CNN says you need to ditch your larger pets because they are major contributors to climate emissions. CNN published this article originally on September 15th, but recently was reposted to their social media pages this past week, according to Fox News.
The following is what CNN advocates, in full:
Our four-legged friends don’t drive gas-guzzling SUVs or use energy-sucking appliances, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have a climate impact. In fact, researchers have showed that pets play a significant role in the climate crisis.
But what do Barkley and Whiskers have to do with our warming planet? It’s the products we buy for them that need a closer look.
Their meat-heavy diet is the biggest contributor to their carbon pawprints, which requires an abundance of energy, land and water to produce. And the production of pet food emits huge amounts of planet-warming gases.
According to a 2017 study, feeding dogs and cats creates the equivalent of around 64 million tons of carbon dioxide in the US each year. That’s roughly the same impact as 13.6 million cars on the road. And, if our furry friends formed a separate country, it would rank 5th in global meat consumption behind China, the US, Brazil and Russia, according to UCLA professor and author of that study Gregory Okin.
But don’t panic. Bidding farewell to your best friends is not the answer.
In addition to all the joy they bring, pets have a measurable positive impact on our physical health and mental wellbeing. Having a pet in the family is associated with lower stress, fewer heart attacks, lower rates of depression and increased self-esteem.
Our work does not mean we are ‘against’ keeping pets. There are lots of benefits as well. Just be aware of the ‘side-effects.’
Pim Martens, a professor of Sustainable Development at Maastricht University and someone who has researched the impact of pets on the planet, said
So, what’s a concerned pet parent to do? Here are some ways to minimize your pets’ environmental impact while still caring for your furry fleet.
First, and most importantly — responsible owners considering making significant changes to their pet’s diet should discuss it with their veterinarian to make sure it’s right for their animal’s needs.
In fact, if you’re the proud owner of a feline, you shouldn’t even think about switching their diet. Cats are obligate carnivores — they must eat meat, according to Angela Frimberger, a veterinarian with Vets for Climate Action.
Dogs, on the other hand, are omnivores and don’t necessarily need to have meat every meal — let alone sirloin steak.
I wholeheartedly want pets to be fed a good quality, nutritionally appropriate diet for them. But for most healthy pets, the trend to feed premium quality ingredient food goes back to our habit of viewing our pets’ needs through the lens of what we would like, rather than what they actually need or like. We should remind ourselves that what is appealing to us doesn’t necessarily equate to actual nutritional quality for the pet.
Frimberger said.
Frimberger noted there are some new food developments on the market that are worth looking into, especially for dogs, including lab-grown meat. A 2014 study found insects are a good and nutritious source of protein for pets — and not likely to gross your companion out (unlike humans who would find eating such critters revolting).
Insect-based pet foods can be nutritionally complete and are starting to come onto the market around the world. They can also be a solution for some pets that have food allergies to traditional protein sources.
Frimberger said
And of course, only feed the amount of food that your pet needs — they’ll be healthier and feel better too if they’re not overweight.
While items like toys, bowls, litter, poop bags and leashes are often necessary for your pet, looking at their durability, supply chains and whether they can be recycled is equally as important as the product itself.
For cats, seek the most environmentally friendly litter option that your feline will accept, such as ones made from organic materials, rather than clay. Although clays are naturally occurring soil minerals, they must be mined, which contributes to soil erosion, habitat destruction and groundwater contamination.
For dogs, choose biodegradable poop bags and always pick it up, no matter where you are. Research shows that not scooping pup poop could cause harmful micro-organisms such as roundworm, E. coli and giardia to survive in your yard for up to four years, which is a health risk for humans.
Okin recommends flushing pet poop straight down the toilet.
“Our water system is designed to handle toxic waste and to keep those pollutants out of the environment,” Okin said. Just be sure you’re not flushing other things down there, too — like pet poop bags or non-flushable kitty litter. Feces only.
And while it may be tempting to dress up your little ones for outings and various holidays, it’s important to buy items with the pet’s genuine welfare in mind. In other words, ask yourself: What does your pet really need, and what are you buying just to satisfy the urge to shop?
We need to think about the real needs of the pet rather than our drive for consumerism.
Frimberger said.
The general rule is that larger pets will have a larger climate impact than smaller ones, primarily because they need more food. So you might consider smaller breeds or species if you’re aiming to minimize your impact on the planet. A Chihuahua’s carbon pawprint will be much smaller than a Saint Bernard, for example.
You might also consider how some animal breeds tend to come with more health issues.
Avoiding animals with known health problems will reduce the need for veterinary intervention, which has a carbon footprint, and most importantly will reduce unnecessary suffering in terms of poor health and welfare.
Gudrun Ravetz with Vet Sustain said
And for those not into all the fluff, cuddling and slobber — you’re in luck.
Small rodents and birds are great options. Snakes, turtles and reptiles can have a really low impact, too, for those that are into it.
Okin said
AUTHOR COMMENTARY
A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
Proverbs 12:10
I mean, it’s CNN: are we surprised?
In a fascist system, everything is designed to be ‘for the state.’ So, you have to think like a fascist maniac for a moment. Fascism should be called “corporatism” (according to Benito Mussolini), and when things have to minimized to empower the state, like the Nazis would preach, then the “useless eaters” gotta go. In this case it’s the pets.
That is what this new world government the WEF, UN, and Vatican pontificate they want by 2030 – a true hybrid blend of communism and fascism wrapped up into one, or “stakeholder capitalism” the WEF calls it.
[1] Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; [2] Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; [3] Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. 1 Timothy 4:1-3
[7] Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? [8] Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? [9] For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? [10] Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. (1 Corinthians 9:7-10).
The WinePress needs your support! If God has laid it on your heart to want to contribute, please prayerfully consider donating to this ministry. If you cannot gift a monetary donation, then please donate your fervent prayers to keep this ministry going! Thank you and may God bless you.
nope, no small dogs for me, I have guard dogs not ankle biters!
I read somewhere that Bill gates daughter had horses and one of them she named Lucifer!
Do you suppose the gates will consider putting their animals down? or on Special-Diets’?
I did have a dog a long time ago who liked to feast on those 17-year locusts, but even (I hope) the mentally challenged newscasters at CNN would think a few weeks every 17 years is a pretty rough feeding schedule. Plus, the dog just vomited them up afterward anyway.
Little picture. Makes you wonder if these pet news releases are like gun phobia conditioning….a big dog is a good deterrent for cowardly wicked gangsters & foot soldiers in love with their own selves & flesh, with a taste for theft & harming others. Little nervous ones good for alarms….like guineas.
–
Big picture, those driving these things without excuse & knowing their deserved end in their hearts….in bigtime denial and wishful thinking spellcasting & ‘visualization’ to the contrary…
–
De 32:24 They shall be burnt with hunger, and devoured with burning heat, and with bitter destruction: I will also send the teeth of beasts upon them, with the poison of serpents of the dust.
–
Da 7:7 After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.
these wicked Earth worshippers are going to get the ultimate climate change when they burn in the hot fires of hell!
I knew this was coming. And I’m ready to take “them” on if “they” are serious.