This Year’s ‘Nobel Prize for the Environment’ Offers Lessons for Climate Activism – Image for illustrative purposes only (Image credits: Unsplash)
As climate threats intensify, ecosystems worldwide face mounting pressure from shifting weather patterns and habitat loss. Evolutionary biologist Toby Kiers has uncovered a hidden lifeline beneath the soil: vast networks of mycorrhizal fungi that connect plant roots and regulate carbon flows essential for planetary health. Her recent Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement underscores how scientific discovery can drive urgent environmental action.[1][2]
Amsterdam – The award, often dubbed the “Nobel Prize for the Environment,” recognizes Kiers’ pioneering research on these underground systems. Plants channel an estimated 13 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide annually to mycorrhizal fungi – equivalent to about one-third of global fossil fuel emissions – highlighting their role in stabilizing soils and bolstering resilience against climate stressors.[2]
Decoding the Underground Powerhouses
Kiers, a professor of evolutionary biology at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, began her fungal studies nearly two decades ago in Panama’s tropical rainforests. Her experiments, combined with high-resolution imaging and DNA sequencing, revealed how these fungi form expansive networks that facilitate nutrient, water, and carbon exchanges among plants.
These biological markets, as detailed in a landmark 2011 Science paper, promote reciprocal cooperation that sustains biodiversity and ecosystem stability. Disruptions to these networks accelerate decline, leaving landscapes more vulnerable to drought, erosion, and biodiversity loss – consequences that ripple through food systems and human communities dependent on healthy soils.[1]
At age 19, Kiers immersed herself in field research, laying the groundwork for global insights into how fungi underpin life on Earth. Her findings challenge traditional views of ecosystems, positioning microbes as active players in climate regulation.
From Lab to Global Advocacy
Kiers does not stop at discovery. As co-founder and executive director of the Society for the Protection of Underground Networks (SPUN), she translates research into tangible protection efforts. SPUN’s Underground Atlas maps high-biodiversity fungal hotspots, aiding prioritization for conservation amid growing threats.[2]
The organization’s new Underground Advocates program equips scientists with legal and policy tools, developed in partnership with New York University Law’s More-than-Human-Life initiative. This effort targets biodiversity hotspots, fostering at least five new conservation projects worldwide. “With 90% of our most diverse underground fungal systems unprotected, urgent action is needed to incorporate fungal data into global conservation plans,” Kiers stated.[3][2]
- Mapping via the digital Underground Atlas to identify threatened sites.
- Training advocates in legal strategies for policy integration.
- Collaborations with Indigenous communities, policymakers, artists, and technologists.
- Integration of fungal data into international frameworks.
Award Recognizes Action-Oriented Science
The Tyler Prize, administered by the University of Southern California Dornsife College, carries a $250,000 award. Kiers received it on April 23, 2026, in Amsterdam, becoming the youngest woman in the prize’s history to claim the honor.[3][2]
Rashid Sumaila, chair of the Tyler Prize Executive Committee, praised her approach: “Toby’s work to translate scientific insight into real-world action… demonstrates her leadership in advancing global efforts to protect the fungal networks that sustain life on Earth.”[2]
Her model bridges academia and activism, engaging diverse stakeholders to elevate overlooked ecosystems in climate discussions. This contrasts with siloed efforts, showing how inclusive coalitions amplify impact.
Implications for Climate Strategies
Kiers’ achievements arrive at a critical juncture, as underground biodiversity remains largely absent from conservation agendas. Protecting these networks could enhance carbon storage, improve soil health for agriculture, and fortify ecosystems against extremes like floods and heatwaves that displace communities.
Her success illustrates the power of weaving rigorous science with advocacy. By co-creating tools like legal advocacy programs and global atlases, Kiers mobilizes resources toward unseen allies in the climate fight. As disruptions mount, her blueprint offers a path for scientists and activists to safeguard the foundations of life below ground.[1]
Communities worldwide stand to benefit, from farmers relying on resilient soils to policymakers crafting robust environmental policies. Kiers’ journey reminds us that effective change often starts in the shadows – literally.
