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Cats and Dogs Contribute Significantly To Climate Change, Says UCLA Study (patch.com)

Posted by BeauHD on from the Fido-and-Fluffy dept.

New submitter Zorro shares a report from Patch.com: When it comes to global warming, Fido and Fluffy are part of the problem, a new study by UCLA indicates. Pet ownership in the United States creates about 64 million tons of carbon dioxide a year, UCLA researchers found. That's the equivalent of driving 13.6 million cars for a year. The problem lies with the meat-filled diets of kitties and pooches, according to the study by UCLA geography professor Gregory Okin. Dogs and cats are responsible for 25 to 30 percent of the impacts of meat production in the United States, said Orkin. Compared to a plant-based diet, meat production "requires more energy, land and water and has greater environmental consequences in terms of erosion, pesticides and waste," the study found. And what goes in, must come out. In terms of waste, Okin noted, feeding pets also leads to about 5.1 million tons of feces every year, roughly equivalent to the total trash production of Massachusetts. The study has been published in the journal PLOS One.

6 of 430 comments (clear)

  1. equivalent to the trash production of Massachusett by PeeAitchPee · · Score: 5, Funny

    Can't we just get rid of Massachusetts instead?

  2. Re:how much CO2 does by Opportunist · · Score: 3, Funny

    It's less the CO2 production, it's more the fact that he contributes to global warming with all the hot air.

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  3. Carbon emissions are quite fungible. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    If we weren’t feeding our beloved pets with all those undesirable animal byproducts, we could easily use it to keep school cafeterias and Taco Bell supplied.

  4. Re:Leftovers by DigiShaman · · Score: 3, Funny

    Well to be honest, if you walked out side of your apartment and stepped in dog shit, you'd probably push the study too. I know I would, because that's the kind of vindictive asshole that I am :)

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  5. Re: How about people ? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    I suggested to my cat that she become vegetarian. She was not amused.

  6. Re:Leftovers by umafuckit · · Score: 4, Funny

    Obviously we want pets to keep eating meat, it's good for them.

    I tried this with the last three rabbits I had. None of them lived very long, so I'm considering changing diet for the next one. I'll try fish next.

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