The human-induced climate catastrophe is fueling a housing crisis. Rent and home prices are higher than ever, and fed-up insurance companies are withdrawing coverage in disaster-prone areas. Humans are not the only ones in trouble. Other animals are struggling, too. The same wildfires, hurricanes and floods that leave human families homeless also force wildlife from their homes.

Record-breaking wildfires consume houses like kindling, burning entire neighborhoods to the ground and torching millions of acres of forest, displacing those who once lived there. Drought and higher-than-ever temperatures wreak havoc, leaving animals struggling to find water to drink.

Under the scorching sun, plants dry up or die, depleting essential food resources. As a result, animals are left to travel dangerous distances in search of sustenance, often ending up in human-dominated areas where they face new threats, including traffic, panicky people and predation by domesticated animals.

As humans pollute the planet with greenhouse gases, oceans bear the burden. Research published in 2022 indicates that we are ankle-deep in trouble — sea levels are projected to rise by a foot by 2050. Surging shorelines, hurricanes and floodwaters are destroying property and washing entire communities away as if they were sandcastles caught in high tide.

It’s not just human communities that are affected. Sea turtles, for example, rely on stable beaches to lay their eggs, but as storm surges and erosion worsen, they’re left with fewer places to raise their families. Birds who nest along coastal regions, like piping plovers, are at risk of population decline as their homes wash away.

What if you could help fight homelessness by making one small — yet mighty — change? You can!

Animal agriculture is one of the largest drivers of deforestation, habitat destruction and greenhouse gas emissions. Meat, dairy and egg producers monopolize a staggering 41% of land in the U.S., and over one-third of habitable land globally. What used to be vibrant forest bustling with wildlife has been decimated to graze farmed animals and cultivate crops to feed them.

What’s more, findings suggest that a human-caused rise in greenhouse gases increases the prevalence of extreme weather events. People who eat a lot of meat are responsible for nearly two and a half times as many dietary greenhouse gas emissions per day as vegans. Individuals who go vegan can reduce their food-related emissions by up to a whopping 73%.

The irony is undeniable — by exploiting other animals, humans ultimately worsen our own housing crisis. Without insurance, rebuilding after a disaster becomes all but impossible, mirroring the experience of other animals who lack a safety net. Instead of rebuilding, they are forced into shrinking pockets of suitable land — if they are lucky enough to find any at all.

Other animals wouldn’t be in this predicament if it weren’t for humans. When we build our houses on land that used to be their homes, it’s only fair that we coexist, which — unironically — helps us, too. Studies show that healthy urban wildlife populations help balance ecosystems, promote pollination, mitigate flooding and control erosion.

In addition to leaving animals off our plates, we can support wildlife by respecting their space. Avoid feeding animals, as it can create dependency and disrupt their natural behaviors. Instead, offer a smorgasbord of native plants — forgoing fertilizer and pesticides — while keeping garbage cans tightly sealed to prevent unwelcome snacking. Make sure to cut six-pack plastic rings and replace lids before placing jars in the recycling bin to prevent animals from getting stuck or entangled.

Never trap or relocate animals, as they struggle to survive in unfamiliar places. If you must encourage animals to take up residence elsewhere, use natural deterrents such as peppermint oil.

A little care goes a long way.

Every fire that burns a forest, every flood that washes away a marsh and every drought that dries up a river brings us all closer to homelessness. By recognizing that our actions matter, we can work toward a future where humans and other animals do, in fact, have a place to call home.

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Melissa Rae Sanger is a licensed veterinary technician and a staff writer for the PETA Foundation, 501 Front St., Norfolk, VA 23510; www.PETA.org.

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