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'Apps for Earth': The Campaign Where Downloading Apps Can Help The Environment

Nature Lovers, Here Are Apps You Can Download To Help The Environment (Really)
South Georgia
Harald Sund via Getty Images
South Georgia

If we were to tell you downloading the app 'Kendall & Kylie' could help the environment, you'd have a right to be suspicious.

Except for a period of ten days, each of these apps -- plus 23 more -- will be doing exactly that.

In a global campaign similar to the successful 2014 'Apps for RED' venture, Apple has teamed with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) in order to support global conservation.

The aim of the campaign, which kicks off on Friday, 15th April and runs to Monday, 25th April, is to raise both awareness and funds for the organisation via the download of one (or more) of 27 specially selected apps during the 10-day period. 100 percent of the proceeds app purchases -- as well as In-App purchases -- will go toward WWF’s global conservation work and mission to "reduce the most pressing threats to the diversity of life on Earth."

"We are super excited to have developers from all around the world participating," Oliver Schusser, Vice President of iTunes International, told The Huffington Post Australia.

"We have developers from the US, Canada, Finland, Argentina, Japan, Russia and Spain, to name a few, and we are also so excited to have a fantastic app from Australia's Savage Interactive -- [sketching, painting and illustration app] Procreate and Procreate Pocket.

"We love the developers, who are based out of Hobart, Tasmania, and they really are a perfect fit for this project. For the campaign they have developed an 'Earth brush set', which is basically an exclusive set of brushes inspired by the natural world, and handmade by Kyle T. Webster, which we are just hugely excited about."

'Ant' by Goro Fujita, using Procreate for Apps for Earth.

As for how the 27 apps were selected, Schusser says it was a case of reaching out to "the best of the best" as well as finding developers willing to creative exclusive content within each app suitable to the campaign.

"We wanted to find the best partners possible, but also who would fit to the cause, not only in the apps themselves but the in-app purchases," Schusser said.

"The core themes of WWF centre around forest, ocean, water, wildlife and the threats to food and climate. We wanted 27 apps and, specifically the exclusive additions to those apps, to be centred around these themes."

When asked what it was about, say, 'Kendall and Kylie,' that resonated with WWF's core themes, Schusser pointed out one of the core aims of the campaign -- to raise awareness -- could only benefit from apps with a large and devoted following.

"Our number one focus is awareness," Schusser told HuffPost Australia. "And obviously apps like that do have a massive following and for [Kendall and Kylie] to help spread the word about this cause -- I would argue it's a great addition."

Indeed, as part of the campaign the app boasts players can "participate in a new in-game quest and event supporting water conservation, while earning ocean conservation-themed clothing, accessories and more, through the purchase of unique water droplets. Plus, players can take and share selfies inside the exclusive WWF-branded selfie booth."

But back to our Australian developers from Tassie.

"The team and I were really proud of this one," Schusser enthused. "It's really such a great fit. We love the developer. They operate out of this really tiny shop out of Tasmania and are really passionate about local environment. It was obvious they were an instant fit to the cause.

"The idea of creating these exclusive 'Earth brushes' in addition, we thought was really beautiful."

Keen to find out what other apps you can get your nature-loving mits on? Check out the full list, complete with summary (courtesy of Apple), below.

Meet the 27 'Apps for Earth'

Angry Birds 2 (Rovio Entertainment; Finland) focuses on protecting our oceans with a limited-time event that includes three exclusive levels and an all-new power-up. Players will be challenged to stop the dastardly piggies from overfishing.

Best Fiends (Seriously; US) players can engage in an Apps for Earth quest consisting of fun puzzle levels set in the Yangtze River region in China. To help solve the puzzles, players can purchase unique Panda Pals for a limited-time.

Candy Crush Soda Saga (King; Malta) features a live in-game event, Bamboo Hill, which players can experience on the weekends of April 15 and April 21 to help conserve our planet.

Cooking Dash 2016 (Glu Games Inc.; US) features an all-new "Eats for Earth" show for players to enjoy. With help from can-do waitress Flo, players work to prepare a menu of new dishes using sustainable ingredients. Aspiring chefs can also purchase in-game items to help cook responsibly.

Cut the Rope: Magic(ZeptoLab; Russia) offers all-new and exclusive puzzle levels where Om Nom magically transforms into an adorable panda inspired by the now famous sneezing panda meme.

Disney Infinity: Toy Box 3.0 (Disney; US) players can purchase an exclusive Apps for Earth bundle consisting of Nick, Judy and Baloo figures, as well as Power Disks. Players will also experience a set of new Toy Box levels.

Dragon City (Social Point; Spain) features the exclusive Panda Island, which includes six new dragons inspired by WWF’s core focus areas. With special tutorials and presets, Enlight (Lightricks Ltd; US) users will be empowered to create and share beautiful, inspiring artwork while capturing their favorite aspects of the natural world.

Hay Day (Supercell; Finland) players can purchase a new Bag of Diamonds from the game’s shop to receive an exclusive Panda Statue decoration and the opportunity to display the WWF logo on their roadside shop for the duration of the campaign.

Hearthstone (Blizzard Entertainment; US) players can purchase the new hero, Kahadgar, who will unlock arcane power and protect against evil.

Jurassic World: The Game (Ludia; Canada) will feature exclusive content such as new “Legendary" dinosaurs, brand new decorations, energy-generating turbines and more.

Kendall & Kylie (Glue Games Inc.; US) players can participate in a new in-game quest and event supporting water conservation, while earning ocean conservation-themed clothing, accessories and more, through the purchase of unique water droplets. Plus, players can take and share selfies inside the exclusive WWF-branded selfie booth.

LINE (LINE; Japan) users can share a limited-edition sticker set with their friends as they celebrate Apps for Earth and beyond.

LINE: Disney Tsum Tsum(LINE, Japan) players can purchase a Ruby to earn a very special, limited-edition Earth pin that users will be able to display with pride.

Map My Run+ (Under Armour; US) athletes can participate in "Run Nature", a fitness challenge encouraging their global community to log as many miles (walks, runs, and bike rides) as possible. Users can unlock custom badges along the way that represent nature’s finest after completing a distance associated with each legendary location.

MARVEL Contest of Champions (Kabam; US) will offer a limited-time bundle called the “WWF Power Pack” which includes 3-star Hulk and a Go Green ticket to access a special in-game quest.

Peak (Brainbow; UK) players will protect the environment while training their brain; players will guide Billy the Hawksbill turtle through the sea, eating as much jellyfish as possible, while dodging plastic bags, fishing nets and other ocean obstacles.

Procreate (Savage Interactive; Australia) offers their creative community an exclusive set of brushes inspired by the natural world, and handmade by Kyle T. Webster.

Recolor (Sumoing Ltd; Finland), the world’s favorite Coloring Book, celebrates Apps for Earth with 10 featured artists who have designed unique coloring pages across WWF’s six pillars.

SimCity BuildIt (EA; US) players can create ocean preserves to safeguard marine life, grow and sustain lush forests, and create wildlife habitats to protect endangered species.

Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes (EA; US) fans will have a chance to assemble their Ewoks in an epic battle to protect the forest moon of Endor; players can also purchase store bundles and participate in a multi-tiered special event where players will need to form their squad of Ewoks to fight against the Empire and push them off the forest moon for good.

The Earth by Tinybop (Tinybop Inc., US) is offering three brand new interactive features focused on Forest, Energy and Water to further help spark conversations between kids and parents about what we can all do to help the planet from picking up trash or choosing a bike ride over a car ride.

Trivia Crack (Etermax; Argentina) players can challenge themselves to WWF-inspired facts and trivia when they purchase custom characters based on each of the six WWF pillars.

Tabs & Chords by Ultimate Guitar (Ultimate Guitar; US) users will jam out to environmentally-themed songs as well as experience new tools, lessons and more.

VSCO(Visual Supply Company; US) photographers can purchase a new WWF preset that enhances the lights and colors of natural settings, and is ideal for landscape and wildlife photography

WWF Together (World Wildlife Fund; US) will bring users the story of a new and limited edition feature, called Earth, where users will view a 360° panoramic image of Earth from space, immerse their iPhone in digital water and see stunning photography and video of the planet.

Yoga Studio(Gaiam Inc; US)is cultivating gratitude for our planet with two new collections: Earth Salutations, featuring six new yoga classes, and a set of inspiring Earth Meditations.

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