Biomimetic design for climate change adaptation and mitigation

This article examines biomimicry where organisms or ecosystems are mimicked in human design as a means to either mitigate the causes of climate change that the built environment is responsible for or adapt to the impacts of climate change Different biomimetic approaches to design are discussed and categorized, and a series of examples illustrate the benefits and drawbacks of each approach Biomimicry s potential role in addressing climate change in the built environment over the short, medium and long term is examined Specific principles of ecosystem biomimicry for architecture have been deduced through a comparative cross-disciplinary review and are presented It is posited that the incorporation of a thorough understanding of biology and ecology into architectural design will be significant in the creation of a built environment that contributes to the health of human communities, while increasing positive integration with natural carbon cycles