Climate change is widely regarded as one of the biggest threats that humanity faces in the world today. It’s predicted that once the global average temperature reaches 2°C above pre-industrial levels there will be extreme weather events and a global sea level rise that will be catastrophic for human life.

Given this information, it’s no wonder that a number of different climate groups have emerged over the past few years. In 2018, Extinction Rebellion quickly became the most prominent climate group around, catching imaginations with their idea of non-violent civil disobedience. Yet despite a stream of protests and demonstrations calling on world leaders to act on global warming, it still doesn’t seem like enough immediate action is being taken. At COP26, the latest UN Climate Change Conference, nations submitted short-term targets that would fail to prevent the global temperature from rising further, with one of the biggest disappointments being a last minute intervention from India and China that decided the use of coal would be “phased down” rather than “phased out”. 

In the wake of perceived governmental inaction, several new groups have stepped up in the fight against climate change and they’re not messing around. One group seeking a more direct approach is the Tyre Extinguishers. 

Despite only launching in March this year, the group has already gained considerable attention from around the world for its no-nonsense approach and intriguing methods. 

The mission? Eradicate the use of SUVs in urban areas. The weapon? Lentils.

Bold action; simple tactics

The Tyre Extinguishers is made up of people from all different backgrounds who share one common goal: defending themselves against climate change, air pollution and unsafe drivers. The group believes that no one should own an SUV within the confines of a town or city because they give off around 25% more carbon emissions than medium sized cars and, due to their weight and height, are far more likely to kill pedestrians and other drivers if they crash into them.

The tactic is simple and direct: activists around the world deflate the tyres of any SUVs they come across in towns or cities with the objective that, eventually, people will be discouraged to buy this type of car. The movement estimates it has already deflated the tyres of around 5,000 SUVs. 

“Deflating tyres repeatedly and encouraging others to do the same will turn the minor inconvenience of a flat tyre into a giant obstacle for driving massive killer vehicles around our streets,” said Marion Walker, a spokesperson for the Tyre Extinguishers. 

“We’re taking this action because governments and politicians have failed to protect us from these huge vehicles. Everyone hates them, apart from the people who drive them.” 

Lentils against SUVs

How do the Tyre Extinguishers recommend deflating the tyre of an SUV? By putting a lentil - green ones have the most effective size and shape - in the valve cap.

 “Once you've put the lentil in,” says Walker, “the rate of deflation depends on how tightly you screw the valve cap back on. We screw it on just a little bit so that it deflates slowly and quietly. By the time anyone wakes up, the tyre is fully deflated!”

This isn’t the first time that pulses have been used to deflate tyres in an act against climate change. Back in 2008, the “mung bean trick” was used by an anonymous group to let the air out of the tyres of what was reported to be up to 32 SUVs. Walker says that lentils work so well because they’re “easily obtained, cheap, and it's a low-barrier ask compared to asking someone to slash tyres or smash windows. 

Placing lentils in tyre valve caps has now become such a well-known technique for the movement that, according to the group, some SUV owners have started to remove the valve caps from their tyres. But, Walker says, this isn’t a concern - the group has started 3D printing its own valve caps at its branch in Dundee, Scotland, so activists can now carry their own when targeting SUVs.  

A long way to go

Although still new on the scene, the movement is rapidly growing in popularity. Walker indicated that Tyre Extinguishers have now deflated SUV tyres in 10 different countries around the world. 

And the goal of putting people off owning SUVs seems to be working. “We get emails from people who own SUVs saying they are going to change cars and asking us which cars will not be targeted,” said Walker. 

The Tyre Extinguishers’ ultimate aim is a complete ban on SUVs in urban areas, pollution levies that will tax them so much that no one will want to own one and investment in free public transport. But this action will need to be taken at a governmental level and Walker stresses that, in the meantime, the group will push on with its direct-action strategies and continue deflating SUV tyres across the globe in its efforts to combat climate change.