When many people think of ‘microbes’ they think of germs, bacteria, nasty tiny little things that cause trouble. But they can be our friends. They are like mini magicians, breaking down food waste into rich compost, transforming human and animal waste, even pesticides and pollution into harmless, often even useful substances.
This anthology presents 23 short stories selected from winning stories from the Green Stories competition ‘Microbes to the Rescue’, sponsored by the Environmental Biotechnology Network and the ‘Clean vs Green’ competition, which similarly uses fiction to tackle myths and misconceptions about bacteria. The goal was to raise awareness of the environmental and health implications of over-cleaning. Many of us are now aware of the ‘beneficial bacteria’ in our gut, yet still scrub off all the friendly bacteria on our skin that has evolved to keep our skin healthy and clean. Persuaded by misleading marketing blurb claiming ‘this kills 99% of all germs’, we expose our lungs and environments to sometime dangerous levels of volatile organic compounds. Indeed, most information reaching the public about cleaning has come from the advertising industry, not health professionals. We hope that these stories help to redress the balance as well as entertain.
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Reviews
“Their world is fascinating, and they have a massive impact on our lives and the environment. Microbes live on our skin, keep ecosystems healthy, fight pollution and turn waste into resources. In this collection of short stories, human and microbial characters take the stage to entertain, enlighten and provoke. Some of the plots unfold close to our everyday lives, some in the wonderland of tiny heroes, and some take us into an imaginative future. On this journey, meet Willow as she is chased by a morphing pile of slime, Mikey who stops showering, Anna who masters the appetite for shit at the sewage plant, Sophie who turns into a tree, Mike Robe who arrives for his interview in a petri dish, Amanda who survives a flood to find a world within our world instead of sorrows, Tim who changes careers on his friends’ toilet, and many more. This collection of short stories invites you to enter the fascinating world of microorganisms. It also invites you to team up with microbial populations for a brighter, greener future.” (Review by Dr Sigrid Kusch-Brandt, Lecturer Circular Economy, Technische Hochschule Ulm)
“This collection is a fantastic testament to the many ways Environmental Biotechnology contributes to a healthier planet. Through engaging narratives, the anthology highlights how innovative microbial solutions are transforming waste management, pollution remediation, and sustainability. It’s a refreshing reminder of the tangible benefits of environmental biotech in our daily lives.” Prof. Frederic Coulon Professor of Environmental Chemistry & Microbiology, Cranfield University
“This is a must read….it opens the doorway to the hidden world of microbes and the incredible ‘things’ they produce, such as everyday products like detergents (aka biosurfactants). The unseen world of microbes and how they can be harnessed to do incredible things, is captivating, thrilling and entertaining.” Prof. Tony Gutierrez, Professor in Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology, Heriot-Watt University.