The latest scapegoat for climate change is your lovable dog and cuddly cat. According to CNN, pets are a negative impact in regards to climate change. CNN gave green advice on how to reduce your pets' "carbon pawprint," including feeding your canine companion "insect-based food" and adopting small rodents instead of dogs.
Late last month, CNN published an
article titled: "Our pets are part of the climate problem. These tips can help you minimize their carbon pawprints." The article went largely unnoticed until CNN promoted the article on
social media – where it was widely ridiculed.
CNN claimed that pets "play a significant role in the climate crisis."
The outlet argued that the meat-heavy diet of pets is accelerating climate change.
The article cited a
2017 study that contended that feeding cats and dogs have the same carbon impact as 13.6 million cars on the road.
The author conceded that you don't have to eliminate your furry friend, but you should embrace climate-friendly practices when it comes to having a pet.
CNN advised pet owners to feed lab-grown meat and insects to their dogs. The article said "insect-based pet foods" are a nutritious source of protein.
The author suggests picking up your dog's excrement and disposing of the poop in a toilet.
The article recommends cat owners use an environmentally-friendly kitty litter that is not made from clay.
CNN instructed people on what kind of breed of dog they should have.
"So you might consider smaller breeds or species if you’re aiming to minimize your impact on the planet," the article reads. "A Chihuahua’s carbon pawprint will be much smaller than a Saint Bernard, for example."
CNN even advises people to not adopt a dog at all, but instead get a smaller animal with less of a carbon footprint – such as birds, turtles, and small rodents.
Reactions on Twitter lambasted and mocked the CNN article.
Actor
James Woods declared, "Okay. That’s it. Enough is enough. These liberal lunatics have gone after our guns, our cars, our money, our children, but when they go after our furry schnoot burgers, that’s. Game on!"
Writer
Ian Miles Cheong wrote on Twitter, "Environmentalists: 'Kill your pets. That’ll get rid of their carbon footprint.'"
Singer
Phil Labonte said, "PETA and climate activists are gonna come for your dog."
A Twitter user
pointed out, "CNN gets worse every day. Dogs and cats generally eat the parts of meat that people don't, so I don't see how this even makes sense."
A commentator
added, "Vanderbilt Cooper will still fly around on his private jet, but you want us to get rid of Fido to stop climate change."
