Exploring the Intersection of Microbial Science and Sustainable Development: Opportunities for Education and Innovation

Abstract

In 2015, the United Nations adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, anchored on 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that address global environmental, economic, and social challenges. This study explores the underutilized potential of microbial science in advancing the SDGs, with a specific focus on how microorganisms can contribute to sustainability through applications in energy, agriculture, waste management, and public health. Despite this potential, the integration of microbial innovations into sustainability frameworks remains limited due to widespread microbial illiteracy. This paper argues that increasing public and policy-level awareness of microorganisms as agents of sustainable development can drive innovation and accelerate progress toward the SDGs. It concludes that microbial literacy is a foundational enabler of sustainable innovation. Accordingly, it recommends the inclusion of microbial science in sustainability education curricula, greater investment in microbial research, and interdisciplinary collaborations to promote microbe-based solutions for a sustainable future