The Associated Press has sparked widespread backlash after releasing a video linking pets to climate change through their meat-based diets, drawing sharp criticism from pet owners and commentators. The clip, shared on social media, argued that pets contribute to environmental harm due to the high meat content in their food and suggested adopting stray animals over purchasing from breeders.
“From the people who brought you ‘you will all eat bugs,’ comes ‘sacrifice your pets for climate change,'” one commenter wrote, echoing frustration with the report’s premise. The AP post questioned how pet owners could minimize their animals’ “carbon pawprints,” asking, “Which ones emit the least?” and “How do you make sure it has the smallest foot (or paw) print?”
The video amassed over 2.3 million views, with critics condemning its approach. Charles Cooke of National Review dismissed the claims as trivial, stating, “It’s all silliness. The countries that worry about it will become poor, the ones that don’t will not.” Writer Jon Gabriel quipped, “We at the AP have decided life isn’t unpleasant enough. Here’s another way you can make it worse.”
Influencer Chance McClain called the suggestions absurd, writing, “I would not be able to care less about my pet’s carbon footprint.” Showrunner Joseph Mallozzi criticized the report as “mentally deficient,” while another commenter sarcastically noted, “Whenever you think you are depressed and useless, just remember there is someone at AP that researched and approved this article.”
The backlash included direct insults, with one user stating, “I have a proposal for you on this: Go fk yourself.” The controversy emerged as billionaire Bill Gates acknowledged in a memo that efforts to directly combat climate change are failing, urging focus on mitigating its effects rather than reducing emissions.
