Eco footprint: dogs versus cars

Discussion in 'The big picture' started by gemjill, Oct 29, 2009.

  1. gemjill

    gemjill Junior Member

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    G'day
    Just read a really interesting article in New Scientist comparing the environmental cost of cats and dogs compared to other lifestyle choices, such as cars, and as they put it "the critters do not fare well"

    A study in New Zealand and another in the USA has found that the eco footprint of a large dog is 1.1 hectares, a medium sized dog is 0.84 and that of a Toyota landcruiser driven 10,000 k's per year is 0.41 hectares!!! (inc construction)
    Cats are not much better having a footprint just less than that of a Volksvagen golf.

    This is largely due to the massive meat consumption of pets, especially the high value pet foods.
    Very interesting stuff - so no more complaining about those four wheel drive drivers if you've got yourself a medium sized or large dog; or two small dogs, or a few cats.....
    and that's not even counting all the native critters that they eat!

    They recommend chooks (especially if eaten) but still they only partly compensate for their eco footprint by providing eggs.
    so, now we know
    cheers
     
  2. purplepear

    purplepear Junior Member

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    Re: Eco footprint: dogs versus cars

    Yeh but a landcruiser will not give you a lick on the face when you come home. It's a little like "social capital" for me - we need to see the whole worth of things and not just the science driven statistics.
     
  3. eco4560

    eco4560 New Member

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    Re: Eco footprint: dogs versus cars

    Don't worry Mark - I think your chooks offset a very large fluffy dog! And of course you don't have to use imported dog food that comes from meat grown in the deforested Amazon...
     
  4. gemjill

    gemjill Junior Member

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    Re: Eco footprint: dogs versus cars

    G'day
    Gotta agree on the licking, and I certainly appreciate our little dog, but it's just a demonstration of how complex the whole 'living lightly' scenario is. 4WD drivers certainly cop a load of flak, yet there are many other 'lifestyle choices' that have an equal or greater impact that what cars we drive - but that don't get publicity.
    Tho' I gotta say that I can't abide all the suburban 4WD drivers that are never within cooee of a dirt track and drive like they're driving a tank with all the associated courtesy and consideration.
    But it is paws for thought nonetheless. (sorry)
    cheers
     
  5. purplepear

    purplepear Junior Member

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    Re: Eco footprint: dogs versus cars

    Lets not start the puns hey - we may end up in the dog house
     
  6. eco4560

    eco4560 New Member

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    Re: Eco footprint: dogs versus cars

    Says the man who likes to have WOOFers at his place....
     
  7. purplepear

    purplepear Junior Member

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    Re: Eco footprint: dogs versus cars

    lolololololol
    :p :p :p
     

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