We almost didn’t believe this was real, but it looks like it is. Adbusters is offering up the SUV Flat Tire Challenge with the mission being not to win individual converts but “to engender a systematic aversion to SUVs.” They even give you steps on how to go neighborhood to neighborhood letting the air out of people’s tires as a careful escalation against climate change. Leave an anonymous note, of course, but walk away.
Time to do something about SUVs.
They're the 2nd-largest contributor to the increase in global CO2 emissions since 2010, more than aviation.
This is a gentle escalation of methods to drive the urgency of this climate crisis home and engender a systemic aversion to SUVs. pic.twitter.com/aoxLfZpjUt
— Adbusters (@Adbusters) April 6, 2022
So here's what we do: 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. If we organize, we can hit enough SUVs in particular neighborhoods to spark reporting and spread the metameme.
— Adbusters (@Adbusters) April 6, 2022
We do this neighbourhood-at-a-time to make the biggest splash. Organize a crew (off of any traceable apps) and make leaflets that lay out the case for climate action.
The mission is not to win individual converts at this point, but to engender a systemic aversion to SUVs.
— Adbusters (@Adbusters) April 6, 2022
Climate change is the biggest crisis we've faced as a species, and we are failing the test at every step.
It is time for us to carefully escalate our methods in a non-violent manner and convey the seriousness of this crisis in tangible ways.
— Adbusters (@Adbusters) April 6, 2022
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A flat tire is non-violent. There is no property damage. But it is a huge pain in the ass.
We've seen this method succeed in Sweden, and have initial success in the UK with @T_Extinguishers (articles warning off SUV purchases at risk of being targeted).
Time to go global.
— Adbusters (@Adbusters) April 6, 2022
Targeting SUVs is good way to hit the automotive industry where it hurts. SUV sales are playing a massive role in the expansion of the auto industry, both as a percentage of global market share and in total numbers.
And that increase is setting the climate back massively.
— Adbusters (@Adbusters) April 6, 2022
Start by targeting wealthy areas—our goal isn't to disrupt workers—and avoid targeting vehicles with disabled stickers or hangers.
To quote Malm, “If we cannot even get rid of the most preposterously unnecessary emissions, how are we going to begin moving towards zero?”
— Adbusters (@Adbusters) April 6, 2022
Disabling a person’s car isn’t gentle. You take away their ability to earn a living, shop for groceries, and even to go to the hospital in an emergency. It’s also a good way to get hurt if you’re caught doing it.
Where is @twittersafety on this? Cc @elonmusk @PolitiBunny https://t.co/xXIaRURZld
— (((Aaron Walker))) (@AaronWorthing) April 9, 2022
Here's a suggestion:
Don't touch other people's property or you face a risk of exponentially higher levels of lead in your body than you previously had. Seriously, don't do it.— 🐊 Tel.OS 🐊 (@telosv2) April 8, 2022
This is a great way to meet your medical insurance deductible.
— Nuclear Herbs 🏊♂️🚴♂️🏃♂️🏅 (@NuclearHerbs) April 9, 2022
The last person near my car stole my battery. Anyone near my SUV at night is risking their life at this point.
— Capitol Hill Fox Lylanthia (@Lylanthia) April 8, 2022
Most people don't carry a tire pump. They're going to call a tow truck to either tow them because they don't know the tire is still good or to reinflate the tire. The tow truck is way less efficient, burning fuel and unnecessary. They're now pissed off and way less sympathetic
— Pike💽🗿 (@SandorPike) April 8, 2022
I have an air pump. Relatedly, I have a very heavy tire iron.
— MINIM (@MinimMats) April 8, 2022
I would very much like for you to come try this on my vehicle.
— Evan (@EvanMcM) April 8, 2022
You should do this in Texas and report back if you can
— Big Tex🇺🇸 (@aftxvet) April 9, 2022
If you actually cared about climate change, you'd be supporting nuclear energy.
Committing vandalism is not going to get people to listen to you.
— Extra Crispy (@KorrinArren) April 8, 2022
Anyone who cares about climate change (and even those who don’t) should be supporting nuclear energy. How is this supposed to do anything? People will just stop driving their SUVs if they have a flat?
Related:
The Atlantic: Even a ‘minor’ nuclear skirmish would prove disastrous for climate change https://t.co/pEm2UA2fr8
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) March 13, 2022
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