News
Vegan diets for dogs would save more emissions than UK produces
If the world’s dogs went vegan, it would save more green house gas emissions than the UK produces, according to research by a Winchester academic.
University of Winchester Professor Andrew Knight’s research highlights the environmental impact of the word’s dogs being fed vegan diets.
The study estimates that cats and dogs consume around 9% of all land animals killed for food. This equates to seven billion animals annually, which would feed around 450m additional people, more than the EU population.
Not only would more people be fed, land larger than the size of Mexico would also be available.
Prof Andrew Knight said: “The proportion of the dietary energy that’s currently being provided by meat and animal produce, would instead be supplied by plants and it takes an awful less land to produce all of those plants than it does to produce the meat and animal ingredients.”
Prof Knight’s research focused on health outcomes for dogs and cats when fed a vegan diet, the behavioural outcomes, how happy they are on these diets and the environmental impacts of the dietary transition.
He noted that there are currently nine large scale studies into the health outcomes of plant-based diets for dogs. One study, published in the last year has shown that dogs on a vegan diet were living approximately a year and a half longer.
The British Veterinary Association and Blue Cross have previously advised against feeding animals a vegan diet as it can be difficult to make sure your dog is getting the nutrients they need.
If you are thinking of transitioning your dog onto a vegan diet, it’s recommended to seek advice from a veterinary professional or a nutritionalist before doing so.
Communities are encouraged to buy a poppy as this year’s Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal is launched in the lead-up to Remembrance Day.
The annual fundraising campaign supports members of the Armed Forces community, including veterans, personnel and their families.
The Poppy Appeal remains the Legion’s biggest annual fundraiser.
Last year, more than 32 million poppies were distributed across the UK, and about £51.4 million was raised in donations.
Chris Hayward is managing the Poppy Appeal in North Hampshire & Winchester and said: “Wearing a poppy during Remembrance time shows that you care.”
“It’s a national symbol, and it shows the armed forces community that you appreciate everything that they do.”
She added: “For those who want to get involved, you can wear your poppy, donate to the Royal British Legion, Poppy Appeal, and also participate in the collections and volunteer as a collector.”
Winchester will be recognising remembrance itself, with a service at the Cathedral on Sunday, 9th November, in addition to a service at Winchester Guildhall at 11 am on Armistice Day.
The service will begin at 9:20 am and will include a procession from The Broadway to Winchester Cathedral, as well as wreath laying too.
Donations from the campaign go towards services including mental health support, housing assistance and employment advice for veterans transitioning to civilian life.
For more information on how to donate, volunteer or order poppies online, visit: britishlegion.org.uk/poppyappeal.
Until 2093, asteroid 2025 PN7 will be sharing the Earth’s orbit.
You may have seen circuiting on social media a myth that the Earth has two moons from now until 2083 – sadly, that’s science fiction.
In August of this year astronomers discovered asteroid 2025 PN7.
It is considered a quasi-moon as it orbits the sun in a similar path to Earth.
According to Mike Shanahan, planetarium director at New Jersey’s Liberty Science Centre, the asteroid has been travelling “alongside Earth for 60 years”.
Due to the size of the asteroid, it wasn’t discovered until this summer.
Astronomy fans hoping to see a second moon in the sky are out of luck.
The asteroid is too small and far away to be seen by the naked eye or regular telescopes.
The number of asteroids in Earth-like orbit has been known to exceed 100.
Some orbit alongside the Earth for merely months, whereas others years or decades.
Currently, six other quasi-moons have been recorded near Earth.
Cardiff is the first UK city to introduce a “tax” for SUVs weighing over 2.4 tonnes.
The tax is to be enforced in residential permit areas, and also includes cars that are powered by diesel.
Cardiff Council is hoping that implementing this will improve congestion, the air quality, and create space on pavements.
The exact cost has yet to be announced, but the council has announced it will be releasing the tax in phases.
Winchester is a relatively small city with many residential permit areas – the question of a similar initiative being introduced locally has arisen.
Winchester City Council and Hampshire County Council chose not to respond to Winchester News Online, with Winchester City Council stating that it is not a subject a councillor is likely to comment on, as it is an issue relevant to Cardiff and not yet an issue to Winchester.
Though the council does not yet deem this a possibility, it has gotten the public talking.
Jet Gates, a disability campaigner, said:
“It’s going to have a massive impact on disabled people across the UK
“We are a highly marginalized group in society – it’s just yet another nail in the coffin.”
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