The 'Operation Save the Arctic' meme template typically captures the contrast between a grand, noble mission and a mundane or contradictory reality. Often featuring visuals of icy landscapes or high-stakes rescue missions, it is used to satirize ineffective environmental efforts or personal habits that contradict one's stated values. The humor stems from the dramatic framing of the mission paired with a caption describing a tiny, unhelpful, or completely unrelated action. It has become a staple for internet users to poke fun at virtue signaling or to create absurd situational comedy involving the cold.