In this series, the author illuminates the perspective that “Earth is not a planet of humans, but of microbes,” weaving scientific facts with philosophical reflection. Microbes are the origin of life on Earth and the first creators of oxygen. They are also the driving force behind the circulation of soil, oceans, and the atmosphere. Moreover, humanity’s survival and health depend on coexistence with these microscopic beings. This series invites readers to explore the unseen realm of the true masters who move and maintain our planet.
[Series Lineup]
Science Feature Series ① Earth, The Planet of Microbes — History of the Invisible Masters
Science Feature Series ② Another Universe Beneath the Soil — The Living Forces That Sustain the Earth
By Jung Yeon-Tae,
President of the Korea Construction Infonet and Essayist
The True Masters of Earth, Older Than Humanity
Humans take pride in building civilizations and venturing into space, calling themselves the masters of Earth. Yet through the lens of science, the true rulers of this planet are elsewhere — the microbes that fill the ground, the oceans, and the air. They appeared some three billion years before humans. Even today, they inhabit every corner of the planet — from the surface and the deep sea to glaciers and the upper atmosphere — places beyond human reach. If humanity’s traces are mere dust, microbes are the architects and operators of Earth itself.
The Origin of Life: The First Appearance of Microbes
About 3.8 billion years ago, the young Earth was a hot world filled with sulfur and carbon dioxide. In that harsh environment, the first life forms appeared — chemosynthetic bacteria that derived energy from inorganic matter. These microbes transformed the planet’s atmosphere and reorganized its ecosystems. Around 2.5 billion years ago, cyanobacteria began photosynthesis, producing oxygen. This event, known as the “Great Oxygenation Event,” gave rise to the air we breathe today. Human life ultimately depends on the oxygen created by microbes.
Microbial Networks That Govern the Earth’s Ecosystems
Soil bacteria decompose organic matter and enrich the land, while marine microbes generate half of the planet’s oxygen. Even in the air, thousands of bacterial and fungal spores drift invisibly. These microscopic beings connect soil, water, and air, completing the cycle of Earth’s energy. Without microbes, rain would not fall, plants could not grow, and human respiration would cease. The planet is a vast laboratory running on the harmonious cycles of microbial life.
Surviving Everywhere, in Every Condition
Wherever one goes on Earth, microbes are there. A single gram of soil contains about one billion bacteria. Extremophiles thrive in deep-sea hydrothermal vents and even in regions of high radiation. Some exist within droplets of clouds in the stratosphere. They endure extreme heat, pressure, acidity, and radiation — the ultimate masters of adaptation and the prototype of life itself. Their resilience remains beyond the reach of human technology.
Living Within Us as Partners in Coexistence
Microbes also dwell within our bodies — in the gut, on the skin, in the lungs, eyes, and mouth. Tens of trillions of them live in symbiosis with us, breaking down food and regulating the immune system. Without these microbes, humans could not survive even a single day. Humanity is both governed by and sustained through the power of microbes. They are not our enemies but our indispensable partners.
Earth Is the Planet of Microbes
The history of Earth can be summarized in a single sentence:
“Earth is the planet of microbes.”
They were the first forms of life, and they will likely be the last to remain. Oxygen, soil, water, clouds, even the human body — all bear their traces. Humanity is merely a guest standing briefly upon this microbial world. What we must learn now is their language, and how to live harmoniously with these invisible masters of our planet.
About the Author
Jung Yeon-Tae is the president of the Korea Construction Infonet and an essayist, science-philosophy columnist. He is the author of The Management of Destiny, The Star Story Series, and Philosophy of Generative Positivity. His writings explore the interrelationship between nature, the universe, life, and humanity.
Next Issue | Science Feature Series ②
Another Universe Beneath the Soil — The Living Forces That Sustain the Earth
The World Beneath Our Feet: One Gram, One Universe
The soil beneath our feet is far more than mere dirt. Under the microscope, scientists discover another universe — a complex web of living systems. In just one gram of soil, there are over a billion microbes: bacteria, actinomycetes, fungi, protozoa, and viruses, all intertwined in a cycle of consumption and renewal. The biochemical reactions within this miniature world enable plants to grow and yield the grains that feed humankind. The soil we step on every day is, in truth, a vast factory of life…
Korean version available here.
