Part 5/19:
Engineered microbes are emerging as unlikely heroes in the battle against climate change. Scientists have modified certain bacteria and algae to consume CO2 more efficiently, converting it into useful products like biofuels or biodegradable plastics. One such microbe, Cupriavidus necator, has been engineered to produce ethanol from CO2 with efficiency surpassing many plants. At scale, these microbes could potentially sequester gigatons of CO2 annually, significantly mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. However, ensuring the stability and safety of these engineered organisms in open environments is crucial, and concerns about potential ecological disruptions and the energy requirements for maintaining optimal conditions at an industrial scale present significant hurdles.