Microbiologists issue warning not to ignore the role of micro-organisms in climate change
24 June 2019
Today the Microbiology Society has co-signed a new consensus paper highlighting the urgent need for microbiology to be better recognised within climate change research, mitigation and education across the world.
The paper, co-authored by over 30 microbiologists from nine countries and published in Nature Reviews Microbiology on 18 June, calls for immediate action to be taken by policy-makers to fully consider the important role of microbes when addressing climate change.
“Microbes support the existence of all higher lifeforms and are critically important in regulating climate change. However, they are rarely the focus of climate change studies and not considered in policy development.” Lead author, Professor Rick Cavicchioli from the School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences at UNSW Sydney outlined.
Microbes and climate change
While climate change’s impact on animal and plant life is relatively well researched, the impact on micro-organisms is generally not factored into the conversation argues the consensus paper. This is despite the important part microbes play in both using and producing greenhouse gases (GHGs) and the danger climate change presents to microbial processes that we all rely upon.
As highlighted by the Microbiology Society in our 2015 policy briefing, microbial processes in oceans, soils and other environments play a key part in the global cycles of carbon, nitrogen and other nutrients vital for life on earth. These processes are a key element in maintaining the balance of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Human activities, including those which stimulate microbial emissions, are accelerating climate change by altering the balance of these natural cycles through enhanced GHG emissions. The effects of climate change are also likely to present further risks, such as the reproduction, transmission and geographic distribution of pathogens of humans, other animals and plants.
The authors of the consensus paper also highlight that while climate change could have a range of negative impacts on microbial processes which need to be fully understood, microbiology could also be used to better mitigate and adapt to climate change. This includes methods to tackle diseases, improving the resilience of agriculture, and reducing our reliance on fossil fuels through biofuels.
A call for action
The paper makes several calls for how microbiology should be better addressed within climate change research and policy, including:
- The inclusion of microorganisms within climate change research, particularly research addressing carbon and nitrogen fluxes.
- Investigation and long-term monitoring of microbial feedbacks and responses to climate change.
- Incorporation of microbial processes into ecosystem and earth system prediction models.
- The development of innovative microbial technology for minimising and mitigating climate change impacts.
- Improved education of microbiology at school level.
- Full consideration of the importance of microbiology in policy and management decisions and the integration of microbiology in the management and advancement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).
Professor Paul Kellam, Chair of the Microbiology Society’s Policy Committee commented: “As users and producers of greenhouse gases, micro-organisms play a crucial role within climate change which is not yet fully appreciated and recognised by policy-makers. The Microbiology Society are putting our name to this call for action as we agree that it is essential that microbes are not left off the climate change conversation.”
Join the call
Microbiologists from around the world are asked to put the name to this paper and help carry the message. To put your name to the paper please go to the following website and submit your details: https://www.babs.unsw.edu.au/research/microbiologists-warning-humanity
A Sustainable Future
As recognised by the authors of this paper, microbiology has an essential role to play in ensuring the world meets the UN SDGs by 2030. At the Microbiology Society, we are working towards seeing this goal realised through our ‘A Sustainable Future’ project. If you would like to get involved with our work, please see our project webpage or contact the Policy team to find out more.
