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Scientists' warning to humanity: microorganisms and climate change
Citation
Cavicchioli, R and Ripple, WJ and Timmis, KN and Azam, F and Bakken, LR and Baylis, M and Behrenfeld, MJ and Boetius, A and Boyd, PW and Classen, AT and Crowther, TW and Danovaro, R and Foreman, CM and Huisman, J and Hutchins, DA and Jansson, JK and Karl, DM and Koskella, B and Mark Welch, DB and Martiny, JBH and Moran, MA and Orphan, VJ and Reay, DS and Remais, JV and Rich, VI and Singh, BK and Stein, LY and Stewart, FJ and Sullivan, MB and van Oppen, MJH and Weaver, SC and Webb, EA and Webster, NS, Scientists' warning to humanity: microorganisms and climate change, Nature Reviews Microbiology, 17, (9) pp. 569-586. ISSN 1740-1526 (2019) [Refereed Article]
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DOI: doi:10.1038/s41579-019-0222-5
Abstract
In the Anthropocene, in which we now live, climate change is impacting most life on
Earth. Microorganisms support the existence of all higher trophic life forms. To understand how
humans and other life forms on Earth (including those we are yet to discover) can withstand
anthropogenic climate change, it is vital to incorporate knowledge of the microbial ‘unseen
majority’. We must learn not just how microorganisms affect climate change (including
production and consumption of greenhouse gases) but also how they will be affected by climate
change and other human activities. This Consensus Statement documents the central role and
global importance of microorganisms in climate change biology. It also puts humanity on notice
that the impact of climate change will depend heavily on responses of microorganisms, which are
essential for achieving an environmentally sustainable future.
Item Details
| Item Type: | Refereed Article |
|---|---|
| Keywords: | microbes, climate change, threat to humanity |
| Research Division: | Biological Sciences |
| Research Group: | Microbiology |
| Research Field: | Microbial ecology |
| Objective Division: | Environmental Policy, Climate Change and Natural Hazards |
| Objective Group: | Adaptation to climate change |
| Objective Field: | Ecosystem adaptation to climate change |
| UTAS Author: | Boyd, PW (Professor Philip Boyd) |
| ID Code: | 150310 |
| Year Published: | 2019 |
| Funding Support: | Australian Research Council (FL160100131) |
| Web of Science® Times Cited: | 435 |
| Deposited By: | Ecology and Biodiversity |
| Deposited On: | 2022-06-07 |
| Last Modified: | 2022-06-08 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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