The Ecologist is getting simplistic

In an increasingly crowded marketplace of information, ideas and media channnels, it's been difficult for The Ecologist, one of the longest established voices for environmental justice, to get heard. Their decision to publish solely online must have been a tough one, but is understandable from a footprint perspective.

Their quality of thei voice seems to have diminished at the same time, and this is a shame. This little piece was in today's online content

"But some experts are now starting to ask: what if we used the carbon as a resource instead of disposing of it? As far-fetched as it may sound there are already a number of experimental technologies that are making use of carbon either by absorbing it from the air or taking it in concentrated form from industry or power plants."

Maybe I'm affected by some kind of seasonal thinking disorder, but I thought this what plants and algae had been doing for some 3.5bn years.

Biomimicry 2010

There's a feeling in my bones that 2010 is going to see a huge increase in activity in the use of biomimicry for problem solving, design and systems thinking. Three or four concurrent conversations are lining up major events in London, Wales and elsewhere.

If you're interested in this work and are not already in touch with me or other EcoSapiens team members, then drop me a line.

Many hands make light work.

Greengaged

Sophie Thomas is a Doer. In addition to co-running the respected communication & design agency Thomas Matthews, Sophie curates Greengaged, a five day feast of sustainable design ideas, run as part of the London Design Week. I was privileged to speak at Greengage's biomimicry day, with Do Lectures 2009 speaker Michael Pawlyn, Melissa Sterry from Societas, Professor Julian Vincent and Belina Raffy who brought improv action, smiles and learning to the event. The participants brought expertise, specialist knowledge, passion and appetite for action.

So many people at Greengaged offered help to make A Million Minds and Do Design happen quickly - unqualified, lovely, bounteous help. No strings, no trading favours.It feels good to be on the move. 

Treasures from the Jewell Beetle

A good article has been published by Georgia Tech describing the way that the multi-facted shell shapes of the Jewell Beetle are used to create colours. The researchers who have been studying the design sense an opportunity to create a biomimetic adaptation of the principles to create smaller optics.

We've only started to unpick the edge of the richness that nature has to offer; better stop it unravelling when we can...

Biomimicy Change Levers

Three upcoming events on biomimicry may be of interest to EcoSapiens blog readers:

AMED (The Association of Management Education & Development) are hosting a half day workshop on 'biomimicry change levers for behaviour change' on 30 September in London. Run by Andy Middleton and Belina Raffy, the workshop will provide an introdcution and overview of the ways that biomimicry brings fresh perspectives and proven solutions to organisations wanting to embed sustainability and innovation. There's a small charge for the event.

MAFFICK's Belina Raffy is offering one business, community group or organisation in London the opportunity for a FREE 90 minute 'biomimicry and business change' workshop as taster event and trial of new materials that she's developed for the Applied Improvisation Network's annual conference in November.

ECOSAPIENS are working with SOCIETAS' Melissa Sterry and the team at NEW FRONTIERS to develop a four day biomimicry and social change conference that will take place in Cardiff in spring 2010. Topics will cover change levers, communication and behaviour change, and possibly and workshop on community engagement & food resilience.

Email or phone us on +44 1437 720879 for further information.