The headlines tell us of planetary catastrophes, irreversible tipping points , ecological doom. Species numbers are declining , some destined to never be seen again. Is there no reprieve from a dystopian environmental future? Is this true, and are these apocalyptic claims helpful? Each year, approximately $140 billion is spent globally on conservation—a sum comparable to the annual resources of the U.S. Energy Department. Yet, for all that money, the public messaging around saving animal