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 6 scientific journals, including FEMS Microbiology Ecology, mBio, Microbiology Australia, Ocean-Land-Atmosphere Research, Sustainable Microbiology and The ISME Journal.

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On May 23, 2025, leaders from microbiology organizations from around the world 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

The meeting identified 4 major principles to guide the path forward:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. Tell the Story & Share the Science: Use storytelling, advocacy and media strategies to elevate microbes in the climate conversation.

4. 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.

Next step

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 about the importance of microbes for a healthy planet and a sustainable future.

To find out more, read the editorial in Sustainable Microbiology.

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

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