Microorganisms are often just known for causing diseases in animals and plants or spoiling our food, but these tiny organisms contain so many benefits for us, some of which we do not even know about yet! Microbes, such as bacteria and fungi, have been proven to be beneficial for our health and bodies, our food, medicines and even our environment. For example, it has recently been discovered that certain microorganisms are able to degrade polluting compounds that are found in the waste generated during coffee production, and convert them into electricity. Microorganisms therefore prevent these pollutants from entering water courses and contaminate the environment – without these microorganisms, our environment would be very different!
The essential role of microorganisms in our environment should be recognized, which is why on the 17th of September we celebrate International Microorganism Day! During the entire day, the Federation of European Microbiology Societies (FEMS) has arranged multiple online activities with the aim to raise awareness on the importance and diversity of microorganisms, and the ways we co-exist. For this year’s celebration, a “24 hours of microbiology” live stream is going to take place, which will feature videos and talks from microbiologists and other experts.
Find out more on how to get involved and learn about the amazing world of microorganisms through social media via the hashtags #InternationalMicroorganismDay, #WhyMicroMatters and #MicrobiologyIsEverywhere or by visiting the website internationalmicroorganismday.org
