Tyre Extinguishers

Tyre Extinguishers is a UK-based climate direct action group which deflates the tyres of privately owned sport utility vehicles (SUVs), which the group believes have a disproportionate impact on the climate crisis.[1][2][3]

Tyre Extinguishers logo

The group claims that International Energy Agency research shows SUVs are the "second-largest cause of the global rise in carbon dioxide emissions over the past decade - more than the entire aviation industry." They also cite concerns that large vehicles are less safe for pedestrians.[4]


Activities

On 7 March, 2022, the group deflated tyres of SUVs throughout the UK, including areas of London,[5][6][7][8] as well as in Cambridge, Brighton and Hove,[9][10] Bristol,[11] Edinburgh,[12] Liverpool, Sheffield,[13] and also Los Angeles, California.[14]

On 15 March, two members of the group deflated the tyres of a number of vehicles in Brighton and Hove.[15] On 22 March, Tyre Extinguishers activists deflated tyres of SUVs in Didsbury, Manchester.[16] In April 2022, similar acts occurred in Zurich, Switzerland and the German cities of Essen and Dortmund.[17] On 12 April, the group deflated tyres of SUVs and left leaflets on their windscreens in New Town, Edinburgh.[18][19] On 21 April the group deflated tyres on 120 SUVs in one night across London, in Kensington, Paddington, Primrose Hill and Hampstead.[20][21]

Organization

The group is described by Aston University academics Oscar Berglund and Graeme Hayes as a 'pop-up climate movement,' given the group's emphasis on individuals or small groups taking action wherever they are using the materials on the Tyre Extinguishers website, rather than a more centralised structure.[22]

Lund University professor Andreas Malm called the group's actions a form of "extremely peaceful and gentle sabotage." Malm continued, "anyone can deflate an SUV: it is virtually child’s play. It requires no formal organization, no leadership, no funds, no implements other than bits of gravel or beans or green lentils. Given the infinitely replicable nature of the action—sabotage as meme—its potential for making SUV ownership less convenient and attractive could not be discounted."[23]

References
  1. "Environmental activists let down tyres on 'hundreds' of SUVs across Britain". The Independent. 8 March 2022. Retrieved 2022-03-18.
  2. "Tyre Extinguishers – deflating SUV tyres as a form of climate action". The Guardian. 18 March 2022. Retrieved 2022-03-18.
  3. Rudgard, Olivia (8 March 2022). "Climate activists use couscous as a weapon in bizarre war on 'Chelsea tractors'". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 2022-03-18.
  4. "New study suggests today's SUVs are more lethal to pedestrians than cars". Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Retrieved 15 April 2022.
  5. "Climate activists deflate SUV tyres in wealthy London neighbourhoods". The Guardian. 4 March 2022. Retrieved 2022-03-18.
  6. Davis, Barney (8 March 2022). "Eco-warriors deflate SUV tyres in Chelsea, Primrose Hill and Dulwich". www.standard.co.uk. Retrieved 2022-03-18.
  7. "Climate activists have deflated hundreds of SUV tyres in affluent areas across the UK". The Big Issue. 8 March 2022. Retrieved 2022-03-18.
  8. "Tyre Extinguishers: Scores of SUVs have tyres deflated by activists". BBC News. 8 March 2022. Retrieved 2022-03-18.
  9. "Climate activists deflating car tyres in carbon emissions protest". The Argus. Retrieved 2022-03-18.
  10. "Climate activists let down SUV tyres across Britain in 'gas guzzler' protest".
  11. Streeting, Louisa (8 March 2022). "Climate activists deflate hundreds of SUV tyres in the night". Bristol Post. Retrieved 2022-03-18.
  12. Shepherd, Jordan (10 March 2022). "Tyre-deflating eco-warriors say driving a gas-guzzling SUV is 'racist'". scottishdailyexpress. Retrieved 2022-03-18.
  13. "New group of activists are targeting 'well to-do' areas of Yorkshire - by letting down tyres". www.yorkshirepost.co.uk. Retrieved 2022-03-18.
  14. Flood, Rebecca (9 March 2022). "Eco-warriors targeting SUVs by deflating tires claim to have struck in L.A." Newsweek. Retrieved 2022-03-18.
  15. "Identity appeal after car tyres deflated in Brighton and Hove". Sussex Police. Retrieved 15 April 2022.
  16. "Tyre Extinguishers go global as activists vow to make owning SUVs 'impossible'". The Independent. 24 March 2022. Retrieved 2022-04-12.
  17. "Zurich - Climate activists deflate SUV tires - 20 minutes - 247newsbulletin". 247newsbulletin.news. Retrieved 2022-04-12.
  18. "Activists deflate tyres on SUVs in Edinburgh". BBC News. 11 April 2022. Retrieved 2022-04-12.
  19. "'Tyre Extinguishers' climate activists deflate the tyres of SUVs in Edinburgh". uk.news.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2022-04-12.
  20. Keane, Daniel (2022-04-22). "London climate activists deflate tyres on 120 SUVs". Evening Standard. Retrieved 2022-04-24.
  21. Sigodo, Melissa (2022-04-22). "Climate activists boast their 'biggest night' as they deflate tyres on 120 cars". MyLondon. Retrieved 2022-04-24.
  22. Hayes, Graeme; Berglund, Oscar. "Tyre Extinguishers: activists are deflating SUV tyres in the latest pop-up climate movement". The Conversation. Retrieved 2022-04-12.
  23. "Andreas Malm introduces Verso's new free ebook, Property Will Cost Us the Earth". Versobooks.com. Retrieved 2022-04-24.
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