13. TEACHING AND RESEARCH IN ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY/BIOTECHNOLOGY TO ENHANCE ENVIRONMENTAL SECURITY IN TRANSITION AND OTHER COUNTRIES

摘要

In European countries that suffered under totalitarian regimes for several decades but also in some other regions of the world, deteriorated environmental quality endanger the existence of several species, and the well-being of human population, too. In this chapter we point out the key role of microorganisms in the ecological processes, which are of basic importance for terrestrial life, and emphasized both the necessity and possibilities of the utilization of environmental biotechnology to improve our environment. Through an extensive education and training at school and university levels, not only a microbial literacy should be enhanced but especially the public awareness of the fact that the sustainability of human life depends widely on better understanding and systematic governing of microbial activities in natural and anthropogenic environments. Priority scopes and individual topics in teaching environmental microbiology/biotechnology have been suggested.