Dear Center Supporter,

As I write this, the temperature is climbing toward a high of 92 degrees. That may not sound like much if you live in the desert, but where I live in the Pacific Northwest, it's 10 degrees above the average high for August. And these highs are becoming the norm.

Summer is getting hotter and drier, with deadly heatwaves striking around the world. And the people who are most vulnerable are those who contribute least to climate change. Researchers have projected that if we don't curb greenhouse gas emissions, nearly three-quarters of the world's population will be exposed to deadly heat for at least 20 days each year.

And it's not just people suffering in sweltering cities. Climate change has also increased the threat of wildfires. These fires put wildlife and native plants as well as the people nearby in danger. Yet politicians continue to push policies that threaten our climate — stripping forests, increasing emissions and making it harder for people to access contraception. We can't ignore the climate crisis. Read on for ways we're fighting back, and stay cool out there.

For the wild,

Crowded Planet / Their homes may be lovely and their food just right, but what happens when we move in and wildlife gets crowded out? Watch and share our newest animated video, Goldilocks, the three bears and the one Earth.

Earth-friendly Diet / The American Diet's Land Problem

A recent study found that if the entire world followed the U.S. Dietary Guidelines, there wouldn't be enough land to produce the food needed. It's no secret that Americans eat too much and waste too much food. It's bad for our health and bad for the environment. But this study shows that eating what our own federal government — the Department of Agriculture — officially recommends is also a bad idea for the planet.

Part of the problem is the way that we produce food. But the bigger problem is the amount of meat we consume. A second study determined that switching from factory-farmed beef to grass-fed beef would require bigger herds and more land: The pasture used today could only support 27 percent of our current beef supply in a grass-fed system.

Read more about the American diet's land-use problem and why we need dietary guidelines grounded in reality and sustainability.

Population/ More People in Path of Hurricanes

The U.S. Census recently reported that 60 million people now live along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, putting them in the path of the most dangerous hurricanes seen in recent decades. The fastest growth is in the Gulf region, which experienced a 24.5 percent increase between 2000 and 2016. The largest numeric gain was in Harris County, Texas, where Houston is located.

Hurricane season runs from June through November, with the most intense storms usually hitting between late August and early September. Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of hurricanes. We need to talk about how population and consumption are driving the climate crisis and how we can achieve a swift transition to renewable energy, protect our coasts and ensure everyone is able to choose if and when they want to have children.

Wild Energy / EPA Backs More Tailpipe Emissions

Earlier this month the Trump administration moved to freeze fuel-efficiency safeguards for passenger vehicles and light-duty trucks.

Fossil-fuel powered vehicles are the nation's largest source of greenhouse gases. They also emit pollutants that cause smog and ground-level ozone that lead to asthma, other serious health problems and higher rates of pollution-caused death.

"This is one of the Trump administration's deadliest proposals yet," said the Center's Vera Pardee. "From power plants to cars to oil and gas drilling, Trump is hell-bent on dismantling every protection against fossil fuel pollution, no matter the body count he leaves behind."

Read more in our press release.

Environmental Health/ Keeping Pesticides Out of Refuges

Wildlife refuges have been protected from bee-killing neonicotinoid pesticides and genetically modified, pesticide-resistant crops since 2014. But earlier this month, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issued a memo that abruptly reversed the ban without assessing the potential harm to protected species that live in refuges.

The Endangered Species Act requires an assessment of potential harm, so the Center and allies have filed a notice of intent to sue over the decision.

"This huge backward step will harm bees and other pollinators already in steep decline simply to appease pesticide-makers and promote mono-culture farming techniques that trigger increased pesticide use," said the Center's Hannah Connor. "It's senseless and shameful."

Learn more in our press release.

Five Wild Picks / Green Back to School

Across the country kids are returning to classrooms. And back-to-school season inevitably means back-to-school shopping. The new supplies, clothes and trips to the store can take a toll on the environment.

But heading back to school doesn't have to hurt wildlife. Here are five ways to keep it sustainable while hitting the books:

1) Pack plant-powered lunches. Lunches filled with protein-rich, plant-based options are healthy and also help keep extinction off your student's plate.

2) Plan a carpool. If you aren't catching the bus, carpooling with families living nearby is a great way to save gas as well as energy.

3) Skip fast fashion. Kids grow fast, and that means replacing clothing often. Instead of heading to the mall for cheap pieces, peruse thrift stores or organize a community kids' clothing swap.

4) Be smart about school supplies. Families are often tasked with supplying a big list of classroom items. Choose products made of recycled materials, reuse what you can from last year and only buy what your kids really need.

5) Choose a wildlife-friendly service project. Get students involved in environmental protection by helping organize activities such as trail cleanup, greenspace restoration or coordination with local wildlife groups.