Coordinators have been:

Larry W. Roeder, Jr., MS. former UN Affairs Director, World Society for the Protection of Animals. larry.roeder@ifrescue.org .  Currently CEO of International Farm Rescue of Virginia

Jennifer Lanier, Ph.D., is an animal scientist specializing in behavior and welfare primarily as it relates to livestock. She has experience with wildlife, and companion animals and has worked in the field, as a researcher, and in policy development. She received her Ph.D. in Animal Science from Colorado State University.  Major contributions to product in 2008/2009.

The Issue
The purpose of this working group is to review current scientific and empirical evidence on the impact of climate change on sentient animals, to report on specific action now being taken by civil society and and to recommend specific actions that can be implemented by UN agencies, governments and civil society at large.

Background
The prevalence of disasters and adverse weather conditions is increasing worldwide due to climate change, with particularly devastating effects on developing countries. Animals should be protected from the hazards of climate change because of their intrinsic value to farmers, pastoralists, etc.; but also because it makes good sense as humanitarian policy.

Of the one billion poorest people on the earth, fully 800 million totally depend on animals for a living -- without whom they would thrust in a deepening spiral of despair. Billions more relay on animals for a living to some degree, as well as for food security or cultural identification. Changes in the climate directly impact marine, avian and land animals.