The American Society for Microbiology (ASM) is proud to sign on to the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Publishers Compact and join the growing list of publishers who have committed to championing global sustainability. Signatories aspire to accelerate sustainable solutions to the world's biggest challenges, publishing books and journals that will help inform, develop and encourage progress toward the SDGs.
The SDG Publishers Compact is designed to inspire action among publishers. Launched in collaboration with the International Publishers Association, the compact aims to accelerate progress to achieve the SDGs by 2030. In 2015, the UN identified 17 interconnecting global objectives, known as the SDGs, to serve as a "blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all" by 2030.
"The UN SDGs mirror many of ASM's policy principles, journal scopes and organizational aspirations, and we are proud to be furthering our commitment to a sustainable future for all by signing the SDG Publishers Compact," said Melissa Junior, ASM's Executive Publisher.
Many of the SDGs, from "Good Health and Wellbeing" to "Life Below Water," are comprehensively covered in ASM's journals and publications. ASM's mSystems has launched a collection specifically focused on the SDGs, highlighting the myriad ways that microbial systems can enhance our understanding and help us make progress toward the SDGs.
"Climate Action" has also been a focal point of ASM's publications and organizational efforts. From the Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education (JMBE)'s "Teaching Climate Change Series," which provides educators with tools for engaging students with climate science, to the forthcoming mSphere series on "One Health, Microbes and Climate Change," ASM Journals is publishing more research at the intersection of microbes and climate science. Additionally, climate science is being prioritized through initiatives like the American Academy of Microbiology's 5-year Climate Change and Microbes Scientific Portfolio.
In line with the "Reducing Inequalities" and "Gender Equality" SDGs, ASM journals have also significantly contributed to the discourse around diversity, equity and inclusion. For example, the ongoing "Social Equity and Disparities in Microbial Exposure" series published in mSystems addresses the interrelationship of the microbial world, social systems and policy, and health outcomes. ASM is committed to embodying and elevating inclusive diversity with equity, access and accountability (IDEAA), which builds upon the Society's overarching goals of enhancing the health, environmental sustainability and economic prosperity of people worldwide.
As stated by ASM CEO Stefano Bertuzzi when addressing the 2021 United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Science Summit, "Understanding the world of microbes is absolutely imperative either to curb dangerous effects or to harness [microbes] power for healthier life, for sustainable energy sources, for biodiversity, for tackling climate change [and] for solving hunger problems."
ASM recognizes the interconnectivity of the SDGs in the effort toward global prosperity and sustainability. The microbial sciences play a clear role in many of the issues facing our planet, and ASM is committed to sharing knowledge about the role of microbiology in sustainable development through ASM's scientific journals and publications.
