Meet the unsung climate heroes in the deep sea: Acorn worms
Twisting and turning atop the muddy ooze, the acorn worm (class Enteropneusta) is an unassuming worm-like animal that has a surprising connection to Earth’s climate.
Named for their acorn-shaped front end, enteropneusts are actually more closely related to humans than to worms.
They have a rudimentary nerve cord that is similar to ours, and they breathe oxygen using structures similar to a fish's gills.
Acorn worms are connected to us through the carbon cycle. They play a significant role in the redistribution of sediment and nutrients in deep-sea communities. As they do their part to help regulate climate, we can do our part by drastically reducing our carbon dioxide emissions. The ocean is a powerful ally that has buffered us from the impacts of climate change—now it is our turn to act on climate change to safeguard the future of the ocean and its inhabitants.