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No. 27, January 18, 2013

In This Issue:

Forest Service: 36 Million Acres Could Be Lost to Sprawl
Endangered Species Condoms at Parades, Churches, Nightclubs
Florida's Population Paradox
Take Action


Forest Service: 36 Million Acres Could Be Lost to Sprawl

In December's edition of Pop X we shared two federal reports, on corals and the Colorado River, that broke new ground by explicitly naming population growth as a key threat. What do they say about bad news coming in threes? Just days later, the U.S. Forest Service issued a new report with another grim prediction: that 36 million acres of the nation's forests will be lost to houses, strip malls and roads by 2050. That's an area 16 times larger than Yellowstone National Park.

The main driver, according to the study, is none other than population growth, which is driving sprawl and natural-resource overconsumption. It isn't just trees that will be lost. Our forests are prime, necessary habitat for grizzlies, wolves, and countless other plant, fish and bird species. All of them will pay the price if we fail to conserve these forests and stem sprawl.

And with 2012 the hottest year on record, losing 36 million acres of shady bowers doesn't bode well for a cooler planet.


Endangered Species Condoms at Parades, Churches, Nightclubs

It's always gratifying to find out how creative our Endangered Species Condoms distributors get. At the end of 2012, the Center for Biological Diversity delivered 50,000 free condoms to more than 600 volunteers around the country to help spread the word about the threat unsustainable population growth poses to endangered plants and animals.

Yet again we were blown away by our volunteers' energy and enthusiasm. The condoms were given out at the Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena, Calif., in a church, at a nightclub in Hawaii, and at parties, restaurants and college health centers around the country. And we picked up some conversation-starting media along the way, including this fun piece from the Wisconsin Gazette and this one from Science Recorder.

Thanks to all who participated. Stay tuned for details on our first condom distribution event for 2013.


Florida's Population Paradox

Florida remains the fastest-growing state in the country and is poised to pass New York in population. But the effects of such rapid growth on the wildlife and wild places we all love are frequently, conveniently ignored. While many of our politicians proudly tout the benefits of growth, we know it too often comes at a steep cost for panthers, manatees, clean air and water and functioning ecosystems -- many of the qualities that draw people to Florida in the first place. That population paradox is the focus of an op-ed I recently had published in the Miami Herald.

You can read my op-ed here and maybe starting thinking about how population's affecting the wildlife and wild places where you live. Then write your own op-ed and send it to your local paper.


Take Action

Please follow us on Twitter at @EndSpcsCondoms, and check out and LIKE our new Facebook page.

Also, Alexandra Paul, an actress and population activist, has a Ted Topanga talk posted on Youtube right now. If 10,000 people watch the video, it will be become a real Ted talk and be seen by a much wider audience. Take a moment to check it out.


Hasta la victoria,

Jerry Karnas

Jerry Karnas
Population Campaign Director


Center for Biological Diversity | P.O. Box 710, Tucson, AZ 85702-0710

This is an unmonitored email address, please do not reply. To sign up for condoms, click here. If you'd like more information on the Center's overpopulation campaign, visit our website. To make a donation, click here. Specific population-related questions can be directed to population@biologicaldiversity.org. Please allow a few days for a response. To stop receiving Pop X, click here.

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Grizzly bear photo by Robin Silver, Center for Biological Diversity.