Everyone’s trying to do their part to improve the planet. Sure, a single day of a big corporation’s existence basically offsets an individual’s lifetime of recycling, but isn’t it really the thought that counts?

No? Oh. Uh, okay. Well, it’s still nice to try!

While people may be willing to sort glass or start a smelly compost pit, climate activists are now saying that, if you really want to help the planet, you’ve got to do something difficult. Specifically, you’ve got to get rid of your puppy.

A recent study from the National Academy of Sciences declared that the three best things you can do for the environment are avoiding plane travel, using renewable electricity, and unfortunately, not getting a dog.

The reason, they say, is that dogs are big meat eaters — specifically, beef, the production of which produces a lot of greenhouse gases while causing deforestation.

However, if one wants to keep their pooch while still being planet-friendly, there are ways to minimize your pup’s impact. For example, you can look for dog food made with other meats, such as seafood or turkey.

That, or you can just put your hands over your ears and keep feeding your dog flank steak. Up to you!