A Peoples Guide to Icelandic Butterflies

Because butterflies are highly sensitive to changes in their environments—responding to even the most subtle shifts in temperature—scientists consider them excellent indicators of climate change.

Historically, due to its weather and location, Iceland has not provided the most attractive habitat for butterflies. In fact, with the exception of one or two undocumented sightings, butterflies have been virtually absent from this part of the world for centuries. But that could soon be changing. According to scientists, over the next few decades Iceland summers are likely to become warmer by an average of approximately 0.25 °C per decade, and the winters by an average of 0.35 °C. There is no doubting that the ecosystems and the trophic relationships that structure them will be severely perturbed.

Whether Iceland will soon become home to Painted Ladies and Red Admirals is, of course, yet to be determined. But we can certainly imagine their arrival! A PEOPLE’S GUIDE TO ICELANDIC BUTTERFLIES SEEKS TO CAPTURE AND COLLECT AND PRESENT THOSE IMAGININGS. Spearheaded by American artists Louisa Conrad and Lucas Farrell, in association with 350.org—an international campaign dedicated to building a movement to unite the world around solutions to the climate crisis—the People's Guide hopes to incite the creation of 350 Iceland-bound butterflies, thereby sparking discussion of current and impending ecological dynamics associated with climate change in the arctic.
What do we want from you? Butterflies! Make up a species of butterfly or draw one that already exists. All the drawings will be compiled into an online archive of future Icelandic Butterflies.

We are only accepting electronic submissions!
Things to know:
All drawings of butterflies (simple or elaborate, realistic or fantastic, amateur or professional) must be accompanied by a name (scientific or common, actual or imagined) and a brief description.
Images should be sent as .jpgs to art(at)350.org
For each submission to be included in A Peoples Guide to Icelandic Butterflies please include the following information.
1. Name & hometown of artist
2. Name of butterfly
3. Description of the butterfly (can be very brief)
4. Your butterfly in .jpg file not larger than 2 megabytes.
Ideally the .jpg is 170 dpi and 8x10 inches, but we can work with images a little smaller and larger.
5. Email your entry to art(at)350.org
Each entry will be compiled into a digital archive/interactive online gallery.