Center for Biological Diversity
Pop X
No. 63, Feb. 20, 2016
Help Wildlife Find Love, Too

The dating game has changed over the years: More and more people are finding love online or using dating apps like Tinder, which delivers potential matches in your area directly to your smartphone. More than 50 million people "swipe right" to connect or "swipe left" to keep looking a collective 1.4 billion times per day on Tinder.

But while there may be more ways for people to find love, human population growth and all the demands on land, energy and other resources that go with it are making it harder for wildlife to find their matches. Just ask El Jefe, the only known wild jaguar in the United States, whose home is threatened by a massive mining proposal. (Read more about El Jefe below.)

This Valentine's Day, besides distributing 10,000 free Endangered Species Condoms, we asked people to share our new animated video to remind friends and family that practicing safe sex can help make sure the dating game isn't game over for jaguars, polar bears and all the other amazing wild plants and animals that share this planet. Watch and share the video, and read on for more ways to stay informed and take action.

For the wild,
Stephanie Feldstein Stephanie Feldstein
Population and Sustainability Director
P.S. Today's world population is: 7,406,042,659. We can still save room for wildlife -- spread the word and share the newsletter below.

Media Goes Wild for El Jefe

El JefeEarlier this month the Center and Conservation CATalyst released exclusive video footage of the only known jaguar currently in the United States. The jaguar, named El Jefe by local schoolchildren, lives in the Santa Rita Mountains just outside Tucson.

El Jefe was an instant star -- the footage of the majestic cat appeared on the news in every state across the country as well as in several broadcasts overseas. The video was featured on "Good Morning America" and "The Today Show," published in newspapers from USA Today to The Wall Street Journal, and widely shared across social media, reaching millions of people.

Celebrity might be able to help save the lone jaguar and aid his species recovery. A Canadian mining company wants to develop a massive open-pit copper mine in the middle of the big cat's territory. If the Rosemont Mine is allowed to proceed, it would permanently destroy thousands of acres of federally protected jaguar habitat, threatening El Jefe's survival and the potential for other jaguars -- including a potential mate -- to move into the area. But if millions know about El Jefe and take action to protect him, jaguars will have a chance to return to the United States.

 
 
Grand Canyon Oregon Welcomes You
Find Us on Medium

The Center recently launched a new publication on Medium, a fast-growing publishing platform that makes it easy for people to share articles and ideas on social media. Expert staff from across the Center's programs are sharing fresh takes on the latest environmental news, and we've already got pieces up about population, pesticides, whales, wolves and even Frostpaw's adventures in Alaska. We're posting new content regularly -- so join the community, follow us and share pieces you like with your social networks.

Come See Us in Oregon

The Population and Sustainability program will once again bring topics of human population growth and overconsumption to the annual Public Interest Environmental Law Conference in Eugene, Ore. We're organizing panels to discuss the impact of grazing and meat production on wildlife, the importance of removing barriers to distributed solar energy, and why the future of population advocacy hinges on reproductive rights. You'll also find panels featuring other Center staff. Learn more and register for the conference.

 
Save Rooftop Solar in Nevada -- Sign the Petition
Desert tortoise Wrong Way Solar panels

Nevada had been a leader in rooftop solar -- a clean, wildlife-friendly energy source -- until the state's public utilities commission voted to impose new, unfair rates on all solar customers that will effectively block the solar market from growing.

Despite outcry over the new policy -- and Gov. Sandoval's claim that he's "committed to pursu[ing] policies that will allow Nevada to continue to lead the nation in renewable energy production" -- the commission plans to pull the plug on solar incentives.

Tell Nevada's public utilities commission to protect jobs and the environment by reversing its decision and putting the state back on track for rooftop solar.

 
 
Pledge Calls on College Dining Services to Protect Their Mascot

Wildcat mascotFrom wolves to bears and wildcats to condors, wildlife mascots on college campuses reflect the unique spirit of each school. But the amount of meat and dairy served in dining halls could be putting those mascots -- the endangered and threatened wild species they often represent -- at risk.

U.S. colleges purchase nearly $5 billion worth of food every year. They determine what's available for students, faculty and staff to eat, and they have the power to influence our food systems. Nearly 20 million college students eat meals served at college campuses. Imagine the impact on our food systems -- and ecosystems -- if campuses purchased and served 20 percent less meat and dairy and encouraged students to eat more plant-based foods.

The new Pledge to Protect Your Mascot campaign gives colleges and universities a way to show their school spirit by creating more wildlife-friendly menus and purchasing policies. By committing to cut meat and dairy by 20 percent and offer more meat-free items, schools can reduce their environmental footprint while responding to the growing student demand for healthy, humane and sustainable food.

Know a mascot in need of a better menu? Check out the pledge, then email us for more information on how to get involved.
 
Photo credits: Stephanie Feldstein staff photo; El Jefe courtesy Conservation CATalyst and Center for Biological Diversity; Grand Canyon (c) Stan Honda, 2015; Oregon sign courtesy Oregon Department of Transportation; desert tortoise courtesy Flickr/Sandy Redding; sign courtesy Flickr/Jack Zalium; solar panels courtesy Oregon Department of Transportation; Wilbur Wildcat courtesy Flickr/Bradjward.
 

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