"Bio-Inspirée…": The new exhibition by the Cité des sciences et de l’industrie with the BNP Paribas Foundation

Taking inspiration from the living world...

This new and permanent exhibition has opened on 18 September 2020, at the Cité des sciences et de l’industrie in Paris.  The European Sustainable Development Week began on the same date, providing the perfect opportunity to promote sustainable development, raise awareness about the related challenges and rally support from as many people as possible.

Biomimicry

The living world offers a huge wealth of information for humankind. The organisms that make up the biosphere have developed many skills for protecting themselves, adapting to their environment, and resisting external changes. In view of society’s current environmental challenges, the living world is an essential source of inspiration.

For the first time in Paris, you can observe life-size examples of a mangrove, a coral reef – home to a wealth of marine life – as well as a forest soil with its variety of insects. While immersed in these three astonishing, recreated ecosystems, you will discover biomimicry: a scientific approach based on respect for all living things, which draws inspiration from nature to develop sustainable innovations.

The “Bio-Inspired, another approach” exhibition is an opportunity to reflect on our intimate relationship with nature, the need for cooperation between species, and the role of humanity in the living world.

This ambitious museological project raises awareness by taking visitors on a multi-sensory, emotion-filled journey.

From more eco-friendly land use through agroecology, to DNA data storage for saving energy: you will learn about bio-inspiration’s many fields of application, by taking part in fun, interactive activities (games, quizzes, models and videos), going to the various specialist talks and visiting the BioLab, an open space for interactions and experiments. 

photos credits: © Ph Levy / Universcience

The BNP Paribas Foundation’s commitment and support to overcoming major environmental challenges

In addition to supporting environmental research through its Climate & Biodiversity Initiative since 2010, the BNP Paribas Foundation is also committed to raising awareness about the link between climate change and biodiversity erosion among the bank's stakeholders – employees, clients, medias, and general public. By assessing environmental impacts and drawing inspiration from all forms of life, humans can adapt their behavior and create a more sustainable world, in harmony with ecosystems and other species, on which our survival depends.

This program has already raised awareness about climate change issues among more than 400,000 people, as the BNP Paribas Foundation and Universcience have formed several partnerships: “Climate, the 360° Exhibition” which has been shown in 17 countries where BNP Paribas Group operates, as well as the promotion of two research programs on climate change – SOCLIM in the Southern Ocean and APT in the Canadian Arctic. 

The support from the BNP Paribas Foundation for the “Bio-Inspired, another approach” exhibition, which demonstrates that it is possible to create an alternative society inspired by nature, is aligned with its commitment to develop a new, more harmonious and sustainable relationship with the environment.