Date of Issue : 21 June 2011
The new Europa 2011 issue from Vatican City consists of two stamps presented as a diptych showing a detail of a Sistine Chapel painting by Perugino, The Journey of Moses into Egypt.
The United Nations declared 2011 as the International Year of Forests. Forests cover more than 30% of the earth's surface and represent a vital source of biological diversity. They also play a key role in mitigating the effects of climate change, a concern widely discussed today. Forests are of great importance in regulating the earth's climate, and they play a key role in the water cycle and oxygenation of the planet. Forests provide wood and fuel, they host an enormous variety of living animal and plant species, and they counter soil erosion. Given their vitally important role for the planet, it is necessary to safeguard and protect them.
Denmark
Date of Issue : 4 May 2011
The stamp (8,00 DKK) features a pale tussock moth caterpillar crawling along a branch and the other stamp (11,00 DKK) features a red squirrel climbing up a tree trunk .
Greece
Date of Issue : 17 May 2011
Germany
Date of Issue : 5 May 2011
The biological, ecological and climatic role of forests is invaluable for the life on Earth. The loss of forests means the loss of biological diversity and climate change.
The clearing of forests and a non-simultaneous afforestation have been hurt earlier cultures. But mankind has apparently not learned much from it: the reckless deforestation in tropical rain forest, the rigorous cases of cutting down of ancient trees without quick replacement have already led to noticeable changes in the flora, fauna and climate. That is why afforestation is one of the biggest global challenges.
