This opinion piece is published in ScienceViews - a debate forum under the Novo Nordisk Foundation. In it, Birger outlines his vision on how to rethink our current production systems: Instead of being based on fossil fuels and release of immense amounts of CO₂ into the atmosphere, they should be based on harvesting solar energy and the consumption of CO₂. These systems should be developed in collaboration with nature by using it’s innate creativity and innovation power. It would be far better for our planet – and it is becoming a realistic option.