## Microbes: The Unsung Heroes in the Fight Against Climate Change
The American Society for Microbiology (ASM) is leading the charge in harnessing the power of microbes to combat climate change. In a significant move, ASM, in partnership with the International Union of Microbiological Societies (IUMS), is hosting a crucial panel discussion at the IUMS 2024 meeting in Florence, Italy. This year’s meeting, themed “Microorganisms for Sustainable Solutions,” underscores the urgent need to explore environmentally friendly approaches to tackle global environmental challenges.
The panel, aptly titled “Climate Change and Microbe-driven Sustainable Solutions,” brings together a Scientific Advisory Group (SAG) of global experts. These experts will present groundbreaking research showcasing the remarkable potential of microorganisms in mitigating the impacts of climate change. The discussions will encompass diverse areas like human health, biodiversity, energy production, and greenhouse gas reduction, underscoring the wide-ranging potential of microbes to address some of our planet’s most pressing issues.
“Microorganisms have an extraordinary ability to influence environmental systems and public health,” emphasizes Dr. Nguyen Nguyen, Director of ASM’s American Academy for Microbiology. “Through international and transdisciplinary collaborations like the ASM & IUMS partnership, we can harness the collective knowledge and expertise to develop microbe-driven solutions that not only reduce carbon footprints but also restore ecosystems. Global partnerships are paramount to solving the most urgent problems of our time, such as climate change and its multifaceted impacts on the environment and human health.”
Dr. Rino Rappuoli, President of IUMS, echoes this sentiment: “The challenges we face from climate change require a unified, global response. Microbes offer untapped potential to transform how we tackle environmental issues, but success will only come through collaboration. By bringing together experts from around the world, IUMS and ASM are driving the innovations we need.”
Beyond scientific advancements, the panel will present a proposal and gather input on how scientific societies can actively promote microbial solutions for climate change. This valuable input will shape the future joint declaration between ASM, IUMS, and other microbiological societies. The declaration aims to encourage a unified voice advocating for and implementing microbial solutions to climate change on a global scale. This initiative seeks to establish a solid foundation for microbiological science societies to collectively address the climate crisis through microbial solutions.
ASM’s leadership in climate change action is rooted in its long-standing commitment to advancing microbial science for the betterment of society. Through its Climate Change & Microbes Scientific Portfolio—a comprehensive five-year initiative—ASM is expanding our understanding of the intricate relationship between microbes and climate change. This portfolio serves as a foundation for informed climate change policies, fostering market-driven innovations and supporting the development of microbial technologies with global applicability.
Looking ahead, ASM and IUMS are preparing to release a comprehensive report from the Scientific Advisory Group in early 2025. This report will delve deeper into microbial solutions backed by robust science and are safe, scalable, equitable, and economically sustainable. The ultimate aim is to integrate these actionable microbial interventions into global adaptation and mitigation strategies for a more effective approach to climate change.
As climate change continues to impact all facets of society, ASM remains committed to championing microbial solutions that promise sustainable, long-term benefits for the planet. The American Society for Microbiology is one of the largest professional societies dedicated to the life sciences, comprising over 32,000 scientists and health practitioners. ASM’s mission is to promote and advance the microbial sciences. ASM accomplishes this through conferences, publications, certifications, educational opportunities, and advocacy efforts. It enhances laboratory capacity worldwide through training and resources. Additionally, ASM provides a network for scientists in academia, industry, and clinical settings. Furthermore, ASM promotes a deeper understanding of the microbial sciences to diverse audiences.
