No. 1219, November 16, 2023 |
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Protect National Forests From Industrial Pollution |
The U.S. Forest Service just released an alarming, reckless proposal to dump carbon waste in national forests. The plan would let industrial polluters capture and inject carbon waste as compressed CO2 on precious public lands.
Injecting carbon waste into U.S forests would require destructive infrastructure like roads, pipelines and injection wells. Building those things — and logging trees to make room for them — would hurt forest ecosystems while risking pipeline ruptures, well blowouts or leaks that could be deadly for people and animals.
U.S. forests are an important part of the climate solution because trees absorb carbon. With Big Oil and other polluting industries driving the climate crisis, we need to end the fossil fuel era — not perpetuate it. Piping dangerous carbon dioxide into forest lands will only help polluters continue their cycle of abuse.
Tell the U.S. Forest Service to protect — not pollute — national forests. |
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Petition Seeks Protection for Southern Songbirds |
The Center for Biological Diversity and allies just petitioned the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect coastal black-throated green warblers under the Endangered Species Act. As few as 1,000 of these delicate lemon-faced birds survive in the last southern coastal wetland forests of the Carolinas and Virginia. They hang out in trees’ highest branches, endlessly trilling their buzzy, ringing call — often transcribed as “Trees trees I love trees.”
“Without urgent protections, these warblers will spiral further toward extinction,” said Center biologist Will Harlan.
While we work for these warblers, you can help us reform the protection process to save scores of other species. |
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Judge OKs Massive Oil Project — and We Appeal |
Late last week, a federal court ruled that the Willow project — which would be the largest oil and gas development on U.S. public lands — can move forward in Alaska’s Western Arctic. The same day, the Center and allies announced we’re headed back to court to appeal that decision. Willow would pollute the climate with as much CO2 as 2 million cars driven over 30 years. It would devastate Alaska’s environment, people and imperiled wildlife, including polar bears, migratory birds, and ice seals.
As soon as the Biden administration greenlit the project in March, we sued to block it. We won’t give up our legal fight now.
Stand with us by donating to our Saving Life on Earth Fund. Do it today and get your gift matched. |
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Now in Our Store: Tales of the Urban Wild |
A young California mountain lion named C-8 stars in a new graphic novel by Center scientist Tiffany Yap and artist Meital Smith, Tales of the Urban Wild: A Puma’s Journey. C-8 leads a hard life in the urban wildlands of Central California, where cityscape meets a wilderness fragmented by freeways and development. But humans can learn a lot from him. Now you can too. Get the book for yourself — or a loved one — in our online store. It makes a perfect gift for anyone 10 or older, and this special edition includes a bookplate signed by the author and illustrator. |
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Check Out Our Fall Membership Newsletter |
This season's Endangered Earth, the Center's print newsletter, is now available online. Read about our latest work for wolves, wins for clean water and national monuments, and our long fight to protect cactus ferruginous pygmy owls — which has finally paid off. Also in this issue: a letter from our Executive Director Kierán Suckling about one of the Center’s most important strengths.
We make this members-only newsletter available to online supporters to thank you for taking action — but please consider becoming a member to help even more. Just call us toll free at 1-866-357-3349 x 323 or visit our website to learn more and donate. |
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Watch: Environmental and Reproductive Health Series |
Did you catch the Center’s film and webinar series on how prioritizing endless economic growth harms people’s reproductive health — not to mention biodiversity and the climate?
If not, don’t worry. Now you can watch all four webinars on this pressing problem. Hear Center staff, frontline community representatives, and other experts share their stories and suggest helpful actions like choosing organic foods, plant-based foods, renewable energy, and reusable containers. You’ll also learn how to support better government policies and effectively fight corporations cashing in on fossil fuel extraction, plastic production, and industrial agriculture.
Watch the webinars now. |
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Revelator: The Truth About Trash Birds |
“Trash birds” is a birdwatcher term referring to bird species so ubiquitous in a given place that they’re more irritating than interesting (to locals, at least). Think pigeons in city centers or seagulls on beaches. But what makes these birds thrive where they do? Some UCLA researchers used big data to find out — and maybe also learn how to make cities more bird-friendly.
Read more in The Revelator. |
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That’s Wild: Humpback Whales Enjoy a Body Scrub |
If you love a spa day, you’re in very good (and very big) company.
Scientists have observed what they say is a global phenomenon of humpback whales rolling around in seaweed. It’s likely a form of play … and what may be the equivalent of a skincare routine for these 50-foot marine mammals.
The behavior is called kelping, and it’s thought to improve whale health by removing parasites and bacteria. In a new study, researchers examined social media posts documenting kelping in humpback whales from the North Atlantic to the Australian coast. The report’s authors say climate change could put a damper on these seaweed scrub sessions by shifting kelp distribution.
Watch a kelping whale in action on Facebook, Instagram or YouTube.
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Center for Biological Diversity
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