Merxwire
12 Oct 2023, 20:56 GMT+10
To make dog and cat food, the world emits approximately 64 million tons of carbon every year, which is more than the carbon emissions of 13 million cars. Scientists believe that if pets switch to a vegetarian diet, they can reduce carbon emissions and benefit the climate and global food security.
New York, NY (Merxwire) - Pets are human soul mates. Many people enjoy having pets at home and living with them. But did you know that pets are good friends of humans and good helpers for the environment? Scientists say that if the world's dogs and cats became vegetarians, it would help feed nearly 520 million people, which is more than the entire population of the European Union!
There are 5,000 pet cats and dogs in the world. To produce canned pets, the UK consumes approximately 3 million tons of fish and 3 million tons of meat annually and has 80 million tons of methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O). Research led by Professor Andrew Knight at the University of Winchester believes that if all the world's dogs became vegetarian, it would free up more land than in Saudi Arabia or Mexico and save more renewable freshwater than Denmark. The research was published in the journal Plos One.
Most people agree that a vegetarian diet is healthy, with high fiber, low saturated fat, low calories, and no cholesterol. It's just that dogs and cats are omnivores and carnivores. Is a vegetarian diet feasible for them? Providing food that meets your pet's nutritional needs may be healthier than eating meat. A recent study shows that plant-based diets have good digestibility and health benefits, and there is evidence that dogs and cats on a vegan diet can live as long and healthy lives as pets on a conventional meat-based diet.
The total global biomass of domestic dogs is approximately 20 million tons, roughly equal to the combined biomass of all wild terrestrial mammals. The total biomass of cats is about 2 million tons, almost twice that of the African savannah elephant. It is reported that pets consume around 20% of the world's meat and fish, with twice the area of the UK used to produce dry pet food for cats and dogs every year. In the United States alone, the production of dry cat and dog food is equivalent to 25-30% of all emissions associated with animal consumption in the United States. Scientists believe that if the land and food used to raise animals can be converted into crops for human consumption, the world's resources will be used more efficiently.
Ultimately, the study recommends that humans reduce raising cats and dogs, reduce overfeeding, avoid waste, and find alternative plant protein sources to slow environmental impact. However, whether humans or pets eat meat or are vegetarians, they must cherish food, eat it in moderation, and not waste resources so that the global environment can be healthy and sustainable.
Get a daily dose of Maine Mirror news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Maine Mirror.
More InformationFederal officials, then-Governor of Indiana Eric Holcomb, union leaders, company representatives, and dozens of guests assembled at...
In Congo and beyond, cracks of light emerge in violent places
Pride needs a revolution- Inclusion cant be optional (Opinion)
FBI's attack on fentanyl is working to reduce overdose deaths (Opinion)
TORONTO, Canada: Harvard University and the University of Toronto have created a backup plan to ensure Harvard graduate students continue...
JERUSALEM, Israel: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that Israel's success in the war with Iran could open the door to...
NEW DELHI, India: India has decided not to allow a United Nations (UN) investigator to join the investigation into the recent Air India...
BONN, Germany: Despite widespread belt-tightening across the United Nations, nearly 200 countries agreed this week to increase the...
MEXICO CITY, Mexico: Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said this week that her government is investigating possible environmental...
CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida: In a landmark flight for three nations and a veteran U.S. spacefarer, a four-member astronaut crew launched...