How we’re killing our internal ecosystem – and what we can do to reverse it

<p>In this week’s newsletter: Preserving and nurturing the human microbiome has long been linked with improved health. This holistic approach is finally gaining scientific credibility</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global/2022/sep/20/sign-up-for-the-down-to-earth-newsletter-our-free-environmental-email"><strong>Don’t get Down to Earth delivered to your inbox? Sign up here</strong></a></p></li></ul><p>When people think about the biodiversity crisis, images of rainforests being bulldozed and species going extinct probably come to mind, but in recent months, I’ve been exploring a much smaller biodiversity crisis – the one inside us.</p><p>First, this week’s most important climate headlines – and a reminder that the pivotal Cop30 conference kicks off in Belém, Brazil, next week. The Guardian will have unrivalled coverage from our team of reporters on the ground, some of whom you’ll hear from in extra editions of Down to Earth over the next two weeks.</p><p><strong><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/nov/06/hurricane-melissa-storm-strength-climate-crisis">‘New reality’: Hurricane Melissa strength multiplied by climate crisis, study says</a></strong></p><p><strong><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/nov/05/still-a-chance-to-return-to-1-point-5c-climate-goal-researchers-say">Still a chance to return to 1.5C climate goal, researchers say</a></strong></p><p><strong><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/video/2025/nov/04/life-and-death-on-indias-toxic-trash-mountains-video">Life and death on India’s toxic trash mountains – video</a></strong></p><p><strong><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2018/mar/26/the-human-microbiome-why-our-microbes-could-be-key-to-ou