Earth Day: iGEM and SDG 13
by Linda Kahl
Tomorrow is Earth Day. Observed on April 22 each year since 1970, Earth Day marks the birth of the modern environmental movement and is celebrated by over a billion people worldwide. Many important environmental events have taken place on Earth Day, including the signing of the Paris Agreement that established a framework to combat global climate change. In honor of Earth Day, we’d like to highlight the accomplishments of iGEM teams tackling the climate crisis with synthetic biology.
““We have a responsibility to protect the rights of generations, of all species, that cannot speak for themselves today. The global challenge of climate change requires that we ask no less of our leaders, or ourselves.””
The UN Sustainable Development Goal 13 (SDG 13) urges action to combat climate change and its impacts. Climate change has been a motivation behind many iGEM projects through the years. In 2020, iGEM formally introduced the SDGs as a focus for collaboration that teams could continue to build upon in future years. Highlights from some of the 2020 iGEM teams focusing on the climate crisis include:
AHUT-ZJU-China (China) aimed to reduce environmental levels of carbon dioxide by engineering the enzyme carbonic anhydrase with improved activity and heat resistance. Gold Medalist, Undergrad Division.
Amsterdam (Netherlands) developed an algorithm for engineering cell factories that could provide an alternate to fossil fuel-based methods for more sustainable production of valuable chemical compounds. Silver Medalist, Overgrad Division.
Aix-Marseille (France) designed a biological system to degrade polysaccharides in green algae to produce bioethanol and reduce use of fossil fuels. Bronze Medalist, Undergrad Division.
Baltimore_BioCrew (United States) engineered phytoplankton to grow in low-iron regions of the ocean where it could help combat global warming by absorbing CO2 through photosynthesis. Gold Medalist, Nominee for Best Integrated Human Practices, High School Division.
Exeter (United Kingdom) sought to reduce CO2 emissions by engineering bacteria with enhanced capacity for precipitating calcium carbonate. Gold Medalist, Undergrad Division.
FAFU-CHINA (China) designed an integrated fermentation system to produce bioethanol using JUNCAO as raw material, which could provide a source of renewable energy to help combat climate change. Undergrad Division.
HK_HCY (Hong Kong) designed a system to inhibit biofilm formation that could enhance the production efficiency of biofuels. Bronze Medalist, High School Division.
HZNFHS_Hangzhou (China) aimed to reuse carbon dioxide by creating a biological system to manufacture lycopene, which can be used as the raw material for producing cosmetics, food, and health products. Silver Medalist, High School Division.
Lethbridge_HS (Canada) aimed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by designing a biological system to accelerate the breakdown of food waste and improve home composting. Silver Medalist, Nominee for Best Integrated Human Practices, High School Division.
Nanjing_NFLS (China) designed improvements to enhance the overall efficiency and electrical performance of microbial fuel cells that could be used for bioelectricity generation. Gold Medalist, High School Division.
NFLS (China) engineered bacteria to breakdown cellulose, which could serve as an environmentally friendly alternative for processing waste paper and provide an energy source to generate electricity. Gold Medalist, High School Division.
UGent_Belgium (Belgium) designed a biological cloud seeding approach for combating the effects of climate change on the weather. Silver Medalist, Undergrad Division.
Worldshaper-Nanjing (China) designed a biological system to use grain from substandard crops to produce biofuels. Gold Medalist, High School Division.
We are proud of the progress all iGEM teams have made in using synthetic biology to tackle climate change and other global challenges!
If you would like to join iGEM in addressing the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we invite you to start an iGEM team for the 2021 season, become an iGEM partner or sponsor, or witness the accomplishments of the teams at the 2021 Giant Jamboree. We look forward to welcoming you to the iGEM community!
