Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

In Eco-Terms, Dog = Hummer

By M. Morris, Newser Staff

Posted Nov 2, 2009 5:50 PM CST

(Newser) – A dog has about the same impact on the planet as an SUV, according to a study out of New Zealand. The authors of Time to Eat the Dog? The Real Guide to Sustainable Living claim the environmental footprint of a Toyota Land Cruiser is smaller than the ecological impact of a medium-size canine, which can't even give you a lift to the recycling center. "If you look at a large-size dog, they can live 10-14 years, and it certainly wouldn't surprise me," an expert tells the Seattle Times.

Asked for reactions, local pols equivocated, but a researcher at a Seattle think tank jumped right in: "The average dog has to eat at least twice as much as the average person for this to be right," he said. "People are just heavier than dogs so, I just had to scratch my head at that." If you insist on keeping a companion animal, how about a cat? The trade-off for Mittens or Fluffy is a Volkswagen Golf.

A human walks past an advertisement featuring a Hummer vehicle at an auto market in Beijing, June 3, 2009. (AP Photo/Alexander F. Yuan, File)

This looks like a dog, but in terms of its impact on the earth, it might as well be a Toyota Land Cruiser. (?jespahjoy)

Aww, a puppy--with a carbon footprint the size of a monster SUV's. (©celine nadeau)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

GM Reclaims World's No.1 Spot

2011 disasters knock Toyota into 3rd place

(NEWSER) - General Motors is back on top of the world less than three years after its bankruptcy and restructuring. The company is once again the world's top-selling automaker, with 9 million sales worldwide in 2011, almost a million more than second-placed Volkswagen. Toyota, which took top spot from GM in 2008, fell into third place after production cuts caused by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan and flooding in Thailand. More»

Bentley Planning $140K SUV

2011 brought company first profit in years

(NEWSER) - Times may be tough, but the market for the most luxurious of luxury cars is booming at Bentley, and the British-based automaker is ready to capitalize on it. The company is considering building an SUV that would be priced at more than $140,000—and odds are good that the plans will go ahead, says the chief of the Volkswagen-owned brand. Bentley saw a profit last year for the first time in three years, the Wall Street Journal reports. More»

Car Sales Jumped 14% Last Month

Chrysler, VW saw huge gains

(NEWSER) - Americans may be worried about the economy, but they still need to get where they’re going. Auto sales beat expectations last month, rising 14% to 994,721, their fastest sales pace since August 2009, reports the AP . Chrysler led the pack: The automaker’s sales jumped 45%, Reuters reports. Close behind was Volkswagen, whose sales soared 41%; Hyundai, Nissan, and Ford also saw double-digit gains. More»

14% Would Keep Dog, Boot Lover

Women have a tougher time deciding

(NEWSER) - More evidence of Americans' love affair with pets: Asked whether they'd dump their pet or their significant other if forced to choose, a full 14% said the human would go, according to a new AP/Petside poll. "I would absolutely give up my girlfriend for him," one respondent said. "I know it sounds insane but I've had numerous relationships with women. My dog has never let me down." Women were more likely than men (40% vs. 26%) to call it a tough choice. More»

Toyota Recalls 412K Avalons, Lexus SUVs

Carmaker to fix steering system of vehicles

(NEWSER) - Toyota will recall another 412,000 vehicles because of problems with the steering system. The steering lock on Avalon sedans built between 2000 and 2004 were made with a faulty casting that can crack if the car is steered hard to the right, locking the wheel in place, Toyota said. The company will pay for repairs of the 373,000 affected vehicles beginning in late August, the LA Times reports. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

In Eco-Terms, Dog = Hummer

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

environment • Toyota • ecology • SUV • Volkswagen • dog • cat • Hummer

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

GM Reclaims World's No.1 Spot

2011 disasters knock Toyota into 3rd place

Bentley Planning $140K SUV

2011 brought company first profit in years

Car Sales Jumped 14% Last Month

Chrysler, VW saw huge gains

14% Would Keep Dog, Boot Lover

Women have a tougher time deciding

Toyota Recalls 412K Avalons, Lexus SUVs

Carmaker to fix steering system of vehicles

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?

In Eco-Terms, Dog = Hummer

Bookmark & Share

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

environment • Toyota • ecology • SUV • Volkswagen • dog • cat • Hummer

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

GM Reclaims World's No.1 Spot

2011 disasters knock Toyota into 3rd place

Bentley Planning $140K SUV

2011 brought company first profit in years

Car Sales Jumped 14% Last Month

Chrysler, VW saw huge gains

14% Would Keep Dog, Boot Lover

Women have a tougher time deciding

Toyota Recalls 412K Avalons, Lexus SUVs

Carmaker to fix steering system of vehicles

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?