HUMMER H2 has Tree Huggers fired up

The Prius vs. HUMMER debate on which is better for the environment has resurfaced on the blogosphere for a 4th or 5th time (I lost count awhile ago). Now, the photo above is making waves in the green community for the HUMMER H2’s controversial license plate: 2REEHGR. Not surprisingly, TreeHugger.com has denied having any involvement. More outspoken about the license plate is AutoblogGreen – claiming the HUMMER vs. Prius study that started the original debate has been debunked time after time. Fair enough – I didn’t give any credence to that study anyway.

But how do we know that the driver isn’t simply making his ‘green’ statement because he’s a vegetarian? After all, according to several studies, eating meat has a larger impact on global warming than what you drive. PETA and the Humane Society both point to a United Nations study that indicates the meat industry is worse for the environment than all cars and trucks combined:

“Environmentalists are still pointing their fingers at Hummers and S.U.V.’s when they should be pointing at the dinner plate…You just cannot be a meat-eating environmentalist,” – PETA.

“Switching to a plant-based diet does more to curb global warming than switching from an SUV to a Camry.” – Humane Society of the United States

I suppose HUMMERs are an easier to complain about than that big juicy steak on AutoblogGreen’s plate – here is their response to the Meat vs. HUMMER debate:

“I’m not touching this one… I have no problem admitting to eating and enjoying meat, though. I would prefer knowing that all the meat I eat comes from sustainable sources, but I am not naive enough to say that I am sure it does.” – AutoblogGreen

Sounds to me like they’re employing the ‘ignorance is bliss’ approach to what may be a more effective way of going green.