Biofilms in Policy: Climate Change
Climate change poses a serious threat to humanity. 2023 was the hottest year on record, with the global mean surface temperature being 1.45°C warmer than pre-industrial (ca before 1750) levels(1). The UK is committed to tackling this issue, by setting a target to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 under the Climate Change Act 2008(2).
Biofilms are intrinsically linked to the Earth’s climate, responsible for consuming and producing greenhouse gases(3). Whilst biofilms provide many opportunities to help society tackle global warming, they also present some challenges which could hinder our progress in combatting this crisis. To effectively mitigate climate change, biofilms require greater attention from policymakers and the public.
Biofilms are communities of microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi, that represent the predominant lifestyle of microbial life on Earth. Found throughout the biosphere, biofilms are connected directly to nature. They play an essential role in driving biogeochemical processes, cycling elements such as carbon throughout the Earth’s atmosphere, marine and terrestrial environments(4) and are fundamental components of our planet’s biodiversity.
Collectively, microorganisms have a direct influence on the climate, producing and consuming greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide(3). In terrestrial landscapes, fungi alone store over 13 billion tons worth of carbon dioxide each year(5), which is equivalent to the weight of over 6 million London Eyes. Many scientists share the concern that the natural production and consumption of greenhouse gases by microorganisms will be disrupted by climate change(4,6). As temperatures rise the way microorganisms work and function may change, altering Earth’s climate in unpredictable ways(7).
Whilst there are uncertainties, we can use microorganisms and biofilms to combat climate change. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, which is 28 times more powerful at trapping heat in our atmosphere compared to carbon dioxide(8). Human activities like burning fossil fuels, waste disposal and agriculture produce over half of the world’s methane emissions(8). To limit climate change, capturing these methane emissions is crucial(8). Research is exploring how methane-eating microorganisms can help to reduce these emissions and mitigate climate change(9).
The importance of microorganisms in relation to fighting climate change is striking. However, scientists working in biofilm research have emphasised that greater efforts need to be placed on educating policymakers and the public about the significance of biofilms(10). This coincides with calls made by the Microbiology Society(11), the National Biofilms Innovation Centre (NBIC) and the American Society for Microbiology(7, 12) for greater investment and research into understanding microorganisms’ role in contributing to and mitigating climate change.
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) have provided billions of pounds worth of funding to projects related to climate change, a lot of which are also applicable to biofilm research. Through the UKRI’s funding, institutions can collaborate with companies and investigate how we can use microorganisms such as bacteria to capture and store carbon(13).
NBIC is well placed to help address and inform policy surrounding this issue, leading biofilm research in the UK, connecting researchers and companies to one another, and creating opportunities for industry and government collaboration.
To get involved in NBIC’s policy efforts please consider taking part in our Climate Policy Brief Consultation.
Should you need more information on the role of biofilms in innovative climate change mitigation and adaptation research, please contact one of a few experts listed below.
If you are a biofilm researcher interested in having a profile linked to this blog, please feel free to contact us at nbic@biofilms.ac.uk.
If you want to work with us or learn more about our policy engagement and activities, please contact Ines Foidl, our Policy Engagement Officer.
References:
(1) World Meteorological Organization. State of the Global Climate 2023. Geneva, Switzerland. WMO. 2024. Available at: https://library.wmo.int/viewer/68835/download?file=1347_Global-statement-2023_en.pdf&type=pdf&navigator=1
(2) Legislation.gov.uk. Climate Change Act 2008. The National Archives. Available at: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2008/27/contents [Accessed 2024, November 15].
(3) American Society for Microbiology. The Role of Microbes in Mediating Methane Emissions: Report on the American Academy of Microbiology Colloquium held on May 31 and June 1, 2023. Washington (D.C.). ASM. 2023. Available at: https://asm.org/getmedia/1c9ae3e1-9b40-4ad5-9526-4fed26bc8444/The-Role-of-Microbes-in-Mediating-Methane-Emissions.pdf
(4) Cavicchioli, R. Ripple, WJ. Timmis, KN. Scientists’ warning to humanity: microorganisms and climate change. Nature Reviews Microbiology. 2019. 17: 569-586. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41579-019-0222-5
(5) Hawkins, H-J. Cargill, RIM. Van Nuland, ME. Hagen, SC. Field, KJ. Sheldrake, M, et al. Mycorrhizal mycelium as a global carbon pool. Current Biology. 2023. 33(11): R560-R573. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2023.02.027
(6) Burckhurst, R. Climate Change Experts Tap Microbes to Protect the Planet. In: Khan, A. Potter, L. Microcosm. American Society of Microbiology. 2023. pp. 6-9. Available at: https://asm.org/ASM/media/Microcosm/2023/Spring/microcosm-2023-spring.pdf
(7) American Society for Microbiology. Microbes and Climate Change – Science, People & Impacts. Washington (D.C.). ASM. 2022. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK580166/pdf/Bookshelf_NBK580166.pdf
(8) Rani, A. Pundir, A. Verma, M. Joshi, S. Verma, G. Andjelković, S et al. Methanotrophy: A Biological Method to Mitigate Global Methane Emission. Microbiology Research. 2024. 15(2):634-654. https://doi.org/10.3390/microbiolres15020042
(9) He, L. Groom, JD. Wilson, EH. Fernandez, J. Konopka, MC. Beck, DAC et al. A methanotrophic bacterium to enable methane removal for climate mitigation. PNAS Microbiology. 2023. 120(35). https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2310046120
(10) Coenye, T. Ahonen, M. Anderson, S. Cámara, M. Chundi, P. Fields, M et al. Global challenges and microbial biofilms: Identification of priority questions in biofilm research, innovation and policy. Biofilm. 2024. 8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bioflm.2024.100210
(11) Microbiology Society. Climate Change: Microbes as our Allies. London, UK. Microbiology Society. 2022. Available at: https://microbiologysociety.org/publication/briefing/climate-change-microbes-as-our-allies.html
(12) American Society of Microbiology. Scientists Urge Global Action on Microbial Climate Solutions. 2024. Available at: https://asm.org/Press-Releases/2024/November/Scientists-Call-for-Global-Action-on-Microbial-Cli [Accessed 2024, November 19].
(13) UK Research and Innovation. £13.5 million for 48 engineering biology R&D projects. 2024. Available at: https://www.ukri.org/news/13-5-million-for-48-engineering-biology-rd-projects/ [Accessed 2024, November 12].