研究聚焦宠物对气候的量化影响，重点在犬类的高排放结构。美国犬只数量从1996年的5290万增长到2024年的8970万，扩张约70%，放大其肉基饲料带来的环境压力。2017年UCLA研究指出，美国犬猫贡献相当于全国肉类消费环境影响的25%至30%，折合相当于1360万辆汽车一年的排放量。研究还指出，部分饲主改用“人类级”肉类进一步提高排放。固体废弃物处理亦显著：犬只粪便常以塑料袋送往垃圾填埋场，即便号称可降解者也在填埋环境中释放温室气体。
心理与行为研究揭示公众对气候行为影响的系统性误判。Goldwert团队测试21项个人减碳行为与5项系统性行为，发现参与者普遍高估低影响行为（如回收）而低估高影响行为，包括“不购买或领养狗”。当实验组获得行为真实影响排名后，其对高影响个人行为的承诺上升，但对集体行动（如投票）的意愿下降，形成反效果。研究亦显示“可塑性”影响承诺意愿：个人行为取决于难易度，系统行为取决于被感知的效力。
讨论延伸到气候行动的结构性张力：个人习惯与系统改革并非可互相替代。研究与访谈指出，犬类伴侣关系承载高情感价值，而这一情感能推动负责任的高影响行为，如减少高碳饲料（特别是牛肉）、投票、倡导、减少旅行等。犬只也间接促成低碳生活方式，如增加步行与减少出行频率。整体趋势显示，尽管犬类排放显著，情感动力可成为推动个人与集体气候行动的非数值驱动力。
The research centers on quantified climate impacts of pet ownership, especially dogs. US dog populations rose from 52.9 million in 1996 to 89.7 million in 2024, a roughly 70% increase that scales up emissions tied to meat-based pet diets. A 2017 UCLA study found dogs and cats account for 25–30% of the environmental impact of US meat consumption—equivalent to annual emissions from 13.6 million cars. “Human-grade” pet foods further raise resource use. Waste-handling adds emissions, as dog feces bagged for landfills release greenhouse gases even when “biodegradable” bags are used.
Behavioral data reveal systematic misjudgments of climate actions. Goldwert’s study compared 21 individual actions with five systemic ones and found participants overestimated low-impact behaviors and underestimated high-impact ones, including “not purchasing or adopting a dog.” After learning true impact rankings, commitment to high-impact personal actions rose, but willingness to engage in collective actions declined. Perceived “plasticity” shaped choices: individuals favored low-effort actions, while systemic actions depended on perceived effectiveness.
The discussion highlights tension between personal and systemic climate action. Emotional bonds with pets complicate emissions accounting but also motivate broader high-impact behaviors such as reducing high-carbon pet foods (especially beef), voting, advocacy, and lower-travel lifestyles. Dogs indirectly promote low-carbon habits through daily walking and reduced discretionary travel. Overall, despite substantial pet-related emissions, emotional attachment can catalyze both individual and collective climate action, functioning as a non-quantitative driver within climate-behavior dynamics.