The man sits down with a sigh. As he raises the glass of “purified” urine to his parched lips, he catches sight of his distorted reflection in the chrome sink. He pauses and then throws the glass into the sink, rushes out of the kitchen, up the stairs and into the bathroom. As he pulls frantically at the red and white tape stretched across the bathroom sink, he cries out desperately, “I can’t stand it any longer!” “I can’t stand it any longer!”

The man attaches one end of a flexible rubber pipe to the sink faucet, puts the other end in the bath, and turns on the water.

Meanwhile, next door the neighbor is standing in front of his bathroom mirror. In one hand he holds a teacup and in the other a facecloth which he uses to mop the perspiration from his chest and from under his arms. Suddenly, in the silence of the night, he hears the noise of running water. He leans forward, presses his ear against the wall and listens in horror.

While the man who could no longer down another glass of his own urine, glides slowly into a bath full of cool water, his neighbor makes a phone call. “Hello, police?”

Within no time three officers are knocking down the door. One of the officers cannot contain himself and begins beating the man who is still lying naked in his bath. The other two pull their colleague back. The man is hauled out of his bath and carried away immediately, with only a small towel to cover himself. As two officers drag the man onto the landing and down the stairs, the third officer knocks on the neighbor’s door and presents him with a shiny blue bottle of water. “Thank you sir,” she says giving him a meaningful look.

The neighbor watches from his window. In the street below the officers push the culprit along the street and into a waiting police van. After a moment he turns away and trudges into the kitchen, prize in hand. The neighbor opens the fridge door and places his prize on the shelf, adding one more to row upon row of identical shiny blue bottles of water.

The place, it would appear, is Paris. The year is 2039, and water, quite clearly, is scarce.

The story of the bath-taking criminal and his snitch of a neighbor is told in a short film entitled “Râ” written and directed by Frenchman Julien Sibre. “Râ” was screened at the “Festival International du Film d’Environnement”, the annual environment film festival in Paris, which is currently coming to a close after seven days. This year the festival celebrated its 25 th anniversary and showcased a diverse selection of documentaries, short films and features from around the world, films that treat a variety of the major environmental issues of our day such as pollution, sustainable development, the north-south divide, the fight against poverty and desertification, and of course climate change.

I saw a series of short films, all of them part of the official competition. Many of those films present an excruciatingly bleak picture, whether the focus is on the inexorable extinction of an animal species, or the irreversible destruction of nature, or again the unmitigated suffering of the victims of climate change. And so they should, for the devastation and despair, although part of a fiction in these films, cannot be categorized as science fiction or fantasy since they are based on palpable, inescapable realities.

Other films that I saw contain an element of humor. The gravity of any given theme or situation in those films is not necessarily diminished, and the humor provided me with relief from the gloom and despair. Sometimes I find the images of the rape of our planet overwhelming and difficult to relate to, even if I know they’re not lying. In contrast, I could relate more easily to the characters and emotions in a number of those short films that contained a dose of humor. Almost invariably I was engaged in the story being played out on the screen, lulled and destabilized by the comic relief, and then all the more touched by a poignant denouement.

“Râ” was one of the latter. Julien Sibre’s film is not so much about climate change, but about human reactions to the extreme situations we will find ourselves in because of climate change. Indeed, during the open discussion after the screenings, Sibre apologized to the audience, saying perhaps the environmental theme wasn’t strong enough in his film. Yet on the contrary, I thought his film most relevant to an environmental film festival, for it is through art that we can explore and reflect on the human response to the destruction and change around us.

Sibre explained that “Râ” was made for a film contest called “48 Chrono”. Contestants were asked to make a film – write, organize, film and edit – all in 48 hours. That’s quite a feat, don’t you agree?

http://www.festivalenvironnement.com/historique/index.html

http://www.festivalenvironnement.com/

http://www.eyeka.com/video/view/13995

Representatives of NGOs who participated in the discussions expressed deep reserves about the entire process, be it regarding the condensed timeframe of four months, or the lack of transparency and conflict of interests on issues such as pesticides and genetically modified crops. In Part I of the Sarko Eco-Show, I cited a few examples of the measures that will be presented to the French parliament within the next year. Those measures, which will have an impact in the realms of transportation and construction, were the result of consensus. Other topics, notably those within the realm of agriculture, were highly controversial.

Many environmentalists were worried that any propositions to increase organic farming or to reduce the use of pesticides would be watered down. After all, representatives of associations of pesticide producers were also present in the working groups, arguing for their interests. And yet when the final reports were made public, bitter disillusionment turned into gratified optimism.

School cafeterias will soon be required to offer organic food at least once a week. By 2010 organic farmland will triple from 2% to 6% of all agricultural land in France, and that increase will obviously benefit both human health, and the quality and yield of soils, as will a 50% reduction in the use of pesticides over the next ten years. The cultivation of genetically modified crops in France, including the contentious MON 810 corn variety, has been suspended.

Despite Sarkozy’s claim that “France is not behind” in environmental matters, there is substantial evidence indicating that the country is indeed lagging behind its neighbors on numerous fronts. A quick look at Organic Europe, a website dedicated or organic farming in Europe, reveals the latest statistics: in 2005 already 13% of farmland in Austria was organic, 11% in Switzerland and 8% in Italy. Other European countries such as Hungary, Austria and Poland, have moved faster to limit the cultivation of genetically modified crops. Similarly France is found to be lagging behind on fighting climate change and improving energy efficiency.

Nevertheless, the progress made during the Grenelle talks should not be underestimated or belittled. The proposed measures represent tangible improvements in France’s environmental policy and constitute a positive move toward a healthier and greener French society.

And yet, now that we’ve raised our glasses to the Grenelle talks and the results they produced, we must look forward. We must be vigilant. In addition to the question of financing, there is another reason to temper our enthusiasm: the nature, or rather the style of Sarkozy’s presidency.

Anyone who has been in France or been following the French media from abroad, will know that since he was elected last spring the man has played an inordinately large role, indefatigably dominating the scene. Indeed some independent networks have begun to highlight the excessive time devoted to Sarkozy in French media, and snigger at how easily he has succeeded in sidelining the other members of his government, pushing them far from the limelight.

Sarkozy is taking on a whole range of roles that are not necessarily part and parcel of his lead role as president. He pops up here there and everywhere, in places where we might expect to see an interior minister, or a foreign minister, or again an education minister. And each time he appears there is a ferocious fanfare surrounding his performance. Here we approach the core of the matter. Be it focused on education, labor laws, foreign policy or the environment, Sarko’s is us a highly publicized one-man show. With is such a whirlwind of hype, you inevitably wonder whether he will keep his word, and whether there is any substance to his style.

American readers may have heard of or seen the delayed broadcast of the interview with Sarkozy on “60 minutes”. When the CBS journalist asked about the circulating rumors of his separation from his wife Cecilia, the President called his press secretary an “imbecile” for organizing the interview, hastily removed his microphone while the cameras were still rolling, and stormed out. The journalist should not have asked such silly questions. Even if the public is interested, the President’s private life is not in the public interest. Then again, you cannot help thinking the man was asking for it, perhaps because it forms an indispensable side plot in the greater Sarko Show.

So what’s the moral of the story? The mountain didn’t give birth to a mouse, but it didn’t produce a lion or a bull either. Perhaps it was more of a fox, a light-footed animal that knows many things… but no, I’m beginnig to mix up my metaphors. The point is the Grenelle talks can be celebrated as an important step forward. But it’s just a first step. The French people must maintain the momentum.

And keep a sharp eye on the peacock strut strut strutting around, showing off his plumage this way and that. Make sure his proud display doesn’t get in the way of green action.

Alliance of Environmental NGOs

BBC on GMOs in Europe

The stage was in the presidential palace in the heart of Paris. The speaker was the President of France, Nicolas Sarkozy. And he couldn't have chosen more illustrious guests for the occasion: José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, Wangari Maathai, winner of the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize and, the winner of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize, Mr Al Gore himself. After Sarkozy outlined the results of four months of negotiations on the environment, Al Gore spoke. "I want to offer my congratulations to the French people. This is the beginning of an historic process," he said. "We need a 'Grenelle mondial,' a Worldwide Grenelle."

In May 1968, a time of great social upheaval in France, members of opposing camps met to discuss possible solutions to the crisis. Government representatives, employers and union leaders gathered to negotiate on labor terms and conditions. The agreements signed at the outcome were later called the "Grenelle accords" after the place where the meeting was held, in the Ministry of Labor building on Grenelle street in Paris. Sarkozy launched the environmental Grenelle last Spring, using the name of the labor agreements to emphasize the multilateral democratic nature of the process.

It would appear that I am not alone in my passion for the heavenly food. Hundreds of people attended the Chocolate Show here in Paris this weekend. They went to watch the experts prepare chocolate delicacies, to hear lectures on the latest in chocolate-making machinery, or to see the latest chocolate-inspired fashion. But most of all they went to sample an astounding variety of the fine food. Although they did not steal the show, organic and Fair Trade chocolate featured prominently throughout the weekend.

I spoke to Emilie Guerin, a member of Ethiquable, a French Fair Trade company that has a partnership with a cooperative of cocoa producers in the Dominican Republic. Ethiquable, a combination of the words "éthique" and "équitable," French for ethical and fair, was founded in 2003. "Four years ago we started with 8 products," Emilie said. "Now we have 120." They began with coffee and now work with a range of products from orange juice to rice, and, of course, chocolate. But their goals remain the same from one foodstuff to the next: Ethiquable is dedicated to ensuring Fair Trade with farmers in the developing world and respect for the environment.

Adana is the nation’s fourth largest city and the centre for the Turkish cotton and textile industries. In this case the American cotton is sent to a factory where it is spun and used to make towels. Great attention is paid to ensure high quality, oh-so-soft and fluffy towels to attract the Turkish shopper... or rather, the American shopper. The towels are packaged and sent to the United States on another container ship. This is crazy!

There are of course the energy and CO2 emissions involved in this to and from tango across the ocean. But even if we put aside such issues in the name of international trade, it cannot be denied that the system is absurd, especially given the fact that Turkey is one of the top ten cotton producers in the world.

After a time of inquiry, now is the time for action, and France will be present at the forefront of the fight for human rights in the 21st century. The environmental new deal is an unprecedented democratic process. The role of the State is essentially to facilitate collective action. Its mission is to foster synergy between common and sometimes competing causes. After several weeks of debate one thing is clear: dialogue works and solutions exist.

Stirring indeed. But what makes this program so exceptional? The multilateral nature of the first phase, and the democratic or collective nature of the second, according to Borloo, adding that France can lead the way for the rest of the world by fashioning a sustainable society. "As both producers and consumers we will be subject to major changes, but those changes represent an opportunity for our economy, our health and our children." Sustainable living and economic growth are not incompatible. "By protecting the environment we prepare our companies for the economic competition of the future, we improve our quality of life, and we prevent illnesses caused by pollution."

Towns and cities signed up to participate in the annual car-free day held last Saturday. Since 2000 the World Carfree Network, an international association dedicated to advancing alternatives to automobile dependence, has called for the celebration of cities and public life "free from the noise, the stress and the pollution of cars," on the same day each year, September 22. The association urged individuals and local organizers to make this year’s celebration more than a one-day affair.

Let World Carfree Day be a showcase for just how our cities might look like, feel like, and sound like without cars…365 days a year. As the climate heats up, World Carfree Day is the perfect time to take the heat off the planet, and put it on city planners and politicians to give priority to cycling, walking and public transport, instead of to the automobile.

The car-free day coincided, as it does every year, with European Mobility Week. Events were organized in over 1000 cities and towns in Europe, and culminated in the car-free day on Saturday. The week is sponsored by the European Commission in partnership with three European-wide organizations that work on urban environmental issues: Eurocities, Energie-Cités and Climate Alliance. Local authorities, leisure clubs, community groups and other spontaneous gatherings of determined individuals, coordinate an array of activities to promote sustainable means of transport.

A wind of change is blowing through the world of rugby. A green wind.

The 2007 Rugby World Cup, the 3rd largest sports event in the world with an estimated 2.5 million spectators from around the world, is being held in France from September 7 to October 20. The organizers, including a special rugby committee, a government agency and the French Rugby Federation, have vowed to make the event tangibly eco-friendly, and number of the players on the French team have given their names to the cause.

The French Ministry of Ecology and Sustainable Development issued a detailed press release at the end of August, outlining the three major axes of the Rugby World Cup environmental program: emissions calculations, concrete actions, and a publicity campaign. After calculating the impact that the six weeks of matches and festivities will have on the environment, including 570,000 tons of CO2 emissions, the government agency identified three spheres of action: public transport, renewable energies and waste management. Those actions, and other environmental issues, feature in the plan to raise awareness among the publics involved in the World Cup ― fans, employees, volunteers and television spectators ― with ecologically-oriented posters, leaflets and commercials.

The potential was great. The expectations were high. "This is it," I thought: the green movement is finally emerging from those polluted backwaters and, blown by the green wind, it is at long last moving into the mainstream. Even though I was not the proud holder of a ticket, I wanted to enjoy the atmosphere of fair play and bonhomie that characterizes rugby, witness the incredible growth of green, and relish the feeling of being one of the crowd, no more the eccentric tree-hugging freak of yore. What follows is an account of my experience last Friday at the "Stade de France," the Stadium of France, during the few hours preceding the opening ceremony and first match of the tournament, which pitted the French against the Argentineans.

The first sphere of action in the environmental program consists of the promotion and facilitation of public transport to and from the stadiums, and between the ten World Cup venues scattered across the country. The mythical Stade de France is located in the working-class suburb of Saint Denis, just a few miles north of the French capital. I took the D-line train from the centre of Paris out to Saint Denis without any trouble at all. It must be said, however, that my rapid journey cannot be attributed to the efficiency of the World Cup program since the D-line is part of the normal metropolitan subway and train system. No doubt the action in this sphere is going full guns, full eco-guns that is, at the other nine stadiums.

2000 participants are expected in Madrid for the eighth international conference of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), which runs from September 3 - 14. Ecologists, representatives from 800 NGOs, and envoys from the 191 countries that ratified the Convention will meet to report on recent developments in the battle against one of the most critical environmental problems of our day.

The UNCCD defines "desertification" as the "degradation of land in arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas resulting from various factors including climatic variations and human activities." In other words, the term does not refer to the expansion of existing deserts, but to the reduction or loss of productivity of previously fertile lands. The topsoil on those lands gradually loses its nutrients and the crop yield diminishes, sometimes to the point of being completely barren and unproductive. Deforestation, overgrazing, overcultivation and faulty irrigation are some of the major causes of land degradation, while growing populations put further pressure on land and water resources.

Since they were developed in the 1930s, modern pesticides have been used extensively in viticulture around the world. “Pesticide” is the generic term used to denote a wide range of both synthetic and biological insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, and bactericides. Pesticides pollute the earth, underground water tables as well as rivers and lakes, and even the air. They disrupt food chains by poisoning species and are a major threat to biodiversity across the globe. Numerous scientific studies have demonstrated that pesticides have harmful effects on humans, causing damage to the endocrine system and increasing the risk of cancer in farmers and winegrowers.

For example, in his research on newborn babies, Professor Charles Sultan of Montpellier in southern France discovered that the toxins in pesticides are transmitted from parent to child with alarming ease. He found considerably higher instances of malformations and cancers in farmers’ children than in the general population.