Integrating microorganisms into models for climate change prediction

This opinion piece highlights the critical role of microorganisms in biogeochemical processes and their underrepresentation in Earth system models (ESMs) used for climate prediction. The authors propose a top 10 list of priorities and challenges for incorporating microbial data into ESMs, emphasizing the need for novel data and interdisciplinary collaboration. They discuss how microbes’ rapid evolutionary responses to climate drivers can be harnessed to enhance model accuracy and ultimately aid in crafting more effective climate adaptation and mitigation strategies.