Maya Britstein is a Climatebase Fellow, Cohort 5.

When I was a child, while others were being taught to fear germs, I was captivated by them. I remember being ten years old, sitting in my room with a makeshift lab kit, dreaming up ways to create electricity-producing microbes. I was convinced I would one day win a Nobel Prize for my groundbreaking discovery. My fascination with these invisible wonders only grew as I learned more about their incredible abilities.

Today, the world shares my love for microbes. The human microbiome industry alone generates over $800 million globally today and is expected to grow to almost $6.5 billion by 2032. Microorganisms, the most abundant and diverse organisms on Earth, include viruses, bacteria, archaea, fungi, algae, and protozoa. They inhabit a wide range of environments, from terrestrial and urban to atmospheric and aquatic ecosystems.

Microbes have endured and adapted to climate changes for over 3 billion years, showcasing remarkable resilience and evolutionary capabilities. They play a crucial role in driving elemental cycles, such as carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycles, and are significant contributors as both producers and consumers of greenhouse gasses.

Embracing sustainable and microbe-based innovations is vital to mitigating climate change and promoting global human health and well-being.

Revolutionizing Agriculture with Microbiomes

In agriculture, microorganisms serve as biofertilizers. They:

• Deliver essential nutrients to plants
• Enhance crop growth
• Control pests
• Mitigate plant stress responses
• Promote higher yields for farmers

This approach replaces harmful chemical fertilizers that contribute to environmental degradation through greenhouse gas emissions and groundwater contamination. Notable startups in this space include  Kula Bio, IndigoAg, Robigo, and Pivot Bio.

Microbial Innovations in Carbon Removals

Carbon removals involve transferring atmospheric CO2 into long-lived carbon pools, including existing biomass, microbial biomass, soil organic and inorganic carbon, and deep-sea sediments. Soil microorganisms play a crucial role in carbon cycling by:

• Decomposing and transforming organic matter
• Stabilizing organic carbon
• Influencing soil carbon storage and turnover

Manipulating soil microbiome composition could enhance soil carbon sequestration. Startups like  Funga, Loam Bio, and Andes are exploring these strategies to remove and store carbon, contributing to climate change mitigation.

Innovative Approaches in Food Waste Management

The United States generates approximately 60 million metric tons of food waste annually, accounting for about 30% of the total food supply. Disposing of this waste in landfills emits methane, a potent greenhouse gas.

Solutions:

• Anaerobic Digesters: Convert food waste into fertilizers and biomethane. Companies like Divert and Bioenergy Devco are leading this effort.
• Shelf Life Extension: Antimicrobial films and prebiotic blends can reduce food spoilage. Companies like Mori, Apeel, and LiVa are developing these innovative solutions.

Microbes offer exciting solutions to some of our most pressing environmental challenges. From agriculture to carbon removal and food waste management, these tiny organisms are making a big impact.

Want to hear more about microbiomes and climate innovation? Connect with me on LinkedIn!

Looking for a project manager or Research and Development scientist for your team? Let's talk!

Climatebase Fellow Maya Britstein is an accomplished Scientist and Project Manager, and has dedicated a decade to innovative research and development, with a particular focus on addressing the climate crisis.

Applications for Cohort 6 of the Climatebase Fellowship are open untill August 16th.  Learn More and Apply.