Nature Highlights

Sustainable farmer, Anthony Boutard shares the histories behind different varieties of corn he grows, and describes their different uses.

Alison Barratt, from the Monterey Bay Aquarium?s Seafood Watch program discusses the health of the oceans in relation to native fish populations, and the decline of their ecosystems. In the last 50 years, industrial fishing practices have severely lowered fish populations, altering the balance of species diversity within ecosystems.

John Todd believes that we need a new way of solving problems, including basic problems like sewage treatment. Resource efficiency, clean energy and the reduction of toxicity and pollution will inform green technologies and sustainable design in the 21st century.

Julia Marton-Lefevre says biodiversity loss is a huge risk. Biodiversity and non-human species form part of the complex natural web that supports humanity. It requires conservation. Causing damage to one part of the ecosystem might damage the whole.

What is an eco-city? Peter Head discusses sustainable cities or eco-cities, both in terms of performance (better use of resources, more renewable energy, less pollution) and a high quality of life, which he considers to be a key factor of a genuine eco-city.

Can we live without fossil fuels and produce enough energy without oil? A sustainable future lies in increasing use of renewable energy, such as wind and solar energy, says Peter Head. He believes that there is a place for nuclear energy as we make the transition to a world without fossil fuels.

Peter Head defines natural capital as the whole ecosystem – the biocapacity of the planet and the natural systems that support our lifestyle. Pollution, carbon emissions, climate change, resource depletion and other actions with negative ecological impact combine to reduce natural capital.

Randy Hayes says forests matter: deforestation is a major contributor to global warming. He discusses the ways to save the world’s last four major forests, including the rainforest, from deforestation. He says we must develop alternatives to timber and wood products such as kenaf, hemp and paper substitutes.

Janine Benyus says nature can teach us about sustainable design. Biomimicry – using nature in design – has already helped us create many green, resource-efficient materials.

Janine Benyus says that industry can learn much from nature. Ecosystems like rainforests have inspired a number of industrial eco-parks. These co-locations of companies are highly energy efficient, low on waste and make good use of resources. This is green and sustainable design at its best.

Janine Benyus discusses the links between biology and sustainable design. Nature offers us 3.8 billion years of research and development which we can use in sustainable engineering, technology and design.

Achim Steiner sets out the challenges of global warming and commends the IPCC and Nicholas Stern’s work in advancing understanding about climate change. How do we deal with global warming? We must stabilize greenhouse gas emissions within the next 10-15 years and reduce global emissions to avoid runaway climate change.

Bill Joy, venture capitalist and co-founder of Sun Microsystems, says the human need to travel must be reconciled with lower carbon emissions to fight global warming. Aviation could be offset by green technologies such as eco-friendly cars. Fossil fuels must be replaced by sustainable fuel alternatives.