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The question is, are these animals being grown for food or leather? Afaik, leather is mostly a byproduct of the beef industry, and if it's not used it'll just go to waste. I could maybe agree that buying leather is a bad net choice if beef was the byproduct, but until I see that, I have no qualms about buying leather products, especially since they last longer than synthetic versions.

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Even if 0% of livestock was raised specifically for their hides, we have to globally reduce our animal consumption to stave off climate change as much as possible.

It's not just a simple "Oh, it's a byproduct." It's a byproduct of an industry that is seriously contributing to climate change.

And market interest in non-leather clothing will drive companies to make better non-leather clothing.

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