A Global Network of Animal Health Professionals Concerned About Climate Change and the Environment
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Veterinary Sustainability Alliance!
VSA is a new 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to infusing sustainability into the North American veterinary sector. Featuring great information and resources, and connection with sustainability-minded colleagues in North America. Sustainability. For animals. For us. For the future.
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Hi Friends!
Some time ago I did a podcast interview about animals and climate change - I had completely forgotten about the interview and didn't know the episode had come out until a friend sent it to me. So I thought I'd share it here in case anyone is interested. (Don't worry, the unfortunate episode title "our pets' climate crimes" is very misleading!!) And obviously I'm delighted for it to be shared further if you know someone you think will be interested. Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/living-planet/id80106872?i=1000660572067 Cheers, Angela Hi Climate Vets!
I have some personal news to share with you... I started a new job a few months ago, and it's not very veterinary but I'm loving it. I'm working with Bushfire Survivors for Climate Action in Government Relations. The work is exciting and it feels really impactful. I've already had the opportunity to write a few policy submissions including to Australia's crucial Federal Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC) reforms (needs to include climate!) and our Climate Change Authority’s emissions reduction targets (need to be higher!); meet with politicians and senior advisors in Parliament House; and help our members engage with their representatives on climate. BSCA is a small organisation but really kicks some goals - in 2021 they took the NSW EPA to court and won, compelling the EPA to fulfill its duty to protect the environment from climate change. I'm learning so much and feel like I'm really helping, and I just had to tell you about it. I hope you're all finding fulfillment in your own journeys! Yours for the climate, Angela Hi Climate Vets! I'm thrilled to be collaborating with Farmers for Climate Action on a series of workshops in the last week in March, ranging up the northern coast of NSW: https://farmersforclimateaction.org.au/portfolio/protecting-our-livestock/  The 2000+-page State of the Environment report released today is pretty bleak regarding the poor and deteriorating state of most of Australia's environmental categories, the impact of this on wildlife, and the sobering observation "Environmental degradation is now considered a threat to humanity, which could bring about societal collapses with long-lasting and severe consequences." There is still hope to avoid the worst, but only if strong action is taken now by individuals, business, industry, finance AND government at all levels. Here's a local story about VfCA's take on it. https://www.portnews.com.au/story/7825226/time-for-action-vet-responds-to-environment-report-card/?cs=257&fbclid=IwAR11GhFETXoJiV1Naq2RV-L49JUsC8tyFvx7YINPnTr5E9A9itE_lZqRJGo     As vets, we’re passionate about animals and we know that most Australians are too. And we see that all kinds of animals are harmed by the effects of a changing climate. That’s why Vets for Climate Action are calling for strong, rapid greenhouse gas emissions. The science in this latest IPCC reports tells us that, because we’ve let things get away, we need to use every tool in the toolbox, now, to keep the things the way we want them for animals and people. That means all us - individuals, business, finance, industry and government at federal, state and local levels, of all stripes, all working together and doing the very best we can to genuinely reduce emissions as much as possible. People can help us out, by spreading the message that if you love an animal, climate change is an important issue for you. 
Climate Change: A Veterinary Problem Would you like to learn more about climate science from a veterinary perspective, understand how the climate impacts on animals, and find out what veterinarians can do about it? Join Angela Frimberger for an upcoming free webinar that will discuss these questions! Angela is a veterinary oncologist living in regional NSW, Australia. She is a Climate Reality Project-trained presenter and has a long history of advocating for a safe climate. The webinar will run twice at two different times to accommodate participants in different time zones:
To request the Zoom link, please email Angela directly at [email protected].  Hi Climate Vets! I hope you've all been keeping safe and holding up OK with all the ways that COVID-19 is impacting people everywhere. Those of you not in Australia, we acknowledge that things here aren't nearly as bad as most other places in the world, and we're sending you our support and best wishes. I wanted to update you on what I've been up to, climate-wise... I've been doing a lot but haven't taken the time to share with you, so I thought it was about time! I've been putting most of my climate time and energy into Veterinarians for Climate Action (vfca.org.au) and Energy Forever (http://www.pmhsn.org.au/energy-forever/), both of which are making some great progress that I'm really excited about. A lot of this work isn't very share-worthy as much of it is behind the scenes, but here are a few things that listen-able or watchable:
What have you been up to? Please comment and share, and help inspire your fellow Climate Vets! Yours, Angela  Everyone is aware by now of the incomprehensible scale of animal death in the Australian bushfire event this summer, with the loss conservatively estimated at one billion mammals (plus other vertebrates and COUNTLESS invertebrates). It's really staggering. If you're following this blog you know about our fires in November. Here are photos of two reptiles that have emerged from our burned area in the last few weeks (for non-Australians, they are a "land mullet" (a large skink) and a red-bellied black snake) . Both of these animals should be round and shiny, not concave. They survived the fire itself, only to end up starving 2 months later. Obviously there are millions like this around Australia, not counted as initial casualties, who didn't happen to make themselves known to friendly veterinarians. As follow-up, I'm happy to say we were able to relocate these two individuals to better feeding grounds. We haven't seen the snake again but the land mullet has been seen sunning himself a week after the relocation, looking much sleeker already. I also want to share this statement from the Australian Entomological Society, that I think is really powerful in its brief, simple statement of plain fact. It's only a little more than a page long, and it says so much: https://www.austentsoc.org.au/AES/Documents/AESCC_Response_to_Bushfire_Crisis_Jan_2020.pdf   |
