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Mircroorganisms and Climate Change

 

Although it’s been clear that human activities have been and continue to be one of the biggest influences on climate and the environment, it is time that we give importance towards microorganisms, ‘the unseen majority,’ and how they too are being affected by climate change and human activities. It is clear that human activities have caused a loss in biodiversity, an extinction in plant and animal species and a loss of different communities and habitats. Nonetheless, microorganisms are not usually taken into consideration in the context of climate change, but their role is to maintain a healthy global ecosystem. Even though the effects of human impact are not visible on microorganisms, it is vital to recognize the importance of microbial processes in regards to creating an environmentally sustainable future.

 

Figure 1. The effects of human activities and agriculture on microorganisms. 



Microorganisms are involved in carbon sequestration, specifically marine phytoplankton, that fix a total net of CO2 similar to that of terrestrial plants. Therefore, it is critical to note such environmental changes as they influence marine microbial photosynthesis and fixed carbon storage in deep waters. Human activities that affect microorganisms include greenhouse gas emissions, pollution, agriculture, and population growth that will increase that of climate change, pollution, agricultural practice and disease spreading. However, microorganisms positively impact those factors by redeeming human-caused problems through improved agricultural outcomes, production of biofuels and remediation of pollution. Microorganisms not only influence the rate of climate change but can also take part our adaption tools and mitigation strategies.  

 

 

Reference

Cavicchioli, R., Ripple, W.J., Timmis, K.N. et al. 2019. Scientists’ warning to humanity: microorganisms and climate change. Nat Rev Microbiol 17: 569–586.

 


Comments

  1. RocioNovember 24, 2020 at 5:19 PM

    Its disappointing how everyone is seeing the effects of our innovations but they aren't reacting to the damage we are creating and what that implies for the future.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sharon AmorosNovember 29, 2020 at 10:19 PM

    I feel like the importance of microorganisms are vastly overlooked!! They are essential for our ecosystem, as tiny as they may appear.

    ReplyDelete

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