The chapter discusses the significance of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) and highlights the underappreciated role of microbial systems in achieving these goals. Despite their importance, microbial systems have not been a primary focus in SDG discussions. However, a series of groundbreaking articles published in mSystems since 2019 have begun to emphasize the profound intersections between microbial science and global sustainability targets. The special collection curated by mSystems aims to provide an in-depth look at how microbial science contributes to several SDGs, including zero hunger, climate change, clean water, and biodiversity. The collection seeks to educate researchers, policymakers, and the public about the latest advancements in microbial systems and to inspire interdisciplinary collaborations. The articles within the collection offer novel insights into the role of microbiomes in food as medicine, agricultural productivity, greenhouse gas reduction, and clean water provision, among other areas. The creation of this special collection is seen as a commitment to improving global sustainability through the understanding and leveraging of microbial systems biology.The chapter discusses the significance of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) and highlights the underappreciated role of microbial systems in achieving these goals. Despite their importance, microbial systems have not been a primary focus in SDG discussions. However, a series of groundbreaking articles published in mSystems since 2019 have begun to emphasize the profound intersections between microbial science and global sustainability targets. The special collection curated by mSystems aims to provide an in-depth look at how microbial science contributes to several SDGs, including zero hunger, climate change, clean water, and biodiversity. The collection seeks to educate researchers, policymakers, and the public about the latest advancements in microbial systems and to inspire interdisciplinary collaborations. The articles within the collection offer novel insights into the role of microbiomes in food as medicine, agricultural productivity, greenhouse gas reduction, and clean water provision, among other areas. The creation of this special collection is seen as a commitment to improving global sustainability through the understanding and leveraging of microbial systems biology.