Publication: CNN

UCLA Expert: Gregory Okin: Professor, Departments of Geography; Professor,  Institute of the Environment and Sustainability; Chair of Geography, Institute of the Environment and Sustainability 

Synopsis: Our pets are a part of the climate problem. According to a study by Okin, cats and dogs create around 64 million tons of carbon dioxide in the U.S. each year — the same impact as 13.6 million cars and, if our furry friends were a separate country, it would rank 5th in global meat consumption.

UCLA News: Instead of cats and dogs, "small rodents and birds are great options," Okin said. "Snakes, turtles and reptiles can have a really low impact, too, for those that are into it."

Read more at CNN.