Biomimicry

 

https://www.industryleadersmagazine.com/is-biomimicry-a-solution-to-worlds-environment-problems/

    One of the things I stumbled on when reading about Ecological Modernization Theory is something called biomimicry.  It's a way of building things that maximize efficiency that leads to less waste production.  Architects and scientists look to nature as a source of inspiration for designing everything from tall buildings to mass transit and even fashion.  The proposed methodology would revolutionize the clean energy industry.  One example from the link above is that cities could be built to absorb carbon dioxide from the air, rather than emitting them in excess.  The leader of an architectural firm cites that micro-organisms and plants that have been around for eons can give us clues to building sustainable infrastructure that absorbs CO2 rather than producing it.

    This is a nice idea that offers some long-term solutions to the fossil fuel crisis.  However it seems to me that no matter what solutions we come up with, the Treadmill of Production creates a never-ending cycle of waste that pollutes the planet.  Even if our infrastructure were transformed, there would still be pollution to deal with in the form of consumer waste.  In this regard I feel the EMT model is inherently flawed.  Unless we can find a way to recycle every single form of waste, the treadmill will generate so much pollution that we'll eventually have to consider breaking the treadmill instead of revving it up.  Do you agree that Ecological Modernization Theory will reveal new technology that will solve all our problems, or is something more radical required?  What kind of technology could stop harmful consumer products like plastics from polluting the environment?