High above us, in the chilly, windswept world of clouds, scientists have discovered a thriving community of airborne microbes—bacteria and fungi that not only survive but may play a vital role in shaping our weather. These resilient organisms hitch rides on water droplets and ice crystals, influencing cloud formation and even precipitation. Researchers are now exploring how these microscopic lifeforms could affect climate patterns and atmospheric chemistry.  This field of research suggests that the clouds are alive in ways we are still only beginning to understand.

You can see the full article on the BBC.com website and we’d like to thank Marion Warwick, Member 43,449 for letting us know about it.

Image Credit: Above the clouds over Pudong New Area, Shanghai, China © Xīn yí Sūn