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Principles and Practices in Sustainable Development for the Engineering and Built Environment Professions
Unit 3 - Biomimicry/Green Chemistry
Lecture
9: Design Inspired by Nature
To discuss the concept of ‘Biomimicry’
and the principles on which the field is founded.
To also discuss the role of the professional community
in applying this methodology as a global network
of Biomimicry practitioners. This lecture has been
developed based on extensive conversations with
Janine Benyus and is a testament to her leadership
in the field as we attempt to communicate the concept
to engineers.
Lecture 10: A Biomimetic Design Method
and Information Sources
To
present a methodology for applying Biomimicry principles
to designing engineering solutions. To also provide
details about sources and networks available to
seek information about natural systems and Biomimicry
design innovation examples. The method provided
in this lecture builds on from conversations with
Janine Benyus and is based on the evolving methodology
developed by the Biomimicry Guild in 2005 adapted
to fit the engineering design context.
Lecture 11: Definitions and Principles
of Green Chemistry and Green Chemical Engineering
To provide and outline of what ‘Green Engineering’
is as defined by Paul Anastas et al. To introduce
the concept of ‘Green Chemistry’ and
state the 12 Principles developed for this field
of science. The purpose of covering this material
is to show an example of a field where engineers
can take the inspiration from nature and apply it.
Lecture 12: Green Chemistry and Green
Engineering In Practice: A Succinct Overview
To show through example, explanation, and argument
why the application of Green Chemistry and Green
Engineering principles can make a significant contribution
to sustainable development, featuring some cutting
edge examples. To demonstrate that Green Chemistry
and Green Engineering are no longer just ideas,
they are the basis now globally for a multi-billion
dollar industry.
Preliminaries
The engineering profession will play
a significant part in moving society to a more sustainable
way of life. Recognising this, the Engineering Sustainable
Solution Program (ESSP) seeks to provide engineers
and built environment professionals with a basic
understanding of sustainability issues and opportunities
as they relate to their practice. The ESSP is designed
to facilitate the effective incorporation of key
pieces of information, or ‘critical literacies’,
relating to sustainability into engineering curricula
and capacity building. This program provides an
alert to sustainability principles and activity
in the engineering profession.
In the preparation of any education program, and
in particular an introductory course, it is a challenge
to cover all possible questions or uncertainties
that may arise during delivery of the material.
In response to this challenge, this program will
be supported (in its critical academic rigour and
structure) by engineering related material in the
publication, The Natural Advantage of Nations,
and its companion web site (www.naturaledgeproject.net)
along with other key texts.
Hargroves,
K. and Smith, M.H. (2005) The Natural Advantage
of Nations: Business Opportunities, Innovation and
Governance in the 21st Century, Earthscan,
London.
The
Text Book along with each of the units has an online
companion to provide additional supporting material.
Optional reading material is provided after each
lecture for those who wish to explore the content
in more detail.
Acknowledgements
The development of the Engineering Sustainable
Solutions Program – Critical Literacies
Portfolio has been supported by grants from the
following organisations:
-
UNESCO,
Division of Basic and Engineering Sciences,
Natural Sciences Sector (with particular support
and mentoring from Tony Marjoram, Senior Programme
Specialist - Engineering Sciences, and Françoise
Lee).
-
The Institution of Engineers Australia, College
of Environmental Engineers (with particular
support and mentoring from Martin Dwyer, Director
Engineering Practice, and Peter Greenwood, Doug
Jones, Andrew Downing, Tim Macoun, Julie Armstrong
and Paul Varsanyi).
-
The Society for Sustainability and Environmental
Engineering (with particular support and mentoring
from Terrence Jeyaretnam).
Expert review and mentoring has been received from
Janine Benyus and Dayna Baumeister, The Biomimicry
Guild (USA); Paul Anastas, Green Chemistry Institute
(USA); Alan Pears RMIT University (AUS); Amory Lovins,
Rocky Mountain Institute (USA); Tom Conner, KBR
(AUS); and Mia Kelly, TNEP Working Group (AUS).
We would like to add a special thank you to the
Engineers Australia review panel Trevor Daniell,
Thomas Brinsmead and David Hood.
Citation
Smith, M., Hargroves, K. and Paten, C. (2007) Engineering
Sustainable Solutions Program: Critical Literacies
Portfolio, The Natural Edge Project, Australia
(TNEP).
The
Natural Edge Project Engineering Sustainable Solutions
Program is supported by the Australian National
Commission
for UNESCO through the International Relations
Grants
Program of the Department of Foreign Affairs and
Trade.
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