a guide.


32/65

Applying The Natural Step to Business

The economy and the environment are linked.

It has long been held that the environment is a subsidiary of theeconomy.

It is now becoming understood that the economy is really a subset of theenvironment.

Natures limits have consequences.

Understanding these limits allows for more effective planning.

Such planning results in ecological benefits and long-termcompetitive advantage.


33/65

Corporate Adopters of TNS


34/65

Electrolux

Largest appliance maker in the world.

Initially pressured by a large customer. Now TNS is part of corporate strategy.

Sales of environmental appliances has

doubled.


35/65

IKEA

Largest furniture company in the world.

Educating 25,000 employees worldwide. Developed a four year plan.

Created a furniture line that meets all

system conditions.


36/65

Interface

Worlds largest commercial floor covering

company.

First U.S. company to adopt TNS principles.

Goals: Zero waste & no oil from the ground.

Saved $25 million in first two years.


37/65

Collins Pine

143-year old NW forest products firm.

Long history of sustainable forestry practices.

Training 600 Klamath Falls employees.

Using TNS principles for all capital purchases.


38/65

Company Best Practices

Best start: senior management commitment.

Educate all employees.

Start with low hanging fruit.

Incorporate into long-term planning.

Set & measure long-term goals.


39/65

The Evolution of TNS

in a Company Awareness - That the environment is now inseparable fromcompetitiveness and success.

Knowledge - Number one measure of success is employee

education. The more people educated, the greater the success ofthe program.

Practice - If it doesnt reach this level, it is a failure; but TNSmust not tell companies what to do, or it becomes just anorganizational or management consultant.

Goals & metrics - If it isnt measured it wont count. But if onlyoutflows are measured, environmental metrics will not lead toenvironmental success. (ISO 14000, EMAS, BS 7750)


40/65

Tools

Ecological Footprint

Ecological Rucksack

Eco-Efficiency

Eco-Labels: covered in last class.


41/65


R d ti it f l


42/65

Resource productivity: more from less

More benefit out of less material and energy

More welfare with less environmental damage

Unsustainable level of naturalresource consumption

Carrying capacity of natureexceeded already

Total material consumption

steadily growing Consumption distributed unequally

increasing poverty problems

increasing social problems

around the worldSource: Wuppertal Institute


43/65

Lets consider a simple french fry.

What impact

doesit have?


44/65

How did the fry get toBobs Burger Shop?

Producer

Distribution Center

Processing Plant

Suppliers

Bobs Burger Shop

Truck

Truck

Truck

Truck

http://www.rprogress.org/


45/65

What impact did its journey have?

Producer

Distribution Center

Processing Plant

Suppliers

Bobs Burger Shop

Truck

Truck

Truck

Truck

Fossil Fuels

Fossil Fuels

Freezer

Fertilizers

Pesticides

Machinery

Hydropower

Fossil Fuels

Machinery

Fossil Fuels

Packaging

Hydroflourocarbons

Irrigation

Hydropower

Freezer

Food waste

Machinery

Fossil Fuels

Fossil Fuels

Fossil Fuels

Hydroelectric dam

FossilFuels

Animal Feed

Irrigation

Seeds



46/65

What impact did these impacts have?

Runoff

AirPollution

Loss of

Biodiversity

Solid

Waste

Air

Pollution Fossil Fuels

Fossil Fuels

Freezer

Fertilizers

Pesticides

Truck

Truck

Machinery

Hydropower

Truck

Fossil Fuels

Machinery

Fossil Fuels

Damage

To Ozone

Packaging

Hydroflourocarbons

Irrigation

Hydropower

Freezer

Food waste

Machinery Producer

Distribution Center

Processing Plant

Suppliers

Fossil Fuels

Fossil Fuels

Fossil Fuels

Truck

Hydroelectric dam

Loss of

Biodiversity

Fossil Fuels

Animal Feed

Loss of

BiodiversityIrrigation

Seeds

Fossil Fuels

Bobs Burger Shop

Air

Pollution


How might all of this affectForests Forests


47/65

How might all of this affect

the earths systems?

Runoff

Air

Pollution

Loss of

Biodiversity

Solid

Waste

Air

Pollution Fossil Fuels

Fossil Fuels

Freezer

Fertilizers

Pesticides

Truck

Truck

Machinery

Hydropower

Truck

Fossil Fuels

Machinery

Fossil Fuels

Damage

To Ozone

Packaging

Hydroflourocarbons

Forests

Irrigation

Forests Built-up Land

Grazing Land

Forests

River

Cropland

Hydropower

Freezer

Food waste

Machinery Producer

Distribution Center

Processing Plant

Suppliers

Bobs Burger Shop

Fossil Fuels

Fossil Fuels

Fossil Fuels

Truck

Hydroelectric dam

Loss ofBiodiversity

Fossil Fuels

Built-up Land

Animal Feed

Loss of

BiodiversityIrrigation

Seeds

Air

Pollution

Forests



48/65

And that was just the potato! Consider all the other

parts of your meal the other foods

the utensils

the napkins

the condiments

the drinks

There are multipleenvironmental impactsinvolved in these as well.


49/65

There are social impacts, too.

Who did the work that

brought the food to

your table?

Under what conditions

did they work?

E h i k h


50/65

Every choice we make has an

impact on the planet. An ecological footprint

is a tool to measure ourenvironmental impact.

It tracks how muchindividuals, organizations,cities, regions, or nationsas a whole consume andcompares this amount to

the resources nature canprovide.http://www.footprintnetwork.org


51/65

How big is your footprint?

There are currently about

6.7 billion people on the

earth.

Do you believe that theplanet has the capability

to support your lifestyle

for everyone?


52/65

Lets find out!

In the following activity, youwill be guided through a

series of questions that will

be used to estimate your

ecological footprint. After you have completed the

Quiz, you will record the

result and then take the quiz

twice more, making

modifications as directed.

Select the l ink above to take

the quiz. When youre done,c lose the pop -up w indow and

return to th is websi te

Click here to begin.
http://www.myfootprint.org/


53/65

Results - Your Current Lifestyle

According to this

website, if everyone

lived like me, we wouldneed _________ planets

to support humanity.


54/65


The Ecological Footprint measures the

amount of nature's resources an individual,

a community, or a country consumes in agiven year, normalized to a unit of land

area, most often hectares

Coined in 1992 by William Rees a professorat the University of British Columbia in

Vancouver, Canada


55/65

Concept of Ecological Footprint

The quantity of

bioproductive land

that is required to

support currentconsumption

food, housing, transport,

consumer goods,services

Includes land needed for

absorption of waste

Wackernagel and Reese, Our Ecological Footprint


56/65


57/65


58/65

Ecological Rucksack

Ecological Rucksackis the total quantity (in

kg) of the natural material that is disturbed

in its natural setting and thus considered thetotal input in order to generate a product -

counted from the cradle to the point when

the product is ready for use - minus theweight (in kg) of the product itself.


59/65

Ecological Rucksack


60/65

Quantfied Ecological Rucksack

Steel: 21 (One kilogram of steel carries an

ecological rucksack of 21 kilograms.)

Aluminum: 85 Recycled Aluminum: 3.5

Gold: 540,000

Diamond: 53,000,000

Rubber: 5.


61/65

Ecological Rucksack


62/65

Ecological

Rucksack

Diagram


63/65

Some other ecological rucksacks

Coffee maker 298 kg

toothbrush about 1.5 kg

plastic bucket 26 kg

silver chain 20 kg12 wine glasses 6 kg

5-gram gold ring 2000 kg

wooden beads 0.5 kg

(Simonen 1999)


64/65

Plastic or Cotton Bag?The plastic bag (PE plastic, 18 g) has the following ecologicalrucksack: abiotic and biotic material 0.1 kg, water 1.17 kg, air

0.04 kg, earth 0 g.

The cotton bag (54 g) has the following ecological rucksack:

abiotic and biotic material 1.277 kg, water 214.704 kg, air

0.216 kg, earth 3.402 g. (Vh-Jaakkola 1999, Wuppertal

Institute)

If you use the cotton bag for a year and buy a plastic bag once

per year, which is the better buy?Use the Ecological Rucksack to determine the solution


65/65

Documents

Biomimicry and Natural Capital