Wild Animals

Climate Change and Animal Welfare Intersections

Climate change is increasingly recognized as one of the greatest threats to animal welfare globally, causing habitat loss, food insecurity, and extreme weather events that harm billions of animals.

Key Facts

Climate change is causing range shifts in thousands of species, disrupting ecosystems
Coral bleaching events affect the habitats of millions of reef-dependent species
Extreme heat events cause mass mortality events in wildlife and farmed animals
Ocean acidification threatens mollusks and other calcifying marine organisms
Phenological mismatches caused by warming disrupt breeding and food availability timing

Welfare Considerations

The welfare implications of climate change for animals are vast and underappreciated. Beyond species extinction, billions of individual animals are experiencing worsening conditions — hotter temperatures, depleted food sources, disrupted migrations, and more frequent extreme events. Climate action is simultaneously one of the most impactful things humans can do for both wild and domestic animal welfare.

What You Can Do

Reduce your carbon footprint as a direct act of animal welfare advocacy
Support political candidates and policies prioritizing meaningful climate action
Connect animal welfare and climate advocacy communities to build combined impact
Reduce meat consumption — a major driver of both climate change and animal suffering
Support habitat corridors that allow animals to adapt by shifting their ranges