Biomimicry & Green Burial: Living and Dying with Nature in Mind

Nature can feel distant from our everyday lives. Maybe it’s a place we visit on the weekends, a getaway from the hustle and bustle, something “out there,” just beyond the edges of our neighborhoods. But we are part of it, and as more and more people consider their impact on the Earth, sustainable practices are extending even to death, where green and natural burials are gaining popularity. 

Within the field of biomimicry, a design practice informed by what already exists in nature, innovators are exploring ways to sustain the ecosystems we’re surrounded by, rather than depleting them. Scientists have looked to butterfly wings to improve the efficiency of solar panels, and wetland plants to purify water in buildings. 

How can we build in a way that addresses climate concerns and has a softer impact on the environment in which it exists?

Guests: 

Janine Benyus, Co-Founder, Biomimicry Institute 

Emily Miller, Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer; Founder, Colorado Burial Preserve

This episode also features field reporting from Producer Megan Biscieglia at Fernwood Cemetery and Funeral Home.

On July 31, Climate One is hosting Premal Shah and Kinari Webb for a live episode recording! With years of experience navigating the global climate movement, the two are sure to offer unparalleled insights during their conversation with Co-Host Greg Dalton. Tickets for the show, which will be held at The Commonwealth Club in San Francisco, are available now through our website.

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