b'Policy Brief: Climate ChangeRESEARCH INTO MICROBIAL INFLUENCES IN CLIMATE CHANGENBIC joins calls from the UKs Microbiology Society 1 NBIC was established to capitalise on the UKs strength and the American Society for Microbiology 2to increasein biofilms research and accelerate interactions with research into the role of microbial communities inindustry and end-users to address UK and global contributing to and mitigating climate change. challenges. Alongside our colleagues in the US and UK microbiological societies, and our partners in biofilm Biofilms are communities of microorganisms research centres around the globe, we urge attention bacteria, archaea, fungi, protozoa and virusesthatto be paid to the role of microbial communities represent the predominant lifestyle of microbial lifeto contribute to and combat climate change.on earth. In biofilms, microbes embed themselves in a self-produced sticky glue or matrix that provides protection from the external environment. This matrixWE RECOMMENDincreases their tolerance to environmental stressesInvestment in Biofilm and Microbiome Research: such as temperature, dehydration, and chemicalIncreased UK investment in biofilms research changes and enables diverse communities to actis needed to understand their behaviour and collaboratively. The prevalence of the biofilm lifestyleproperties, their impact, and their potential makes it imperative to understand how biofilmto mitigate climate change and regenerate communities respond to a changing climate, andhabitats. The UKs strengths in microbiology, how this response will influence, and is influencing,biofilms and microbiome research offer the the ecosystems in which they are embedded.opportunity for global leadership in this domain. Climate change is a significant threat to human survival.Public Engagement: Public engagement and Microbes represent the second largest biomassdialogue is crucial in raising awareness of the on the planet, and although each microbe is small,potential of biofilms research in mitigating their collective contribution to the global climate isclimate change and promoting sustainable monumental. Microbes play a crucial role in the globaldevelopment. Public education and dialogue can carbon cycle and affect various aspects of the Earthshelp build support for rapid implementation of biogeochemical processes. They influence the cyclinginnovative solutions and the necessary policy of carbon, nitrogen, and other nutrients in the soil,changes to achieve net-zero emissions. This atmosphere, and aquatic ecosystems and thus theis of particularly vital importance in contested production and consumption of greenhouse gasesdomains where disinformation has flourished. such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide.Representation: Increased representation of the Microbes are the base of all food chains, and theircontributions of microbial ecosystems to climate responses to climate change will have wide-rangingmodelling. Work with the science base to raise implications for biodiversity, fisheries and agriculture.awareness of the importance of microbes at They are also human, animal and plant pathogensthe heart of biodiversity and their contribution with the potential for devastating impacts. Therefore,to the Global Biodiversity Framework. understanding the behaviour and properties of microbes and their biofilm communities is criticalCollaboration and Partnerships: Enhance in the context of understanding and potentiallycollaboration between academia, industry, non-mitigating the impacts of a changing climate.governmental stakeholders and policymakers Although humans are slow to respond to climateto develop innovative solutions to mitigate change, microbial communities can be quick to adaptclimate change through biofilm research.in unexpected ways. To combat the threat to higher- [1] Climate change: microbes as our allies.order life on earth, we need increased collaboration across scientific disciplines, tabling of unconventional[2] Microbes and Climate Change: approaches, rapid translation of innovative solutions,Science, People and Impacts.and robust data collection and modelling worldwide. Thank you to those that have responded to these calls.48'