** $5 billion to protect 30x30
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Thursday, September 23, 2021
Spirit Mountain, Nevada, Wikimedia Commons ([link removed])

Efforts to protect land and biodiversity across the globe gained steam on Wednesday as 8 philanthropic foundations pledged a collective $5 billion ([link removed]) towards the goal of protecting 30 percent of the planet's land and water by 2030.

Hansjörg Wyss, founder and chairman of the Wyss Foundation, said his organization would donate an additional $500 million towards 30x30, on top of the $1 billion pledged three years ago.

“For our grandchildren and their grandchildren to have the same opportunities we’ve had, for them to inherit a functioning planet, we have to rapidly slow the rate at which our economies are destroying nature,” Wyss said.

Advocates for land conservation in the United States are stepping up their efforts as well. The Center for Western Priorities launched a major ad buy ([link removed]) urging President Biden to use the Antiquities Act to protect new national monuments. The ad, “Every Generation ([link removed]) ,” features images of the Castner Range in El Paso, Texas; the proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary in California; the Owyhee Canyonlands in Oregon; and Avi Kwa Ame in Nevada.

Supporters of Avi Kwa Ame also launched an impressive new website ([link removed]) on Wednesday that highlights the Indigenous voices calling on President Biden to protect the area.
Quick hits


** Judge: Trump administration broke the law in not protecting Joshua trees
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HuffPost ([link removed]) | Desert Sun ([link removed])


** Colorado officials urge EPA to take a tougher stance on methane from oil and gas drilling
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CPR News ([link removed])


** Rep. Katie Porter: How Congress could stop the big oil gravy train
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Los Angeles Times ([link removed])


** The Bureau of Land Management's slow return to normalcy
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Outside ([link removed])


** A Colorado coal plant could help solve renewable energy's storage problem
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NPR ([link removed])


** Could Interior replace offensive place names faster?
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E&E News ([link removed])


** America's oldest national park ranger still going strong at 100
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NPR ([link removed])


** Seven late night hosts dedicate shows to climate change
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New York Times ([link removed]) | The Hollywood Reporter ([link removed]) | The Week ([link removed])
Quote of the day
...of the fossil fuel companies that filed the 25 largest bankruptcy cases over the past three years, 76 of their executives received a combined $200 million in cash bonuses, retention payments and severance — an average payout of about $2.6 million per executive. At the same time, more than 10,500 workers at these companies lost their jobs. Cleanup costs for the oil and gas wells the companies controlled could top $10 billion.”
—Rep. Katie Porter, The Los Angeles Times ([link removed])
Picture this


** @JoshuaTreeNPS ([link removed])
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Wilderness is more than just a beautiful view or the sound of birds singing. The interconnectedness of the landscape, ecosystem, and history can be hard to describe but easy to feel for those lucky enough to visit. #Wilderness ([link removed])

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