THE PLACE AND ROLE OF MICROORGANISMS IN A CHANGING GLOBAL CLIMATE

Abstract

Introduction. Throughout Earth's history, microorganisms have changed the climate and been changed by the climate. As we experience the unprecedented impact of climate change on the environment, microorganisms will respond, adapt and evolve in the environment. Because they have short lifespans, they will do so at a faster rate than most other organisms. This makes microbes ideal sentinels for understanding the effects of climate change on biological systems and the global biogeochemical cycles that microbes mediate.

Material and methods. A descriptive study of narrative synthesis of the literature was carried out. To identify research studies related to microorganisms and climate change, bibliographic sources were searched from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2023, in the PubMed digital library. 1023 articles were identified, after exclusion of duplicates, and failure to meet the inclusion criteria, 22 articles were included in the analysis.

Results. The earth is warming and many aspects of life on earth are changing with climate change. Rising global temperatures have a multifactorial impact on living organisms, including microbes. As one of the longest-lived organisms on Earth, microorganisms are the ones that have survived and mastered the art of adapting to the planet's changing environment. However, how microbes will respond to the current climate driven by anthropogenic activities, and in turn how this will impact human health and well-being, remains unknown. Climate change is impacting infectious diseases, rising ocean temperatures are leading to increased human infections and coral destruction. Waterborne diseases are likely to occur more frequently with ongoing changes in weather and climate conditions.

Conclusions. Proactive and effective actions by health systems, in collaboration with health-determining sectors, can increase resilience as the climate continues to change. Scientific literacy can help combat climate change and sustainability is key to human survival on the planet.