Introduction
In the past few decades in France, there has been a development as a worldwide domain for financial specialists and infrastructural advancement within European countries. There has been rapid urbanization and modernization that has led to a circle of events balancing the natural value of the country. The establishment of businesses and industrial facilities within the country has weakened the natural conditions to a significant degree.
These factors of natural degradation have contributed to environmental justice movements in France, gaining significant momentum in recent years and bringing attention to the issues of environmental degradation and social inequality. The attention drawn to the deteriorating natural conditions due to rapid urbanization and high-cost infrastructural development has also gained international focus.
Laws regarding forests and other natural environments have prompted environmentalists to support the environmental justice movements in France to their full extent and draw the government”s attention to the worsening conditions of natural vegetation and fauna in the country. Various issues and reasons have fueled the growth of civil rights movements in France and attracted crowds to environmental justice movements in the country over the past few decades.
The Air Quality Disparities
The air quality index and deteriorating air quality within the nation’s boundary have sparked a series of environmental justice movements in France that are looked forward to by various environmentalists and social activists. It was found and recorded by data published by the French National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies that almost every lower-income neighborhood and minority community is frequently situated in areas with higher levels of air pollution.
After this data was published it ignited a flame for various civil rights movements in France and minority advocacy rights in France supported by various human rights advocators and activists that came into support of these minority communities who are living in areas with bad air quality and pollution index.
In urban centers and centers for globalization traffic congestion and industrial activities are prevalent and the residents are facing great issues by living in localities and regions having a very poor air quality index with some major pollutants like nitrogen dioxide at its maximum hike.
The World Health Organization estimated that air pollution alone contributes to approximately 48,000 immature deaths within the nations in an annual year. Environmental justice movements in France are now emphasizing the need for the development and implementation of some targeting policies that address the disparities in the air quality index and ensure cleaner air for all the citizens living in the nation.
Water Quality and Availability
The prevailing water quality index and availability within the nation has also sparked a a flame for minority rights advocacy in France regarding water availability to all indices as equivalent. Data from the French Ministry for Ecology and Solidary Transitions reveal that industry discharge and agricultural runoff have contributed majorly to the water pollution impacting both surface water bodies and underground water bodies within the nation.
Marginalised communities often lack access to clean and safe drinking water because of their inability in financial sectors facing various health issues and fatal life risks. In rural areas communities that experience inequity when compared based on water availability and quality index have also sparked various civil rights movements in France that are demanding equality in terms of basic human rights such as water and electricity for all minority communities without any discrimination and advocacy.
A well-renowned critic Marie Toussaint said “In France and the wider European Union Roma and other minority communities are the victims of environmental racism. The discrimination must be robustly redressed under the European Green Deal and ensure a just transition that leads nobody behind.”
These words have also sparked a feeling of communal equity and integrity within the nation and the minority communities are now demanding equal rights and equal availability of natural resources irrespective of their economic background and condition.
Green Spaces and Sustainable Development
The rapid urbanization and globalization within the French dominion have raised serious sparks and concerns about sustainable development and the development of green spaces that provide good environmental conditions within the nation. Environmental justice movements in France are also demanding various rights and policies developed and implemented by the French government regarding the development and maintenance of such green spaces promoting sustainable development along with rapid urbanization and infrastructural development.
The Council of State one of the French top administrative codes said the Council of state overturned a government ban on an activist climate group in France highlighting that the decision to shut down a group should only be justified if there is incitement to violence against people or property.
This rule again parked a series of civil rights movements in France and minority rights advocacy in France regarding such policies and actions taken by the French government. Now the minority communities are demanding various policies and actions that must promote sustainable development and equity of natural resources distributed to all in the nation.
International Collaboration
When the environmental justice movements in France gained support from world-renowned critics it also gained international collaboration and support from various developed and developing nations. These nations came in 4th for the support of the activists working in the field of general environmental justice for all minority communities.
The minority rights advocacy in France also gained a certain reputation and global consideration with the help of these international critics and now the national government is pressurized by various global authorities to impose and development of certain policies that contribute to the development and maintenance of these minority communities.
The discrimination faced by minority communities for the environmental and natural resources that are essential for human life such as water and air are to be revoked and reconsidered by the French government as ordered by one of the top quotes of the French administration.
Challenges Faced
Environmental justice movements in France and their demands also faced certain severe hurdles and challenges while they were demanding something equally important for mankind of all communities. These rights and challenges were well addressed with the support of the general public and student unions that prevailed within the nation and promoted the idea of sustainable development and resource equity for all.
The international collaboration also promoted great stability and good awareness campaigns within the nation making people and youth aware of what benefits and what policy changes must be implemented by the French government irrespective of an individual’s community or financial background. The quality of life and sharing of natural resources are intended to be more equalized within the country’s citizenry irrespective of individual financial background and economic conditions.
Community discrimination based on environmental resources must also be banished by the French government to promote equality and inclusivity amongst people of all communities within the nation.
Conclusion
French social justice movements and environmental justice movements in France have gained serious concerns and support in the past few decades. The environmental activists and social rights activists have also supported the movements led by the general public in various communities that are facing discrimination based on the natural resources provided within the nation’s boundary for the stop the activists are clearly demanding equal distribution of natural resources that are essential for human survival to all irrespective of their financial background and community they come from.
The revolts and movements have also gained international support and renouncement on global platforms with the help of these critics and have now pressured the French government with the help of the top French quote to implement and manifest certain policies that look forward and promote sustainable development and resource equity to all people who live within the nation’s boundary.
