DESKTOP 2897 - CUT

Cut a tree down, plant another two to replace it...

This post is part of the Wordless Wednesday meme,
and also part of the My Corner of the World meme,
and also part of the Nature Notes meme.

DESKTOP 2183 - CLIMATE CHANGE

Climate change occurs when changes in Earth's climate system result in new weather patterns that last for at least a few decades, and maybe for millions of years. The climate system comprises five interacting parts, the atmosphere (air), hydrosphere (water), cryosphere (ice and permafrost), biosphere (living things), and lithosphere (earth's crust and upper mantle). The climate system receives nearly all of its energy from the sun, with a relatively tiny amount from earth's interior. The climate system also gives off energy to outer space. The balance of incoming and outgoing energy, and the passage of the energy through the climate system, determines Earth's energy budget. When the incoming energy is greater than the outgoing energy, earth's energy budget is positive and the climate system is warming. If more energy goes out, the energy budget is negative and earth experiences cooling.

Human activities can also change earth's climate, and are presently driving climate change through global warming. There is no general agreement in scientific, media or policy documents as to the precise term to be used to refer to anthropogenic forced change; either "global warming" or "climate change" may be used. The first describes the average effect on a global scale, whilst the second describes how different geographical regions are affected differently.

Human-caused global warming results from the increased use of fossil fuels in transportation, manufacturing and communications. Internet induced climate change is newest contributor to human-induced climate change. Some of the impacts include the altering of ecosystems (with a few extinctions), threat to food production and water supplies due to extreme weather, changes to the spread of climate-sensitive diseases, and the dislocation of human communities due to sea level rise and other climate factors. Taken together these hazards also exacerbate other stressors such as poverty.

This post is part of the Wordless Wednesday meme,

and also part of the ABC Wednesday meme,

and also part of the Nature Notes meme.

DESKTOP 2162 - ZEBRAS

Zebras at the Royal Melbourne Zoo. A zebra is an African wild horse with black-and-white stripes and an erect mane. It belongs to the genus Equus, family Equidae and there are three species, the common zebra (E. burchellii) seen here.

Melbourne Zoo is mindful that the welfare of the world’s wildlife is paramount, so the welfare of the animals in its care is of the utmost importance. The zoo's Animal Welfare Code sets out the zoo's animal welfare commitments and obligations. Zoos Victoria have a life-long duty of care to animals and are committed to ensuring that they are given the very best of care, provided with stimulation and housed in facilities that provide for their natural behaviours.

In association with other zoos around the world and with animal conservation groups, Zoos Victoria takes part in programs that foster animal species under threat of extinction and collaborates such that animal breeding programs in zoos helps to conserve animal diversity and species longevity around the world.

This post is part of the Wordless Wednesday meme,

and also part of the ABC Wednesday meme,

and also part of the Nature Notes meme.

DESKTOP 2071 - MOTH

Opodiphthera helena, the Helena gum moth, is a moth in the family Saturniidae. It is found along the eastern coast of Australia. The wingspan is 130–170 mm. The larvae feed on Eucalyptus species.

This post is part of the Wordless Wednesday meme,

and also part of the ABC Wednesday meme,

and also part of the Nature Notes meme.

DESKTOP 2029 - GO GREEN!

"The future will either be green or not at all." - Bob Brown

This post is part of the Wordless Wednesday meme,
and also part of the ABC Wednesday meme,
and also part of the Nature Notes meme.