TUCSON, Ariz.— The Center for Biological Diversity has distributed more than 20,000 free Endangered Species Condoms so far this year to health clinics, mutual aid groups and social service organizations in the wake of federal funding cuts, including recent cuts to the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program.
“Endangered Species Condoms were designed to get people talking about solutions to population pressure and the wildlife extinction crisis, but we’re glad we can step in where the government has failed and provide free condoms to those who need them,” said Malia Becker, an organizer at the Center for Biological Diversity.
The condoms were distributed to more than 34 health clinics, eight mutual aid groups and eight social service organizations like recovery and transitional housing programs across 14 states and the District of Columbia. Many of the organizations serve vulnerable populations who face the worst harms of climate and economic instability and have experienced major funding cuts in the past year.
“The condoms are just one building block to help people choose their own reproductive futures,” said Becker. “The threats we’re facing to reproductive freedom are larger than any single solution. When movements working on environmental protection, health, and social services stand together it benefits people, wildlife and wild places.”
In the past 50 years, as the human population has more than doubled and excessive consumption in wealthy countries has skyrocketed, wildlife populations have fallen by more than two-thirds. In late 2022 the global population reached 8 billion. The United Nations predicts that it will continue to grow to 8.5 billion by 2030 and 9.7 billion by 2050.
Abortion access, contraception and other reproductive healthcare have been gutted under the Trump administration. Just last week, President Trump’s new attorney general Todd Blanche hinted at pursuing national abortion restrictions.
Since 2009 the Center has given away more than 1.5 million Endangered Species Condoms. The colorful condom packages include species threatened by human population-driven pressures like deforestation and pesticide use. They feature slogans like “Wrap with care, save the polar bear” and “When you’re feeling tender, think about the hellbender.”
The Center’s population and sustainability program uses creative media to promote a range of commonsense gender empowerment solutions like access to family planning and reproductive health services, as well as education, opportunity and equal rights for women and girls.
