Environmental group calls for deflating tires of SUVs in wealthy areas to combat climate change
A environmental group is suggesting to its followers that they let the air out of the tires of SUV's in an attempt to combat . The group known as Adbusters, which describes itself as 'a global network of artists, activists, writers, pranksters, students, educators and entrepreneurs who want to advance the new social activist movement of the information age,' tweeted instructions explaining step-by-step how to deflate the wheels of the gas-guzzling vehicles. 'Wedge gravel in the tire valves, leaflet the SUV to let them know the tires are flat and why it was done, and walk away. It's that simple,' the group urged in a tweet. 'If we organize, we can hit enough SUVs in particular neighborhoods to spark reporting and spread the metameme.' The group appeared to justify its actions by saying climate change was the 'biggest crisis we've faced as a species, and we are failing the test at every step. 'It's time for us to carefully escalate our methods in a non-violent manner to convey the seriousness of this crisis in tangible ways.' Adbusters said that SUV's were playing a preeminent role in global carbon emissions and that letting the air out of tires would also 'hurt the automotive industry where it hurts.' 'Start by targeting wealthy areas our goal isn't to disrupt workers and avoid targeting vehicles with disabled stickers or hangers,' they said. SUVs emit 25 percent more carbon dioxide on average than a medium-sized car. Globally, the number of SUVs has increased from less than 50 million in 2010 to around 320 million last year equivalent to the total car fleet of Europe. Because of their size, on average, SUVs consume around a quarter more energy than medium-sized cars. A 2019 study by the International Energy Agency found that they rank among the top contributors to energy-related carbon dioxide emissions growth over the past decade cancelling out the reductions from people switching to electric cars. Because of their size, they are also said to be more dangerous when involved in an accident. Some Twitter users suggested that action of deflating tires was dangerous for anyone driving who may not have noticed their tires were flat and for the person carrying out the action, with one suggesting that they might even get shot as a result. Another joked letting the air out was a 'great way to meet your medical insurance deductible.' 'You should do this in Texas and report back if you can,' one wag tweeted. The questionable advice may actually be in violation of Twitter's terms of service which clearly states how Twitter users 'may not engage in the targeted harassment of someone, or incite other people to do so.' 'We consider abusive behavior an attempt to harass, intimidate, or silence someone else's voice,' Twitter rules state.