Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
30<br />
Wanstead Village Directory<br />
FREEZE SUVs<br />
Within this most desirable<br />
of local neighbourhoods,<br />
some rather large shapes<br />
which circulate the streets<br />
cast a troubling shadow,<br />
says Liz Bodycote<br />
from Wanstead<br />
Climate Action<br />
in Wanstead?<br />
I<br />
moved to<br />
Wanstead from<br />
an inner London<br />
borough eight years<br />
ago. Beckoned by the<br />
trees, as parts of ancient forest nestle<br />
amongst the layers of development<br />
down the centuries, it feels such a<br />
privilege to make a home here – to enjoy<br />
the friendliness of neighbours and the<br />
benefits of independent local businesses.<br />
Yet within this most desirable of local<br />
neighbourhoods, there is a troubling issue<br />
which needs to be addressed.<br />
Wanstead’s wealth seems to bring with it a<br />
lot of awfully big cars on its roads – those<br />
urban jeeps and their crossover cousins,<br />
collectively known as<br />
‘sports utility vehicles’ or<br />
SUVs – our home-grown<br />
contribution to the 330m<br />
on the planet, which in<br />
2022, emitted nearly a billion tonnes of carbon<br />
dioxide (CO2). Where did they come from?<br />
There was a time, back in the day, when the<br />
automotive lust was for ‘sleek and lean’. Now it<br />
seems to be for ‘big and butch’. How did that<br />
happen? What drives us as drivers?<br />
It is likely the beginning of the story starts<br />
with that engine of our economic system:<br />
profit. Early in the life of SUV production, car<br />
manufacturers found they could command<br />
a profit margin of around 25%, in contrast to<br />
only 5% for the ordinary cars on the roads at<br />
To advertise, call 020 8819 6645 or visit wnstd.com
Change language