The climate change-pollution-aerobiome nexus: A 'systems thinking' mini-review

Abstract

The interrelationship between climate change, pollution and the aerobiome (the microbiome of the air) is a complex ecological dynamic with profound implications for human and ecosystem health. This mini-review explores the multifaceted relationships among these factors. By synthesising existing research and integrating interdisciplinary perspectives, we examine the mechanisms driving interactions within the climate change-pollution-aerobiome nexus. We also explore synergistic and cascading effects and potential impacts on human health (including both communicable and non-communicable diseases) and that of wider ecosystems. Based on our mini-review results, climate change influences air pollution and, independently, air pollution affects the composition, diversity and activity of the aerobiome. However, we apply a 'systems thinking' approach and create a set of systems diagrams to show that climate change likely influences the aerobiome (including bacteria and fungi) via climate change-pollution interactions in complex ways. Due to the inherent complexity of these systems, we emphasise the importance of holistic and/or interdisciplinary approaches and collaborative efforts in understanding this nexus to safeguard planetary health in an era of rapid environmental change.

FIGURE 1

A systems model of climate change's potential influence on air pollution, including direct (left) and indirect (right). Red dashed links represent a negative (−) influence and blue links represent a positive (+) influence on the recipient component. Blue dashed links indicate where pollution‐related outcomes caused by climate change can feedback to drive the cause (i.e. a vicious cycle). The arrowheads indicate the directionality of the influence. Grey arrows represent topic links with no interaction implied. The figure was created using the systems software Kumu (www.kumu.io).

FIGURE 2

A systems model of air pollution's potential influence on the aerobiome, including direct (left) and indirect (right). Red dashed links represent a negative (−) influence and blue links represent a positive (+) influence. Blue dashed links indicate where aerobiome‐related outcomes caused by air pollution can feedback to drive the cause (i.e. a vicious cycle). The arrowheads indicate the directionality of the influence. Grey arrows represent topic links with no interaction implied. The figure was created using the systems software Kumu (www.kumu.io).

FIGURE 3

A systems model of the climate change–pollution–aerobiome nexus, where red dashed links represent a negative (−) influence and blue links represent a positive (+) influence. The arrowheads indicate the directionality of the influence. Grey arrows represent topic links with no interaction implied. The figure was created using the systems software Kumu (www.kumu.io).