Buckle up reader(s), because today we’re diving into the nitty-gritty of both petrol-guzzling behemoths and their electric-powered counterparts.
Now, I know what you’re thinking, she’s just on a grumble again and SUVs are sleek, spacious, and oh-so-suave. But before you rev your engine, we need to hit the brakes and take a closer look at the environmental impact of these motorway monsters and terrace terrors. Apparently, SUVs are the second-largest cause of the global rise in carbon dioxide emissions over the past decade, more than the entire aviation industry and, for that alone, they make my caffeine-infused blood boil.
SUVs are not cool
When I walk through the school car park it now seems the cars are growing far faster than the children. I’ve heard it called ‘auto-obesity’ and we really need to tell car manufacturers to put their designers on a diet as the average car weight has climbed 100 kg in the past 10 years with a huge impact on emissions.
My HT, Deputy Head and both the Assistant Heads all have huge SUVs or sports utility vehicles. I think it’s a form of power game as these seem to tower over the rest of the staff cars making us feel small and insignificant – to think in the 80’s we just had to be wary of shoulder-pads. The “sport” part of the name refers to the vehicle’s versatility and capability to handle off-road adventures and outdoor activities. The “utility” aspect highlights the practicality and functionality of SUVs as they offer ample cargo space and seating for multiple passengers. “Vehicle” simply refers to any mode of transportation, but when combined with “sport” and “utility,” it signifies that SUVs are supposedly designed to meet the needs of both recreational and everyday use. As none of the 4 members of the SLT are outward bound aficionados I’m really not sure there is a need for them to use a 3-tonne metal monstrosity.
My EcoCommittee recently decided to face this head on (metaphorically fortunately, not literally) and made banners to ask parents to stop idling their SUVs and cars. One of the signs, painted with some skill by Pupils D and F from the Eco Committee, “hold onto your steering wheel, because there’s a carbon cloud looming over your joyride” which I thought was rather articulate. From exhaust emissions to air pollution, these carbon culprits are wreaking havoc on our planet’s delicate ecosystems. And let’s not forget about the microplastic mayhem caused by tyre wear – it’s enough to make me throw my (20-year-old, organic cotton) towel down!
Electric SUVs are not really any cooler
So, enter the electric SUV – the shining beacon of sustainable transportation. Not. They might be sold with a ‘zero exhaust emissions’ tag and a sleek, futuristic design, these eco-warriors are still not leading the charge towards a greener, cleaner future. While electric SUVs may be cleaner on the road for emissions, they use more energy than smaller models and they are so heavy that their tyres churn out more microplastics and airborne pollutants, contributing to environmental woes. They are also so heavy that they can contribute to road wear and pothole formation.
All SUVs are considered to be generally safer to their occupants than standard cars but are more dangerous to other road users, especially to children who are on foot. A study by the University of Illinois showed that SUVs are 8-times more likely to kill children in an accident than passenger cars, and multiple times more lethal to adult pedestrians and cyclists. Suave and attractive? Not on your nelly, I’m more attracted to my grubby Hubster in his field hippie t-shirt! In the paper I just saw the headline “Boom in mining for renewable energy minerals threatens Africa’s great apes” so protecting silverbacks is yet another reason to think small and sustainable!
Navigating the Road Ahead
We all need to learn to tread lightly on our planet. Teaching about the joys of active travel to minimise our environmental footprints and make every mile count is to be embraced, but only if children are safe on our roads. Unfortunately, the adults are in the driver’s seat when it comes to choosing the right vehicle for themselves and there is little useful policy coming out of Westminster, but I’m really hoping the gung-ho attitude of young people such as Pupils D and F will be integral in helping to shape the future of transportation. Educating some parents sometimes feels more of a responsibility than educating their children.
Note to self: Walking the walk is far more important than simply talking the talk. Get the HT to agree to a walking to school initiative and continue the good work on calling out polluters.
