Climate activists deflate tyres of 90 SUVs in Toulouse
The environmental activists struck again this week, in another attack on SUV tyres to denounce what they call a lack of action on climate change against more polluting vehicles
The activists deflate the tyres to draw attention to what they call climate change inaction against SUVs
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Almost 90 SUVs had their tyres deflated in Toulouse this week as part of ongoing environmental protests against the vehicles.
The ‘dégonfleurs de pneus (tyre deflators)’ in France struck in the Occitanie city overnight on Wednesday, November 16.
On Thursday morning, owners of the vehicles found their SUVs with flat tyres and a note on the windscreen reading: “We have deflated one of several of your tyres. Don’t take it personally. You are not our target; your vehicle is.”
The activists’ statement continues: “We are doing this because driving a vehicle of this size in a city is particularly harmful. Car manufacturers are trying to convince us to buy SUVs and 4×4s. But it's a disaster for the climate.
“SUVs are the second largest global source of carbon dioxide increase in the last decade, ahead of the aviation industry.”
The activists state that the vehicles have no place in the current environment.
They continue: "The world is facing a climate emergency. The UN warns that millions of people are already dying from crises caused by global warming: drought, storms, floods, climate migration and famine.
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#“The impacts are minimal for you right now, but that will change. We must reduce our emissions immediately. We are choosing to act because governments are not.”
Police in Toulouse have said that no complaints have been reported so far. It comes after a similar incident in the Pink City in October.
However, these kind of incidents are becoming more common in France, and not just in Toulouse. Incidents have been reported in Bordeaux, Nice, and Paris. It has also been spotted in other European countries, including Italy and Germany.
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Read more: Protestors deflate tyres of 220 SUVs in Bordeaux
The group has been inspired by UK activist organisation ‘Tyre Extinguishers’. On their website, the group has tips for people who wish to start deflating tyres in protest.
So far, the activists only deflate tyres rather than slashing them or damaging the wheels. However, they have previously warned that if no action is taken on SUVs, they could progress to slashing.
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