Global warming and social injustices are closely linked, according to environmental associations
This is the third demonstration against the pension reform in which Jean-François Julliard, the director general of Greenpeace France, participates. An obvious thing for him, summed up by the banner that precedes him on his march to the Place de la Nation, in Paris: “Ecological and Social Alliance”, the name that replaced that of “Never again”, created in 2020 by eight associations and unions. The association leader explains:
“This is the first time that Greenpeace has joined protests for pensions, although we have already participated in social processions like the 1er-May. There is a direct impact of work on greenhouse gas emissions. We can only fight this project which aims to make people work longer, produce more goods, more consumption, more waste, more emissions and more pressure on the planet’s natural resources. »
For him, the presence of activists from his organization, alongside other associations such as Friends of the Earth, Oxfam or Alternatiba in the procession is not just a simple demonstration of solidarity for his union partners. “If we go there, we must say why. And it is to shed a different light on the consequences of this reformadds Jean-François Julliard. One element is rarely addressed: this reform does not take into account the effects of global warming. With higher temperatures, the same trades will be more and more difficult and difficult to do if one is older. »
Activists who have marched for climate and ecology make the connection between their causes and social injustices. “No climate justice without social justice”, they repeat. On a large sign, in green ink, one of them questions: “Can we breathe in before exhaling? »
Cécile Duflot, the director of Oxfam, marched during the four demonstrations against a reform “deeply unequal”. “The government does not fight inequalities for the same reason that it does not really fight against climate change, by letting rent, financial and economic interests in the short term develop and dominate”advances the former minister of housing (2012-2014).
The ex-leader of the ecologists says she is impressed by the massive and peaceful nature of the recent mobilizations – “one in twenty adults on the street”. And blames the government:
“He has zero courage when it comes to taking action on ecological transition, he does not want to impose anything, but he is authoritarian on his pension reform. »
The same arguments are declined from one association to another. Vincent Drezet, one of Attac’s spokespersons, denounces “a distribution of wealth in favor of superprofits that could be used to help finance pensions”when young Lucie Chhieng, 23, from Alternatiba Paris, criticizes “a government that says there is an urgent need to reform pensions, which the COR does not even say [Conseil d’orientation des retraites]. But when the IPCC [Groupe d’experts intergouvernemental sur l’évolution du climat] alert on the urgency to act, the government does nothing”.
By making people work longer, government reform would also have indirect effects. “This reform would also deprive the associations of a large number of retirees, forced to work longer. However, they have an important role in community life.argues Khaled Gaiji, president of Friends of the Earth.
On the sidewalk, Last Renovation activists distribute flyers presenting their actions. Kiké, 31, salesman in a solidarity and social company, summarizes his commitment: “When you fight for the energy renovation of buildings, you know that the first victims of thermal sieves and extreme cold are the poorest. »