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No. 32, June 21, 2013

In This Issue:

Study: Population Growth Puts More Species on Extinction's Path
U.N. Predicts 11 Billion, Not 10 by 2100
Kentucky Flower Power: Species Suffering From Growth Impacts Gets Help

Study: Population Growth Puts More Species on Extinction's Path

A new study from Ohio State University warns that human population growth threatens hundreds of mammal and bird species with extinction within 40 years.

The scientists warn that the average growing nation should expect about 3 percent more threatened species in the next decade and an increase of 10.8 percent species threatened with extinction by 2050. Researchers said the United States ranks sixth in the world in the number of new species expected to be threatened by 2050.

"Our projection is based on human population density alone," said anthropologist Jeffrey McKee, lead author of the study, which was just published in Human Ecology. "It doesn't take into account climate change, industrialization or wars. So the actual numbers that we predict for 2050 will be very different because everything we do will exacerbate the problem. You can do all the conservation in the world that you want, but it's going to be for naught if we don't keep the human population in check."

Hard to be more blunt than that.

Read about the study in Science Daily and learn about the Center's work on the link between population and species extinction.


U.N. Predicts 11 Billion, Not 10 by 2100

Hey, what's another billion babies between friends? The planet will likely find out far too soon, according to new United Nations projections that the world's population will surmount not 10.1 billion but 11 billion by 2100.

The 10 billion projection was revised upward by the U.N. after only a few short years, and to make matters worse, the high end of the range for the new projections is 13 billion.

So here's how the U.N. now predicts population growth will play out: By 2025 -- less than 12 years from now -- there will be 8.1 billion people, by 2050 it's 9.6 billion and then 11 billion by 2100.

Our planet is already in the midst of its sixth mass extinction. In fact, scientists say animal and plant species today are going extinct 1,000 to 10,000 times faster than normal -- and the Ohio State study (see above) only adds to our worry.

That's why we need you, and everyone you know, spreading the word on this crucial issue. Stay tuned for how you can help -- and read about this cool event in Vermont.

Read more about the United Nations forecast.


Kentucky Flower Power: Species Suffering From Growth Impacts Gets Help

It took 38 years, but a special Kentucky flower that resides in only two counties has finally been proposed for protection under the Endangered Species Act. Some 2,000 acres are also proposed to be protected as critical habitat for the Kentucky glade cress, a small flower with lilac or white petals that's found only in Bullitt and Jefferson counties, Ky.

Center biologist Tierra Curry, a Kentucky native and long-time proponent of this flowering plant, was very glad to get the news. "Losing plants and animals to extinction makes us all poorer. The Endangered Species Act has prevented the extinction of 99 percent of the plants and animals under its care. Protection for the Kentucky glade cress will ensure this lovely flower will be around for future generations to enjoy," she said.

The Kentucky glade cress, like so many other endangered species, is threatened by development, grazing and lawns.

Read our press release on the glade cress here.


Hasta la victoria,

Jerry Karnas

Jerry Karnas
Population Campaign Director


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

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San Joaquin kit fox courtesy USFWS.