The climate change zealots have found a new scapegoat to blame for changes in the weather – the family pet. CNN has dubbed the term “carbon pawprint” and is urging owners to switch their pets over to insect-based diets or lab-grown meat and reconsider future animal adoptions.
There was a 2017 study entitled “Environmental Impacts of Food Consumption by Dogs and Cats” that claims pets are responsible for global warming. “Dog and cat animal product consumption is responsible for release of up to 64 ± 16 million tons CO2-equivalent methane and nitrous oxide, two powerful greenhouse gasses (GHGs),” the study cited. The author suggests “reducing the rate of dog and cat ownership” in favor of smaller rodents or reptiles. If someone must have a dog, they claim it is better to adopt a small breed as it eats less.
“As calculated, US dogs and cats consume as much dietary energy as ~62 million Americans, which is approximately one-fifth of the US population. Although there are fewer dogs and cats in the US than people, they derive more of their energy from animal-derived products (33% ± 6% vs. 19% for people). Thus, if pets’ consumption was included in calculations, the US would be equivalent to a country of ~ 380 million in terms of raw dietary energy consumed and a country of about 690 million in terms of animal-derived energy consumed.”
The study glosses over the fact that many animals eat meat that is not safe for human consumption and would be otherwise thrown away. The study makes numerous mentions of the mental health benefits that pet ownership provides, but still concludes that reducing the number of pets in our society is for the greater good.
I am certain that those flying in their private jets to Davos are creating a larger carbon imprint. Around 100 companies are responsible for 71% of global emissions, but the average person must always be forced to change their ways. I do not put it past the extreme leftists to implement taxes on pet ownership.
