Why don t we do this by drawing inspiration from what has been working well for billions of years? Biochemical and biomechanical processes, ecosystem services, etc., provide us with an almost inexhaustible source of inspiration to innovate and drive the transition from a linear economy to a virtuous circular economy. But it is not simply a matter of understanding or imitating nature, but more of working in harmony with nature, particularly in cities. The stakes are high, ranging from the environment and health, to the economy, society and ethics.

The living world: a rich but endangered heritage

Nature has a lead of more than 3.5 billion years over our research and development laboratories. The billions of living organisms single-celled or complex, plants and animals are indeed the fruit of the slow evolution of particularly advanced biochemical processes that use smart biomolecules nucleic acids and enzymes. The resulting biodiversity is so vast that we have only discovered an infinitely small part of it. Of the approximately 8.7 million species on the planet, 86% of terrestrial species and 91% of marine species are still unknown, according to the study How Many Species Are There on Earth and in the ocean? , published in 2011.

But this fantastic potential is being reduced dramatically, and often irreversibly, every day under the combined effects of climate change, pollution, deforestation and rampant urbanisation.

In another concrete illustration, the WWF s 2018 Living Planet report announces the disappearance of 60% of wild animal species in the last 40 years: Species have never declined at such a rapid rate, which is from 100 to 1,000 times higher today than that calculated in geological times.

Ecosystem services: numerous benefits offered to human beings

Human beings are an integral part of this biodiversity. In fact, they benefits greatly from the so-called ecosystem services rendered by nature, such as the supply of fresh water and breathable air.

It is imperative to learn how to live in harmony with nature.

Vincent Callebaut s self-sufficient vertical farm

Unicellular Organism

Larva Dragonfly DragonflyHybrid Being

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