Center for Biological Diversity
www.biologicaldiversity.org
Endangered Earth
No. 1234, February 29, 2024
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Tell the EPA to Stand Up to Polluters

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced a disastrous new proposal that would loosen its oversight of polluters. It could give oil refineries, factories, and fossil fuel extractors a free pass to poison the air, putting people and wildlife at risk across the country.
Bending to pressure from polluting industry, the EPA plans to enshrine a Trump administration-era policy that will limit the ability of any entity — including groups like the Center for Biological Diversity — to challenge unlawful air-pollution permits. The Biden administration has supported clean air and environmental health, but this rollback shows how much dangerous influence polluters still wield. Don’t let the EPA shirk its crucial role in regulating air pollution.
Tell the agency to stand up to polluters and put the brakes on this dangerous proposal.

Suits Launched for Southern Snake and Salamander

The Center launched two lawsuits this week over federal failures to protect southeastern species — one over delayed critical habitat for Louisiana pinesnakes, the other over a denial of protection to Berry Cave salamanders in eastern Tennessee.
Both species live in isolated populations: the pinesnakes in the remnants of their longleaf pine forest habitat, the salamanders in caves. Louisiana pinesnakes are nonvenomous, burrowing snakes with beautiful black-and-russet markings; Berry Cave salamanders have feathery red gills and pink bodies. The snakes are most threatened by habitat destruction, while the salamanders are at risk from climate change, pollution and development.
Help the Center’s fight for snakes, salamanders and other species with a gift to the Saving Life on Earth Fund.

African Dolphins Win U.S. Protection

Responding to a petition from the Center and allies, NOAA Fisheries has decided to protect highly imperiled Atlantic humpback dolphins under the U.S. Endangered Species Act.
About 3,000 of the dolphins remain, living along Africa’s western coast and suffering from fishing-net entanglements, coastal development, and noise. Their protection will ban trade, bring conservation funding, and increase awareness and scientific cooperation.
“Atlantic humpback dolphins could disappear before most people even know they exist,” said the Center’s Catherine Kilduff. “This is a critical step toward saving these adorable animals.”

Fighting (and Beating) Industrial Energy in Arizona

Green energy can’t come at the cost of biodiversity loss or the desecration of Indigenous cultures. February was a big month for defending that position in Arizona, where the Center began.
First we filed an injunction, alongside the Tohono O’odham Nation and San Carlos Apache Tribe, to stop construction of wind-power transmission lines that are damaging sacred sites and harming the fragile San Pedro River.
Then we won a major victory with Navajo allies — and help from 7,000 supporters — against multiple proposed hydropower projects in Black Mesa. The projects would have depleted aquifers, destroyed prehistoric sites, and harmed Mexican spotted owl habitat, worsening problems caused by decades of coal extraction. This win also establishes a new nationwide policy giving Tribes veto power over permits targeting their land.
“Without consent from local communities and wildlife advocates, these industrial energy plans are just greenwashing,” said the Center’s Russ McSpadden.

Galápagos Islands Need ‘In Danger’ Status

The Center and allies have petitioned the United Nations to formally list the Galápagos Islands World Heritage site as “in danger.” Illegal fishing, irresponsible tourism, pollution and more threaten this place and its unique species — including giant tortoises and marine iguanas, the world’s only seagoing lizards.
“The World Heritage Committee has long been aware of these growing threats to the Galápagos Islands, and it’s time for action,” said Center scientist Alejandro Olivera. “The Father of Evolution would be deeply disappointed.”

Sign Up for Our Food Newsletter

Love food and the environment? You’ll devour Food X, an e-newsletter from the Center’s Population and Sustainability program about creating a just food system that protects people, wildlife and the planet.
Every month this letter from Senior Food Campaigner Jennifer Molidor dives into the complex world of sustainable food and how you can take action, looking at how food is grown, how agriculture affects wildlife, who has access to healthy food, food waste, and how food can help stop the extinction crisis.
Sign up for Food X to get it in your inbox this Saturday.

Revelator : How Wildlife Trade Fuels Climate Change

Wildlife trade depletes natural landscapes of animals who protect and enhance carbon storage. Experts say reining in that trade internationally could help mitigate the climate emergency.
Head to The Revelator to learn all about it.
And if you don't already, subscribe to the free weekly e-newsletter for more conservation news.

That's Wild: 62-Hour Snow Vigil by Bald Eagle Mom

Famous bald eagle mom Jackie, who lives in a pine tree above California’s Big Bear Lake watched over by a popular webcam, spent a record-breaking 62 hours in a row on her nest during the area’s recent snowstorm. Ceaselessly guarding her — and her mate Shadow’s — three eggs, Jackie beat her own previous record of 37 hours.
Read more about it and watch a video about Jackie’s family.

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