SUSTAINABLE VETERINARY SERVICES

by Dr Jana Basson, janab@elsenburg.com

WWith global warming heading for a temperature rise of more than 3 °C this century,1 the time for climate action is now.2

The Oudtshoorn state veterinary office has taken up this challenge and continues its effort to make the workplace more sustainable for the environment. It recently implemented a solar panel lithium battery backup power system to supply the entire office (excluding air-conditioning) with electricity. The solar panel backup system was made possible through the green initiative of Dr Cathy Fox and funding by the Department of Transport and Public Works.

The office recycles paper, and one of the animal health technicians, Albie Storm, turned materials such as scrap metal into an owl https://wedocs.unep.org/xmlui/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/34461/EGR20KM.pdf?sequence=17

1 United Nations Environment Programme Emissions Gap Report 2020 Key Messages: “Despite a brief dip in carbon dioxide emissions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the world is still heading for a temperature rise in excess of 3 °C this century – far beyond the Paris Agreement goals of limiting global warming to well below 2 °C and pursuing 1,5 °C. However, a green pandemic recovery can cut around 25 per cent off the greenhouse emissions predicted in 2030 and put the world close to the 2 °C pathway. Governments should pull out all the stops to implement a green recovery and strengthen their pledges before the next climate meeting in 2021”.

2 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change: “Climate-related risks to health, livelihoods, food security, water supply, human security, and economic growth are projected to increase with global warming of 1,5 °C and increase further with 2 °C.” https://www.ipcc.ch/sr15/resources/headline-statements/ house for the owls that frequently visit the office premises.

The compulsory community service (CCS) veterinary clinic was inspired by the administrative office’s initiative, and currently also recycles paper, practices good stock taking principles to avoid drug wastage, and disposes of medical waste correctly. The veterinary clinic’s future initiatives will further include implementing measures to reduce the impact of anaesthetic gasses on the environment3 and asking suppliers to minimise plastic packaging.

With many online resources available from veterinary clinics that have already taken the initiative4 and online sustainability webinars, 5 more veterinary clinics could easily implement sustainability policies. It is not only the responsibility of the veterinary clinic to implement these measures. It is also the responsibility of clients to question their veterinary clinic’s sustainability policy, and to consider whether the products they are using for their animals are sustainable for the environment.

Whether by following a plant-based diet, commuting to work with colleagues, or insisting on a sustainable veterinary service, it is every person’s responsibility to do everything they can to minimise their carbon footprint. As the Swedish environmental activist, Greta Thunberg, said at the 25th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP25): “...we do not have to wait – we can start the change right now, we, the people ...”.6

3 https://vetspecialists.co.uk/blog-post/reducing-anaesthetic-gas-for-environmental-benefit

4 https://vetsustain.org/resources/vet-practice-checklist

5 https://vetspecialists.co.uk/sustainability/

6 https://fridaysforfuture.org/what-we-do/activist-speeches/