France has long been a bastion of Doing Something about Hotcoldwetdry. Apparently, all the actions they’ve taken are not enough
NGOs seek to convict French state of failing to tackle climate crisis
A Paris court has been asked to convict the French state for its alleged failure to act to halt the climate crisis.
The legal case, which is being brought by four environmental groups after a petition was signed by more than 2 million citizens, seeks to hold the country responsible for ecological damage and its detrimental health and social effects.
The NGOs hope the case will trigger greater action to limit the climate breakdown by regarding it as a human right, and say convicting the French would represent an important symbolic victory and could force other governments to do more.
The Paris agreement signed five years ago aimed to limit global warming to less than 2C above pre-industrial levels. Donald Trump pulled the US out of the deal in 2017. Environmental experts say governments, including the French administration, have failed to meet their commitments.
If the court, and the State, had any cajones they’d ask what action the NGOs and their members have taken to make their own lives carbon neutral. Maybe trot out some photos of the members driving fossil fueled vehicles.
The case in France began in December 2018 when four NGOs lodged a formal complaint accusing the government of failing to reduce environmentally damaging emissions. This followed an online petition signed by a record-breaking 2.3 million people.
Too bad France can’t restrict those 2.3 million (supposedly) citizens from using fossil fuels, limit their use of AC and heating at home and their businesses, restrict the use of water and electricity. Restrict what kinds of foods they can eat. Restrict where they can travel to. And impose an extra tax on them.
When the organisations Greenpeace France, Notre Affaire à Tous, the Nicolas Hulot Foundation and Oxfam France received what they considered an inadequate response, they filed a legal complaint in March 2019. The groups are seeking symbolic damages of €1 from the French government.
And, if they win and force France to Do Something More, they will still not be satisfied.
Read: Climate Crisis (scam) NGO Look To Convict The Nation Of France »