Four Environmental Topics I’m Serving Up Hot This Holiday Season
The winter holidays are here — and with them more gatherings around the dinner table.
In my experience, hot meals, bottomless coffee, and delicious pie are foolproof ways to whet the appetite for conversation. But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve started to assess the words exchanged over a plate of mashed potatoes and dinner rolls. Talking about the latest theater releases and cute pet photos is easy. But in a world caving to the pressures of climate change, rapid wildlife extinction, and war, perhaps it’s time to set aside the cheap talk and carve into difficult — but critically important — conversations.
After all, change starts small, and ideas can’t evolve without words to give them life.
I’m very fortunate to work for the Center for Biological Diversity, an environmental nonprofit that isn’t afraid to shine a light on uncomfortable topics, from the role population and sustainability play for a healthy planet to the urgent need for the United States to phase out fossil fuels. But our efforts wouldn’t go anywhere without people sharing them, discussing them, advocating for them. It’s time for me — for all of us — to be environmental champions everywhere we go.
This holiday season, here’s what I’m serving up over a second slice of sticky date pudding. Will you join me?
Whales and Lobsters and Costco, Oh My!
Despite having seafood sustainability commitments, Costco — yes, that household-staple retailer where my fiancé buys all our towels and toothpaste in bulk — continues to sell American lobster caught in fisheries that have a “red rating” from Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch or lack a sustainability certification from the Marine Stewardship Council.
Lobster is a hot commodity during the holidays, often served as a “fancier” alternative to a main course of turkey or tofu. Though this splurge may seem innocent enough, it can come at a terrible price. North Atlantic right whales, some of the world’s most endangered whales, are threatened by entanglement in dangerous fishing gear — and some of Costco’s American lobsters are caught by fisheries using gear that poses risk to whales and other marine species.
What I’m discussing at the table: Whales need our help. Let’s be conscious of our purchases and say “no” to Costco lobsters.
Take action: Tell Costco to halt purchases of American lobster from fisheries posing risk to marine species.
50 Years of Protection for Wildlife
This month, the Center celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act, an extraordinary U.S. law that has prevented the extinction of 99% of animals and plants under its care. The Act, with its stunning track record, is the reason bald eagles soar from coast to coast, grizzlies and wolves roam the Rockies, blue whales migrate along the West Coast, and American alligators stomp through the Southeast.
Fun fact: To date, nearly 1,000 animals and plants have been able to recover thanks to the protection of the Act.
In addition to protecting critters, the law has also protected millions of acres of habitat since 1973. It’s also been used to establish nearly 80 new national wildlife refuges, all created specifically to help save threatened and endangered species.
The Act has been so successful that it’s inspired other countries in their pursuit to protect what’s wild. That’s a win in my book!
What I’m discussing at the table: The 50th anniversary is a big deal, but species only benefit from the Act if they’re formally listed as “endangered” or “threatened.” Sadly, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service spends 12 years on average deciding if certain species deserve federal protection — even though the Act itself says it should only take two. Many plants and animals don’t have that kind of time.
Take action: Defend this powerful law and help imperiled species get the protections they need to survive and recover.
Save More, Buy Less: Simplify the Holidays
My colleague Malia Becker, in the Center’s Population and Sustainability program, recently wrote this piece on how to celebrate the holidays simply. I recommend giving it a read — Malia dishes out some great tips on eco-friendly gift-giving. But if you don’t have time to check out another article, here’s the short ’n’ sweet of it:
Last year, the Center conducted a national survey on gift-giving, holiday purchasing, and waste. The results were eye-opening.
- Most people surveyed wish the holidays were less materialistic.
- Many agreed that purchasing gifts during the holidays is awarded too much importance.
- Many prefer to give secondhand items, DIY their gifts, share their time and skills, or donate to a critical cause.
Holiday consumption is stressful. It creates financial and emotional strain, and it doesn’t do the environment any favors, either. Did you know the United States generates 23% more household waste in December than in any other month of the year? For a society that’s so gift-happy, we need to do better at giving the planet love too.
What I’m discussing at the table: Let’s change up our gifts this year. Instead of buying new gifts for a secret Santa exchange, let’s simplify the holidays and shop secondhand — or, even better, create a SoKind registry for nonmaterial gifts we want, such as a pie-making lesson from my fiancé’s stepmother or crocheting critiques from a close friend.
Take action: All the fossil fuels that go into producing unnecessary plastic gifts make the holidays dreary for the planet. Tell President Biden to phase out fossil fuels.
Take Extinction Off Your Plate
I’ve already mentioned lobbing lobster from your holiday meal plans. Consider tossing meat and dairy too.
Producing the meat and dairy we eat drives a chain of planet-killing actions. It’s a leading cause of deforestation, pollution and the climate crisis — and contributes to poor public health, antibiotic resistance, and dangerous worker conditions, among other things.
It also requires a lot of land. The food grown to feed cattle occupies 30% of the Earth’s surface.
Then there’s wildlife. Wild animals not only suffer from meat-and-dairy-driven deforestation, drought, pollution and climate change, they’re also directly targeted by the meat industry. Native species like wolves, elk and prairie dogs are often intentionally killed to protect the cattle industry’s profits, while bees and other pollinators are driven to the brink of extinction by our obsessive use of pesticides and other crop-related chemicals.
What I’m discussing at the table: I’ll be bringing exciting meatless and dairy-free sides to my holiday dinners, and I won’t be shy about sharing why. From tasty butternut bisque to roasted root vegetables with pomegranate maple glaze, here are a few options I’m considering.
Take action: Industrial animal agriculture is a major threat to water — for people and wildlife. Urge the EPA to protect safe and clean water by regulating factory farms.
No matter how you celebrate the holidays, I hope you’ll join me in speaking up for wildlife and the planet—starting with even one of these important conversations shared over delicious eats.
P.S. Having conversations with loved ones can sometimes be a struggle. Check out these tips to help you navigate tough topics.
Photo credits: Holiday dinner via Canva; all other graphics by Izzi Stein/Center for Biological Diversity.
