Overview
Sustainable development refers to development that meets the needs of the
present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. The
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of global development
objectives established by the UN, aiming to comprehensively address social, economic, and
environmental issues from 2015 to 2030, and to guide the world towards a path of sustainable
development.
Introduction
Our project focuses on promoting the development and utilization of blue
carbon resources, such as kelp. By using kelp as a raw material, we employ yeast cell
factories for biological fermentation to produce high-value terpenes like limonene. This
opens up new markets for blue carbon utilization, maximizing the ocean’s carbon
sequestration potential. Our project offers a novel approach to addressing the global
climate crisis.
Our Goals
GOAL 13 Climate action
KNACC: Absorb CO2, Mitigate the Climate Crisis!
SDG 13 emphasizes taking urgent action to combat climate change and its
impacts.
As we know, as greenhouse gas emissions blanket the Earth, they trap the
sun’s heat. This leads
to global warming and climate change. The world is now warming faster than at any point in
recorded history.
Warmer temperatures over time are changing weather patterns and disrupting the usual balance
of nature. This
poses many risks to human beings and all other forms of life on Earth[1]. However, according
to the Emissions
Gap Report 2023[2], Global GHG emissions set new record of 57.4 GtCO2e in 2022. This will
severely impact our
living environment and hinder sustainable development.
Our project focuses on promoting the development and utilization of blue
carbon resources, with
a particular emphasis on kelp. By constructing a kelp growth model, we calculated that each
kilogram of kelp
growth can sequester 97.59 kg of CO2. Therefore, we use kelp as a raw material and employ
yeast cell factories
for biological fermentation to produce high-value terpenes such as limonene. This opens up a
new market for blue
carbon utilization, maximizing the ocean's carbon sequestration capacity, and offering a new
approach to
addressing the global climate crisis.
GOAL 12 Responsible consumption and production
We transform cheap kelp into high-value terpene products!
How much do you know about Sustainable Development Goal
12?
SDG 13 emphasizes taking urgent action to combat climate change and its
impacts.
SDG 12 is about ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns.
One of its key tasks
is to achieve sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources (SDG 12.2). As a
third-generation
biomass resource, large algae like kelp have several advantages: they are highly renewable,
environmentally
friendly, high-yielding, do not compete with food crops, do not require arable land, and do
not depend on
freshwater [4]. This demonstrates that kelp is a raw material that is easy to manage and
utilize sustainably.
After on-site investigations and interviews, we decided to establish a kelp farm on Nanri
Island in Fujian
Province to lay the foundation for industrializing our project.
Based on this background, we are committed to transforming kelp, a rich
natural resource, into
high-value terpene compounds like limonene, directly contributing to SDG 12.2—sustainable
management and
efficient use of natural resources.
By engineering the brewing yeast, we have developed an innovative
biotechnology that enables
yeast to efficiently utilize kelp as a carbon source for terpene production. This process
avoids the
environmental pollution and resource waste that traditional chemical extraction methods can
cause, providing the
market with a greener, safer, and higher-quality raw material.
Our project supports SDG 12.2 in the following ways:
1. Promoting Efficient Resource Utilization: Through biotechnological
methods, we have achieved
deep and efficient utilization of kelp, turning parts that might otherwise be considered
low-value or waste into
high-value products, thereby improving overall resource utilization.
2. Fostering Environmentally Friendly Production: Our production process
follows green and
low-carbon principles, reducing the use of chemical reagents and the generation of waste,
effectively minimizing
negative environmental impacts in line with sustainable development.
3. Promoting Sustainable Economic Development: Limonene, as an important
chemical raw material
and food additive, has wide applications in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, fragrances, and
other industries. Our
project not only provides the market with high-quality limonene products but also stimulates
the development of
related industries, injecting new vitality into the local economy.
GOAL 14 Life below water
Grow, Kelp, Grow!
How much do you know about Sustainable Development Goal
14?
Sustainable Development Goal 14 refers to "Conserve and sustainably use the
oceans, seas, and
marine resources for sustainable development." The ocean is the largest ecosystem on Earth,
regulating the
climate and providing livelihoods for billions of people [5] .
Kelp plays a significant role in marine ecosystems, mainly in
the following
aspects:
1. Food Source: As a large brown alga in the ocean, kelp is a crucial food
source for many
marine animals and microorganisms. Its nutrient-rich fronds provide abundant food for
various marine life.
2. Habitat: Kelp forests offer an ideal habitat and shelter for many marine
organisms. The
dense fronds and complex structure provide hiding places for small fish, invertebrates, and
other creatures,
promoting marine biodiversity.
4. Carbon Sequestration: Kelp has remarkable carbon sequestration
abilities, absorbing and
storing large amounts of carbon dioxide, thus mitigating the impact of global climate change
on marine
ecosystems.
In summary, kelp plays multiple roles in marine ecosystems, contributing
significantly to
maintaining ecological balance and promoting biodiversity.
Our project directly promotes the sustainable use of marine resources. By
engineering yeast to
utilize kelp for producing high-value terpenes, we have developed a high-value conversion
pathway for this
abundant marine resource. This not only increases the economic value of kelp but also
encourages fishermen and
local communities to engage more actively in sustainable kelp farming. At the kelp farm we
established on Nanri
Island, Fujian, we will adopt eco-friendly farming methods to ensure that our activities do
not harm the marine
ecosystem, thus protecting biodiversity and maintaining ecological balance.
GOAL 4 Quality education
Combining online science outreach with offline talks, a win-win!
How much do you know about Sustainable Development Goal 4?
SDG 4 aims to "Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote
lifelong
learning opportunities for
all." However, the lack of quality education seems to be a widespread issue. In China, we
still face challenges
such as unequal distribution of educational resources and the need to improve the overall
quality of education.
For some cutting-edge fields like synthetic biology, public awareness remains limited. To
address this, we have
set several goals, aligned with targets 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, and 4.7, in the hope of alleviating
this issue.
In our education
parts(click and read more) ,
you can see our team's relentless efforts in promoting education on
synthetic biology, a
cutting-edge field. These activities include offline interactive experiences such as the
"Running Yeast"
orienteering running activity, "Yeast cells take you inside synthetic biology" Event and
classroom workshops.
Additionally, we have expanded onto online platforms, releasing science outreach articles
and videos on social
media, and designing games like the “Gene Scissor Hand Mini-Game.” This combination of
online and offline
outreach is a practical embodiment of SDG 4—ensuring inclusive and equitable quality
education and promoting
lifelong learning opportunities for all.
Aligned with 4.1 (ensuring all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary
and secondary
education) and 4.2 (ensuring that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood
development, care,
and pre-primary education), we have focused on the youth demographic, especially middle
school students, through
initiatives like "Brewing Yeast take you inside synthetic biology" Classroom and "Volunteer
activities for the
country people" class. These activities aim to spark students' interest in science, foster
curiosity, and build
a strong foundation for future academic and career development. By teaching not only the
basics of synthetic
biology but also incorporating sustainable development concepts, we guide students to think
critically about the
relationship between scientific progress, society, and the environment, nurturing their
sense of global
citizenship and responsibility.
For 4.3 (ensuring equal access for all men and women to affordable and quality technical,
vocational, and
tertiary education, including university), our collaboration with South China University of
Technology has
provided university students with a platform to engage in research and practical innovation.
For example, the
"Running Yeast" event not only imparted knowledge about synthetic biology in an enjoyable
atmosphere but also
enhanced students' teamwork and research skills, supporting their future career and
educational endeavors.
Aligned with 4.7 (ensuring all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote
sustainable
development), our online outreach activities are freely accessible to the public. Our social
media accounts
subtly convey the importance of technological innovation in solving global challenges like
energy and
environmental issues. By understanding the potential applications of synthetic biology in
fields like food and
chemicals, the public can recognize the critical role of technology in promoting sustainable
development and
modern energy access.
GOAL 9 Industry,innovation and infrastructure
We are using yeast cells innovatively to utilize kelp as a carbon source, producing
high-value terpenoid
compounds!
How much do you know about Sustainable Development Goal 9?
SDG 9 focuses on "Building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive
and sustainable
industrialization, and
fostering innovation." We emphasize two specific targets: 9.2 and 9.b.
For GOAL 9.2 (promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization), our project offers an
innovative solution.
Traditionally, the extraction of terpenoids such as limonene has heavily relied on
plant-based sources [7].
However, by utilizing the abundant resource of kelp, we not only reduce production costs but
also expand the raw
material options for industrial-scale production, making the process more inclusive and
sustainable.
Our project also responds to GOAL 9.b (supporting domestic technology development, research,
and innovation, and
improving industrial technological capabilities). By engineering yeast cells, we
successfully convert kelp into
high-value terpenoids. This represents not only a technological breakthrough but also a
transformation of
traditional production methods. Our research infrastructure and technological development
provide a fresh
perspective and direction for environmentally friendly industrial growth.
GOAL 8 Decent work and economic growth&GOAL 1 No poverty
We plan to establish factories that will provide more people with decent, stable jobs,
enabling them to support
themselves and reduce the impact of poverty on their lives!
How much do you know about Sustainable Development Goals 8 and 1?
SDG 8 aims to "Promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and
productive employment,
and decent work for all."
SDG 1 focuses on "Ending poverty in all its forms everywhere."
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, China's GDP experienced a decline for the first time, the urban
unemployment rate
rose, and the employment market confidence index dropped [3]. To address these challenges,
we plan to establish
a factory that will cultivate kelp and produce high-value terpenoids such as limonene.
Through this process, we
will create job opportunities for many unemployed workers. These decent jobs will help
individuals regain hope
and resilience, contributing to the global effort to reduce poverty.
GOAL 17 Partnerships for the goals
Strong partnerships: The foundation for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals!
How much do you know about Sustainable Development Goal 17?
SDG 17 aims to "Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the
Global Partnership
for Sustainable
Development." We co-hosted the 2024 iGEM iG20 SDG Meetup project proposal with the UM_Macau
team from the
University of Macau, the BNUZH_China team from Beijing Normal University at Zhuhai, and the
NWU_China_A team
from Northwest University. A total of nine teams participated in this SDG-sharing event.
Through these
exchanges, we gained insights into other teams' understanding and interpretation of the
SDGs, which provided us
with a wealth of inspiration.
References