Earth Day brings us to Midway Atoll in the Pacific Ocean, where this fuzzy Laysan albatross chick is taking in its surroundings. The chick’s home, unfortunately, has a plastic problem. Midway Atoll is part of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, not far from the giant gyre of marine debris known as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. It’s been estimated that some 100 pounds of plastic wash up on Midway Atoll each week, and most of the albatross population has ingested it (they confuse the brightly colored pieces with marine life). For chicks, eating the plastic often proves fatal. But one resilient Laysan albatross named Wisdom has become a symbol of hope. At 68 years old, Wisdom is the oldest known wild bird in the world–and as of 2018 she was still laying eggs. Sounds like a perfect Earth Day mascot.
Meet our fuzzy Earth Day mascot
Today in History
More Desktop Wallpapers:
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Flooded crypt, Basilica of San Francesco, Ravenna, Italy
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National Park Week: Everglades National Park
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Happy Independence Day!
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Prayer flags in Phobjikha Valley, Bhutan
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At the shore of an inland sea
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Sailing on thick ice
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Let the games begin
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World Lion Day
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Rapa Nui National Park, Easter Island, Chile
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Last stop before leaving the solar system
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A little bit of Wonderland in New York City
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Dressed to impress
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That bill s just not going to fit
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Seonam Temple, South Korea
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A walk among the giants
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Pride 2022
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Rocks on the move
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Ingenuity in action on the Santa Monica Pier
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Giving Tuesday
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Bay Marker Lookout, Sydney Olympic Park, Australia
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What s cuter than nuzzling rhinos?
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San Francisco’s City Hall illuminated by the iconic colors of Pride
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It s truffle season here in the Dordogne Valley
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World Bee Day
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Cranborne Chase, England
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Falling for the Canadian Rockies
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The Tour de France begins
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Think deep thoughts
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‘Think equal, build smart, innovate for change’
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Happy Holi!
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