By Joyce Ong and Marjorie Kaplan
RCEI Affiliate Max Häggblom and researchers from various institutions globally have proposed the formation of a global science-based climate task force to facilitate the deployment of microbe-based solutions for the climate catastrophe. In an editorial co-published by Sustainable Microbiology, The ISME Journal, mSystems, FEMS Microbiology Ecology, Nature Microbiology, Nature Reviews Microbiology, Nature Reviews Earth and Environment, Nature Communications, Communications Biology, Communications Earth and Environment, npj Biodiversity, npj Biofilms and Microbiomes, npj Climate Action and npj Sustainable Agriculture, Häggblom and his colleagues note that microorganisms, though often overlooked, play a crucial role in our climate system and “there is a wealth of evidence that microbes and the microbiome have untapped potential as viable climate solutions.” They drive Earth’s nutrient cycles, influence greenhouse gas emissions and absorption, and determine how carbon is stored or released in land and water ecosystems.
Multiple microbe-based technologies such as bioenergy production, bioremediation and methane oxidation, among others, are identified as strategies to address climate change. They argue however, that these promising strategies have yet to be deployed at scale in a safe and ethical way. Hence, using an evidence-based framework, the authors intend for this task force be involved in aspects such as pilot tests, funding opportunities, cross-sector collaborations, streamlining regulatory processes and ensuring rigorous safety and risk assessments. The authors encourage all relevant initiatives, governments and stakeholders to reach out to them at climate@isme-microbes.org. Read more about the collective call to action here.