No. 1268, October 24, 2024 |
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Modernize Misleading Meat Labels |
Industrial animal agriculture is a significant driver of climate breakdown and one of the biggest threats to biodiversity, clean air, and clean water in the United States. People are starting to realize this and want to reduce their food’s carbon footprint. But meat companies are greenwashing their products and holding up change. Ads manipulate shoppers with vague, inaccurate claims that products are carbon neutral or sustainably produced. Beef — by far the worst food choice for the climate — is even labeled “climate friendly.” And the U.S. Department of Agriculture lets companies get away with it. We have the power to change that. The USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service recently updated its guideline for claims about animal welfare and the environment. This important guideline has the potential to help correct the most misleading claims and require science-based, third-party verification before label approval. But right now the updated guideline is far too weak.
Tell the USDA you support strong, clear labeling regulations so consumers can make informed choices. |
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Protection Sought for Cascade Red Foxes |
Once found throughout high-elevation areas in Washington state’s Cascades, Cascade red foxes depend on snowy landscapes — which are melting away and disappearing due to climate change and habitat destruction. Other threats facing these beautiful, secretive foxes include predation and disease, habituation to humans, poisoning, and incidental hunting and trapping.
So on Monday the Center for Biological Diversity petitioned the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect Cascade red foxes under the Endangered Species Act.
“For these foxes to have any future, we have to curb greenhouse gas pollution and protect more of the natural world — not only for their sake, but for ours,” said Noah Greenwald, the Center’s endangered species director.
Help our fight for foxes with a gift to the Saving Life on Earth Fund. |
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Save Gopher Tortoises From Looming Extinction |
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Legendary Grizzly Mother Tragically Killed |
We’re mourning the loss of grizzly 399, dubbed “the most famous grizzly in the world,” who died on Tuesday night after being struck by a vehicle in Snake River Canyon in Wyoming. At 28 years of age, she was the oldest reproducing female grizzly and a mascot of Grand Teton National Park, near Yellowstone.
“She was an iconic matriarch with more than 20 cubs and grandcubs, and the grizzly bear population will surely suffer from her loss,” said the Center’s Andrea Zaccardi. “Tragedies like this highlight why we need to maintain federal protection for bears and do more to ensure their safety from cars and other threats.” Take action to help us keep grizzlies protected under the Endangered Species Act. |
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Vote Like the Wild Depends On It |
We’re less than two weeks from Election Day, and in many states, voting has already started. This election will decide how we tackle the extinction and climate crises. Imperiled species like gray wolves, orcas, and hellbenders are counting on you to get out and vote. In Wisconsin the 2020 presidential election was decided by two votes per precinct. You hear it all the time, but it’s so true — every vote matters. Make sure you’re ready. |
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The Revelator: New Environmental Books |
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That’s Wild: Marmoset Names |
Yet another species has been discovered to use individual names — this time, ridiculously cute marmoset monkeys, who live in South American rainforests. According to a new study published in Science, they identify each other through vocalizations called “phee calls.”
“Marmosets live in small monogamous family groups and take care of their young together, much like humans do,” said David Omer, one of the study’s authors. “These similarities suggest that they faced comparable evolutionary social challenges to our early pre-linguistic ancestors, which might have led them to develop similar communicating methods.” That means the learning mechanisms involved in marmoset communication may help shed light on human evolutionary history too.
Hear the phee calls in our short video on Twitter, Threads, and YouTube.
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Center for Biological Diversity
P.O. Box 710
Tucson, AZ 85702
United States 0-0-0-0 |
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