Elias Hakalehto, PhD, Adj. Prof.

Microbiologist, Biotechnologist

CEO and inventor, Finnoflag Oy, Kuopio, Finland (1993-)

Founder of the Environmental Section (1983) of the Student Union of Helsinki University

An Alumnus of the UniversityCollege London, U.K. (Biochemical Engineering)

Vice President (Europe and Africa), International Society of Environmental Indicators

Lifetime Fellow Member, International Society of Development and Sustainability (Japan)

(Published on the 6thof June 2024)

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We live now times when previously complicated-looking things seem to turn more simple and conceivable. This "back to basics" horizon includes the earlier mentioned three "cultures", namely

1. "culture" as a top concept of all civilized activities of human societies,

2. "agriculture" is the basic upkeep of our human lives, health and nutrition,

and

3. "microbial culture" is a segment or sector activity and actor of the microbial kingdom, which provides the mosaic of survival for various ecosystems. This is often an invisible show of power with the most visible consequences, which could resolve many issues of Mankind.

History is a recorded notebook of our cultures, what is known of them, prevailing documents, and collective memories. This picture, thus obtained, still needs to be a complete view of past events and developments. History is, however, an essential part of interpreting the tracks our Mankind has left on Earth.

Furthermore, the same Earth is expected to maintain our livelihood on this planet, based on solar power captured by photosynthesis, which is the starting point for food chains in ecosystems, where microbes pursue the gigantic recycling economy. Substances circulate, and silent information is distributed. The climatological resupply of water and basic atmospheric gases is also vital.

So, the triangle of plants, animals, and microbes is the powerhouse or turbine of living things.

Microbes facilitate the above-mentioned cycles. Their mixed cultures in soils, water sediments, plants, and animals maintain the ecological balance in microcosms and ecosystems. Microorganisms are also vital contributors to our health. As scientists, we are overwhelmed by the multitudes of simultaneous and interactive reactions, variables and influences.

This vast diversity in the microbial world also provides a means for cleaning up the environment and establishing novel, more effective, and sustainable industries. We have used only a tiny portion of these resources.

Ecquivocally, there is a track that could lead us behind the horizon if greed and lust for power do not destroy this option. But even in this most undesired and unfortunate case, microbes could provide their healing potential for soil, water, air, the biosphere, and human beings.

This is the time when dreamers are needed, but concrete steps are also anticipated. At this particular time, the importance of our individual decisions is most upfront. They are warranted at the levels of human cultures and civilizations, agriculture and food security, microbial networks and maintenance of natural balances.

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