Center for Biological Diversity
Pop X
No. 50, Jan. 23, 2015
Breaking the Taboo

Last month we discussed the incredible potential of the largest generation of young people in the history of the world. But there's a big barrier to that potential, especially here in the United States: Not only are population growth and overconsumption often avoided or mischaracterized by the media, but the topics almost never make it into the classroom.

That's why I've teamed up with Carter Dillard, director of litigation at Animal Legal Defense Fund, to break the longstanding taboo around these issues and bring the conversation to law schools around the country. As future influencers of policy and the law, it's critical that law students understand the underlying drivers of our most pressing environmental, animal and human-rights issues and what we can do about it.

You can read more about our "Breaking the Taboo" tour in EcoWatch; check our events page for the tour schedule. We'll update the calendar as more stops are added, and if we're in your neighborhood, I hope you can come join the conversation.

For the wild,
Stephanie Feldstein Stephanie Feldstein
Population and Sustainability Director
P.S. Today's world population is: 7,241,702,456. We can still save room for wildlife -- spread the word and share the newsletter below.

New Mexican Gray Wolf Rule Favors Livestock

Alarm clockThe U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service finally issued new rules for Mexican gray wolves, protecting them as a distinct subspecies -- which entitles them to a decades-overdue recovery plan -- as well as allowing release of captive-bred wolves into New Mexico to address a crisis of inbreeding and expanding the lobos' room to roam. However, other provisions in the management rule put Mexican wolves at risk.

The agency wants to cap the number of wolves in Arizona and New Mexico at 325 and allow any additional wolves to be killed. It's also banned them north of Interstate 40 and created new and expanded loopholes to enable ranchers and government agents to kill wolves, including non-depredating wolves on private lands.

Once exterminated from the Southwest and from Mexico by the U.S. government acting on behalf of livestock owners, these wolves have been on a long, difficult road to recovery.

We're fighting the new rules in court. But you can also help by not supporting the industry that targets wolves and other endangered animals by choosing to eat less meat.

 
 
 
When you're feeling tender...

veggie burger

When You're Feeling Tender...

Ever wish your favorite endangered species could be on our condom packages? Well, now's your chance. We're redesigning our Endangered Species Condoms with new artwork and new wildlife, and we want to hear which endangered animals you think should be featured to raise awareness about the connection between runaway human population growth and the wildlife extinction crisis. Email your ideas to us, along with a slogan for each endangered species you nominate, by Feb. 2.

NYC Shows Love for Less Meat

In a move that could make the "food capital of the world" a little more sustainable, a resolution was introduced this week by New York City Council members Helen Rosenthal and Corey Johnson to bring "Meatless Mondays" to the Big Apple. The resolution, supported by the Center, cites wildlife protection, environmental and agricultural sustainability and limiting individuals' carbon footprints among the many reasons for the city to join the Meatless Monday movement. Learn more about the resolution.

 
Stop Keystone in Its Tracks -- Take Action
Canadian pipeline

President Obama

whooping crane

Congress is fast-tracking a bill that would approve construction of the Keystone XL pipeline -- putting communities, the climate and endangered wildlife at risk.

The Obama administration has pledged to stand up to the bullies in Congress who are trying to ram this project through and veto the Keystone XL bill when it reaches his desk.

Make sure President Obama keeps his promise and rejects Keystone XL once and for all to protect people, wildlife and the planet.

 
 
Volunteer Spotlight: Partnering to Protect the Planet

Fruits and vegetablesAs the youth education director for the Institute for Population Studies, Anushka Drescher spends a lot of time thinking about how to get young people talking about the connection between human population and wild animals, so becoming an Endangered Species Condoms volunteer was a natural fit.

Not only are the condoms an entertaining way to get people thinking about human population and endangered species, but as Anushka points out: "Most college students are focused on getting their degree and starting to make a living, so not getting pregnant is in their own interest at this point."

Her favorite outreach moment: Walking across San Francisco's City College campus the day before Halloween in a leopard costume, with fellow volunteer Andrew dressed as the Frozen snowman Olaf, clutching a stash of free condoms to give out. Between the costumes and the condoms, they attracted plenty of attention. Anushka particularly enjoys teaming up with Andrew when handing out the condoms. "Having a man and a woman work together helps people get the message that thinking about procreation, safe sex and healing the planet is a joint endeavor."

 
Photo credits: Stephanie Feldstein staff photo; Mexican gray wolf courtesy deviantart/LynnKitchell; Endangered Species Condoms courtesy Flickr/AIDS/SIDA NB; veggie burger courtesy Flickr/miikahoo; Canadian pipeline courtesy Flickr/rblood; President Obama courtesy Flickr/summonedbyfells; whooping crane by Robin Silver, Center for Biological Diversity; Anushka Drescher and student courtesy Center for Biological Diversity.
 

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