Engineers for a Sustainable World reposted this
The Engineers for a Sustainable World (ESW) conference is still in full swing in #Akron, Ohio at The University of Akron, and we're energized by the incredible conversations and innovative solutions being shared! A particular highlight was a keynote by Sarah McInerney (The Biomimicry Institute), whose words resonated deeply with the core work and values of Engineering for One Planet (EOP). Sarah's message centered on the power of building action based on trust and relationships, and the profound inspiration we can draw from nature's 3.8 billion years of evolutionary "research." She reminded us that nature has already solved many of the challenges we face, and that by learning from its ingenuity, we can develop truly sustainable and resilient solutions. This approach aligns with EOP's vision for transforming engineering education. EOP, like biomimicry, emphasizes the importance of: 🪴 Systems Thinking: Understanding the interconnectedness of natural and engineered systems is a key principle in both biomimicry and EOP. 🪴 Holistic Design: Moving beyond purely functional solutions to consider the environmental and social impacts of engineering projects, mirroring nature's holistic approach to design. 🪴 Collaboration: Recognizing that addressing complex challenges requires building strong relationships and collaborating across disciplines, as nature demonstrates through symbiotic relationships in ecosystems. Sarah's call to action – to motivate people through the awe and inspiration of nature – offers a powerful tool for EOP educators. By incorporating biomimicry principles and showcasing nature's brilliant solutions, we can ignite a passion for sustainability in students and equip them to become the next generation of eco-conscious engineers. #ESWCon25, with its focus on finding solutions to the world's toughest environmental challenges, provides a vital platform for this exchange of ideas. EOP is proud to be part of this community, working alongside students, professionals, and thought leaders to design a future inspired by nature's wisdom. Let's continue to learn from nature and build a more sustainable world, together! #ESWConference #Biomimicry #EngineeringforOnePlanet #EOP #Sustainability #SustainableDesign #EngineeringEducation #EngineeringSustainably #NatureInspiredDesign #SystemsThinking Victoria Matthew, Hadley Willman, Cindy Pereira Cooper, Cindy Anderson, Vanessa Briseño
Yeah Dr. Sarah McInerney!
Great speaker with a great message. Thanks Sarah!
Awesome!! 👏👏👏
As part of her keynote presentation, Sarah McInerney presented "strong" sustainability as humans being "part of and not in control of nature." She was highlighting a crucial shift in mindset that resonates strongly with EOP, which encourages engineers to understand the complex interconnectedness of human systems and natural systems. Recognizing that we are "not in control" emphasizes the need for humility and caution in engineering design. It underscores the ethical responsibility of engineers to minimize harm to the environment and to act as stewards rather than controllers.
Intedisciplinary Bioscience, Sustainability & Environmental Conservation, and Innovation.
4dThank you for inviting me to be a part of such an incredible event.!! The enthusiasm and passion that these students have for a world that is aligned with the natural world we depend on was such a clear mission alignment. Spending time in community with visionary leaders and students, our future visionary leaders, is what gives me so much hope for a STRONG, sustainable and nature inspired future.!! So excited to see what's next for this amazing organization. 🎉