Carbon footprint of pet ownership

Whittakerr replied on 29/01/2021 11:40

Posted on 29/01/2021 11:40

Just as it was revealed that pet ownership in the UK has soared during lockdown, a study shows the actual impact of such pet ownership on the planet.

Nearly half of all Britons who currently own a pet got at least one other during lockdown, and 10% of those households without a pet intend to get one in the next six months. The surge in popularity of pet ownership was uncovered by research that was carried out by Ipsos MORI on behalf of the investment company LetterOne.

The research comes just as the University of Edinburgh revealed analysis of the carbon footprint of pet food production, with an area equivalent to twice the size of the UK being used to produce dry food for cats and dogs each year, and that the industry is emitting more greenhouse gases than countries such as Mozambique and the Philippines.

The team analysed data on the main ingredients of more that 280 types of dry pet food available, which accounts for 95% of all pet food sales in the US and Europe, regions which account for two thirds of global sales. Around 49 million hectares of agricultural land is used to make this food including the crop plants of maize, rice of wheat. Associated greenhouse gas emissions of 106 million tonnes of carbon dioxide were recorded, a country producing such levels would be the worlds sixtieth highest emitter.

Wherenext replied on 29/01/2021 19:55

Posted on 29/01/2021 19:07 by brue

No, especially when you read who is involved in it's publication...undecided

Posted on 29/01/2021 19:55

Nothing like an unbiased report to persuade the masses is there? Pity this won't be an unbiased report. A bit of deflection methinks.

Whittakerr replied on 29/01/2021 20:48

Posted on 29/01/2021 16:33 by Takethedogalong

Not quite sure of he reason for your post Whittaker. Are you hinting via the report that dogs and cats are a prime reason for the coming end of the World, or is it just a random out of context snippet from a full report on pet ownership? A balanced view would be good.

Most pet food is the by products of what humans won’t eat, so hardly fair to blame the poor dogs and cats. 

Posted on 29/01/2021 20:48

Not hinting at anything. Just passing on information as given to me. No hidden agenda. 

Takethedogalong replied on 29/01/2021 21:19

Posted on 29/01/2021 21:19

Well that’s good to know, but a bit strange to only hint at a possible problem in respect of pet ownership😁 They do come with huge benefits as well👍 Thanks for responding.

Whittakerr replied on 29/01/2021 23:23

Posted on 29/01/2021 23:23

Like I said, no hidden agenda. Just passing on information given to me verbatim. I didn't, and have no intention of looking any deeper. 

replied on 30/01/2021 08:36

Posted on 30/01/2021 08:36

The user and all related content has been Deleted User

eurortraveller replied on 30/01/2021 09:34

Posted on 30/01/2021 09:34

Whatever the 9 million UK dogs are eating today's news says it is yielding 3000 tonnes of dog excrement per day . It's not only a carbon footprint problem - it's the other sort of footprint too. 

Rocky 2 buckets replied on 30/01/2021 10:23

Posted on 30/01/2021 10:23

The Amazon rain forest(lungs of the Planet) is being systematically destroyed in Brazil to allow for Beef production, vast amounts of the Worlds soya crop goes to feeding beef production🤷🏻‍♂️, no argument just facts👍🏻

AnnB replied on 30/01/2021 10:42

Posted on 30/01/2021 10:42

I reckon my carbon footprint is small enough to compensate for keeping a dog. Haven’t been in a plane for 40 years, don’t have a gas guzzling car (although I do own a Motorhome wink), rarely eat meat, don’t have a dishwasher or a tumble drier.
Having a dog has kept me sane this past year too

JVB66 replied on 30/01/2021 10:42

Posted on 30/01/2021 09:34 by eurortraveller

Whatever the 9 million UK dogs are eating today's news says it is yielding 3000 tonnes of dog excrement per day . It's not only a carbon footprint problem - it's the other sort of footprint too. 

Posted on 30/01/2021 10:42

That could also be helping the growth of greenery that it seems has been  shooting up in the last few years in areas that dogs are exercisedsurprised 

But then human"treated ?" waste from sewerage plants is now quite a popular "fertiliser?" being used on arable farms to assist with growing ,and just think how much we producewink

MikeyA replied on 30/01/2021 10:51

Posted on 30/01/2021 10:42 by JVB66

That could also be helping the growth of greenery that it seems has been  shooting up in the last few years in areas that dogs are exercisedsurprised 

But then human"treated ?" waste from sewerage plants is now quite a popular "fertiliser?" being used on arable farms to assist with growing ,and just think how much we producewink

Posted on 30/01/2021 10:51

If you could design a doggy toilet that would empty into a public sewer then it would be an advantage, unfortunately the reality of millions of plastic bags per day is an environmental disaster in the making. 

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