Click on the image above for high-res shots of this wacky scene
Running diesel vehicles on biofuels is a good thing, right? Not always, according to Greenpeace Argentina. It seems that the export of soybeans from Argentina is causing more pollution than was initially estimated. Also, too much of Argentina's native forests are being mowed down for the soybeans. These issues are in stark contrast with two of Greenpeace's stated charters: (1) catalyzing an energy revolution to address the number one threat facing our planet: climate change and (2) supporting sustainable agriculture by encouraging socially and ecologically responsible farming practices.
No Greenpeace protest would be complete without some sort of outlandish stunt, and this one follows suit. Because most of the Argentinian biodiesel goes to Germany, a Mercedes-Benz M-Class and a Porsche Cayenne were made to look like bulldozers by men and women wielding German flags. The two SUV's were surrounded by fake tree stumps. Once again, Greenpeace has done an admirable job of catching plenty of attention. Whether the group's wacky efforts have any effect, though, is another matter entirely.
[Source: Argentina Auto Blog - translated]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Yar @ May 5th 2008 5:14PM
Are they fully functioning, or is this just a half-assed attempt at being cute? If your going to do something, no matter how outlandish, you need to do it right.
Rafael Illan @ May 5th 2008 5:16PM
Thats the environmentalist for you...
Mike @ May 5th 2008 5:20PM
Well, now that you mention it Greenpeace, a Cayenne Turbo would make a pretty badass snowplow. Thanks for the inspiration!
k.w.a @ May 5th 2008 5:23PM
It's funny when I see people for other countries complain about Cayennes, M -Classes, and X5's. come to the U.S when we have stretched Escadales and Lincoln Navigators sold as family cars! i know their gas mileage isn't that much worse than the aforementioned SUVs, ( my dad's X5 gets 14 mpg) but still, just the blatant disregard for even LOOKING like you care about the planet is enough for every other country in the world to hate us even more! Well, at least in America we Hollywood-ize the Toyota Prius
jv2k @ May 5th 2008 6:46PM
Oh please. The only reason other countries tend to have smaller more fuel efficient vehicles is because they have smaller roads and inflated gas prices.
If american communities weren't built around the car and gas prices were $8.00 a gallon we wouldn't have many SUVs or large vehicles either.
Golfa @ May 5th 2008 5:24PM
so freaking lame. How'd they get ahold of those 2 SUV's anyways? Seems like they'd be too much for a hippie to afford.
The Other Bob @ May 5th 2008 5:34PM
Last week they probably advocated for bio fuels.
MOWIN' @ May 5th 2008 5:42PM
Whoa, I could use on of them SUV things with the blade mounted on the front to gently move aside the nuisance bicycle riders that populate Oregon roads in ever increasing and annoying numbers. I could have the blade painted green to make it environmentally friendly.
HotRodzNKustoms @ May 5th 2008 6:17PM
Greenpeace is just full of misinformed eco-terrorist now. Even the founder who's name I have forgotten says so.
CarbonBlack @ May 5th 2008 7:57PM
Greenpeace is anti nuclear power, But the founder is a big supporter of nuclear energy. That is just one of the many ways Greenpeace has changed from the original group. He pretty much disowned the monster he set loose on the world.
PS-enjoy a related link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XowEclEj-Ms
Eric @ May 5th 2008 6:28PM
But the Cayenne isn't a diesel... doesn't make any sense...
AltairDusk @ May 5th 2008 11:50PM
It's Greenpeace... you're asking way too much of them to actually realize that Porsche uses gas ;)
pmiddle5 @ May 5th 2008 6:50PM
Unless they can provide a useful alternative or plan of action that is capable stfu. "They have cars that run on water mannn!"
JZeke @ May 5th 2008 7:25PM
Anyone else smell petchouli oil?
Greenpeace people are those who DO bogart the joint (my friend), then claim they just quit smoking last week for health reasons.
Cary @ May 5th 2008 9:33PM
+1
LOL
Brian @ May 5th 2008 10:38PM
Instead of using non-biodegradable plastic to create the replica tree stumps, they should turn to a renewable resource, like an actual tree.
James @ May 5th 2008 11:59PM
Are you truly so dense as to infer that Greenpeace means to catalyze an energy revolution by condoning the creation of more pollution than they deem responsible? Further, sustainable agriculture doesn't include tearing up native forests to make way for soybean fields.
Paul P. @ May 6th 2008 2:53AM
...and Porsche said I couldn't put a plow on my cayenne. :-/
Rocketboy @ May 6th 2008 9:27AM
I hate to say it, but Biofuels are not always a good idea.. I half agree with Greenpeace there. Of course, their solution is for everyone to drive bigwheels made from bamboo in 3rd world countries by people making more than the average U.S./Euro worker.
hamilton @ May 6th 2008 11:03PM
Not only do biofuels catalyze the destruction of forests and create more pollution, they also inflate global food prices by encouraging farmers to abandon food crops in pursuit of this subsidized madness and the world's poor starves to death because someone wants green-cred when driving their flex fuel suburban...