Center for Biological Diversity


For Immediate Release, October 5, 2015

Contact: Jennifer Molidor, (707) 888-9261, JMolidor@biologicaldiversity.org

100 Colleges to Spend Week Focusing on Food, Sex and Sustainability 

TUCSON, Ariz.— Students at more than 100 college campuses will spend this week focusing on making campus life more sustainable, including hosting meat-free events, urging restaurants to provide discounts for Earth-friendly vegetarian meals, and distributing Endangered Species Condoms in dining halls, dorms, classrooms and student centers to make the connection between meat consumption, reproductive health and the future of the planet.

Wildlife WeekThe programs are part of the Center for Biological Diversity’s first-ever “Wildlife Week,” a partnership with students across the country, from Rutgers University to the University of California-Davis.

“Everyone is so focused on our future, but no one is talking about the need for family planning and food choices that won’t destroy the planet,” said Saskia Comess, a Wildlife Week participant and student at Vassar College. “I’m excited to show people that eating to save wildlife is healthy, yummy and affordable. It’s really a no-brainer.”

Wildlife Week is centered on student actions that inform classmates about issues of human population growth, overconsumption and the wildlife extinction crisis. A key focus of the week is encouraging students to eat more sustainably by eating less meat and learning how to make the most of cafeteria food and other cheap, healthy options.

“It is a struggle to change habits, but consciousness is key to being a better global citizen,” said Juan Andres, an ecology student at Mississippi State University. “Meat is a real struggle and I know it is important.”

Students are already incorporating the message of Wildlife Week into other campus activities. Students at Northeastern University will promote Wildlife Week to coincide with a presentation by champion athlete and outdoorsman Mark Synnott’s presentation. At Colorado University, Wildlife Week also aligns with a presentation Marc Bekoff, a renowned wildlife ethologist.

“Wildlife Week empowers students to change the way they think about food and sex with an eye toward a healthy, sustainable planet,” said Jennifer Molidor, senior food campaigner at the Center. “Producing meat is one of the most destructive things we do to our planet. A truly sustainable, Earth-friendly diet means reconsidering our impact on wildlife.”

Wildlife Week is the latest project from Take Extinction Off Your Plate, a campaign by the Center’s Population and Sustainability program. The Center is the only major environmental organization with a full-time program dedicated to highlighting and addressing the connection between human population growth, overconsumption — particularly meat consumption — and threats to endangered species. The program has distributed more than 600,000 Endangered Species Condoms on college campuses across the country.

Wildlife Week events are being held at colleges including the following top 10:

University of Arizona
University of California, Davis
University of Colorado
Emory University
Indiana University, Bloomington
Ohio State University
Oklahoma State University
Reed College
Rutgers University
Texas A & M

The Center for Biological Diversity is a national, nonprofit conservation organization with more than 900,000 members and online activists dedicated to the protection of endangered species and wild places.


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