My new book”Racing to Extinction” analyzes humanity & its impending extinction through the lens of my 30+ years as an endangered species biologist with DOI.
Dec 28, 2024 • 9 tweets • 3 min read
Just in the western United States, an area the size of Yellowstone National Park is destroyed by development every 5 years. 1/8
Growing up, my parents enjoyed their annual trips to Reno, Nevada. My dad relished gambling, while my mom loved to shop. At that time, I would estimate the footprint of Reno/Sparks to be around 10 square miles. 2/8
Oct 19, 2024 • 12 tweets • 4 min read
Protecting ecosystems is the only effective hedge against climate change, but is routinely ignored because consumerism requires their destruction. These courageous people fought climate change in the 20th & early 21st centuries. 1/12
John Muir (1838-1914) — Although he lived into the early 20th century, Muir's influence continued to resonate throughout that century. He was a passionate advocate for the preservation of wild places, including forests. 2/12
Oct 12, 2024 • 10 tweets • 3 min read
Until recently, whitebark pine was a vital food resource for grizzly bears in the the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE). It provided essential nutrients as they prepared for winter hibernation. The large seeds, or nuts, of whitebark pine 1/10
are a high-energy food rich in fats, carbohydrates, and protein. This made them a sought-after resource for grizzly bears fattening up in the fall before denning. By 2010, mortality levels of whitebark pine in the GYE had reached 73%, 2/10
Jul 18, 2024 • 6 tweets • 2 min read
Studies showed that Agent Orange could only affect plants as it worked specifically on a plant pathway that animals didn’t have. For years, veterans were accused of scamming the system.
Roundup affects bacteria that have the same metabolic pathways as plants, including our symbiotic gut. Roundup doesn’t directly kill insects. It kills them indirectly over longer time periods by destroying symbiotic bacterial relationships—compromising their immunity. 2/6