Pop X: Population, Sustainability and a Wilder Future for All.
Protester

Dear Center Supporter,

More than 326 million Americans rang in the New Year this month — 2.3 million more than last year. Much of the growth continues to take place in western and southern states, where communities and wildlife are feeling increasing pressure from drought, severe weather events and unsustainable development. Meanwhile global population has surpassed 7.5 billion.

For many of us, 2017 was a long year. But it was also a year when we saw an incredible uprising against agendas that threatened human and civil rights and the future of the planet. With the second Women's March planned for this weekend, the resistance continues to gain strength.

To kick off 2018, I'm excited to introduce our new senior population campaigner, Catherine Thomasson, who brings her expertise as a physician and climate and health advocate to the fight. And with Valentine's Day right around the corner, check out our Pillow Talk events across the country (or recommend an event near you).

For the wild,

Stephanie Feldstein

Stephanie Feldstein
Population and Sustainability Director
Center for Biological Diversity

P.S. Today's world population is: 7,595,878,919. We can still save room for wildlife — spread the word and share this email.

Florida panther

Crowded Planet / There may be as few as 120 Florida panthers left in the wild. In a state that adds 850 people a day, the biggest threat to the future of the species comes on four wheels.

Installing solar panels

Wild Energy / Tariffs Could Dim Solar Development

Any day now Trump is expected to impose tariffs on solar panels imported from China. While this might be billed as part of his "America First" agenda, it would hold back U.S. solar markets, threaten domestic clean-energy jobs and slow the transition to a just and renewable energy economy. Only two foreign-owned companies claim imports make them less competitive; the rest of the solar industry opposes the tariffs. That's because the domestic solar industry currently employs more than twice as many Americans as the coal industry, and those blue-collar jobs rely on the availability of low-cost imported solar cells and panels. Read more about the dimming effect of solar tariffs in this week's USA TODAY editorial.

Shades of Green / The Meat of the Matter

Vegetarian bento boxes

They say you are what you eat. And, for many, our meals really do define us – through traditions, taste preferences and even habits. But what we choose to eat also has an effect on the planet, especially when we serve up meat. Americans consume more burgers, steaks and other meat-filled dishes than nearly any other country. And that appetite for meat takes an enormous toll on the environment. This month, the Center's Jess Herrera is confronting her family's meat eating habits in the latest installment of Shades of Green.

Take Action / Stop Trump's Offshore Drilling Plan

The Trump administration's move to expand offshore oil drilling along all U.S. coasts puts coastal communities, wildlife and our climate at risk. Tell Secretary Zinke to scrap this destructive plan.

Cows

Earth-friendly Diet / The Reality Behind USDA's Forecast

Earlier this month the U.S. Department of Agriculture predicted Americans will eat more meat in 2018 than ever before. Americans already eat more meat than almost anyone else in the world. Increasing our burger intake would be disastrous for wildlife, the climate and our health. But are we really destined to eat more meat? Not necessarily. The foretold rise in consumption is actually an expected rise in meat production, aided by policies that keep the cost of animal agriculture artificially low. Yet market data show that demand for meat alternatives is increasing. By continuing to choose Earth-friendly diets, we can influence the outlook toward a more sustainable food system. Read more in "Force-fed Nation" on Medium.

Population / Paul Ryan's Baby Boom

Paul Ryan

Speaker Paul Ryan recently suggested that the solution to save Medicare and Social Security is for Americans to have more babies. Yet Ryan himself, who has pledged for years to cut funding for so-called "entitlement programs," is one of the greatest threats to these safety nets for our most vulnerable citizens. A baby boom can't save government programs or the economy from bad policies being passed by today's GOP. And population growth will only make it harder for people and the planet to thrive. Read our full response to Ryan's comments in The Hill.

Arctic fox

Five Wild Picks / Winter Tips to Stay Warm, Save Wildlife

Whether you've been in the frigid path of a bomb cyclone or are experiencing typical mid-winter chills, it's not too late to weatherize your home to keep out the cold and cut your energy use.

1) Turn down the heat; turn up your sweater style. By bundling up indoors and setting your thermostat back 7 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit for 8 hours a day, you can reduce your heating needs by 10 percent a year.

2) Do some winter cleaning. Faster than "spring cleaning," cleaning out your furnace filter can help to improve airflow and efficiency of your heater in the winter.

3) Use daylight to your advantage. Just as closing your curtains during the day in the summer can help keep excess heat from the sun out, opening your south-facing curtains when the sun is up in the winter can help naturally warm your home and provide some much-needed Vitamin D.

4) Take advantage of the next heat wave to prepare for a cold snap. Next time the temperature rises above 20 degrees, apply weatherstripping to your doors and windows to help prevent drafts.

5) Seal air leaks without stepping outside. For a cheap, easy, indoor winter DIY project, apply plastic sealing over your windows to cut down on drafts and energy waste.

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Photo credits: Protester by Sam Rodgers/Flickr; Florida panther courtesy NPS; solar panel installation by EE Image Database/Flickr; vegetarian bento boxes by graasland/Flickr; cows by Serena Epstein/Flickr; Paul Ryan by Gage Skidmore/Flickr; Arctic fox by Mark Dumont/Flickr.

Center for Biological Diversity
P.O. Box 710
Tucson, AZ 85702