If SUVs were a country, they would be the world’s fifth biggest polluter, according to campaigners seeking to keep them off our roads.
advertisementClimate activists have defaced SUVs in Edinburgh in solidarity with victims of devastating floods in Valencia.
The group Tire Extinguishers has painted the phrase “These cars are killing the people of Valencia” on their SUVs to highlight the role of vehicles in contributing to the climate crisis.
At least 214 people were reported dead in the Spanish city and surrounding area after unprecedented rains led to flash flooding last week, washing away cars and bridges.
Human-caused global warming has led to rainfall around it 12 percent heavierAccording to a quick analysis by a team of scientists at World Weather Attribution. In some areas, annual rainfall fell in just eight hours on October 29.
Why did tire extinguishers target SUVs?
The group aims to make it impossible to own a sport utility vehicle (SUV) in cities. Their usual tactic is to deflate a car’s tires, in an attempt to turn any minor inconvenience into a deterrent for potential owners.
Edinburgh activists went further by making a direct link to the Valencia floods, which have been described as the worst natural disaster in modern Spanish history.
“Angry Edinburgh residents took action last night to shine a spotlight on 4x4s,” said Tire Extinguishers (TX), which posted photos of the event on its X account. [sic] A disproportionate role in causing catastrophic weather, such as the one that killed more than 200 people in Spain.
“if SUVs If it were a country it would be the fifth largest polluter in the world. There were more than 360 million SUVs on global roads in 2023, producing 1 billion tons of carbon dioxide, 10 percent more than in 2022. As a result, global oil consumption rose by 600,000 barrels per day, more than a quarter of total Growth in demand for oil.
“Protesters defaced SUVs across Edinburgh New Town, leaving the windshields bearing images of victims such as Jose Castillejo, 28, who died in the Valencia floods, and Nooria Sajjad and Selina Lau, who were killed last year when a Land Rover went out of control. Hit their elementary school.
“We call on all Texas groups to take solidarity action on behalf of climate victims. We will not stop until these death machines are off our roads.”
16 cars were targeted in the new city, according to what was reported by one of the activists.
Where do tire extinguishers work in Europe?
47 SUVs were also “disarmed” in the Swiss city of Lausanne last week in solidarity with Valencia, according to a photo and message posted by TX on X.
The network includes active groups in 21 countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, SwitzerlandThe United Kingdom and – outside Europe – Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States.
Instructions on its website encourage others to take part against the “huge killer vehicles.”
