Monsieur le President, it’s time to step up on climate change

(EurActiv, 30 Aug 2018) Up to now, French President Emmanuel Macron has been trying hard to claim the mantle of ‘climate leadership’. Now his environment minister has resigned, he has to put words into action, writes Jennifer Morgan.

The summer of 2018, particularly in Europe, will be remembered as a climate change tipping-point. Extended droughts, fires and heat waves – impacts that were projected to happen far into the future – happened in 2018. Few countries in Europe have been spared. Ten European countries, northern and southern, suffered.

The costs to people and society are immense. While Europe is a wealthy continent that is better able to manage such costs, we are only just beginning to understand what those costs mean for our future.

It’s at times like this when we ache for real climate leadership and courage – someone who will step up and lead the political charge to transform our economies into the clean, safe and prosperous ones it is so clear people and our planet need.

Up to now, French President Emmanuel Macron has been trying hard to claim the mantle of ‘climate leadership’. He has made bold statements about implementing the Paris climate agreement, hosted a One Planet Summit and made promises to move France to the electric car by 2040. He also brought in a very credible and serious Environment Minister, Nicolas Hulot.

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EurActiv, 30 Aug 2018: Monsieur le President, it’s time to step up on climate change