We have big box stores for pets.
We have semi trucks burning diesel to bring pet food and pet supplies to all parts of the world.
We devote some amount of farm land and livestock to feeding those pets.
It’s interesting when people suggest to reduce global human population but I have never heard anyone suggest to reduce pet populations as a method for combating climate change or for simply reducing resource usage.
The worldwide dog population is estimated to be 900 million.
There are 600 million to 1 billion cats living in the world today.
I don’t have pets or kids and I rarely drive or fly.
I do as best I can to minimise my “carbon footprint” despite knowing it’s a concept dreamed up by BP’s PR team to shift the attention away from the industries responsible.
I used to try to suggest others do similar but at this point it’s likely too late. And you propose I go around telling my friends and family to take their pets out back as a starting point? I’d laugh if the naivety wasn’t so tragic.
OP isn’t suggesting killing pets, and I’m sure not, so I don’t know where you’re getting that dramatic, emotional idea from. Since you don’t have any pets, and you’re already trying to reduce your impact on the environment, we all appreciate your efforts!
If anyone is thinking about buying a pet, though, think twice. Things may seem okay for now, but humanity is going to have to live MUCH more efficiently in order to survive.
Please explain how you envisage this idea making the slightest bit of difference in time without a pet cull lol.
Do I really have to explain that if people own fewer pets, there will be less demand for pet related products?
I’m done wasting my time on this.
Lol I think you severely overestimate the amount of time we have to change things.
You want to educate the populace that they should not buy a pet when their current one dies? So, in an optimistic scenario, in 10 years time you think what 10% of the entire population might have listened to you? Meanwhile we’ll be well on our way to the planet becoming unlivable.
Same.
at this point I think the biggest single CO2 source from me is my electricity usage, and I have no direct control over my electricity source. it’s not like I can call up the utility company and tell them to only send solar, wind, and nuclear power to my house.