Our fantastic communications team got together to compose this letter that was sent to all Australian Senators.
Seeking your support for Australia's animals We write to you as the Chair of AVEA (AVEA) and the Convenor of the former Chief Veterinary Officers (fCVOs). Climate change is an animal health and welfare issue. Severe floods and bushfires, prolonged droughts and heatwaves, rising oceans, loss of habitat and changing disease distribution are already causing death and suffering of the animals we love and need: from our family pets, the livestock on our farms, to our unique and beautiful wildlife. The United Nations Climate Change Conference COP27 is currently taking place, with the key aim of ensuring full implementation of the terms of the Paris Agreement, (the goal of which is to limit global warming to well below 2°C, preferably to 1.5°C, compared to pre-industrial levels). Australia is a signatory to this legally binding international treaty, with a commitment to reducing emissions to 43% below 2005 levels by 2030 (and achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050) enshrined in the Climate Change Act 2022 (Cth).
At the opening ceremony, the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said: “Greenhouse gas emissions keep growing. Global temperatures keep rising and our planet is fast approaching tipping points that will make climate chaos irreversible". Scientists tell us that current pledges are not enough, that there is “no credible pathway to 1.5°C in place” today. Yet we must remain hopeful of bequeathing our children and all future generations a world where animals and people thrive in a healthy environment. Robust climate action now will ensure fewer losses from severe weather events, fewer risks to the health of our people, animals and the environment, clean electricity, employment in a strong, carbon-neutral economy and security for our Pacific neighbours and ourselves. As veterinarians, who are on the frontline experiencing the impacts of climate change on our animals first hand, we ask you to support the following strategies to mitigate global warming and allow us to adapt to the current, and future, impacts of climate change:
AVEA would be pleased to provide you with independent advice at any time to aid your work and advance climate action, particularly where it relates to the health and welfare of the animals we love and need: livestock, much loved pets, and wildlife. Yours sincerely
Dr Jeannet H Kessels BVSc Hons Chair, AVEA [email protected] 0402 771 163
Dr Ron Glanville BSc, BVSc, MVS Convenor, the Former Chief Veterinary Officers Group [email protected] 0423 018 678