SAN FRANCISCO, US - Travel-planning website GoPlanit.com has launched an iPhone game in which players shake, tap and blow on devices to defend nature on a "Pet Earth" and earn world-greening virtual trees.

The California-based startup says it plans to make the videogame efforts real by donating portions of sales and advertising revenues to tree-planting nonprofit groups Arbor Day Foundation and Trees for the Future.

"Planting trees makes a world of difference both for 'Pet Earth' and in real-life," GoPlanit said in a release.

Along with absorbing climate-changing carbon dioxide, trees provide shade, block wind, clean water, prevent soil erosion and block winds, the San Francisco-based startup notes.

"Pet Earth" welcomes players by telling them they have adopted a "lovable six sextillion kilogram pet" and then unleashes floods, hurricanes, volcanic eruptions and other disasters they must thwart.

For example, floods are dried up by tipping motion-sensing iPhones to channel water into drains and hurricanes are countered by blowing on Apple's innovative handheld devices.

Mini-mission victories are rewarded with virtual trees for improving the health of a pet Earth.

"Catching polluters is also important," GoPlanit explains in a release about the game. "Track polluters to their secret hideouts by following clues in the form of geography trivia questions."

In-game money is paid as bounties for polluters.

"Pet Earth" is among the burgeoning ranks of iPhone games stocked at iTunes online shop. The full game is priced at 2.99 dollars and there is a free "lite" version. --AFP