Sustainable Pet Care Needed in Climate Crisis Era

As South Korea's pet ownership grows, with nearly one in four households now having a pet, the nation is entering what experts call the "Pet 2.0" era, where animals are considered integral family members. However, this deepening bond faces a growing threat: climate change.

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The interaction of looking into a pet's eyes and petting them helps owners overcome loneliness and stress, showing that pets are no longer just cute beings but irreplaceable family members.

The escalating global temperatures directly impact pets' health and safety. Extreme heat makes it harder for animals to regulate their body temperature, while volatile weather patterns can reduce walking times and increase the risk of burns from hot asphalt. Climate change also extends the active seasons for ticks and parasites, posing further health risks.

Many pet owners, driven by love and concern, engage in practices that inadvertently contribute to climate change. Leaving air conditioners or heaters on while away, keeping lights or TVs on for a pet's comfort, and habitually using disposable waste pads and wipes consume significant resources. While these actions stem from a desire to care for beloved companions, they can accelerate the very climate crisis that threatens pets.

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Pets, who cannot change their living environment on their own, will have more difficulty managing their body temperature as heat waves intensify.

To address this, the article proposes a "Pet 3.0" era focused on sustainable pet care. This involves balancing care with resource conservation. Practical steps include using cooling mats for temperature regulation, installing pet doors to confine cooling to smaller areas, and reducing consumption by participating in the secondhand market for pet toys and furniture. Switching from disposable to reusable waste pads can also significantly cut down on daily waste.

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However, we must recognize that if these choices involve significant resource use, they can ultimately accelerate climate change and become a problem that threatens pets again.

Beyond individual actions, systemic changes are needed. The article suggests designating specific train cars as pet-friendly spaces and relaxing regulations on pet transportation to reduce reliance on private vehicles or specialized pet taxis. These collective efforts, it argues, can mitigate climate change by reducing resource consumption. Ultimately, living sustainably with pets in the face of climate change requires actively protecting the planet they share with us.

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The core is finding ways to balance care with resource conservation.