Nearly a million animals are killed on roads every day. That's just in the U.S., and this sobering statistic is very likely an underestimate.

"If anything, the number is probably quite a bit higher," says Ben Goldfarb, environmental journalist and author of the new book "Crossings: How Road Ecology is Shaping the Future of our Planet."

The world is projected to build 25 million more miles of roads by 2050, so wildlife ecologists and engineers are searching for ways to integrate the needs of wildlife into their design. Goldfarb's book offers a deep examination of some of the most fascinating, inspiring, but also tragic ways human societies develop infrastructure alongside nature.

He joins the Mongabay Newscast to explain the concept of 'road ecology' and how wildlife-friendly designs are becoming part of landscapes globally.

Related reading:

• Wildlife crossings built with tribal knowledge drastically reduce collisions
• For wildlife on Brazil's highways, roadkill is just the tip of the iceberg

Hear Goldfarb's previous visit with this podcast, where he discussed his award-winning book "Eager: The Surprising, Secret Life of Beavers and Why They Matter," by looking up episode #49 via your favorite podcast player or click play here:

• Podcast: Beavers matter more than you think

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Episode artwork: A bison crosses a road in British Columbia, Canada. Image courtesy of Ben Goldfarb.

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