Climate Libé Tour: Tribune
The mayor of Marseille Benoît Payan defends an approach for his city that responds as closely as possible to the needs of residents, in order to reduce inequalities in the face of climate issues. But the State, Europe and the alliances of large cities must also act.
Youth, biodiversity, justice, decolonialism… All year round, Libé provides information on the issues of the ecological emergency through a series of free and general public events. The objective: to find concrete solutions as close as possible to the territories. Fifth stage of the 2024 Tour: Marseille, Saturday October 19 (free entry upon registration). A meeting carried out with the support of the city of Marseille, the Mucem and the Citadelle of Marseille, and in partnership with Crédit Coopératif, Ademe, the VYV group, the SOS group, Asics, the Jean-Jaurès Foundation, Greenpeace, Oxfam, the Forest of Possibles, Ivy, Médiatransports, Pioche! Magazine, Vert, the media and BFM Marseille. Free entry upon registration.
The Mediterranean region is among the regions of the world most brutally affected by the dramatic consequences of climate change. With each IPCC report, our common sea and its coastlines record sad records. The climate crisis we are experiencing is a major challenge for our society and requires collective mobilization. Climate change, marked by more frequent and more intense extreme events, leaves no room for doubt: we must react and adapt. It is no longer just a question of fighting against climate change, but of thinking about the adaptation of our territories in collaboration with citizens. This transformation must be at the heart of our public action.
Faced with climate change, the most vulnerable are on the front line. In Marseille, residents of the northern districts face the sea but cannot access it; yet, they are the ones who breathe the polluting fumes from cruise ships. Families who live in thermal sieves in the heart of large degraded condominiums face illness and energy poverty. Workers are dependent on cars because they live in landlocked areas. In certain neighborhoods of Marseille, poverty reaches 63% and for many families, the only balanced meal of the day is that of the municipal canteen.
Paradoxically, the poorest half of the planet is responsible for only 10% of total carbon emissions. Conversely, the lifestyle of the richest 10% accounts for more than half of avoidable carbon emissions. This glaring imbalance calls for a response that is both ecological and supportive. In Marseille, we have a responsibility to innovate to imagine a model of popular ecology. Because the first victims of climate change are the most precarious and the strength of public action must contribute to preserving their living conditions while allowing them to carry out their transformation. This popular ecology must be based on concrete actions, it must allow citizens to see their daily lives improve without being critical or disapproving.
The municipality is, in this regard, the most suitable level to change the situation and restore equality. For four years, our capacity to act has been deployed in all areas with a concrete and immediate effect: de-waterproofing of soils and schoolyards, return of nature to the city through revegetation and the deployment of a “Tree Plan » ambitious, protecting agricultural land, developing soft mobility, energy renovation of housing, environmental education, etc.
Do for residents and do with residents, by feeding public action with their words, whether they are members of the Citizens’ Assembly of the Future, a young municipal councilor or a member of a CIQ (Neighborhood Interest Committee) .
But this transformation cannot be done without the support of the State, which must support municipalities by providing financial resources to facilitate the implementation of adaptation projects. The Green Climate Fund must, as such, be strengthened to enable municipalities to launch ambitious initiatives, in partnership with associations, businesses and citizens. The European level can also be an opportunity, which is why with eight other cities on the continent, Marseille called on the Commission to ask for additional means to achieve the ecological transition with a view to climate justice between the north and the southern Europe.
The fight against climate change is a global challenge, but the solutions must be local and adapted to the needs of each territory. In Marseille, we are charting the path of a popular ecology, anchored in the daily lives of residents and supported by the commitment of everyone. It is together, with the State, local actors and citizens, that we will be able to build a more resilient, more united city, and ready to face the climate challenges of tomorrow.
Source: www.liberation.fr
