Ugandan Vet Student Champions Animal Health in Climate Crisis Fight

As the world intensifies efforts to combat climate change, a Ugandan veterinary student is making a bold case for one of the most overlooked victims of the crisis—animals.

Mariam Kihika, a final-year student of Veterinary Medicine and co-founder of the Climate Veterinary Alliance, is at the forefront of a growing movement to integrate animal health into the broader climate change conversation. Through advocacy, education, and cross-sector partnerships, she is helping Ugandans—and the world—understand how the climate crisis affects not just humans and the environment, but also the animals we depend on.

“When there’s drought, it doesn’t just affect crops and people. It affects animals too—there’s less food, less water, and reduced productivity,” Mariam explained during an interview on Green Planet Voices. “That means less milk, less meat, and ultimately, a loss of income for farmers.”

While climate change discussions often focus on human displacement, extreme weather, and deforestation, Mariam is working to spotlight its effects on livestock, wildlife, and domestic animals.

She describes a ripple effect that starts with disrupted weather patterns and leads to food shortages, disease outbreaks, and escalating human-wildlife conflict.

“We’ve seen animals migrating because of habitat loss, birds changing their migratory patterns, and even aquatic life affected by rising water temperatures,” she noted.

One alarming trend, she said, is the growing conflict between humans and wildlife in areas surrounding national parks. Droughts drive animals into communities in search of food and water, while humans venture into protected areas for the same resources—often with fatal consequences.

“There was a tragic case in Kenya where a young boy was killed by an elephant while fetching water in a park. That’s the kind of situation we’re trying to prevent through better planning and resource access.”

Mariam also highlighted the increasing risk of zoonotic diseases—those that can be transmitted between animals and humans—as climate change alters ecosystems and makes conditions more favorable for disease-causing parasites.

“Diseases like Ebola are examples of zoonotic diseases. As temperatures rise, parasite populations grow, raising the risk of outbreaks. We’re all connected—humans, animals, and the environment.”

This philosophy is embodied in what experts call the One Health approach, which Mariam strongly advocates.

“One Health means recognizing that human health, animal health, and environmental health are interdependent. We must work together—veterinarians, doctors, environmentalists—to create lasting solutions.”

Mariam’s inspiration came from global movements like Vets for Climate Action in Australia, founded by Dr. Janet Kessels. But her mission is firmly grounded in Uganda’s rural communities, where women, youth, and veterinarians are increasingly stepping up to protect their ecosystems.

“Women in rural areas are planting trees, educating their children, and caring for animals. We want to empower more of them, along with young vets, to take action,” she said.

Through the Climate Veterinary Alliance, she and her team are building awareness campaigns, advocating for better animal welfare policies, and training young professionals to be climate-aware practitioners.

Looking ahead, Mariam envisions a Uganda where animals thrive alongside humans in a safer, greener world.

“I dream of improved animal welfare, a stronger response to local climate challenges, and a thriving environment where both people and animals are protected,” she said. “It’s not just about global policies. It’s about what we can do here, now, with what we have.”

As Mariam continues to raise her voice for the voiceless, she is proving that climate action is not only a human responsibility—it’s a shared duty across all living things.