A Powerful Week in Global Climate Protest

"People are dying. Entire ecosystems are collapsing. We are in the beginning of a mass extinction. And all you can talk about is money and fairytales of eternal economic growth. How dare you?"

These words, spoken by 16-year-old climate activist Greta Thunberg to the U.N. General Assembly on Monday, powerfully express the truths that catalyzed a week of climate protest across the world, starting with Friday's strike. Four million students and other activists joined more than 2,500 events on all seven continents. It was a historic day.

Center for Biological Diversity staff joined rallies in New York City, San Francisco, Washington D.C. and other cities in support of a world looking beyond fossil fuels to a future safe and healthy for everyone. "We're proud to stand with these courageous climate leaders calling for science-based policies to save life on Earth," said the Center's Executive Director Kierán Suckling.

Please keep supporting the youth climate movement and consider donating to the Center's Climate Law Institute.

Safeguards Sought for Oregon Salmon

The Center and allies petitioned this week to protect Oregon coast spring-run Chinook salmon under the federal Endangered Species Act.

All runs of Oregon coast spring chinook have severely declined, and they have been completely wiped out in three coastal Oregon streams. Remaining spring chinook runs are threatened by depletion of stream flows during critical periods in summer and fall due to logging, dams and water diversions.

"Spring Chinook are truly the king of salmon, but Oregon's springers need protections for the cold, clean water and deep pools they require for survival," said the Center's Jeff Miller.

Read more in our press release.

Report: Grocery Stores Must Do More to Cut Food Waste

Seven of the 10 largest U.S. grocery chains still haven't taken one step toward the goal of eliminating food waste by 2025, says Slow Road to Zero, a new Center report.

Forty percent of U.S.-produced food goes to waste — seriously harming wildlife, habitat, clean air and water, and our climate. Despite some improvements, most supermarkets are still a big part of the problem.

Check out our report and take action by urging stores to commit to zero food waste by 2025.

Courtroom Roundup: Green Trout and Pink Skinks

The pink-tailed Florida Keys mole skink lives only along the Keys' shorelines, where rising sea levels threaten to flood its home in the coming years. So the Center just sued the Trump administration over its refusal to protect this bright little lizard.

We also launched a lawsuit against the U.S. Forest Service for its failure to safeguard Colorado's state fish, the threatened greenback cutthroat trout — which could speed the fish's extinction.

Good news on our suit to save the Tongass National Forest from logging: A federal judge has suspended the first phase of the largest timber sale approved by the Forest Service in 30 years. So at least for now, 1,200 acres of precious old-growth rainforest on Prince of Wales Island are spared from chainsaws and roads.

And our case against the Interior department's so-called "wildlife conservation" council — stacked with trophy-hunting enthusiasts — scored a victory this week when a federal judge rejected an attempt to throw out the lawsuit. This means our suit defending lions, elephants and other animals moves forward.

A Father and Son in the Wild Borderlands

"My son, just five years old and spry, shambles down a small, dry, high desert wash beneath junipers and ocotillo, mumbling a song. I listen to his words, mostly fun nonsense rhyming words, for a hint that he gets it — gets the wonderful and desperate science of this place."

In a new piece for Orion magazine, the Center's Russ McSpadden shares why and how he works to pass on his love of the borderlands to his boy.

Read more at Orion, where you can also watch a video of their family fieldwork checking wildlife cameras.

New Endangered Species Condom Package Design

"Before your clothes hit the floor ... think of the California condor."

Say hello to the latest design for our Endangered Species Condoms project, chosen by our supporters. Thank you to everyone who suggested a slogan or cast a vote on social media. We couldn't agree more with your top choice: Despite condors' famous comeback through captive breeding, these amazing birds remain critically endangered and need our help.

Condoms with the condor design are being given away today, Sept. 26, for World Contraception Day. Want to help spread conservation education, jimmy hats and giggles? Sign up to distribute them.

You can even buy a T-shirt with the condor artwork from the Center's online store. (Orders ship the week of Oct. 7.)

Wild & Weird: Wildlife Comedy Photography

Organizers at the fourth annual Wildlife Comedy Photography Awards have announced their 40 finalists. The images are amazing, with humor that runs the gamut from subtle innuendo to broad slapstick — and yes, even a few fart jokes. Award winners will be announced in November.

Check out the hilarious photos at SF Gate.