Rural Vets and Vet Nurses make Great Climate Champions
Rural and regional communities are the hardest hit by the damaging effects of climate change. Drought ravages their land, fires burn in nearby forests, heat stress makes the outdoor working environment unsustainable and floods destroy their livelihoods.
Many people in rural and regional communities want climate action and are taking steps in their own lives to adapt to and mitigate climate change. Rural and regional people will need to find pathways to climate advocacy which suit them, if they are to ensure that their communities are empowered to implement local climate solutions, and MPs are representing their voices and their interests when it comes to climate change. As a profession that holds a trusted place in the community, as experienced science educators and communicators, and as established advocates for animal and human welfare, vets are well positioned to provide leadership on climate change in rural areas.
2023 Pilot Program
The pilot stage of the Rural and Regional Program launched in the first half of 2023, and is running in the federal electorate of Nicholls, in north central and north eastern Victoria. Our Regional Lead, Elise Anderson, is busy not just with program strategy and resource development, but also often on the road, visiting vet clinics and attending events in the area.
You can read more about the Rural and Regional Program on our Blog, or visit our Contact the Rural and Regional Program page to find out how to get in touch with us.