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‘Literally shut up': Social media users lambast CNN after article blames PETS for climate change

Citing a 2017 study, a CNN article claimed that feeding cats and dogs have the same carbon impact as 13.6 million cars on the road

ATLANTA, GEORGIA: CNN in September published an article that claimed four-legged pets have a negative impact on the climate. The article went mostly unnoticed until the outlet decided to promote it on social media, where it has been largely mocked by netizens and animal lovers.

The article, titled 'Our pets are part of the climate problem. These tips can help you minimize their carbon pawprints', argued the meat-heavy diet of furry pets including dogs and cats contributes heavily to climate change. “Pets play a significant role in the climate crisis,” the article claimed.

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Citing a study conducted in 2017, the article stated that feeding cats and dogs have the same carbon impact as 13.6 million cars on the road. “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,” the article noted.

However, the author further contended that in order to save the environment you don’t have to eliminate your pet but just have to adopt some eco-friendly practices for them. The article advised owners to feed their pets with lab-grown meat products and insects. “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),” the article reads.

The article even advises people to not adopt a dog or a cat, but instead get a smaller animal with less of a carbon footprint – such as birds, turtles, and small rodents.

CNN's advice did not go down well on social media. Mocking the article, a user said, “Hey @CNN just STFU before you become a @YouTube channel. Nobody wants to hear your dumb lies about the climate. You’ve hired some absolute MORONS! You’re actually PAYING someone for this garbage?” Another user said, “I will adopt a dog and feed that dog every single climate protester before I ever even consider dogs a potential threat to humanity. F*ck. These. People.”

“This is clown 🤡 -waste of time- reporting. I don’t care if CNN or FOX. Could care less about politics but this is stupid also carnivore diets are superior Cut your sugar….if you want to be healthy .. Also helps chop down cancer..as it feeds on sugar Few…” a third user asserted while another said, “How about we take members of the world economic forum along with their jets and planes and put them in Gitmo! That would save a lot on Co2 emissions.”