December Update

Welcome to our final newsletter for 2024! 

Because it’s been such a busy and successful year for us, this is a bumper edition of our newsletter. Grab a coffee or tea, and settle in as we’re so proud to share our achievements with you!

Contents:

> News
> Upcoming Events
> Volunteer Opportunities
> In case you missed it...
> Christmas support


News

To start, here is our Annual Report, sent with our gratitude and appreciation to the many volunteers, donors and supporters who have been part of our success.

Key highlights include:

  • Providing evidence-based insights on government climate policies through numerous letters and submissions, contributing to achievements such as the ban on offshore oil and gas projects in NSW waters. While federal nature-positive laws remain pending, we continue to advocate for strong reforms in 2025.
  • the formal launch of the Climate Care Program and the widespread and positive media coverage (plus seeing a few familiar faces on Channel 9!); and
  • the recognition of two of our own: Dr Jeremy Watson as AVA Veterinary Business Group's Thought Leader for 2024 for his work on 'Net Zero as a Business Strategy' and Dr Jeannet Kessels as inaugural recipient of the International Green Veterinary Award at the 2024 Greener Veterinary Forum for her unwavering commitment to climate action across the profession. 

Dr Jeremy Watson

But, despite our successes, it is worth noting that we still have a lot of work to do because climate change is still threatening animal health and welfare. 

The Federal Government’s State of the Climate Report for 2024 confirms that Australia’s climate continues to change and has warmed by an average of 1.51 ± 0.23 °C since national records began in 1910, and sea surface temperatures have increased by an average of 1.08 °C since 1900.

This warming has led to an increase in the frequency of extreme heat events over land and in the oceans, and heavy short-term rainfall events are becoming more intense. Additionally, there has been an increase in extreme fire weather, and a longer fire season, across large parts of the country. Many of us have experienced these unnatural weather events first-hand. (To save you reading all 32 pages of the report, this 2 minute video provides a powerful summary.)  These changes are inline with global trends. 

Speaking globally, it is important to acknowledge that the USA, the second biggest global contributor to carbon pollution, will be led by an administration that is openly sceptical of climate change. As Dr Elise Anderson writes on our Rural & Regional blog, this is going to make climate action that much harder. Harder, but still possible.  And we in the veterinary profession can play an important role engaging politically and speaking up. 

With this in mind, please continue reading to find out the actions we’ve been taking and how you can be involved. 


ndigenous Elders, Farmers and Veterinarians Unite to Spotlight Climate Change Impacts on Animals and Country

Indigenous elders and farmers from the Northern Territory invited veterinarians to sit down, listen and experience first-hand the impacts of climate change on their lives and those of animals on country. The broad impacts of climate change are widely known but the small, important changes are less commonly documented.

Founder and board director Dr Jeannet Kessels travelled to some of the most climate vulnerable places on earth, visiting Borroloola, Elliott, Katherine, Kakadu and Litchfield: areas already experiencing extreme heat days, desertification, wildfires, cyclones and flood vulnerability. Elders shared the changes they are observing, providing opportunities for shared learnings between science-based veterinarians and the insightful lived experience of those who have grown up on country.

Based on this visit, filmed by former BBC correspondent Nik Wood, a broader documentary is anticipated for 2025, where veterinary leaders worldwide will be invited to the Northern Territory, to again sit down and listen, and to personally experience these changes, providing understanding and inspiration to strategise the profession’s global response. 

Mr Raymond Dimakarri Dixon (centre with sign) and his family
with Dr Jeannet Kessels (far right) and Nik Wood, former BBC Correspondent (front left) 


VfCA at the Vet Expo!

We thoroughly enjoyed our time at the Vet Expo in Sydney in October: a fabulous event bringing together so many members of the profession, with informative and interesting talks. With thanks to Dr Mariane Morin for her presentation 'Caring for animals means caring for climate' and Dr Jeannet Kessels for speaking on 'Practical Progress in Sustainability' and 'Pioneering Positive Change'

We value the opportunity to connect with and update the veterinary community on the important issue of climate change, and provide practical ways we can all take steps to reduce our impact. 

I was also pleased to present at the inaugural Australian Veterinary Receptionists Association's Conference, running concurrently, on 'Empowering Conversations: Engaging clients on climate action from the front desk'. 

With thanks to Nik Wood, check out highlights from our fun few days:

If you'd like get involved in next year, we're always looking for volunteers to present or staff our stand. Keep reading for more detail!

Or, please get in touch if you're looking for a guest speaker at your next event.


ZerOctober: The month of Veterinary Sustainability 

This October Vets for Climate Action was pleased to launch ZerOctober. This was an initiative to promote more sustainable veterinary care, and celebrate the benefits of moving our profession towards Zero! 
Like August is Dental Month we are keen to cement October as Veterinary Sustainability Month! We invited individuals and teams to take different actions across the month to raise awareness about the importance of working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, at home and in practice. 
We shared a number of resources (which are still available on our website) and welcomed the engagement from you all: from towel audits, to Sustainability Bingo and booking in a free Energy Audit! 

Mark your calendars for ZerOctober 2025 to Pawticipate!


End of Year Fundraiser!


🎄 Spread festive cheer while giving back to the planet this holiday season! Buy a ticket in the Vets for Climate Action Christmas Raffle and support our mission to create a world where people and animals thrive in a healthy climate.

🎁 With thanks to our generous sponsors: Verve Portraits, Taronga Zoo, DOG by Dr Lisa, Banish, Lyka and Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health, 1st prize is valued at $2037, and 2nd prize is valued at $993! 

Guess what!?

Your ticket purchase will fund vital projects, raise awareness, and drive meaningful change within the veterinary profession into 2025. 

It is not too late to get your ticket - the prizes will be drawn this Friday 20th December at 4pm AEDT! 


Upcoming Events

Save the Date!

Our January Masterclass is on 21st January 2025 at 7pm AEDT / 6pm AEST. 

This Masterclass is proudly brought to you in partnership with Lincoln Institute of Veterinary Business. 

Details to follow in the New Year. 


Volunteer Opportunities in 2025

 

We are always looking for wonderful volunteers to staff our stands at events... if you are passionate about animals and climate change, and enjoy speaking to and spending time with like minded people - this is your opportunity!
We have a number of opportunities in 2025 including:
  1. Vet Expo, 3rd-4th September, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
  2. Science Week, 24th-26th July, Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre
  3. AVA Conference 12th-16th May, Sydney International Convention Centre
To register your interest, or if you hav any questions please email Clare at [email protected]

In case you missed it... 

November Masterclass: 


Watch our November Masterclass, Practice Ready: Building Practice Resilience in a Changing Climate. This Masterclass came at a perfect time, as the severity and frequency of disasters like bushfires and floods escalate across Australia, both animals and communities are bearing the brunt of these events. 

Veterinary practices play a critical role in navigating these challenges, making it essential to have a comprehensive disaster plan that ensures readiness, effective response, and seamless recovery. Jump on Youtube to hear from expert Erica Honey about preparing your practice and staff for unnatural disasters.

And for more information, download the Planning for Animals Handbook by the Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience. Erica was a member of the Working Group providing expert advice. 

This handbook presents strategic guidance on planning for animals using a principles-based approach. It outlines recommended minimum practice for the inclusion and integration of animals at all stages of the emergency management cycle (prevention, preparedness, response and recovery). It is recognised that there will be context specific considerations and actions required for individual species of animal, organisations and jurisdictions.


In related news, the New Zealand Veterinary Journal is releasing a special issue on the topic of Animal Emergency Management guest edited by Dr Hayley Squance. 

The NZVJ is inviting submissions of various manuscripts, including original research, clinical studies, and review articles that should be relevant to, but are not limited to, the veterinary and/or animal science communities in New Zealand.

The deadline is 12 January 2025. Visit the NZVJ website for more details. 


Support Vets for Climate Action this Christmas

This year, we are so pleased to have helped so many vet teams reduce their environmental impact, and spread awareness on the impacts of our changing climate on the animals we all love and adore.

We are proud to be part of the growing world-wide movement to make veterinary care more sustainable. 

To continue our work and collaboration with like-minded organisations, lead urgent action, and advocate for strong policies to mitigate climate change's impact on all animals, we need your support as we head to 2025. 

Can you make a donation? It might be as little as $5 or even $100 per month, or a one-off tax-deductible gift. Every little bit helps. It’s easy, secure, and tax-deductible.

We’re really proud of what we’ve achieved, and what we will achieve with your support. 

DONATE TO VETS FOR CLIMATE ACTION

Holiday availability 

We will taking a well-earned break over the Christmas and New Year, and will be closed from 5pm on 24 December 2024 and returning at 9am on 6 January 2025.

May we take this opportunity to wish you, your families, team, and animal friends a very Merry Christmas and a and a Paw-some New Year!

On behalf of the whole team, we send our thanks for your support and will see you in 2025!

 

p.s. Read about our impactful work this year, with thanks to your support.