ABSTRACT
Although we face numerous important problems in today’s complex world, many people feel that climate change logically tops the list, since it affects every other issue. The current COVID-19 pandemic is a very urgent problem at the moment; however difficult as it may be to imagine, the magnitude of the crisis that would stem from climate change under a “business as usual” scenario would dwarf the current crisis. But, although climate change is an important problem, is it a veterinary problem? This chapter explores this question by reviewing the current science of climate change, its effects and potential solutions; and concludes that yes, climate change is an animal health and welfare emergency and veterinarians have a professional duty to take and encourage stronger action to mitigate it. Sources of support for veterinarians engaged in work on climate change are identified. Veterinarians are scientific, knowledgeable and well-practiced at communicating scientific information to laypeople; and therefore they are well positioned to positively influence public understanding and government policy regarding climate change.
