An international coalition of microbiology societies and organizations has introduced the first joint global strategy to integrate microbial science into climate policy, innovation and public discourse. The plan was launched on May 23, 2025, at the Global Strategy Meeting on Microbes and Climate Change in Washington, D.C., and published simultaneously across six scientific journals, including FEMS Microbiology Ecology, mBio, Microbiology Australia, Ocean-Land-Atmosphere Research, Sustainable Microbiology and The ISME Journal.
The strategy emphasizes microbes’ critical roles in processes such as carbon cycling, soil health, and ocean systems—areas often underrepresented in climate models. Participants agreed on four guiding principles: establishing a unified global coalition, embedding microbial science in climate policy and investment, enhancing public engagement through storytelling and advocacy, and launching high-impact demonstration projects with measurable ecological and economic outcomes.
The coalition aims to foster stronger political influence, attract new partners, and promote recognition of microbes as essential to climate solutions. Initial steps include formalizing the alliance and raising awareness of microbes’ role in achieving a sustainable future.
Participating groups include Applied Microbiology International, the American Society for Microbiology, the Federation of European Microbiological Societies, the International Society for Microbial Ecology, the International Union of Microbiological Societies, and partner organizations from multiple regions.
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