Climate Change and Animal Welfare: The Nexus

Climate change is already harming animal welfare through habitat loss, food insecurity, disease spread, and extreme weather, creating an urgent dual crisis.

Key Facts

Coral bleaching events have destroyed 50 percent of the Great Barrier Reef since 1995
Arctic sea ice loss threatens polar bears, walruses, and ice-dependent seal species
Increased wildfire frequency kills billions of animals annually in affected regions
Shifting seasons disrupt migration timing, causing mismatches with food availability
Heat stress in farmed animals reduces productivity and increases mortality during heatwaves
Ocean acidification threatens shell-forming species from oysters to pteropods

Welfare Considerations

Climate change multiplies animal suffering at planetary scale. Wild animals face habitat destruction, food web disruption, and direct mortality from extreme weather. Farmed animals suffer more from heat stress. Climate action is therefore animal welfare action — reducing emissions protects billions of creatures from compounding climate harms.

What You Can Do

Reduce your carbon footprint, particularly from food choices, travel, and energy
Support climate organisations that explicitly address impacts on wildlife
Advocate for nature-based climate solutions that restore habitat for wildlife
Link animal welfare advocacy with climate advocacy in your community
Support research into helping species adapt to unavoidable climate change