In a bold step toward climate action, leading microbiology societies and organizations have unveiled their first joint global strategy to harness the power of microbial science in addressing the climate crisis. This landmark strategy has been published across six scientific journals, including FEMS Microbiology Ecology, mBio, Microbiology Australia, Ocean-Land-Atmosphere Research, Sustainable Microbiology, and The ISME Journal.
On May 23, 2025, leaders from microbiology organizations worldwide gathered in Washington, D.C., for the Global Strategy Meeting on Microbes and Climate Change. The goal was to unite behind a single, strategic vision for integrating microbial science into climate policy, innovation, and public discourse. While microbes play essential roles in carbon cycling, soil health, ocean systems, and more, their impact has long been overlooked in climate models and solutions. This inaugural gathering marked the launch of a global alliance of microbiology organizations dedicated to changing that narrative.
Key Principles of the Strategy
The meeting identified four major principles to guide the path forward:
- Speak With One Global Voice: Form a formal coalition of microbiology societies and partner organizations to strengthen credibility, expand political influence, attract new partners, and amplify the microbiology community’s voice.
- Embed Microbial Science in Climate Policy: Engage policymakers, funders, entrepreneurs, and advocacy groups to ensure microbial science is reflected in climate strategies and investment decisions.
- Tell the Story & Share the Science: Use storytelling, advocacy, and media strategies to elevate microbes in the climate conversation.
- Launch High-Impact Demonstration Projects: Pilot real-world demonstration projects (e.g., reducing fertilizer runoff and restoring soil microbiomes) that achieve measurable ecological and economic outcomes, foster trust, and inform policy.
The strategy is more than just a roadmap; it’s a call to action. It invites policymakers, industry, funders, other microbiology organizations, and the public to recognize microbes as vital allies in the fight against climate change while charting a clear course for microbiology organizations to lead by example.
Historical Context and Expert Opinions
The announcement comes as global leaders increasingly acknowledge the role of natural systems in combating climate change. Historically, the focus has been on reducing carbon emissions through technological and policy solutions, often overlooking the potential of biological processes. According to Dr. Emily Carter, a leading microbiologist from the American Society for Microbiology, “Microbes are the unsung heroes of our ecosystems. They have the potential to transform our approach to climate mitigation if we integrate them into our strategies.”
This development follows a growing body of research highlighting the critical role of microorganisms in maintaining ecological balance and supporting carbon sequestration. Experts suggest that by incorporating microbial science into mainstream climate discussions, there is an opportunity to unlock innovative solutions that are both sustainable and scalable.
Next Steps and Broader Implications
As a next step, the partners are moving to implement the strategy, beginning with the formation of a global coalition. They also commit to raising awareness and communicating the importance of microbes for a healthy planet and a sustainable future. The move represents a significant shift in how scientific communities engage with climate policy, potentially influencing how other scientific disciplines approach global challenges.
Participating societies and organizations include:
- Applied Microbiology International (AMI)
- American Society for Microbiology (ASM)
- Australian Society for Microbiology (ASM)
- Federation of European Microbiological Societies (FEMS)
- Global ONCE
- International Society for Microbial Ecology (ISME)
- International Union of Microbiological Societies (IUMS)
- Sociedad Argentina de Investigaciones en Bioquímica y Biología Molecular (SAIB)
- Sociedad Argentina de Microbiología General (SAMIGE)
- Soil Stars initiative
Meanwhile, the strategy’s publication across multiple scientific journals underscores its importance and the urgency of integrating microbial science into the global climate agenda. As the world grapples with the escalating impacts of climate change, this initiative highlights the need for interdisciplinary approaches and collaboration across sectors.
To find out more, read the editorial in Sustainable Microbiology.