5 Largest Moons in the Solar System

A moon is a natural satellite rotating around a planet. While moons vary in size, each moon is much smaller than its planet. There are 176 known natural moons orbiting planets in our Solar System. 168 moons orbit the “full-size” planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune), while 8 moons orbit the smaller planets calling dwarf planets (Ceres, Pluto, Haumea, Makemake, and Eris). Several moons in our solar system are larger than the planet Pluto and two moons are larger than the planet Mercury. Many people think that the answer to ‘what is the largest moon in the Solar System’ is our Moon. It is not. Our Moon is the fifth largest Moon in the solar system. Let’s explore the moons of the solar system. The below is the top 5 largest moons in the solar system.

This is a partial list of Solar System objects by size, arranged in descending order of mean volumetric radius, and divided into several size classes. These lists can also be sorted according to an object’s mass and, for the largest objects, volume, density and surface gravity, insofar as these values are available. This list contains the Sun, the planets, dwarf planets, many of the larger small Solar System bodies (which includes the asteroids), all named natural satellites, and a number of smaller objects of historical or scientific interest, such as comets and near-Earth objects.

Objects on this list are ordered by mean radius rather than mass; thus, objects on the lower portions of the table can be more massive than objects higher on the list if they have a higher density.

Many trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs) have been discovered; in many cases their positions in this list are approximate, as there is frequently a large uncertainty in their estimated diameters.

Top 5 Largest Moons in the Solar System

5. Moon

Earts natural satellite Moon

The Moon is Earth’s only natural satellite. Our planet’s trusty companion is an airless, silent world without any signs of life. Because of its small size, the Moon’s force of attraction is too weak to hold the gases it would need to form an atmosphere. The Moon is in synchronous rotation with Earth, always showing the same face with its near side marked by dark volcanic maria that fill between the bright ancient crustal highlands and the prominent impact craters. The Moon is a spherical rocky body, probably with a small metallic core, revolving around Earth in a slightly eccentric orbit at a mean distance of about 384,000 km. It’s diameter is 3475 km.

4. Io

Io is a large, rocky, volcanically active moon of Jupiter. It has a diameter of 3,636 km. Io’s mean distance from Jupiter is 422,000 km. It was discovered in 1610 by Galileo Galilei, along with the other Galilean satellites. Further observations have been made by Cassini–Huygens in 2000 and New Horizons in 2007, as well as from Earth-based telescopes and the Hubble Space Telescope as technology has advanced. It has the highest density of all the moons, and is the driest known object in the Solar System. It was named after the mythological character Io, a priestess of Hera who became one of Zeus’s lovers.

 

3. Callisto

Jupiters moon Callisto

With a diameter of over 4,800 km, Callisto is the third largest satellite in the solar system and is almost the size of Mercury. It was discovered in 1610 by Galileo Galilei. Callisto is the outermost of the Galilean satellites (Ganymede, Europa, Io, Callisto). Callisto is named for the beautiful daughter of Lycaon, who followed the chaste goddess of the hunt, Artemis. Unfortunately, since Callisto was seduced by Zeus (the Greek equivalent of the Roman god Jupiter) and became pregnant she was banished by Artemis. Zeus changed Callisto into a bear to protect her from his wife Hera’s jealousy. Later, Zeus placed Callisto and their son in the sky, and mother and son became Ursa Major and Ursa Minor (Great Bear and Little Bear).

2. Titan

The Saturns moon Titan

Titan is Saturn’s largest moon and the second largest in the solar system. It was discovered on March 25, 1655 by the Dutch astronomer Christiaan Huygens. Titan is the only natural satellite known to have a dense atmosphere. Titan’s atmosphere is active and complex, and it is mainly composed of nitrogen (95 percent) and methane (5 percent). Titan also has a presence of organic molecules that contain carbon and hydrogen, and that often include oxygen and other elements similar to what is found in Earth’s atmosphere and that are essential for life. It has a diameter of 5,152 km.

 

1. Ganymede

The largest satellite Ganymede

Ganymede is a satellite of Jupiter and the largest satellite in our solar system. It is larger than Mercury and Pluto, and three-quarters the size of Mars. It has a diameter of 5,268 km. It orbiting at about 1.070 million km and takes about seven Earth days to orbit Jupiter. Ganymede is composed of approximately equal amounts of silicate rock and water ice. It is a fully differentiated body with an iron-rich, liquid core, and it might have ice and oceans stacked up in several layers. Ganymede was discovered by Galileo Galilei on Jan. 7, 1610. The discovery, along with three other Jovian moons, was the first time a moon was discovered orbiting a planet other than Earth. Galileo’s discovery eventually led to the understanding that planets orbit the sun, instead of our solar system revolving around Earth. Galileo called this moon Jupiter III. When the numerical naming system was abandoned in the mid-1800s, the moon was named after Ganymede, a Trojan prince in Greek mythology. Zeus, a counterpart of Jupiter in Roman mythology, carried Ganymede, who had taken the form of an eagle, to Olympus, where he became a cupbearer to the Olympian gods and one of Zeus’ lovers.

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Name the Biggest Moon in Our Solar System

The moon is a solid natural object that orbits around a planet. It is a planet’s natural satellite. No definite scientific explanation has satisfactorily answered the question of how moons came into existence, although there are several theories. The Earth’s Moon was thought to be the only moon but after the invention of the telescope, other moons on other planets were discovered. Each planet has one or more moons except Mercury and Venus and the dwarf planet Ceres. Jupiter has 79 moons the highest number in the solar system. Technological advancements have made it possible for man to discover and even go on expeditions to the moon. Jupiter’s Ganymede is the largest moon in our solar system. Ganymede is a satellite of Jupiter (Jupiter III), is the largest and most massive of the Solar System’s moons. The ninth largest object in the Solar System, it is the largest without a substantial atmosphere. It has a diameter of 5,268 km (3,273 mi) and is 8% larger than the planet Mercury, although only 45% as massive. Possessing a metallic core, it has the lowest moment of inertia factor of any solid body in the Solar System and is the only moon known to have a magnetic field. Outward from Jupiter, it is the seventh satellite and the third of the Galilean moons, the first group of objects discovered orbiting another planet. Ganymede orbits Jupiter in roughly seven days and is in a 1:2:4 orbital resonance with the moons Europa and Io, respectively. Ganymede is the name the biggest moon in our Solar System.

Ganymede is the largest of Jupiter’s 79 moons as well as by far the largest moon in the solar system. Ganymede orbits around Jupiter with a diameter of 5,262 kilometers. It is bigger in size than the smallest planet Mercury and would have easily been classified as a planet if it was orbiting the sun. It has its own magnetic field. Its discovery was made by Galileo Galilei the Italian astronomer on January 7, 1610. The satellite orbits around Jupiter at a distance of 1,0700,400 km and takes 7.1 days to complete one orbit. The surface of Ganymede has two types of terrains. It consists of lighter, younger areas and a darker cratered region. The planet’s atmosphere is thin and has oxygen contained in dispersed molecules. Water ice and rocky material make up the planet, and it thought to have underground oceans. The name is derived from a prince in Greek mythology.

Ganymede is composed of approximately equal amounts of silicate rock and water ice. It is a fully differentiated body with an iron-rich, liquid core, and an internal ocean that may contain more water than all of Earth’s oceans combined. Its surface is composed of two main types of terrain. Dark regions, saturated with impact craters and dated to four billion years ago, cover about a third of the satellite. Lighter regions, crosscut by extensive grooves and ridges and only slightly less ancient, cover the remainder. The cause of the light terrain’s disrupted geology is not fully known, but was likely the result of tectonic activity due to tidal heating.

Ganymede’s magnetic field is probably created by convection within its liquid iron core. The meager magnetic field is buried within Jupiter’s much larger magnetic field and would show only as a local perturbation of the field lines. The satellite has a thin oxygen atmosphere that includes O, O₂, and possibly O₃ (ozone). Atomic hydrogen is a minor atmospheric constituent. Whether the satellite has an ionosphere associated with its atmosphere is unresolved.

Chinese astronomical records report that in 365 BC, Gan De detected what might have been a moon of Jupiter, probably Ganymede, with the naked eye. However, Gan De reported the color of the companion as reddish, which is puzzling since the moons are too faint for their color to be perceived with the naked eye. Shi Shen and Gan De together made fairly accurate observations of the five major planets.

On January 7, 1610, Galileo Galilei observed what he thought were three stars near Jupiter, including what turned out to be Ganymede, Callisto, and one body that turned out to be the combined light from Io and Europa; the next night he noticed that they had moved. On January 13, he saw all four at once for the first time, but had seen each of the moons before this date at least once. By January 15, Galileo came to the conclusion that the stars were actually bodies orbiting Jupiter. He claimed the right to name the moons; he considered “Cosmian Stars” and settled on “Medicean Stars”

The French astronomer Nicolas-Claude Fabri de Peiresc suggested individual names from the Medici family for the moons, but his proposal was not taken up. Simon Marius, who had originally claimed to have found the Galilean satellites, tried to name the moons the “Saturn of Jupiter”, the “Jupiter of Jupiter” (this was Ganymede), the “Venus of Jupiter”, and the “Mercury of Jupiter”, another nomenclature that never caught on.

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How Can Littering Affect Animals

Many people may not think that how can littering affect animals, as humans consume natural resources, they, too, create byproducts that enter Earth’s varied ecosystems. Plastic waste, water pollution, soil runoff, and jars and bottles make up just a few of the human-made products and byproducts that can harm the Earth and the species that live on it. The damage can be physical — six-pack rings strangling marine life — or chemical — fertilizers causing algal blooms — but in either case, they can cause lasting damage to the flora and fauna of an area.

On average we receive 14 calls a day about animals affected by litter and these calls spike in the summer months. And, as pet owners go directly to vets, and many injured wild animals are never found, it’s estimated that the actual figure of animals injured by litter is much higher than we currently know.

Plastic Waste

Discarding plastic products, including grocery sacks, rapidly fills up landfills and often clog drains. When plastic litter drifts out to sea, animals like turtles or dolphins may ingest the plastic. The plastic creates health problems for the animals including depleting their nutrients and blocking their stomachs and intestines. Animals cannot break down plastic in their digestive system and will usually die from the obstruction. Pieces of plastic can also get tangled around animals’ bodies or heads and cause injury or death.

Water Pollution

Litter in Earth’s water supply from consumer and commercial use creates a toxic environment. The water is ingested by deer, fish and a variety of other animals. The toxins may cause blood clotting, seizures or serious medical issues that can kill animals. The toxic water may also kill off surrounding plant life on riverbanks and the bottom of a pond’s ecosystem. When humans eat animals that have ingested compromised water supplies, they also can become sick.

Soil Runoff

Runoff from litter, polluted water, gasoline and consumer waste can infiltrate the soil. The soil absorbs the toxins litter creates and affects plants and crops. The agriculture is often compromised and fails to thrive. Animals then eat those crops or worms that live in the soil and may become sick. Humans who eat either the crops or the animals feeding on the infected agriculture can also become ill.

Jars and Bottles

Discarded jars and bottles usually do not biodegrade naturally and add to humanity’s mounting litter problem. The litter remains in landfills and clogs sewers, streets, rivers and fields. Crabs, birds and small animals may crawl into the bottles looking for food and water and become stuck and slowly die from starvation and illness. The World Wide Fund for Nature reported some 1.5 million tons of plastic waste from the water bottling industry alone.

Elastic bands

Elastic bands, although seemingly harmless can in fact wrap around small animals and the beaks of birds. If swallowed they can also cause choking. By reusing bands where possible or cutting them open before putting in a bin, you can really help prevent harm to animals.

Fishing tackle

Fishing litter is responsible for the injury of thousands of wild animals every year with animals getting entangled in line and hooks which can pierce skin or be swallowed. By fishing responsibly, you can avoid accidental harm to the local wildlife and environment.

How can litter be dangerous to animals?

Everyday objects that seem perfectly safe, can sadly become hazardous when found accidentally by animals. By disposing our rubbish safely instead of littering we are making choices that could save many lives.

Protecting animals from harmful rubbish is easy.  Dispose of  your rubbish responsibly by recycling, reusing or simply putting it in the bin!

 

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How Does Littering Affect the Earth

Many people may not think that how does littering affect the Earth.

In reality, littering has an extremely negative impact on the earth. Littering tends to damage areas where we live, work and where children play. There are different factors that lead to littering. Some factors relate to what people do, while others come from areas of manufacturing.

Litter consists of trash and household toxic substances that are improperly disposed of on land or in water. Whether the litter is intentional or unintentional, large or small, it can drastically affect the earth for years to come. Before carelessly tossing another item out the window or looking the other way when someone else does, consider the impact you can make on the earth by recycling, reusing and disposing of waste properly.

Litter can come in many different ways and mainly because people can sometimes be rather careless and negligent. Who does it?  Well, a lot of times we see someone driving ahead of us, toss an empty to-go cup out of their window.  Or it could also be someone crumbling up a receipt and missing the garbage can outside.  It could even be a young child that may not know any better, carelessly dropping candy wrappers on the playground.  Some do it by mistake without realizing it, and unfortunately, some simply are too careless and purposely throw trash out of their car window, or just toss an empty can across an open field.

Whenever you go to an event and there are going to be thousands and thousands of people there, it is going to be hard to control the amount of trash left around. As some people will throw their trash away in the proper bins, sadly, some will leave their trash careless on the ground. It is our responsibility as people to clean up after ourselves and try to protect our earth environment, but that thought doesn’t often cross the mind of others.

In many places, littering is illegal and can carry a fine of $500 and/or jail time.

While some people intentionally litter, this is something that can be controlled. More laws can be put in place to control the amount of litter that floods the streets by careless people that are causing harm the earth environment more than it already is.

Not only is littering affecting us on the streets and our backyards, but it also affects the oceans, rivers and wildlife.

Many animals die in their attempts to eat or get caught up in plastic bags left to blow away in the wind. Some people also have been known to throw their beer cans and the plastic rings in the water that can cut the fish and make them choke on the plastic. Many fish die from these factors and it’s time we brought awareness to this problem at hand.

 

Littering causes a threat to our health and can cause harmful germs and bacteria.

Littering can cause fires and also sends a message that people really don’t care about the Earth.

Whereas some people may not be bothered to live in a world surrounded by trash, others may be trying to prevent that.

Removing litter costs money, something that is hard for people to let go of. If we can spend a whopping $10 on a fancy cup of coffee, who says we can’t spend a little here and there to help keep our planet clean as well?

Above all, littering has a negative effect on everything. Animals get injured and swallow toxic things like oil and pesticides. People or animals can get sick or even die because of careless mistakes that happen in this world every day.

Littering can be prevented but it has to involve everyone as a whole to help out.  People that get caught littering could face fines or even jail time.  So if someone were to get caught tossing out a cigarette butt out of the car window, they should also know they just threw $500.00 away as well.

So please, be aware of the all of the consequences of littering and help keep our planet clean!

 

Marine Litter

Litter that is tossed into the ocean can travel long distances with the currents and winds. Not only does this litter directly affect marine life and birds, but it also washes onto beaches, is caught in fishing nets, damages boat motors, is an eyesore and smells bad. Plastic bags and plastic wrap can asphyxiate marine animals and fish, and birds can easily entangle themselves in plastic six-pack rings and strings. Animals also get sick or die from swallowing trash, such as cigarettes and silicon packets. Metal scraps and broken glass can cut the flesh of birds and other animals.

Land Litter

Land litter is not hard to spot and comes in all types — cigarette butts, plastic bags, old tires, fast food wrappers and plastic and glass bottles. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, seven major sources contribute to land litter: home trash cans, business trash collection areas, loading docks, construction and demolition sites, uncovered trucks, motorists and pedestrians. Litter isn’t just unsightly: It can cause vehicle accidents and injuries, smother plants, start fires and harm or kill animals. It also attracts rats and harmful bacteria.

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Child Environmental Activist

Over the past year, young people around the world have united in the fight to change the system and combat climate change. Sixteen-year-old Swedish Child Environmental activist Greta Thunberg is arguably the most well-known figure in the climate action movement, but she is not alone. Along with Greta is a host of young activists around the world, fighting for the planet, and demanding that people in positions of power stop chasing money and actually combat the burning issue.

Greta Tintin Eleonora Ernman Thunberg; born 3 January 2003 is a Swedish environmental activist on climate change whose campaigning has gained international recognition. Thunberg is known for her straightforward speaking manner, both in public and to political leaders and assemblies, in which she urges immediate action to address the climate crisis.

Thunberg’s activism started after convincing her parents to adopt several lifestyle choices to reduce their own carbon footprint. In August 2018, at age 15, she started spending her school days outside the Swedish parliament to call for stronger action on climate change by holding up a sign reading Skolstrejk för klimatet (School strike for the climate). Soon, other students engaged in similar protests in their own communities. Together, they organised a school climate strike movement under the name Fridays for Future. After Thunberg addressed the 2018 United Nations Climate Change Conference, student strikes took place every week somewhere in the world. In 2019, there were multiple coordinated multi-city protests involving over a million students each. To avoid flying, Thunberg sailed to North America where she attended the 2019 UN Climate Action Summit. Her speech there, in which she exclaimed “how dare you”, was widely taken up by the press and incorporated into music.

Her sudden rise to world fame has made her both a leader and a target for critics. Her influence on the world stage has been described by The Guardian and other newspapers as the “Greta effect”. She has received numerous honours and awards including: honorary Fellowship of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society; Time magazine’s 100 most influential people and the youngest Time Person of the Year; inclusion in the Forbes list of The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women (2019) and two consecutive nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize (2019 and 2020).

Here are five young activists raising their voice against climate change, and urging the world to wake up to the growing crisis. (Clockwise L-R), Leah Namugerwa, Ridhima Pandey, Xiye Bastida, and Isra Hirsi.

Autumn Peltier

Fifteen-year-old Autumn Peltier, who belongs to the Wikwemikong First Nation on Manitoulin Island in Northern Ontario, Canada, has been advocating for clean water since she was eight. She began her activism by speaking at community events, and has today gained a presence at the forefront of the global climate movement. In 2015, she attended the Children’s Climate Conference in Sweden. In 2016, she confronted Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau about the water crisis in Canada at the Assembly of First Nations’ annual winter meeting. The next year, Autumn was nominated for the Children’s International Peace Prize. The young activist has since addressed the United Nations at various events and forums, stressing on the need to protect water and respect its sacredness. Earlier this year, she was also named the Chief Water Commissioner of the Anishinabek Nation, one of the oldest political organisations for 40 member First Nations across Ontario.

Leah Namugerwa

Fifteen-year-old Leah Namugerwa is spearheading the climate change movement in Uganda. She first held a protest for climate action in February this year, in the city of Kampala, and then planted 200 trees for her 15th birthday in August. She now has a group of other teen activists in the city supporting her despite facing criticism. Leah is urging the government in Kampala to take action on environmental issues like the harmful effects of plastic bags, deforestation, droughts, and floods. She also launched a petition and a hashtag on twitter – #BanPlasticUG – to take her efforts forward. In May this year, Leah spoke at the United Nations Habitat Assembly, addressing how innovation can help transform the lives of many across the world. She is also one of the ambassadors of Fridays for Future, which is led by Greta Thunberg.

Ridhima Pandey

Eleven-year-old Ridhima Pandey’s interest in climate change began when she witnessed the 2013 Uttarakhand floods, which caused over 5,000 deaths and damaged more than 4,000 villages. In 2017, when she was nine years old, Ridhima filed a lawsuit against the Indian government over its inaction towards climate action, through her legal guardians. She demanded the courts to order the government to come up with a budget to keep carbon emissions in check, and create a plan to help the country recover from the effects of climate change. In September this year, Ridhima was part of the United Nations Climate Action Summit, along with 15 other young activists. Together, the children filed a legal complaint protesting the failure of governments regarding the climate issue.

Xiye Bastida

Born in Mexico and raised with the beliefs of the Otomí-Toltect indigenous peoples, 17-year-old Xiye Bastida has grown up close to nature. Having experienced the effects of climate change first hand with fluctuating drought and heavy rainfall in her town, San Pedro Tultepec, she became determined to take action and protect the environment. Xiye and her family moved to New York in 2015, and she soon started an environmental club at her school. She joined many groups working towards climate action, like the People’s Climate Movement, the Sunrise Movement, and Extinction Rebellion, and asked their leaders to speak at her school. In 2018, she joined the Fridays for Future strikes in New York. She has also spoken at the United Nations a few times, and helped organise a Global Climate Strike in September this year. Through her activism, Xiye aims to highlight the voices of indigenous peoples and bring attention to their important role in the environmental movement.

Isra Hirsi

Isra Hirsi, 16, has been advocating for environmental justice since she entered high school. As a young black Muslim woman living in the United States, Isra makes sure she keeps her community with her and is intersectional in her approach to activism. She works to highlight the connection between the climate change movement and black lives, as black people are more likely to be affected by climate change because many lack access to basic facilities that can protect them from extreme weather conditions. Isra, who is the daughter of Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, also co-founded the US Youth Climate Strike earlier this year, and has led a few strikes in the country.

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Rightway Environmental, According to Environmental Experts

If you’ve never thought about your carbon footprint while traveling, it’s time to start. Adopting even one of these eco-friendly suggestions can make a big difference for our planet—and future generations. The negative rightway environmental impact of many large cruise ships is well documented. Each day, they can generate emissions equivalent to 12,000 cars. But some cruise lines are focused on making improvements. For example, Windstar Cruises’ three sailing ships are able to power themselves with wind in their billowing sails when the conditions are right (and switch to engine power as needed), which allows the vessels to reduce fuel usage while providing a more scenic and memorable cruise experience for guests.

Coming at sustainability from a different angle, Royal Caribbean‘s family of brands (including Celebrity Cruises and Azamara) now offers 1,400 sustainable shore excursions through tour operators who are GSTC-certified. GSTC, or the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, is the nonprofit organization that manages the global standards for sustainable travel and tourism. This goal was created to match the 2020 WWF target to offer guests 1,000 tours provided by GSTC-certified operators.

Tread lightly while traveling

 

We all need to do our part to help protect the planet, but for those suffering from wanderlust, the practicality of that goal can seem a bit daunting. After all, aircraft account for 12 percent of all U.S. transportation greenhouse gas emissions. It’s no wonder Time‘s Person of the Year, teenage Swedish climate crisis activist Greta Thunberg, sailed across the Atlantic to a United Nations climate conference in New York on an emissions-free yacht rather than fly. Of course, if you don’t have an extra 15 vacation days to spare in order to sail to Europe or access to a yacht, it doesn’t mean you have to stay home. There are more than a dozen steps you can take to help reduce or offset your carbon footprint that will still allow you to scratch your travel itch.

“We humans are adventurous and curious,” says Diana Chaplin, canopy director of One Tree Planted, a nonprofit fighting against global deforestation. “It’s a wonderful thing to travel and experience different landscapes and cultures. That’s where being conscientious makes all the difference! Tread lightly wherever you roam, give back to the environment near and far, and take daily actions toward sustainability in all the little decisions you make.” Read on to discover what steps you can take on your next vacation or business trip to do just that.

Stay closer to home

 

If you tend to take shorter and more frequent trips, it’s better for the rightway environmental to stay closer to home, says Jim Sano, vice president of tourism, travel, and conservation for the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). “You don’t have to seek out iconic destinations, like Yosemite, Yellowstone, or the Grand Canyon, when there are 419 national park sites in the United States,” he says. “There’s plenty to explore and marvelous experiences to be had within a half-day car, train, or boat ride.”

Seek out trains and other forms of mass transit

 

“Traveling by train typically has far fewer emissions per passenger than traveling by plane,” says John Oppermann, executive director of the Earth Day Initiative. “So if you’re somewhere that has train options, that’s a good way to cut your rightway environmental footprint.” If you do a little research, you’ll even find some trains—like Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor and those found in several European countries—run on electricity. Start your next adventure by choosing one of these most scenic train rides across America. And if you’re headed to Europe, know that the carbon dioxide emission on an average Eurail trip is about three times less per person than traveling the same route by car and four times less than traveling by plane. Plus, trains are often the fastest and least expensive ways to move from country to country.

Bring your own bottle

 

Travelers are subjected to countless single-use items, from plastic water bottles and disposable dishware to tiny hotel toiletries and food packaging at the airport. While some of these things can be recycled, Court Whelan, PhD, director of sustainability and conservation for Natural Habitat Adventures, says it’s always best to avoid creating waste and recyclables in the first place, especially since recycling is hard to come by in foreign countries. “To abate this issue, bringing along a reusable water bottle and coffee mug are key,” he explains. “In the U.S., it’s very easy to fill up water from almost anywhere. While abroad, especially in developing countries, get in the habit of bringing your water bottle into restaurants and filling up from their purified water source. It takes a little extra work to remember, but it’s infinitely healthier for the planet versus increasing plastic waste.”

If there’s any chance your travels will take you to a place where you won’t have access to a trusted water source, pack a LifeStraw Go Water Filter Bottle, since its carbon straw filters water to remove 99.99 percent of waterborne bacteria and parasites. Coffee drinkers should bring a mug or thermos, as hot beverages are often served in plastic and Styrofoam cups (and disposable coffee cups, because they’re often wax-lined to make them water-tight, are not recyclable at all).

Pack to avoid single-use items

 

As mentioned above, hotel-room toiletries are another big contributor to the waste stream. Instead of cracking open a new plastic tube of shampoo, soap, and conditioner each night, Whelan suggests buying reusable containers and filling them from your own home before travel. “Consider taking it a step further by bringing a set of bamboo or recycled plastic utensils with you for to-go meals or when dining in cafés with disposable flatware,” he says. “I prefer a multi-purpose spork, which is just one utensil that does it all.” And those plastic laundry bags in hotel rooms? First, read what it’s like to go plastic-free, and then pack your own reusable mesh bag instead.

Shop smart

 

When perusing local markets and retailers, you may not realize that some of the products that catch your eye are made from protected animals or plants and may be illegal to export or import, warns Sano. In order to make an informed choice, the WWF suggests asking questions before making a purchase, such as, “What is this product made of?” and “Does the country I’m visiting allow the sale and export of this product?” Never buy raw or carved ivory, tiger or rhino products, or sea turtle souvenirs. And when in doubt, stick with homemade arts and crafts purchased directly from local artisans.

Offset carbon emissions

 

Did you know you can offset your travel emissions by helping to fund projects that reduce greenhouse-gas pollution, such as planting trees, building windmills, or installing solar panels? And no, you don’t have to do the labor yourself. “Many travel companies are now offsetting emissions for you, or at least giving you an opt-in when paying,” explains Whelan. “However, if your travel company doesn’t, or you’re planning independently, consider making a quick calculation on a site like SouthPole.com and paying a few dollars to completely carbon-offset your trip.”

If the idea of planting trees captures your heart—trees are nature’s purifiers, after all, and they provide shelter for animals and food for local communities—use the carbon calculator at One Tree Planted to estimate the number of trees you should plant every month based on your carbon emissions. “There’s no need to get lost in the numbers, either,” says Chaplin. “Focus less on the exact impact and number of trees, and more on what you can afford if you really want to provide a benefit. If you’re not contributing to reforestation now, anything is better than nothing. Choose a monthly donation that works with your budget, whether it’s 20 trees or 50 trees, and start helping the environment.”

Try ecotourism

 

Defined as “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and involves interpretation and education,” ecotourism eschews traditional mass tourism in favor of more conscientious and responsible travel styles. For example, in Costa Rica you can sleep at an eco-lodge in the rainforest (some offer solar power, build their furniture from reforested trees, and have on-site organic gardens), and in Norway you can sightsee the way nature intended, by river rafting or dog sledding. Kenya, the Galapagos Islands, Antarctica, Iceland, and the Amazon Rainforest are also known for their ecotourism efforts.

Interact with animals responsibly

 

It may seem exciting to pet a tiger in Thailand, swim with dolphins in the Caribbean, or ride an elephant in India, but these experiences are typically cruel and dangerous to the animals—some are even drugged in order to force cooperation or are chained when they aren’t performing. Instead, Joanna Alfaro, PhD, a marine biologist who specializes in working with animals in the Amazon, says there is no need to touch animals. “Observing them from afar is the best way to interact with wildlife,” she says. “You should never get close enough to an animal that it will alter its behavior or state and never feed animals or carry food with you while in the field observing wildlife.” Do your research and avoid the exploitation of animals for entertainment by supporting organizations that rehabilitate injured wildlife or provide sanctuaries to those in need.

Support local Accommodations

 

“The best sustainable lodging options usually support the local economy and community, conserve water and other resources, and protect and respect wildlife, nature, and local culture,” says C.S. Sherin, a sustainable living expert and author of Recipe for a Green Life. “We are not going to find, in most cases, commercial luxury venues that fit the sustainability bill. They tend to waste and overconsume energy and resources.” She recommends choosing vacation rentals, staying in hostels, and looking for sustainability-focused lodging options. Keep in mind that your sustainability efforts aren’t just for traveling.

The post Rightway Environmental, According to Environmental Experts appeared first on Gradaxis.

source https://gradaxis.com/rightway-environmental/

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Animals That Live in the Tundra

Polar bears, yaks, mountain goats, snowy owls, and arctic foxes are just a few of the unique animals that live in the tundra biome.

In physical geography, tundra is a type of biome where the tree growth is hindered by low temperatures and short growing seasons. The term tundra comes through Russian from the Kildin Sámi word meaning “uplands”, “treeless mountain tract”. Tundra vegetation is composed of dwarf shrubs, sedges and grasses, mosses, and lichens. Scattered trees grow in some tundra regions. The ecotone (or ecological boundary region) between the tundra and the forest is known as the tree line or timberline. The tundra soil is rich in nitrogen and phosphorus.

The tundra is one of the harshest biomes and it is definitely the coldest! Temperatures in the tundra can reach as low as minus 25 degrees Fahrenheit! Beneath the tundra is permafrost. Permafrost is a permanently frozen sublayer of soil. There is very little rain or snow in the tundra, usually less than 15 inches a year.

There are two types of tundra, the arctic and the alpine tundra. The arctic tundra is the land around the North Pole. The alpine tundra is found above the tree line of tall, cold mountains. Tundra covers one fifth of the Earth’s surface. Tundra comes from the Finnish word tunturia and means barren or treeless land.

Tundra is a biome where low temperatures and short growing seasons result in sparse tree cover on land. The world has three types of tundra:

1. Arctic Tundra which occurs north of the taiga belt in the far Northern Hemisphere
2. Alpine tundra which prevails above the tree line in mountains worldwide
3. Antarctic tundra which includes several sub-Antarctic islands and parts of the continent of Antarctica

Each of these three types of tundra is characterized by a unique set of flora and fauna. Here, we describe some of the most notable animals of the tundra biomes of the world.

Mountain Goat

Mountain goats are tundra animals that are endemic to North America. The most notable feature of these goats is their sure-footed movements on the high and steep rocky mountain ranges inhabited by them. The mountain goats are the largest animals occasionally found at altitudes above 13,000 feet and usually live above the tree line in their habitat. These animals are herbivorous in nature and spend a significant amount of time grazing in the alpine meadows.

Caribou

 

Caribou or reindeer refers to the various subspecies of the species Rangifer tarandus. In North America, caribou is found in Alaska, northern parts of Canada including territories in Yukon, Nunavut, Northwest Territories, Canadian Rockies, Selkirk and the Columbia Mountains. Reindeer, the Eurasian name for caribou, is found in the tundra ecoregion of northern Europe and Siberia. Caribou or reindeer occur both in the wild or as semi-domesticated herds. These animals are utilized by the people of the tundra regions for their milk, meat, hide, and are also used for transportation.

Chinchillas

 

Chinchillas are crepuscular alpine tundra animals that inhabit the Andes mountains in South America. These rodents live in large colonies at elevations as high as 14,000 feet. The number of chinchillas has reduced considerably due to the hunting of these animals for their fur. They are currently classified as critically endangered.

Marmot

 

These Alpine tundra animals are undoubtedly cute looking. Marmots are large squirrels that are found in the alpine tundra zones of mountain ranges in Europe, Asia, and North America. For example, marmots are found in the Carpathians, Apennines, and Pyrenees in Eurasia, in the Deosai Plateau of Ladakh in India, and also in the Rockies, Sierra Nevada, and other mountains of North America. These herbivorous animals are burrow dwellers and hibernate through the winter.

Kea

 

The kea is the only parrot living in the alpine regions of the world. It lives in New Zealand’s South Island where it inhabits the forested and alpine regions of the island. This olive-green colored bird has bright orange under its wings and a gray upper beak that is narrow and curved. The omnivorous bird feeds primarily on carrion and is known for its curious nature and intelligent trait.

Arctic Hare

The Arctic hare (Lepus arcticus) inhabits the tundra regions of the world where it is well-adapted to the mountainous and polar habitat. Short ears and limbs, thick fur, and a small nose of the Arctic hare help to conserve body heat. Body fat makes up 20% of the body weight of the Arctic hare. They live in burrows dug be the ground, move alone or in groups, and can run at speeds of 60 km per hour.

Lemming

 

One of the smallest of the Arctic tundra animals, the lemming is a subniveal animal which means it lives underneath the snowpack and moves by digging tunnels beneath the snow-covered land of its habitat. Lemmings feed mostly on plant parts and occasionally insect larvae and grubs. Lemmings are solitary creatures that remain active throughout the cold season instead of hibernating.

Pika

 

The pika is a small mammal with round body, rounded ears, short limbs, and no external tail. Pikas are tundra animals living in the mountainous areas of Asia and North America at heights of over 6,000 meters. They graze on plant parts, especially grasses.

Yak

 

The yak (Bos grunniens) is a domesticated bovid species that is found in the mountainous region of southern Central Asia, through to the Tibetan Plateau and into Mongolia and Russia. Yaks have been kept for their meat, milk, fiber, and also as beasts of burden for thousands of years. However, yaks cannot survive without grass and thus cannot be used for long distance travel with barren landscapes.

Arctic Fox

 

The Arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus) is one of the most common Arctic tundra animals. The fox has a thick fur that turns from brown to white in winter, and a rounded body shape that helps conserve heat. It has a wide prey base that includes lemmings, voles, fish, seabirds, and more.

Musk Ox

 

Noted for the strong odor emitted by males of the species during the seasonal rut, the muskox (Ovibos moschatus) is also one of the tundra animals. The odor aids the males in attracting females during the mating season. Muskox also has thick coats that protect them from the cold weather of their habitat. These animals inhabit the Canadian Arctic region and also Greenland. Siberia, Norway, Sweden, and Alaska have some small introduced populations of the musk ox.

Snowy Owl

 

The snowy owl is a big, white owl that is native to the tundra ecoregions of Eurasia and North America. The males of these birds definitely live up to their name and are nearly wholly white while females have a greater concentration of black flecks in the white plumage than males. A ground-nester by nature, the snowy owl’s predominant rodent prey matches its ecological niche.

Himalayan Tahr

 

The Himalayan tahr (Hemitragus jemlahicus) is a Himalayan native that can be sighted in Nepal, Tibet, and Nepal. The Himalayan tahr (Hemitragus jemlahicus) is native to the Himalayas in India, Nepal, and Tibet. Hunting and habitat loss have triggered the massive loss of these animals, and they are thus classified as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List. The tahr is a herbivore that feeds on leaves, fruits, grasses, and other plant parts.

Antarctic Penguins

 

Penguins are found in the Antarctic tundra habitat where they inhabit the land and waters of coastal Antarctica. Rockhopper penguin, macaroni penguin, king penguin, gentoo penguin, emperor penguin, adelie penguin, and chinstrap penguin are the penguins of Antarctica.

Polar Bear

 

Our list of “Animals That Live In The Tundra” is definitely incomplete without mentioning the iconic species of the habitat, the polar bear (Ursus maritimus). The polar bear’s range primarily lies within the Arctic Circle including the Arctic Ocean and its surrounding areas. Polar bears are well-adapted to survive in the cold climate of their habitat. Seals form the major part of their diet. Polar bears are excellent swimmers and swim for long distances in search of food and rest.

What and Where is the Tundra?

The Arctic tundra is in the northern hemisphere, from the North Pole extending into the taiga forests. Alpine tundra can be found on mountains above the treeline with a growing season of 180 days but nighttime temperatures dip well below zero. Antarctic tundra is in the South Pole region.

The post Animals That Live in the Tundra appeared first on Gradaxis.

source https://gradaxis.com/animals-that-live-in-the-tundra/

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Special Adaptations Of Plants Growing In The Tundra

Plants growing in the tundra are specially adapted to cold and windy environments. Special adaptations of plants growing in the tundra, Plants need warmth and sunlight to grow and reproduce. In the Arctic tundra, warmth and sunlight are in short supply, even in the summer. The ground is frequently covered with snow until June, and the Sun is always low in the sky. Only plants with shallow root systems grow in the Arctic tundra because the permafrost prevents plants from sending their roots down past the active layer of soil. The active layer of soil is free from ice for only 50 to 90 days.

Arctic plants have a very short growing season. However, in spite of the severe conditions and the short growing season, there are approximately 1,700 kinds of plants that live in the Arctic tundra. Some of the plants that live in the Arctic tundra include mosses, lichens, low-growing shrubs, and grasses–but no trees. In fact, “tundra” is a Finnish words which means “treeless”.

Growing close together and low to the ground are some of the adaptations that plants use to survive. This growing pattern helps the plant resist the effects of cold temperatures and reduce the damage caused by the impact of tiny particles of ice and snow that are driven by the dry winds.

Plants also have adapted to the Arctic tundra by developing the ability to grow under a layer of snow, to carry out photosynthesis in extremely cold temperatures, and for flowering plants, to produce flowers quickly once summer begins. A small leaf structure is another physical adaptation that helps plants survive. Plants lose water through their leaf surface. By producing small leaves the plant is more able to retain the moisture it has stored.

The tundra is a treeless biome in which low temperatures and short growing seasons limit plant growth above a certain height. There are three types of tundra: Arctic tundra, Antarctic tundra, and alpine tundra. While Arctic and Antarctic tundra exist near the Earth’s northern and southern poles, respectively, alpine tundra exists in mountains, usually between the treeline and snowline. Temperatures in the tundra are well below the freezing point for most of the year, and fast, cold winds often blow over the landscape. The topsoil remains frozen most of the year, and the permafrost can be hundreds of feet thick. Although plant growth may seem imposible in such conditions, certain forms of vegetation do exist, such as sedges, grasses, mosses, lichens, and dwarf shrubs. However, these forms of vegetation have special adaptations that enable them survive in the tundra.

Tundra Plants Are Low-Growing

Low-growing plants are typical in the tundra, and most plants do not exceed 12 inches in height. Since nutrient and water availability in the tundra is low, it is difficult for plants to grow taller. Growing close to the ground also prevents plants from freezing. In addition to the lack of nutrients and water, trees are unable to grow due to the frozen soil.

Tundra Plants Tend to Grow in Clusters

Plants of the same species often grow near each other in clusters in the tundra. This adaptation helps plants conserve heat by reducing the surface area exposed to the cold, as well as protecting the plants from winds.

Tundra Plants Are Dark in Color

Dark colors absorb and retain heat better than light colors. Therefore, plants in the tundra tend to have dark-colored leaves and stems that help them absorb solar heat faster and keep warm for longer periods. Some plants are even red in color.

Some Tundra Plants Are Protected by Hair

Certain plants in the tundra have hair covering their stems and leaves. Just as fur traps air and acts as an insulator in animals, hairy outgrowths on plants keeps their temperature more moderate and prevents freezing.

Tundra Plants Have Short Growing Seasons

Plants growing in the extreme tundra climate usually have a short life cycle or a limited growing season. Most plants grow during the short summer, when the soil thaws enough for plant roots to draw sufficient water and nutrients required for growth. Some plants complete their entire life cycle within one season, while others remain dormant for the rest of the year.

Tundra Plants With Specialized Flowers

Some flowers in the tundra, such as the Arctic poppy and Arctic dryad, have dish-like flowers that can follow the sun as it moves throughout the day. These flowers absorb energy and warmth from the sun and transmit it to the rest of the plant.

Tundra Plants Have Short, Horizontal Roots

Plants growing in the tundra tend to have short roots that usually spread horizontally, as they cannot penetrate the permafrost below.

Not All Tundra Plants Need Soil 

Some types of plants, like mosses and lichens, can grow on bare rock surfaces in the absence of soil.

source https://fourteen.online/special-adaptations-of-plants-growing-in-the-tundra/

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Top 10 World’s Largest Fish Species Living Today

The whale shark is the largest species of fish living in the world today.

Fish vary greatly in size. The whale shark and basking shark exceed all other fish by a considerable margin in weight and length. Fish are a paraphyletic group that describes aquatic vertebrates while excluding tetrapods, and the bony fish that often represent the group are more closely related to cetaceans such as whales, than to the cartilaginous fish such as sharks and rays.

10. Reef manta ray

The Manta alfredi is the second biggest species of ray and the tenth biggest fish species living in the world today. The fish is generally found in the tropical and subtropical marine waters but are absent in the East Pacific and the West Atlantic. The fish can weigh as much as 1.4 tons and attain lengths of up to 5.5 m. It primarily consumes zooplankton and is a filter-feeder. Although it is rarely predated upon due to its considerable size and high speed, human activities like overfishing have adversely impacted populations of this species. The reef manta ray is thus a Vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List.

9. Beluga sturgeon

A critically endangered species, the Huso huso belongs to the sturgeon family. The habitat of the fish is restricted to the Black, Caspian and Adriatic Sea. Humans have heavily exploited this species for the beluga caviar, highly-priced delicacy. The unregulated fishing of this species and poaching activities have severely reduced the populations of this fish leading to an urgent need to protect the species from commercial exploitation. The fish is also a late maturing species with a long lifespan. It migrates upstream in rivers for laying eggs. Other fish and rarely waterfowl constitutes its prey base. The largest known specimen of the beluga sturgeon has been found to be 23.6 ft long and weigh 1,571 kg.

8. Hoodwinker sunfish

The Mola tecta have been recently discovered and hence little is known about its behavior. However, it is ranked as one of the biggest fish species known to us. The fish is found in the oceanic waters of the Southern Hemisphere where it preys on salps.

7. Sharptail mola

The Masturus lanceolatus is a mola species that lives in the world’s tropical and temperate marine waters. Since the species is elusive in nature, it is rarely sighted and hence little understood. The fish can attain a length of about 11 ft and weigh as much as 2 tons. The sharptail mola feeds on a wide variety of species including annelids, sponges, fishes, etc. The conservation status of the species is yet to be evaluated.

6. Ocean sunfish

 

The Mola mola is the world’s largest living bony fish. Adults of this species weigh around 2.3 tons and can grow up to a maximum length of 10.8 ft. Due to their unique shape, the fish can attain a height equivalent to their length. These fish inhabit the world’s tropical and temperate oceans. They feed on massive quantities of sea jelly. Although they have few natural predators, they are subjected to great threats due to human activities like fishing. Thus, the IUCN has labeled the species as “Vulnerable”.

5. Giant oceanic manta ray

 

The Manta birostris is a ray species that ranks as the fifth largest fish species in the world. It is therefore the biggest species of ray and can be as big as 23 ft and weigh around 3 tons. These rays live in the tropical and subtropical oceans. The manta rays feed mainly on plankton and swim alone or in groups with other members of the same species or other marine species. Although the manta ray has few predators in the water, humans are responsible for a steep decline in their population due to irresponsible fishing practices.

4. Tiger shark

 

The Galeocerdo cuvier or the “Sea Tiger” is the fourth largest fish species living today. It can attain a length of more than 16 ft and weigh around 3 tons. The populations of this species are widely distributed in the tropical and temperate oceans with larger populations living around the islands in the central Pacific Ocean. Younger sharks exhibit black tiger-like stripes on the body which disappear with aging. These stripes give the species its name. The shark has the widest prey base among all sharks and feeds on a range of aquatic creatures, seabirds, and even garbage. Sadly, the tiger shark is also threatened by human activities that make it a Near Threatened species on the IUCN Red List. The tiger shark is responsible for the second highest number of attacks on humans after the great white shark.

3. Great white shark

 

The Carcharodon carcharias is found in the coastal waters of all the oceans where water temperature ranges between 12 and 24 °C. Some specimens of the species have been found to be 20 ft long and weigh about 3.3 tons. Generally, however, individuals are about 13 ft in length. The great white shark can live for over 70 years. Most shark-related attacks on humans are associated with this shark species since it lives in coastal areas where encounters with humans are more frequent. However, humans are not the preferred prey of this species but still unprovoked attacks by the great white are quite common. These fish feed on a variety of prey species including the seabirds. The great white shark is the apex predator in its ecosystem but occasionally killer whales are known to kill these sharks. The great white shark is also a vulnerable species subjected to the same threats as the species mentioned above.

2. Basking shark

 

The Cetorhinus maximus can attain lengths of about 20 to 26 ft and weigh almost 19 tons, making the species the second biggest extant fish species in the world. This migratory shark species is found throughout the temperate oceans of the world. Like the whale shark, it feeds exclusively on planktons. A filter-feeder, the shark feeds near the surface of the water as if it was basking in the sun, hence the name. The basking shark has been labeled as a vulnerable species by the IUCN. Years of heavy commercial exploitation for food, shark liver oil, shark fin and also threats from fishing, bycatch losses, and more have reduced the population of the species.

1. Whale shark

 

The Rhincodon typus, which can grow up to 41.5 ft and weigh as much as 21.5 tons, is the biggest fish species living today. It is also the largest extant non-mammalian vertebrate species of our planet. The whale shark is found in the warm tropical oceans’ open waters. These fish can live for up to 70 years. Despite their massive size, the fish are rarely a threat to humans. They feed mainly on plankton. The species is labeled as an endangered species by the IUCN. Bycatch losses, vessel strikes, low multiplication rate are only some of the factors threatening the future survival of the species.

What Is The World’s Largest Fish Species Living Today?

The whale shark is the largest species of fish living in the world today. The endangered whale shark can grow up to 41.5 ft and weigh as much as 21.5 tons.

Top 10 World’s Largest Fish Species Living Today

Rank	Animal	Known maximum mass [tonnes]	Maximum length [m]
1	Whale shark	21.5	12.65
2	Basking shark	19	12.27
3	Great white shark	3.324	7
4	Tiger shark	3.11	7.4
5	Giant oceanic manta ray	3.0	5
6	Ocean sunfish	2.3	3.1
7	Sharptail mola	2	3.0
8	Hoodwinker sunfish	1.87	2.4
9	Beluga sturgeon	1.571	7.2
10	Reef manta ray	1.4	5.5

source https://fourteen.online/top-10-worlds-largest-fish-species-living-today/

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