The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released a dire warning this past week. We need to drastically cut greenhouse gas emissions, and we need to do it fast to avoid catastrophic climate change.

If we're going to keep global warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius, we need to go beyond simply choosing to drive less or make small dietary changes. We need to deconstruct the systems that are stopping people from being able to choose low-carbon lifestyles. And we need to build more resilient communities that can better survive whatever level of climate change we'll wind up facing.

Read more about the report from the Center for Biological Diversity's Climate Science Director Shaye Wolf, then read my op-ed in Yes! Magazine about ways to get engaged in the deeper changes needed to fight the climate crisis.

For the wild,

Crowded Planet / The sixth mass extinction crisis is scarier than ghosts, ghouls and zombies. From wolves to spotted owls, check out our DIY costume ideas further below to honor endangered species this Halloween. And post a picture of your wildlife costume on social media with the tag #WrapYourHalloWeenie for a chance to win an Endangered Species Prize pack.

Earth-friendly Diet / Local vs. Organic

In his latest "Ask Dr. Donley" column, Center scientist Nathan Donley tackles the question of whether local or organic food is better for the environment. There are benefits to both. But in many ways this is a trick question.

Not only do local and organic address different issues, but neither really solves the biggest environmental problem of our food system. Animal agriculture is devastating for the environment across all measures, so the most effective way to use your food purchasing power is to eat less meat and dairy.

Learn more about buying local and organic, and how you can make the most sustainable food choices.

Endangered Species / Gambling With a Bee's Future

This week the Center petitioned for the Mojave poppy bee to be protected under the Endangered Species Act. This small bee pollinates two rare kinds of poppies in one of the most singular ecosystems in the world. Without it the Mojave Desert is at risk of losing part of its very essence.

The poppy bee is now found in only seven sites in Clark County, Nev. The majority of its remaining desert habitat is located near Las Vegas, where population growth and sprawl continue to be problems. Growth in Clark County, for instance, is expected to reach 2.8 million by 2050. And the county commission recently approved the development of 44,000 acres of public land.

Without protection from human encroachment, this important little bee may well go extinct. Learn more about our petition.

Population / UN Report Focuses on Choice

According to the latest United Nations population report, we're on track to add another 2.2 billion people to the planet by 2050. And while people around the world are having smaller families, no country can claim all of its citizens enjoy reproductive rights all the time. That includes the United States, where nearly half of all pregnancies are unplanned.

While our population continues to grow, the window to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions and avoid catastrophic climate change is closing. We need immediate action across all sectors to curb the worst effects of climate change. That includes the healthcare sector. We need to ensure that everyone has the ability to make informed family planning choices.

Read the UN's report.

Take Action / Bring Plant-based Food to the Neighborhood

For the first time in history, more people are eating out or buying prepared meals than cooking at home. That's why the Center and One Meal a Day are working to get Earth-friendly, plant-based options on every menu across the country.

Last month activists from California to North Carolina called on Applebee's — one of the country's largest restaurant chains — to add a plant-based entrée to its menu. The company is listening to your feedback, so it needs to hear that there's a strong demand for more sustainable, plant-based meals.

Sign the petition to let Applebee's know you want plant-based options. Then download the restaurant toolkit for tips on how to approach your favorite restaurants for greener menus.

Wild Energy / Pollinator-friendly Solar Projects

This month Xcel Energy in Minnesota became the first utility in the nation to announce it would require vegetation disclosures for new solar projects. While pollinator-friendly plants aren't required, proposals that include them will be prioritized during the solar application process. The utility expects to add about 3,000 megawatts of solar generation by 2030.

Native plants provide habitat, of course, for bees and butterflies. But they can also lower maintenance costs and create higher solar efficiency due to the creation of a microclimate around the panels. Pollinator-friendly solar is a growing trend as utilities work to reduce their environmental footprint. Legislation is in the works in at least five other states.

Read more in Utility Dive.

Five Wild Picks / DIY Endangered Species Costumes

By skipping the Halloween store and getting crafty with your costume instead, you can avoid wasteful fast fashion and the unnecessary packaging of store-bought costumes. And your wildlife costume can help start the conversation about human population growth and the extinction crisis.

Here are five DIY endangered species costume ideas:

1) Add simple felt wings to your favorite black outfit for a monarch butterfly.

2) Repurpose a veggie tray into a shell to become a loggerhead sea turtle.

3) Give beige-and-brown fabric scraps new life as a Mexican spotted owl.

4) Watch this step-by-step video to make a wolf mask.

5) Use basic craft supplies for a quick bumblebee (bonus: add spooky makeup to make it a zom-bee).