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Unpacking the carbon pawprint of America’s pets

Puppies play in a cage at a pet store. (Jose Luis Magana/AP)
Jose Luis Magana/AP
Puppies play in a cage at a pet store. (Jose Luis Magana/AP)

Many people consider their pets to be a part of their family. Yet dogs and cats have a massive and underdiscussed climate pawprint.

Is there a way to reduce your furry friend’s greenhouse gas emissions, and is there a way to discuss this topic without alienating pet owners?

Grist associate editor Claire Thompson joins Here & Now‘s Elissa Nadworny to explain.

This article was originally published on WBUR.org.

Copyright 2025 WBUR

Here & Now Newsroom

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Federal funding is gone.

Congress has eliminated all funding for public media.

That means $2.1 million per year that Connecticut Public relied on to deliver you news, information, and entertainment programs you enjoyed is gone.

The future of public media is in your hands.

All donations are appreciated, but we ask in this moment you consider starting a monthly gift as a Sustainer to help replace what’s been lost.

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