The Impacts of Climate Change on Animal Health and Economy: A Way Forward for Policy Option

Objective: To assess how pet owners perceive the role of veterinary medicine in addressing climate change and animal health and determine if there is a client-driven economic incentive to establish sustainable veterinary business practices.Sample: 1,044 dog and/or cat owners residing in the United States who had used veterinary services within the last 3 years.Procedures: An online Amazon mTurk survey about climate change and the perceived effects on client-owned dogs and cats was distributed to pet owners.Results: Most respondents believe climate change is occurring, and two-thirds of pet owners would value knowing their veterinarian received training on the animal health impacts of climate change. Over half of the respondents would pay more for veterinary services at a clinic with a reduced environmental impact. Additionally, clients would value some form of sustainability certification to aid in identification of such practices. Demographic influences found to be statistically significant included age, political ideology and where one resides (i.e., urban, suburban, or rural) whereas gender and income level, were not found to be significant.Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: Our data suggest there is an economic incentive for veterinary professionals to be knowledgeable about the health impacts of climate change and to implement and market sustainable practice initiatives. Prioritizing sustainable practice initiatives and climate change education in veterinary practices has the potential to mutually benefit both practitioner and client through shared patient health and financial incentives.

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How Do Marginal and Small Farmers Perceive the Impacts of Climate Change on Livelihoods? A Case Study from Jammu Region, India

Regional Economic Development Research ◽

10.37256/redr.2220211016 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 113-131

Author(s):

Sheetal Verma ◽

Falendra Kumar Sudan

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Rainwater Harvesting ◽

Animal Health ◽

Policy Implications ◽

Primary Data ◽

Irrigated Agriculture ◽

Small Farmers ◽

Economic Implications ◽

Harvesting Technique ◽

Impacts Of Climate Change

This study investigated the perceived impacts of climate change on livelihoods of marginal and small farmers in Jammu region, India. The objectives of the study have been to analyze the impacts of climate change on crop farming and livestock rearing by marginal and small farmers in study area, to understand socio-economic implications of climate change impact on livelihoods, and to draw policy implications for ameliorating the livelihoods of marginal and small farmers in changed climatic conditions. The study is confined to irrigated and non-irrigated areas in Jammu and Rajouri districts of Jammu region. The study is based on primary data collected from household survey using pre-tested structured questionnaires. A total of 600 farm households were selected using the multistage sampling technique. The study findings revealed that while climate change was negatively affecting livelihoods of marginal and small farmers in both irrigated and non-irrigated agriculture through reduced crop and animal yields, crop damages, crop and animal diseases, weed infestations and pest/insect attacks on crops, the adverse impacts were experienced by comparatively more marginal and small farmers in non-irrigated agriculture. The study further noted finer variations in socio-economic impacts from households to households which can be attributed to their involvement in diverse livelihood strategies providing them with increased income security. For enhancing their resilience to climate change, the governments should-create more research capacity to enhance development and timely supply of hybrid seeds and varieties at subsidized rates; strengthen agriculture extension services to give them knowledge, information and technical support; improve animal health service delivery system with improved knowledge and technique to prevent and timely treatment of climate change-induced disease outbreaks among animals; introduce small irrigation schemes like drip irrigation and sprinkle irrigation schemes in non-irrigated areas and promote rainwater harvesting technique for irrigation in dry periods.

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