1. Context

Man's impact on his direct and global environment is undeniable. Biodiversity loss, climate change, ocean acidification and chemical pollution are all factors that remind us of this new awareness: we live in a world of finite resources, and we are in a position to jeopardize our biosphere. In the final analysis, this awakening of awareness is very late in coming, once we put it in perspective with the history of mankind. This paradigm shift is leading us to completely rethink our lifestyles and activities, and design is no exception. The question is not only how to design our objects and technologies in a more sustainable way, but also how to reassess our needs with a view to resilience.

How can we face up to the challenges around us and those to come? The most obvious way would be to rely on the tried-and-tested mechanism we use every day: analogy.