Photo of the day

No larger than a grain of sand, wing-footed sea butterflies are a type of tiny swimming snail — or pteropod — named for the way they propel themselves through the water, flapping their miniature fins like a butterfly’s wings. Found in the Arctic and Southern oceans, today these wondrous little creatures are under threat. Human-generated greenhouse gases are causing our seas to absorb more carbon dioxide, which in turn causes the water to become more acidic. This is dissolving the shells of sea butterflies, often killing the creature inside. Much like a canary in a coal mine, the disappearance of sea butterflies is a critical warning sign that we must prioritize the restoration of ocean health. Nearly 80,000 people have signed our petition calling for a strong High Seas Treaty — a new United Nations treaty that would ensure meaningful protection for creatures of all shapes and sizes living out in the open ocean.