Originally posted by: dualsmp
Compared to boats, planes, and jets, SUV's look like gas misers. Why don't the hippies start protesting airports and marinas? Boats usually measure gas consumption in
gallons per hour, and your average passenger jet sucks down thousands of gallons of kerosene on an average flight.
Disregarding the stupidity of eco-terrorism in the first place, that's not really a good comparison with planes. Your average passenger plane doesn't exactly sip the fuel, but it doesn't carry one person around either. A commercial airplane is actually one of the more fuel efficient methods of transportation out there.
Of course private jets, recreational boating, etc, etc, are all valid topics when it comes to wasting fuel...but there is a pretty good reason they haven't become symbols of wastefulness. There is no direct and obvious comparison that people make every day. It's really all about symbols, and SUVs offer the perfect symbol because they offer the perfect contrast between conservation and waste. SUVs are used for mostly the same tasks as a small car, yet they take up more space and consume way more fuel...and because of their size they offer a perfect PHYSICAL comparison as well. There is a reason that SUVs draw far more ire than sports cars, despite having similar fuel economy standards. SUVs aren't just wasteful, it's ostentatious waste.
I don't hate SUVs or think vandalizing (or even protesting) them is a valid way to improve the environment, but I sometimes think I understand the people who are so up in arms about them. I drive a smallish car, and I can't help but shake my head when I park next to some land yacht in the parking lot. Or even better, when I'm parked between two enormous vehicles...they look ridiculously wasteful in comparison. I think there are a lot better steps to take than protesting SUVs (and destroying someone else's property isn't the right answer, ever), but I sure see why they make a good symbol for the pro-environment folks.
Edit: And actually, this is the same reason that Hummers draw far more notice than other SUVs, even though there are others that are just as bad or worse when it comes to fuel economy (especially compared to the H3). Again, the Hummer is even more ridiculous as a practical vehicle than most SUVs (especially the original Hummer), so it makes a better target.