Animal Welfare as a Crucial Adaptation Strategy in the Face of Climate Change: Case of Northern Ghana
Author: Niknaz Alemi
Climate change, this modern human crisis, has its effects felt everywhere around the world. Heatwaves, wildfires, water shortages, and more are increasingly impacting more people after so many years of scientists urging attention and prioritizing solutions for this growing crisis.
I have been an animal lover since childhood. I used to play with stray cats all day, and my dog later became my best friend. In my early thirties, I realized I needed to incorporate this love into my career path if I wanted to impact the world and work with passion. After years of working in the field with animals and on animal welfare projects in the suburbs of Tehran, I decided to study environment and development. I specialized in climate change because all the activists I was following were begging for more people to join forces and become a part of the change the system requires. That master’s degree gave me a systemic view of the world, human systems, and this human-made crisis of our times.
Climate change is such a complicated yet straightforward phenomenon that if everyone on the planet is programmed to have it in the back of their mind and maintain a systemic view towards it, the situation can be resolved much easier and faster. Yet, not even 1% of the world fully understands it, let alone does anything about it. One of my techie friends once told me he thought my job was “niche.” Yeah, niche for Planet Earth.
After completing my master’s, I moved to Ghana for a volunteer position with a Canadian NGO as an animal and crop advisor. I was tasked with visiting rural communities in Northern Ghana to identify ways to sustainably help the communities develop and grow out of poverty. As a climate change major, I could feel the effects climate change had on these communities daily. It is simple. Most people in these communities rely on seasonal farming, meaning they cultivate crops during the rainy season and store and consume them throughout the rest of the year and into the dry season. Additionally, many of these people are farmers who sell their produce, so their financial well-being also depends on their crops.
Not only does their food depend on the rainwater, but their underground and surface water sources also rely on the rainy season, which fills the area with fresh water resources and fertile soil. Their life, water, and food security truly depend on the rain that pours for four months each year. However, climate change is altering this pattern. The rainy season has shortened, leading to increased droughts. Seasons are shifting, and crops are spoiling. I came to Ghana at the beginning of June, and I was told that rain would start soon. By mid-August, the rains had not yet arrived. Around that time, I realized that farmers were entering a state of panic, and locals were becoming increasingly concerned as the planted crops were not getting enough water and were failing.
Since I arrived in the country, I have noticed that goats are ubiquitous, as common as people in all places: in parks, streets, backyards, and even outside my office window. Most goats and sheep in this part of Ghana roam freely in search of food and water. Although these animals are owned by someone, they are not cared for, and their survival depends on themselves. This independence is admirable but detrimental to their health. Many of these animals suffer from disease, dehydration, and malnutrition. During my field data collection, I asked different communities what they used the goats and sheep for, and they said that in times of food scarcity, they eat them, and if they need extra money for school fees, hospital bills, and other expenses, they sell them in the market.
When I asked what are the main issued with animals the responses were mostly disease. When I asked them why don’t you vaccinate them the answers were different but one stuck in my mind.
“Why would we spend money for them if they are going to die from disease”.
I realized that most of these communities are so dependent on farming practices that they don’t fully appreciate the value of their animals and therefore don’t see the need to invest more in their well-being. I spent hours talking with district vets, community managers, and more and realized that the reason why taking care of animals is not a common practice is cultural. It’s basically the fact that they didn’t need to take care of the animals, and the animals weren’t seen as commodities or investments to look after, which is great. But also, leaving them out and about in times of drought
World Animal Protection (2020) defines animal welfare as “the quality of life experienced by an animal and encompasses how well the animal is coping with his or her current situation and surroundings.” Some might argue that animal welfare has no place in impoverished communities. However, McCrindle (1998) posits a direct link between community development and animal well-being, suggesting that the improved well-being of the people results in them having more disposable income and energy to expend on the management of their animals. Furthermore, acknowledging the interconnectedness of all species is central to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (United Nations Environment Programme [UNEP], 2020). Protecting and improving the welfare of animals not only enhances their lives but also contributes significantly to the realization of the many goals and targets in the 2030 Agenda.
Reflecting on these experiences, I have come to understand that effective climate adaptation is deeply rooted in the cultural, lifestyle, and traditional practices that have defined communities for millennia. The abrupt shifts in natural patterns necessitate equally significant changes and adaptations to ease the transition for both people and animals. As emphasized by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), climate change adaptation involves modifying our behaviors, systems, and—when necessary—our ways of life to safeguard our families, economies, and the environments we inhabit from the repercussions of climate change.
Recognizing this, I realized that every change must be systematic, holistic, and carefully planned to enhance animal welfare and, consequently, increase climate resilience. It became clear that to achieve these objectives and instigate meaningful change, incorporating various elements of the system is crucial. According to Bembridge (1991), the most challenging yet vital aspect of this process is fostering cooperation across different sectors. This includes forming interdisciplinary and interdepartmental partnerships and ensuring collaboration between government entities, local structures, non-governmental organizations, and community members.
I decided to start a number of initiatives to improve animal welfare in these communities. First off, to go to different communities and train them on the importance of animals’ well-being and how it can contribute to the health and wealth of the people. McCrindle (1998) also argues that animal welfare in disadvantaged communities in Africa be not merely ‘people-focused’ but ‘people-centered’ in order to achieve well-being for animals. For this same reason, I decided to focus on the people’s perspective and elaborate on the advantages healthy and happy animals bring to the communities. Then to give them a number of dos and don’ts that would contribute to animal well-being. These guidelines are designed based on the field data collection and focus group interviews I did earlier. I will be teaching them how building shelters will protect animals from disease, providing them with fresh water regularly at all times would prevent dehydration, and giving them proper food would provide them with enough calories and nutrition to stay healthy. How vaccinations prevent certain diseases and calling proper vet services would cure their diseases. One of the problems within the communities is that they don’t know the importance of calling vets in times of disease outbreaks and viruses. There are quacks who pretend to know the practices and charge less for the same services. This causes much suffering and potential death for the animals.
The second initiative would be to train one person from each community by the district vets so they become familiar with first aid practices for animals within the communities and contact the vet if needed. Our aim is to stop quacks and people from self-medicating animals, and also to provide a solution to the times when vets are busy or not available. And the third would be to buy fridges for small vet offices in the communities. Vets need to travel long distances to the central vet office to get vaccines and meds that need refrigeration, and this causes a lot of time to go to waste instead of going to communities and helping animals on the ground. These vets are also the ones who will monitor and give feedback to us so we can continue on changing and contribute to the evolution of the system as it goes on.
Improving animal welfare through sheltering, providing them with water and proper food, vaccinating, and treating them in times of disease would be an effective solution to this crisis. By recognizing the vital role animals play in their lives, these communities can develop a more resilient and sustainable approach to facing the challenges of climate change. Through the collective effort of training, resource allocation, and cultural shift, we can ensure the well-being of both the animals and the people. This holistic approach not only provides immediate relief but also fosters long-term stability and growth, enabling communities to thrive in harmony with their environment, and adapt to the situation even as it changes. By investing in the health and happiness of their animals, these communities can secure their future against the uncertainties of a changing climate, creating a model of adaptation and resilience for others to follow.
List of references
Bembridge, T.J. (1991). Practical guidelines for extension workers—a field manual. Development Bank of Southern Africa, Halfway House, 1685.
Capiella, J. (2020). Definition of animal welfare. World Animal Protection. Retrieved from https://www.worldanimalprotection.us/latest/blogs/what-is-animal-welfare/#:~:text=Animal%20welfare%20refers%20to%20the,her%20current%20situation%20and%20surroundings
McCrindle, C. (1998). The community development approach to animal welfare: an African perspective. *Applied Animal Behaviour Science*, 59, 227–233.
United Nations Environment Programme (2020). Animal Welfare in the Context of The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). OIE Global Forum on Animal Welfare.
WWF (N.A). What’s the difference between climate change mitigation and adaptation? Retrieved from https://www.worldwildlife.org/stories/what-s-the-difference-between-climate-change-mitigation-and-adaptation#:~:text=Climate%20change%20adaptation%20means%20altering,the%20impacts%20of%20climate%20change
Author short bio
Niknaz Alemi is a passionate advocate for systems change, with a focus on sustainable international development. She holds an M.A. in Environment, Development and Peace, specializing in climate change. Niknaz frequently engages in projects and dialogues centered on conservation and climate action, such as her contributions to the “SHE for Earth” initiative and the launch of thematic podcasts at the University for Peace. As a systems change enthusiast, she highlights the intersectionality of environmental sustainability, animal welfare, and social justice, advocating for adaptive solutions in the face of environmental challenges
