in Paris, activists deflate SUV tires in the name of the climate – Liberation
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Environmental and security aberration, the SUV is more and more popular in France. Marketing and permissive legislation have raised this vehicle to the rank of second source of growth in French CO2 emissions.
For anyone passing by, the sound of the leak may not be misleading. In the street of an upscale district of the capital, the tires of a particularly imposing Volvo are gradually emptying on this rainy Monday evening. André, Ecume and Aluz (1) move away discreetly, their mission accomplished. If there are militant actions that divide more than others. Deflate the tires of the (very) large SUV in the name of the environment is the typical example of this annoying ecology. “It’s a political act, we don’t have fun deflating the tires”, wants to reassure André, 33 years old.
Angry at the general inaction on the climate emergency, the three activists agree: “The future sucks the tokens.” “My main motivation is anxiety,” poses Ecume, 25 years old, woolen cap screwed on the head and large dark coat on the shoulders. “I belong to other collectives that do not want to make the individual feel guilty. But sometimes you have to put people face to face with their contradictions. Those who can afford to drive an SUV have the choice to do otherwise. It’s good to remember that.” While SUV sales in France have increased sevenfold since 2008 according to the WWFthese cars now constituting the second