Tiny creatures gorge, get fat, and help fight global warming

Zooplankton, tiny creatures often sold as aquarium food, are playing a crucial role in fighting global warming. These small but mighty organisms gorge themselves in spring, sink deep into the Southern Ocean in Antarctica, and burn fat, storing carbon and preventing further atmospheric warming. However, threats like warming waters and commercial harvesting of krill could endanger zooplankton populations. Research on these unsung heroes should inform climate models to better predict and address global warming.