Protests against car manufacturers as new report calls for end to combustion engines | WPN World People News

On the opening day of the world’s largest International Motor Show (IAA), 10 Greenpeace Germany activists peacefully protested against auto industry practices that harm both the climate and people’s health with a smoking VW car installation. Protestors held banners reading, “The oil age is ending“. Greenpeace is demanding a sustainable transport system of cleaner, smaller and shared electric cars. At the motor show, manufacturers exhibit several heavy diesel and petrol models this year - an indication of the wrong direction that the industry is headed.

“The car industry is on a collision course with action on climate climate change,” said Greenpeace Germany transport expert, Andree Böhling. “The transport sector will soon have to do without oil. Only manufacturers that rapidly switch to developing clean and efficient alternatives will survive this transition.”

A new study by British transport expert Robin Hickman, commissioned by Greenpeace Germany, examines the ecological and social impact of private cars running on combustion engine. The report titled, “Why the Automobile Has No Future“ outlines how private petrol and diesel cars - and the massive infrastructure they require - emit too much CO2 and waste that exceed the planet’s boundaries and cause thousands of premature deaths - from accidents to pollution - every single day.

Amidst a growing number of announcements from governments banning the sales of new fossil fuel powered cars by 2025-2040, many traditional car makers refuse to embrace the change.

This year’s show is being snubbed by a dozen important, progressive car companies, including Tesla (which is only producing electric cars) and Nissan (whose Leaf is the most successful electric car to date).

Source: Greenpeace International