En France, as in many European countries, more and more citizens are saying they are fed up when our governments want to increase a tax on electricity or diesel. While millions of people are suffering from the very sharp rise in the prices of everyday life and many farmers are no longer able to make a living from their work, these increases are the straw that breaks the camel’s back and push citizens to demand greater tax justice.
The situation is also deteriorating in the countries of the South: just because of the Covid-19 pandemic, 124 million additional people have been living in extreme poverty since 2020, that is to say with less than 2, 10 dollars per day, especially in Africa. We are at a moment in history where the economic, social and climatic challenges are immense and the investments necessary to face them are colossal.
We must find money to fight against climate change in Europe as in the countries of the South (insulate buildings, develop renewable energies, invest in public transport, help farmers, ensure real prevention against disasters such as floods, droughts or forest fires, etc.).
Budget cuts with dramatic consequences
We must also release additional funds for international solidarity, for the fight against poverty and inequalities, and for the adaptation of countries in the South to climate change, of which they are the first victims. COP 28 allowed the creation of the Loss and Damage fund for the most affected countries, but what good is a fund if it is empty?
We also need money for our health system, for education, the police and justice… We are witnessing a serious impoverishment of public services which are nevertheless fundamental for our daily life and for our future. We must finally find money to help our green industry stay in Europe.
Faced with the 360 billion dollars in subsidies put on the table by Joe Biden for the next 10 years to attract green investments in the United States, Europe must react quickly and strongly to avoid relocations, job losses and a dramatic delay in climate action.
Unfortunately, instead of wanting to release new resources, the Minister of the Economy, Bruno Le Maire, has just announced 10 billion euros in budget cuts (1 billion cuts in the energy renovation of housing, 800 million in the international solidarity, 400 million in the climate change adaptation fund for local authorities, etc.) which, if they materialize, would have dramatic consequences.
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