HOW MEAT HARMS WILDLIFE
Millions of wild animals, including bears, foxes, prairie dogs, coyotes and wolves, are killed every year in the United States alone to protect meat-industry profits. Animal agriculture is one of the most destructive industries on Earth and a leading cause of biodiversity loss, demanding immense amounts of land, water, pesticides and fossil fuels. Livestock already occupy more than a quarter of the planet, with 70% of all agricultural land dedicated to their feed and production. More than 2 trillion pounds of livestock manure pollute rivers, lakes, wetlands and groundwater in the United States, and across the world, livestock production is responsible for at least 16.5 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. Eating 50% less animal products (and skipping beef entirely or eating up to 90% less beef) can take a big bite out of extinction.
the food team
Jennifer Molidor, Ph.D., Senior Food Campaigner
Jennifer leads the Center's Take Extinction Off Your Plate campaign and helps drive the Population and Sustainability program's initiatives related to the impact of food and farming on wildlife and the planet. Before joining the Center in 2015, she worked on food, wildlife and environmental campaigns as the staff writer for another NGO; prior to her current position she taught for many years as associate professor at Kansas State University, instructor at Indiana University and adjunct professor at San Francisco State. Dr. Molidor holds a Ph.D. from the University of Notre Dame.
Contact: Northern California, CA, email Jennifer Molidor
BlueSky: @jennifermolidor.bsky.social
Stephanie Feldstein, Population and Sustainability Program Director
Stephanie leads the Center for Biological Diversity's work to highlight and address threats to endangered species and wild places from runaway human population growth and overconsumption. She previously worked for Change.org, where she helped hundreds of people start and win online campaigns to protect wildlife. She holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan and has years of experience in organizing, outreach and communications, with a focus on animals and the environment. She is the author of The Animal Lover’s Guide to Changing the World (St. Martin’s Griffin, 2018).
Contact: Portland, OR, email Stephanie Feldstein
Twitter: @sfeldstein
Leah Kelly, Food and Agriculture Policy Specialist
Leah works in the Population and Sustainability program to develop and implement policies that will foster a just, healthy, sustainable, and plant-forward food system. Prior to joining the Center, Leah worked as a development associate at the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, and she interned in the policy departments at Mercy For Animals and the Good Food Institute. She holds a master's in public policy and administration from Northwestern University and a bachelor's in sociology with international and intercultural studies from Pitzer College.
Contact: Los Angeles, CA, email Leah Kelly