For businesses, biomimicry is about bringing a new discipline - biology - to the design table. It's not to write an environmental impact statement, as most biologists in business do right now.

Janine Benyus's quote, "For businesses, biomimicry is about bringing a new discipline - biology - to the design table," highlights the concept of biomimicry, where businesses draw inspiration from nature's designs and processes to solve problems. Instead of solely focusing on environmental sustainability, biomimicry advocates for integrating biology into the core of design processes, allowing companies to innovate in ways that mimic natural systems. By looking to nature, businesses can develop more efficient, sustainable, and adaptive solutions.

Benyus contrasts this approach with the traditional view of biologists in business, who often focus on creating environmental impact statements. She emphasizes that biomimicry is not just about assessing the environmental consequences of business activities but about incorporating biological insights into the very design and function of products and services. This shift allows companies to go beyond mitigation efforts and instead create products that are inherently sustainable by emulating nature’s wisdom.

The origin of this quote lies in Benyus’s work as a leading proponent of biomimicry. In her book Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by Nature, she explores how businesses and designers can look to the natural world for solutions to contemporary challenges. Benyus has long advocated for a new approach to design that is inspired by the intelligence and efficiency of nature, helping businesses rethink their products and operations in ways that align with ecological systems.

By reframing biomimicry as an innovative tool for business rather than just an environmental practice, Benyus encourages companies to rethink the role of biology in their development processes. It’s not about adding a layer of environmental responsibility, but rather integrating a new, more sustainable way of thinking into the core of product and service creation.