Donnachadh McCarthy, an eco-columnist at Britain’s Independent newspaper, told Good Morning Britain viewers that they should not replace their pets due to carbon emission levels from animals.
The environmental campaigner said a Journal of Biosciences study had found the average dog’s carbon emissions were the equivalent of two households’ electricity for a year.
“So we do have an issue here of carbon emissions associated with our pets,” he claimed.
“And so, like everything else – cars are convenient, flights are convenient – cats and pets are nice to have, but we have to think of the consequences behind them.”
GMB host Susanna Reid responded to McCarthy’s comment by saying: “We’re a drain on resources as well, so this has implications for everyone, doesn’t it?”
McCarthy insisted however it was “about love” and that there was an “ocean of cruelty” behind owning a pet.
“Whether it’s the destruction of the rainforest for meat, the destruction of the seas for fish to feed our cats, and the real problem is the numbers.”
Reid interrupted to point out that McCarthy could be talking about “human beings as well” when condemning the carbon footprint of pets.
“You could be talking about human beings as well. It’s one thing to give up your car but you’re not going to give up a loved member of your family which frankly is what people consider cats and dogs,” she claimed.
McCarthy said that the “climate crisis” must be addressed in order to truly love our children however, saying it was “shocking” that Reid firstly wanted to look after her “kids and pets”.
“Do you understand the level of crisis that the current emissions are at in the planet?,” he asked.
“To look after and love your children you have to look after your carbon emissions because we are in an emergency.
“…When our kids are around 30 years old they may be facing starvation, floods and climate destruction. We are in an emergency, we have to wake up to the seriousness of it.”
Should we give up pets to save the planet?
Environmental campaigner Donnachadh McCarthy says once pets die, they shouldn't be replaced due to the environmental impact.
But @susannareid100 disagrees as she raises the fact pets are seen as family members. pic.twitter.com/L018HjNZnb
— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) April 27, 2021
Viewers of the segment did not appear happy with McCarthy’s insistence that it was “selfish and cruel” to own pets however.
https://twitter.com/BorderAdventure/status/1386936185952612358
https://twitter.com/MRSJ311014/status/1386935088013774850
Dogs and cats are not like the 'convenience' of cars or flights, they are have given us so much comfort and reassurance in terms of mental health, especially in the last year. And they are one of the family as @susannareid100 says. Get this ridiculous man off my telly! @GMB
— Jo Hemmings 🇺🇦 (@TVpsychologist) April 27, 2021