5 Exciting careers at the intersection of climate change and animal advocacy

Here’s how your job can help animals and mitigate climate change

June is recognised as Environment Month, a time for green actions and conversations about climate change. Public discourse involving youth, institutions, and government bodies on gaps and needs for fulfilling climate goals takes place. Interventions also touch upon the need for more green jobs or sustainability careers. 

Through this article, we want to shift the focus to all things career. Creating a job environment where our roles contribute positively to the well-being of the planet, animals, and humanity is essential in today's context. 

We also believe that more animal advocates need to join climate organisations. Currently, many climate-centric non-profit organisations focus insufficiently on animal agriculture, and it has not been adequately addressed by public bodies, international entities such as the UN, or other intergovernmental bodies. Here is a report by Animal Charity Evaluators that presents you with facts on climate change and animals, including the impact of animal agriculture. Also, you can explore articles by Sentient , which can give a deep dive into this topic. 

What career paths are we covering in this article?

• Legal/ policy advocacy careers
• Plant-based foods careers
• Sustainability Managers/Associates
• Campaigning and movement-building
• Fundraising in the Global South

Legal/ policy advocacy careers ⚖️

Policy frameworks and laws are critical in animal protection and climate change mitigation. Some areas one can focus on include policy interventions calling for plant-based food systems, wild animal protection (poaching, habitat conservation and other legal actions), recognition of invertebrate sentience, and much more. Careers in law and policy can involve working with governments, NGOs, or private companies to develop and implement policies that address climate change and animal rights.

This can include roles such as policy analyst, lawyer, or government official.

If you want to learn about Animal Law👉 download our free guide today

Plant-based foods careers 🥬

Consider a career in the plant-based foods industry if you wish to move towards a climate-friendly future. Jobs can range from food scientist to marketing, advocating for plant-based policies, or educating the public on the benefits of plant-based foods. There are also opportunities for those interested in starting their own business. Another area is for researchers to develop new plant-based products and technologies that support a low-carbon future. It is a lucrative and growing sector, with a wide range of job opportunities available.

Explore some openings on the Tälist job board by Tälist

Sustainability Managers/Associates 💻

LinkedIn's top-growing jobs list, #JobsontheRise, highlights the importance of sustainability managers and advisors in the fight against climate change. This role is expected to grow by 6 percent from 2021 to 2031. 

You can play a crucial role in addressing the significant impact of animal agriculture on the environment and reducing animal suffering. Companies can reduce their carbon footprint and contribute to a more sustainable future by focusing on plant-based and vegan options.

Sustainability managers and associates can conduct thorough carbon evaluations to identify areas where companies can reduce emissions. If you opt for this, you can work to adopt plant-based and vegan options. You can develop and implement educational campaigns in workplace settings to raise awareness about the environmental benefits of plant-based diets and the role of animal agriculture in climate change.

P.S. We also wrote a version of the article on jobs on the rise in the Animal Advocacy movement, which you can read here. 

Campaigning and movement-building 📢

Climate change and animal rights are closely linked. Animal agriculture significantly contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and biodiversity loss, exacerbating climate change.

As a campaigner, you can raise awareness, initiate public campaigns, partner with companies to adopt more sustainable practices like plant-based foods and conduct educational campaigns. You can also highlight efforts in the Global South, recognising the disproportionate impacts of climate change there. Use diverse campaigning methods to convey the urgency of climate action and the importance of highlighting animal agriculture as a key driver.

Explore more about campaigning as a career 👉 Read our Career Path Guide

Fundraising in the Global South💸

Fundraising jobs in the Global South can be pivotal for several reasons. 

Firstly, the animal welfare movement is shifting its focus to the regions where the majority of animals are farmed, such as Latin America and Asia, where intensive farming practices are becoming the norm. By establishing a strong fundraising presence in these areas, organisations can effectively support local campaigns and advocacy efforts, which are critical to addressing the welfare of animals in these regions. For instance, in countries like Brazil and China, where large-scale industrial farming is prevalent, effective fundraising can help support grassroots initiatives. 

Secondly, the Global South is experiencing significant growth in meat consumption, particularly in Asia, which is driving the demand for intensive farming practices. This trend poses significant environmental and animal welfare concerns. Organisations can counterbalance this trend by supporting initiatives promoting plant-based food adoption with a robust fundraising infrastructure in these regions. For example, in India, where the demand for meat as well as dairy is increasing rapidly, effective fundraising can support local initiatives that promote more environmentally friendly and vegan farming practices.

Thirdly, collaborative efforts between animal protection and environmental movements can amplify the impact of both movements, ultimately contributing to an optimistic future. These movements can effectively tackle the complex issues surrounding animal welfare and the environment by combining expertise, resources, and audiences. For instance, in Africa, where deforestation and habitat destruction are significant concerns, effective fundraising can support initiatives promoting sustainable land use and conservation while addressing animal welfare concerns.

Lastly, fundraising jobs in the Global South can also help bridge the gap between developed and developing countries. By supporting local initiatives and campaigns, organisations can empower local communities to take ownership of their own animal advocacy and environmental challenges rather than rely solely on external aid. This approach fosters greater self-sufficiency and promotes more effective and sustainable solutions tailored to local contexts.

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Bonus: Want to explore more about the synergies that the animal advocacy movement can create with the climate movement? Visit Faunalytics research here.

Have you been looking for a new job?

We have also introduced some new climate-centric roles, which can make a significant impact towards animal advocacy/ plant-based foods systems, as outlined in the above-mentioned job profiles.

[climate change careers, animal advocacy careers, green jobs, sustainability careers, environmental careers, plant-based food careers, climate policy careers, animal law careers, sustainability manager, sustainable associate, climate campaigner, movement building, fundraising for climate, fundraising for animal advocacy, Global South fundraising]

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