August Update
We're so pleased to be sharing this update with you. Our Board has recently undergone a transition and we send our deep and heartfelt thanks to founder and outgoing Chair, Dr Jeannet Kessels, for her passion, vision and legacy. We celebrated our colleague Dr Jeremy Watson as the winner of the VBG Thought Leader Award, and we both attended and hosted a number of events, while planning some exciting new initiatives...
I was interested to read that renewables account for nearly 40 per cent of Australia's total electricity supply. And that in a recent report, Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO), the body tasked with managing the main electricity market, emphasises the importance of households and businesses supporting the reliability of our system by installing solar, batteries and other "consumer energy resources". Certainly good news: I write this as large parts of Australia swelter through concerning winter heatwaves, with temperatures in some areas more than 10 degrees above average. As we experience the impacts of our changing climate first hand, it emphasises the importance of the actions we are taking to reduce our reliance on climate-polluting coal and gas.
Happy reading!
Contents:
> News
> Upcoming Events
> Volunteer Opportunities
> In case you missed it...
> From our partners
News
Passing the Baton
Last week Vets for Climate Action founder and inaugural Chair, Dr Jeannet Kessels, announced she was 'passing the baton' to newly elected Chair Mr Malcolm Lazenby. We are thankful that Jeannet remains an integral member of the Board, sharing her expertise and vision as we continue to move forward.
I share my personal thanks to Jeannet for her commitment, generosity and leadership, without which Vets for Climate Action would not exist. I am grateful for her support, warmth and friendship as we have worked together on this journey. VfCA has come a long way from her impassioned Facebook post in August 2019! This community has grown to over 2000 veterinary and animal care professionals, we have over 50 dedicated volunteers, and we have developed a first of its kind Climate Care Program. We continue to attend and speak at industry events, and advocate for strong leadership and policies that protect the animals we love and care for.
I'm sure you join me in thanking Jeannet for all she has done to centre our much loved animals in the conversation about climate action, and for being voice for all animals.
Congratulations to VBG Thought Leader Award Winner!
We are SO excited and proud to announce our very own Dr Jeremy Watson has been named as the deserving winner of the Veterinary Business Group (VBG) Thought Leader Award!
The Veterinary Business Thought Leader Award celebrates individuals who have challenged the status quo, ignited industry debate, or championed a fresh approach in addressing the challenges and opportunities within the veterinary business landscape.
Jeremy has been volunteering with VfCA for over four years, joining us to amplify the role veterinary teams can play in motivating the community to take urgent action on climate change. He has been instrumental in the development and success of our Climate Care Program. He leads the CCP Advisory Group as Chair, and has undertaken training on both the Circular Economy, and Net Zero as a Business Strategy, at Cambridge Institute of Sustainable Leadership.
This has been instrumental to his developing the innovative concept of ‘Net Zero as a business strategy’, and Jeremy co-authored the groundbreaking paper on The Path to Net Zero Carbon Emissions for Veterinary Practice. This is a fundamental driver of the Climate Care Program.
Jeremy's innovation, dedication and commitment are second to none. Congratulations Jeremy!
Upcoming Events
FREE September Masterclass
Join us on Tues, 3 September to hear from Paul Ainsworth, CEO and Head of Curriculum at the Lincoln Institute of Veterinary Business speak on "Leading Change: Implementing Strategies to Overcome Resistance and Inspire Change in Practice".
Learn about:
- The three most compelling factors to any change initiative ever getting off the ground.
- Why people resist change in the first place and a powerful yet simple secret that helps to deal with this resistance.
- The same mistake that almost everyone makes when people are in denial – that pushes them further into denial.
- How we can inadvertently create a culture where the team lacks the initiative to lead on obvious changes.
ZerOctober: A Call to Action for Sustainable Veterinary Care
Together, as a profession, we can take action towards a sustainable, thriving planet: pawfect for us and the animals we love!
This October, we are launching ZerOctober, a month of sustainable action. This is an initiative to promote more sustainable veterinary care, and celebrate the benefits of moving our profession towards Zero!
What is ZerOctober?
August is well established as dental care month in the veterinary profession, so let’s put the same energy into making October the month of veterinary sustainability!
Throughout ZerOctober, we'll be raising awareness about the importance of working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, at home and in practice.
How Can You Pawticipate?
Whether you're an individual, or a team, there are countless ways to get involved and make a difference for the animals we love. From simple everyday changes to larger initiatives, everyone can play a part in ZerOctober!
- Personal Actions: Reduce energy consumption, minimise waste, and adopt sustainable habits.
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Team Contributions: Implement eco-friendly practices, promote sustainable products, and engage your clients in sustainability efforts.
- Community Engagement: Organise local events, workshops, and challenges to inspire collective action.
Why Pawticipate?
Together, we have the power to create significant impact. If YOU have ideas, time, or skills to contribute, consider volunteering with us and join the ZerOctober team!
Join us to leave a lasting legacy for generations to come.
Volunteer Opportunities
Vet Expo, 24 - 25 October, Sydney
17th ISVEE International Symposium, 11 - 15 Nov, Sydney
| Register Here |
With thanks to our volunteers...
Vets for Climate Action attended both Vet Science Week at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre on 25th, 26th, and 27th of July, and the ASAV / VBG Conference on the Sunshine Coast on 12 - 15 August. We're looking forward to next year's events!
We're always thrilled to attend industry events to talk about our work, our groundbreaking Climate Care Program, and meet with members of the profession. Please let us know of any future opportunities.
In case you missed it... catch up on past events
July Masterclass:
Listen to the VfCA team talk about the year past, our impact and successes, and plans for the year ahead.
August Masterclass:
Hear from VBG Thought Leader Dr Jeremy Watson, on Net Zero: How to use it to enhance your standard of care and grow your practice.
Jeremy shares how a strategic approach to Net Zero in veterinary practice enables you to improve your practice AND reduce emissions.
| Watch Here |
From Our Partners
Lyka Pet Food is thrilled to announce the launch of their new hypoallergenic diet, their latest innovation in canine nutrition.
What is Hypoallergenic Pro?
Hypoallergenic Pro is a fresh therapeutic diet designed for dogs with food allergies, skin conditions, and gastrointestinal sensitivities. This new formula is made with goat, a highly digestible novel protein source, ideal for dogs with common protein sensitivities.
Key Benefits of Hypoallergenic Pro:
🥦 Highly palatable real food ingredients
👨🍳 Gently cooked for optimal digestibility
🌿 Formulated without common allergens
🐐 Made with goat, a single novel protein source
🩺 Ideal for use in elimination diet trials
To learn more about Lyka's Hypoallergenic Pro, sign up for the webinar hosted by their in-house veterinarians on Monday, September 2nd at 6:30pm AEST.
Australian Veterinary Association Survey
The AVA is inviting members AND non-members to participate in a feedback survey.
Your responses will inform how the AVA designs their member services, programs, and future initiatives. By sharing what you enjoy and what you want to see changed, you are actively participating in the decision-making process. Your feedback will help the AVA tailor its offerings to serve you and the veterinary profession better.
That's not all though: those who elect to enter the draw can win one of 7 great prizes valued at between $200 and $700!
The survey is open until Monday, 2 September 2024.
| Take AVA Survey Here |
Program News and Updates
We're delighted to welcome a number of new practices to the Climate Care Program, including Wattle Grove Veterinary Hospital.
If you believe that healthy animals need a healthy climate, we invite you to discover the benefits of integrating the Climate Care Practice into your practice.
You can achieve both environmental and operational benefits:
- Cost Savings: Implementing energy-efficient practices and reducing waste can lead to significant reductions in operational costs. The program offers practical, actionable strategies that can help you lower your utility bills and manage resources more effectively.
- Enhanced Reputation: Committing to sustainability enhances your practice's reputation, helping you attract eco-conscious clients and fostering a positive image within the community.
- Operational Efficiency: Streamlining operations and optimising resource use can make your practice more efficient, freeing up valuable time and resources for providing exceptional care to your patients.
Reducing emissions is the most impactful action we can take to combat climate change and ensure a better future for the animals we care for.
| Register for the CCP Here |
Vets for Climate Action's mission is to ensure that all veterinary professionals and animal carers understand the impact of climate change on animals and are inspired to take action. There are many ways you can get involved - if you aren't already!
One of the easiest ways is to donate to support our work. This will allow us to continue our collaboration with like-minded organisations, advocate for strong policies to mitigate climate change's impact on all animals, and promote our Climate Care Program. Any donation, small or large, will make a difference.
We, and the animals, thank you for your ongoing support.
Warm regards
Steff Goldring
Chief Executive Officer
E: [email protected]
W: www.vfca.org.au
p.s. Thank you as always to our wonderful donors - we can't do this work without out. Caring for animals involves caring for the climate. If you support our work and want to see more of it, please consider making a tax deductible donation.