Fossil Fools Day

The International Rising Tide network has declared this April 1, 2008 to be Fossil Fools Day. It's urging pranksters to target the fossil fuel industry on April 1st. They write: "Find a fossil fool in your community and pull a prank that packs a punch."

Some of the pranks they suggest:

Consider such tactics as blockading the entrance to a gas station, locking down to gas pumps, or having a die-in in front of the gas station. It is quite easy to gain access to the roof for a banner drop with the use of a extension ladder. It should also be noted that all gas stations have safety shut off buttons that will shut off gas pumps in case of an emergency, which are generally located on the outside of the station...

Research what agribusinesses are located in your town and target their offices or facilities with creative civil disobedience such as banner hangs, office demos, blockades, or creative street theater.

People in Sweden and France have developed a creative means of protest against gas guzzling SUVs. They simply let the air out of the tires, rendering them immobile. Thousands of tires have been deflated immobilizing hundreds of vehicles which has generated much media attention and awareness on global warming. The act is pretty simple and does not involve property damage. All one does is take off the valve cap and place a small pebble on top of the valve and screw the cap back on. If the pebble is placed correctly, it will press down on the air valve when you screw down the cap, thus releasing the air. To our knowledge there is no law against releasing air from car tires, though we aren’t going to guarantee it’s without risk.

April Fools Day

Posted on Mon Mar 03, 2008


Comments

Some very 'eco-terrorist' things in there, masquerading as 'pranks'. By saying how easy and simple things are, they're making sure that people think it's 'ok' to do some of the things that will in all likelyhood get them thrown in jail.

And yes, letting the air out of tires *is* against the law: You are tampering with a vehicle, making it unsafe to drive. It's the same as cutting a brake line.
Posted by Robin Bobcat  on  Tue Mar 04, 2008  at  01:49 AM
Most people use electric powered compressors to inflate their tyres, so letting them down just means more consumption of power, or a call out from a rescue service, which is more petrol wasted. These eco terrorists are retarded frankly, positive action not disruption will be the only way that they're going to change people's minds.
Posted by mr royale  on  Tue Mar 04, 2008  at  05:49 AM
What an irresponsible thing to post. Bah.
They'll be using more gas in the ambulance when they have to come haul off the idiot whose butt I beat when I catch him messing with MY vehicle.
Posted by Jen  on  Tue Mar 04, 2008  at  06:59 PM
i support the green movement but im sorry things like this just damage it, i mean people allready see the eviromental movement as a nuscience and a pain and doing damage to other peoples property is just gonna contribute to anti-green feelings, i mean who wants to side with vandals??

its allways irritating when political movements are hijacked by extremists, and it begins to alienate the majority
Posted by JoOdd  on  Wed Mar 05, 2008  at  03:24 PM
>>What an irresponsible thing to post. Bah.<<

Irresponsible? I wasn't endorsing it. But I figured it might be useful to know why you might find a guy chained to the pump when you try to fill up your car on April 1st.
Posted by The Curator  in  San Diego  on  Thu Mar 06, 2008  at  07:32 AM
If you want to make a point against fossil fuels, this is NOT the way to do it. This is just another example of eco-extremists bullying people into giving in. Do people need to know about the harm fossil fuels can cause? Yes. Should we make ourselves look like schoolyard bullies to get the point across? No. It only makes you look like an extremist idiot - and people don't take extremist idiots too seriously.

These are not pranks. While the idea may be to inconvenience people for a few minutes, they could just as easily lead to people being seriously harmed.

If you want to make a public show, fine. But leave peoples' cars and gas pumps out of it. You never know which car might be carrying someone to their daughter's play, a birthday party, or to the hospital.
Posted by Squidlet  on  Sat Mar 08, 2008  at  09:28 AM
"So far, their self-righteous attitude has provoked a national debate and spawned counter-deflation groups like the "Cowboys of the Concrete Jungle," who vow to defend their right to drive the vehicle of their choice -- by whatever means necessary."

Sweden does not look fondly upon those few individuals who go around tampering with other people's cars.
Posted by Jenny  on  Sun Mar 09, 2008  at  01:11 AM
Deflating tires can damage them as the weight of the vehicle can press the outer rims against the collapsed tire. The damage may not show until much later as cord separation.

Yes, I'm a mechanic.

Another danger is that slow leaks caused by the pebble-under-cap method may not be noticed until the vehicle is at speed and has to swerve to avoid a collision.
Posted by SR  on  Sun Mar 09, 2008  at  08:42 AM
My father says there are all very stupid things that will only hurt the cause in the long run.

If the folks at International Rising Tide really want to make a difference WRT fossil fuels, then why not do something constructive like ride your bikes for a day? It saves on fossil fuels, and makes you healthier to boot.

With the possible exception of the French Revolution, extremism like this never accomplished anything.
Posted by Lucario  on  Tue Mar 25, 2008  at  05:58 AM
I find it prudent to point out that this action is more focused on targeting, yes, using tactics that include civil disobedience and non violent direct action, the very business, government and social structures that are continuing to allow the environmental degradation of our planet, especially through their continued support and even love, of the silliest things ever, fossil fuels. This is why, as of this evening, Ken Lewis, the CEO of Bank of America has been named 2008's Fossil Foolie of the year- for his bank's continued financial support and backing of mountain top removal coal mining and being the top funder of new coal fired power plants. We know that fossil fuel's are the main contributors to climate change and therefore must be replaced with more sustainable and just energy solutions like wind energy, solar energy and non corn biofuels. Therefore, the reason behind these "extreme" actions is not to cause people harm, but actually to help them. We cannot exist without this planet, and if we continue down this path, our planet will soon not be inhabitable. So let's everyone start this exciting, yet challenging work of creating a more just and sustainable future for all.
Posted by Aaron  on  Mon Mar 31, 2008  at  08:43 PM
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