The case Gautier-Sauvagnac continues to outrage

If unions hail the fit of anger by Laurence Parisot, they deplored a "real problem" at Medef and call for transparency.

The reactions followed after the coup anger Laurence Parisot on the case of compensation received by Denis Gautier-Sauvagnac. Bernard Van Craeynest, chairman of the CFE-CGC union declared he was "pleased to note" that the president of Medef know "do the housework at home." The latter has in fact said in an interview with JDD have asked all members of the Union of Industrial and metal trades (UIMM) "who exercise warrants in national institutions on behalf of Medef to return immediately to their mandate available to the Medef. " The union leader said on France Inter that it "does not tolerate that trade union organizations have been accused without evidence of being recipients of a portion of funds" removed from the coffers of the UIMM, which the Former president of the UIMM Denis Gautier-Sauvagnac is under investigation.

The president of the General Confederation of Employers of small and medium enterprises (CGPME) Jean-Francois Roubaud has meanwhile stated that there was "a real problem" at Medef. "There is a real problem today that is internal to the Medef, for the image of Medef in large companies, mingling undoubtedly political problems," he said on France Info. In SMEs "was not at all these morals and there was not, in fact, afford to have," he said, adding that the CGPME "everything is transparent."

"I can only agree with the words of Laurence Parisot, because the behaviour of those responsible for the UIMM is shocking and saddening. There is a perception that these people-there are above the law, "responded François Chérèque, secretary general of the CFDT. "What I expect now is that justice goes to the end of this case, and that Mr. Gautier-Sauvagnac adopt its contemptuous attitude, and he says that has touched the money he has distributed illegally, "said the trade unionist. "This case will, I hope, help us conclude the negotiations on the financing of trade unions and employer organisations, to achieve the greatest transparency possible," he added.

For Jean-Claude Mailly, the words of Laurence Parisot "indicates a crisis within the employers". "These are internal problems they have to solve themselves," said the general secretary of FO, which leaves the patron of Medef "assume its responsibilities". The union also regretted that the case creates a "destabilizing" for the unions, "including in the joint." As evidence, he cited the case of UNEDIC, whose president, Michel de Virville, one of the leaders of the UIMM, has already submitted his resignation to Laurence Parisot.

As to the former Socialist prime minister Laurent Fabius, he called on Radio J that the premium of 1, 5 million euros of DGS must be cancelled and in the case of legal impossibility, the government files a text law to "cancel this provision."

Bush makes pressure on climatologists for the pleasure of the oil company

According to Chicago's Platform of January 31, the republican Henry Waxman showed Tuesday January 30 the Bush administration of "knowingly misinform the public by injecting doubt in the scientific approaches of the climatic reheating." Congress man then promised major investigations on the internal and external mechanisms which made it possible the White House to make or not conceal from the USA the independent experts, who proved the climatic reheating.

Whereas UN will publish a report / ratio proving that the human economic activity is responsible for 90% of the climatic reheating, an investigation (partial results) near 1600 American climatologists shows that 43% acknowledge to have modified their reports / ratios, to 46% have undergone personal pressures or to be threatened to be private media.

With the origin of the operation, Phil Cooney, Adviser of the President to the environmental quality and oil lobbyist, allowed themselves to use his station with the service of the general interest of the citizens to diffuse methods by which remain to be proven, of the threats and the pressures near the climatologists proving the serious attacks of the human activity on the environment.

According to the Chicago Tribune, 31 January, the Republican Henry Waxman acknowledged Tuesday, January 30 the Bush administration of "knowingly misinform the public by injecting doubt in the scientific approaches of global warming." The man then Congress promised investigations deeper inroads into internal and external mechanisms that have allowed the White House to silence the USA independent experts or not, which proved global warming.

While the United Nations will publish a report showing that human economic activity is responsible for 90% of global warming, an investigation (incomplete) with 1600 American climatologists shows that 43% admit to having changed their reports, have suffered 46% personal pressure or have been threatened to be deprived of media.

At the beginning of the maneuver, Phil Cooney, Adviser to the President on the quality of the environment and oil lobbyist, has been allowed to use his position to serve the general interest of citizens to disseminate through methods that remain to prove, threats and pressures from the climatologists prove grave abuses of human activity on the environment.

While the IPCC has just made its last report on Friday in Paris on scientific observation seems unanimous: climate change is proved, but mainly as a result of human activities which broadcasts through its gas has effect Greenhouse (C02, methane, and so on.). This is a small selection of video around this theme.


The bottom cards

Emission "The bottom cards" by Jean Christophe Victor dedicated to climate change. Interview with Dominique Raynaud Glaciologue at CNRS. He says rechauffement over the long term with the techniques of Glaciology.


Effect of rechauffement Groendland on the Inuit populations

Explanation and observation of the melting ice to Groendland by NASA and Jean Jouzel. Measures Cryosat satellite.

Interview with Jean Jouzel about the IPCC report

Jean Jouzel give up on Julio Lugo is the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change). It delivers many elements of explanation and outlines very clearly the consequences and the prospects ahead. Very interesting.

Hubert Reeves Interview


The GulfStream will he disappear?

Consequence of the disappearance of Gulfstream? In this study after it already started to weaken, which could lead to a cooling in Europe.

Effect of rechauffement in Russia

In the Nordic region, for the first time in decades the detroit is not blocked by ice. The economic and geopolitical implications are sensitive.

Drought and Global Warming

In this village, the water deficit has severely affected the budget of this county while its water reserves are epuisées.

Melting ice at the north and south poles


Melting glaciers


Economic impact on the ski resorts, and rising oceans

Excerpts from the thesis of Alix Lombard: effects of melting ice on the elevation of the water level.

Effect of carbon dioxide C02 on the acidity of the oceans


Emmission "C in the air" Yves Calvi with the inevitable Jean Jouzel

Debate on the economic consequences of climate change, the report stern, etc. ..

Global Warming: migratory birds disrupted

This basic economic principle can be perverse in the context of endangered species. A team of researchers under the CNRS just published a study in the scientific journal PLoS Biology that demonstrates, mathematical models for the support, the correlation exists between the rarity of a species and its value. But in fact, this correlation has the effect of accelerating the application. This then produces a dangerous cycle: more entities are rare, they are expensive, the demand increases, the growing scarcity… This phenomenon called "anthropogenic Allee effect" (AAE) is to be included in the strategy Defence of endangered species.


Once laid the theoretical model, scientists illustrate their words by an empirical approach. Six examples supporting the study.

-- Collections: butterflies new guinea, eggs of rare birds, insects specific orchids.

-- The hunting trophies: the role of prestige is decisive. For some hunters, the rarity of the species determines the value of the trophy.

-- The objects of luxury: this applies especially fish, Abalones, or the Sturgeons for the sins Caviar

-- The exotic animals: birds, reptiles, cats and monkeys have become very fashionable in some collections. Some varieties, such as the Centropyge boylei trades at around $ 10,000.

-- Ecotourism: this rapidly growing sector represents a danger for threatened ecosystems. The attraction for sensitive sites, has led to the destruction of these places because of the disruption caused by visitors (boats, etc. ..).

-- Traditional medicine: China and Japan, the use of rare varieties to treat certain ailments leads to overexploitation of resources.

Global warming: a new challenge for Paris

With other European countries, France has pledged to reduce its emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs). To fulfil its commitment, the government issued in 2004 a "climate", which is part of a territorial logic.

The various plans climate territorial contain 4 main approaches to GHG reduction:

-- For the built heritage and transport
-- For the production and distribution of energy
-- By incentive of the socio-economic
-- By raising awareness of the people

The example Paris: Paris, the construction sector is particularly pollutant. Greenhouse gas emissions come primarily from the energy used for space heating and hot water, but they are also due to the use of large quantities of air conditioners and office.

To counter these unintended effects, the city of Paris has released a dossier containing recommendations environmental data to every applicant for authorization to town and advising on the correct equipment in the field heat, geothermal energy, renewable energy, the insulation…

Paris is characterized by a strong economy and commercial craft. The plan calls for a climate energy efficiency in the production, the development of sustainable tourism in the territory, public incentive mechanisms, and so on. In addition, the city placed on the transport own, it wants to educate the public so that they make responsible purchases (eg packaging) and advise the proper management of waste. It wants to place its actions in a European framework, or even global.

The intentions of the city of Paris are very positive and desirable. But lacking some obligations to businesses and consumers, which would be much more effective than filing a case. While many applicants for permission to urbanism have understood the need for an environmental approach, for example by installing solar panels on the roofs of houses (which often has a financial advantage and considerable energy). But both the interests of short-term financial prevail above all. And why Paris has not joined the "Memorandum of Understanding" (favoring buses hydrogen) together with the cities of Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, London, the Canadian province of British Columbia and Hamburg (see the article " Hydrogen Bus). How it is that in the majority of homes in Paris it is impossible to properly sort their waste plastic, paper, glass…? So many questions remain unanswered, in which the implementation of the plan at the moment seems to make little convincing answers.

A study launched by each of the two famous of audit firms relates to the involvement of the companies to the sustainable development.

According to the study of the experts of Mazars dimensioned on 82 companies in Europe, the verdict is without call: 95% of the firms publish in their annual reports of information on their policy of sustainable development (83% in study KPMG), and more than 50% of them considers this information in a strategic way as well as financial information. This step of DD would have allowed companies to 30% put forward the profits carried out and for others 23 percent, the benefit of image resulting from an environmental step is interesting.

The study reveals that the companies do not look any more the sustainable development as an opportunity of green communication without real effects; crushing the majority (71%) having fixed indicators of internal measurement of their performance in this field. One does not compromise with the information read by the financial analysts of the European purses. KPMG Study shows it, that this step exists in reaction to requires to take into account the environment in the development of the strategies, in particular financial, like by the emergence of these criteria of DD in the selection of grids of the shareholders. Thus the contents of this communication sustainable development within the annual reports suggested the environment (38% of the indicators), and in particular gas concerns for the purpose of greenhouse, the discharges in water and waste. The other topics targeted by KPMG indicators are HR (18%), ethics and the governorship (11%), safety and health (10%).

The question raised by KPMG is to create or recognize a grid according to which to compare these indicators of performance or transparency. The ISO 14001 standard, for example is used today in the majority of the reports / ratios (95% of the groups of the integrated energy sector it). It is the same for the GRI (Total Reporting Initiative) which formalizes the broad outline of the actions carried out by the companies: 90% of the reports / ratios of the sample refer there. "To meet the needs for the groups of the energy sector, the IPIECA (International Asssociation Petrloeum Industry Environmental Conservation) who gathers the companies of oil and gas board on the making of a standard of financial reporting extra. The checking of the data by an external third can contribute to improve the comparability of the groups' specifies Philippe Arnaud, associated responsible for the Environment department and sustainable development with KPMG.

The performances posted by the firms in their annual report are even certified by a third organization for 60% of them. 52% of the firms trust these partners of control to judge steps and results as regards sustainable development. The auditors, those which are entitled to consider financial performance, are all the more ready to consider environmental performance that the concept of sustainable development is associated by 20% of the firms the word "Responsibility", 17% with the word "long term" and 13% with the word "creation of value".

A study launched by the two famous audit firms concerning the involvement of business in sustainable development.

According to the study by experts from Mazars on 82 listed companies in Europe, the verdict is not subject to appeal: 95% of companies publish their annual reports on their sustainable development policy (83% in the KPMG study), and more 50% of them consider this information in a strategic way as well as financial information. This approach would have allowed DD 30% of companies to put forward the gains and another 23 percent, earnings picture resulted from an environmental approach is interesting.

The study shows that companies no longer view sustainable development as an opportunity for communication green without real effects, the overwhelming majority (71%) set of indicators for measuring internal their performance in this area. It does not give up on the information read by financial analysts of European stock markets.

The KPMG study shows it, that this comes in response to the need to take into account the environment in the development of strategies, including financial institutions, as well as the emergence of these criteria in the DD grids selection shareholders. Thus the contents of this communication sustainable development within the annual report puts forward the environment (38% indicators), and in particular the concerns of greenhouse gases, the pollution of water and waste. The other subjects targeted by KPMG indicators are HR (18%), ethics and governance (11%), health and safety (10%).

The question raised by KPMG is to create a grid or recognize that comparing these performance indicators or transparency. The standard ISO 14001, for example, is now used in most of the reports (95% of the energy sector groups have integrated). The same is true of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), which formalises an outline of actions by companies: 90% of the sample reports make reference to it. "To meet the needs of groups in the energy sector, IPIECA (International Petrloeum Industry Environmental Conservation Asssociation), which includes companies in the oil and gas working on developing a standard financial reporting extra. The data verification by a third party outside can help improve the comparability of groups, "says Philippe Arnaud, Associate Head of Environment and Sustainable Development of KPMG.

The performance of the companies in their annual reports are even certified by a third party for 60% of them. 52% of firms rely on these partners control to try approaches and the results in terms of sustainable development. The auditors, who are empowered to judge the financial performance, are even more capable of judging the environmental performance that the concept of sustainable development is associated with 20% of firms to the word "responsibility", 17% word "long-term" and 13% in "value creation".

On a regular basis Greenpeace publishes a ranking of manufacturers of electronic products based on their environmental impact. The report pin the shortcomings or the lack of responsibility of everyone. While some American firms are pointing the finger, the national agency has decided to hand over the record in the interests of national industries!

Indeed this industry consumes and rejects many toxic materials, including environmental reprocessing is little or no assured.

The ranking is based on a list of criteria tailored to the industry, taking into account the environment in which these impacts play.

The firm is noted Apple 2.7/10, followed by Acer, and Motorola with an average of less than 2. Among the good students, Nokia, Siemens, Erickson, above 6 or 7. Anticipating the negative impact on sales or the reputation of the US industry in this area, in the face of European competition more ethical and responsible in this regard, the Agency Environmental Protection American (Environmental Protection Agency; EPA) , has just created from scratch its own classification on the basis of the EPEAT (Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool.

This ranking functions in a manner similar to Greenpeace, a product gets a bronze medal if it responds adequately to 23 criteria, a silver medal having met at least 50% of the established criteria and a gold medal s it responds to 75% of them.

But in this ranking Apple computers and NEC are heavily advantaged and appear to be the most environmentally friendly of the market, far ahead of the Chinese or Japanese competition, then we must seek in a European ranking!

The difference? The rating criteria for the EPA, which is the supreme boss Phil Cooney, adviser to the American President to the quality of the environment, and main actor of pressures on the American climatologists not to publish their studies.

Announced on January 22 last by Areva, the acquisition of German group REpower specializes in wind power has been challenged by the Indian Suzlon Energy, the world number 5 wind turbines.

So Areva, already holder of 30% of the manufacturer, offered 850 million euros, the offer India offers 20% more, or 1.02 billion euros.

While the wind energy sector is growing at a global level, a failure french entraînerai a bottleneck for Areva in the supply of turbines.

REpower is one of the major players in the wind industry. The company specializes in the technology of high power turbines, particularly suited to the off-shore. It employs 7,402 people and announced a forecast turnover of 450 million euros in 2006. A major player on the European market, REpower is already well positioned globally (China, India, USA).

For six months, a village about 120 km from Casablanca advantage of solar panels and thus electricity. Like most rural households in Morocco, these homes have no running water, but a television, which, hitherto, has been fuelled by generators or batteries truck, harmful to the environment. The project to equip rural homes with solar panels (rural electrification program overall PERG) is the result of collaboration between Temasol and its partners Total and EDF, which equips 16,000 rural households in solar panels on behalf of Moroccan Business (1)


Unfortunately, this energy is still seen as the energy of the poor (often it is too expensive to connect remote homes to the electricity grid by wire), which is a shame, but understandable from the point of view of users. It is the only possibility of feeding habitats: it is photovoltaic energy or anything. Regarding sustainable development it is a huge step forward. Certainly, in its policy Temasol also considers the trunking and generators, but also wind power. In Morocco, yet half of rural households have no electricity.

And it is not the only thing made of sustainable energy in Morocco:
The National Center for Coordination and Planning of Scientific and Technical Research focuses on wind technology. Morocco has the necessary conditions for progress on this approach, which may attract investors strange. So is a park planned to wind Koudia Al Baida in the province of Tetuan and new projects are considered.
Hydropower is another possibility with some 200 potential sites.
The government supports the efforts of renewable energy, too, because it represents a considerable access to houses.

Support by the associations: at the site of http://www.tanmia.ma/, main portal of communication on sustainable development, the organisation ENDA Maghreb launches a questionnaire to better understand the needs of energy players concerned. The initiative has its roots in the African Development Bank (ADB), who wishes to build capacity in sustainable energy.

In terms of supply, Morocco faces major challenges. Only 5% of the energy comes from the country itself: only the hydroelectric power and renewable energy (wind and solar) are produced locally. Another problem is the cost: to satisfy their need for energy overall, the Moroccans spent a sum estimated at 37.7 billion dirhams in 2005, which weighs heavily on the country's economy.

Morocco is largely dependent on oil and coal. At first glance, this dependence seems difficult to manage (it is), but at the same time it has prompted the country to take a different route for supplies. A new industry is being formed, with major economic benefits, social and environmental. The creation of many jobs, reducing the difference in quality of life between rural and urban, and the reduction of pollution, among them. For the moment, Morocco advance slowly, but it has almost everything it needs: wind, solar, hydropower sites. It remains to find investors, and to make the Moroccans they can be proud of their solar panels. Because during the "industrialized" countries are struggling to agree on their approach to environmental issues affecting (admittedly a larger), Morocco advance, little by little, but it beforehand.

According to the blog EcoIron, displaying a black background on the pages of Google allow substantial energy savings. Indeed, according to these measures, the difference in consumption per screen, a white and black at 20%. Proceeding from the fact that Google alone approximately 200 million page views per day. If you tell someone about 10 seconds remaining on a page, Google therefore operate approximately 550,000 hours a day on our PC. A final this simple color change at the global level would save 3000 megawatts / hour is the equivalent of the peak production of two new nuclear power generation (EPR).

The green motorcycle in the best shape its name

Formerly in ancient times, the word "green" referred moto the lawnmower which allowed to discover the bucolic stroll in the woods at 90 decibels and 60 Km / h, causing severe damage to the ecosystem of a sudden hitches repetitive. Thanks to both companies, e-cycle (hybrid motors) and Machineart (design), a motorcycle hybrid gas to the electricity consumption of 1.5 l / 100Km and weighing less than 100 pounds was born to correct performance (0 to 100 in 6 seconds autonomy and sympathetic).

Beyond the green motorcycle, the environmental efforts of manufacturers were largely brought to the 2-wheeled urban. If an electric Kangoo can display a range of 100 km, it is because it carries a battery of 340 kg. But if a scooter Esarati, Italvel Oxygen or do not need to take that 10% of weight because scooters weigh much less a Kangoo (fortunately for our legs at red lights). The advance of Italian manufacturers in this area is understandable in light of the strong desire of Italians for scooter, and a few symbols well received among our neighbours, as the Isle of Capri which has banned scooters gasoline. Japanese manufacturers appears nt late on the subject, but let us make no mistake, the massification of the concept of electric scooter, if it should take place, will come from japan, can be by Yamaha who was the first Asian to embark on this niche with the Passol.

Starts noisy and polluting the green lights will perhaps one day a part of our past, because if electric motors are silent, they shrug it off very quickly when accelerating brutal!

The french nuclear group headed by Anne Lauvergeon has won a contract of $ 5 billion (3.8 billion euros) to provide the two reactors China EPR. The two reactors will be installed in the south of China. They will have a total production capacity of 3.2 gigawatts.

While china knows sustained growth, energy supply remains a central issue. Its fleet of power plants composed mostly of a coal furnace is extremely polluting. It has therefore launched many projects to ensure the regularity of its energy supply (Hydroelectric dam of the three gorges, wind farm, etc..). Areva, which had lost last year a contract for four reactors in China for the benefit of the American Westinghouse and resumed foothold in the market with great potential.

Until now there had no way to distinguish between the truly "green" products and those that were the least. With the new specifications Ecocert, the certifying body approved by the state, things will change. So far only four brands (Gentle Nature Body Nature, Cie de Provence and Prophessence) bearing the logo Ecocert both red butterflies.

If the content of an ecological product is not necessarily a selling point, the lack of environmental consideration on the part of companies appears to be a risk.


-- Logos significant

Ecocert: Products certified and meet the environmental toughest.

European Ecolabel: It has been in existence for three years for certain detergents. It takes into account the environmental impact throughout a product's life.

"Sustainable-cleaning": Managed since 2004 by industry, it rewards the best environmental efforts.


-- Are forget

The ring Moebius: Present on most products, it is evidence of just that the products can be recycled.

The green dot: It means that the industry has paid its dues mandatory Eco-Emballages, which manages the recycling of household waste.

In late 2006, two major advances in the field of environmental sustainability were held. On 13 December last year, the REACH proposal on the regulation of the chemical industry was passed by the European Parliament, while the European Commission adopted on 20 December last year, a proposal for a directive aimed at limiting emissions of gas greenhouse effect generated by the air force, thus introducing this sector in the Kyoto Protocol. If we can welcome these measures, the success of these standards has led to tremendous battles of influence and lobbying between supporters and foes of these projects. Decryption.

The battle REACH:

The chemical industry in Europe is the leading world, weighs 613 billion euros and employs 1.7 million employees as Cefic (Council of the European chemical industry). It would have invested ten million dollars in lobbying since the project began in 2001. The German groups such as BASF and Henkel, among others, took part in an active campaign that has influence. The Union of French chemical industry said that the project will cost up to 54 billion euros and 36000 jobs to France over ten years is not lagging behind. Then the involvement of political end of 2003, Gerhard Schroeder, Jacques Chirac and Tony Blair wrote to Romano Prodi, President of the Commission, they asked him "not to affect the international competitiveness of the European chemical." Finally in 2003, after the drafting of the text "lighter", a fight for influence has pulled MEPs. The leaders of the PPE (Conservative) despite the presence of a minority of parliamentary favour of the parliament, defended the amendments weakening the REACH project.
De l'autre coté les organisations écologistes ont multiplié en 6 ans les campagnes et les études chocs : en 2005 le WWF a contrôlé le sang de députés et de ministres de l'environnement européens, dénombrant près de 55 agents chimiques dans leurs organismes. Consumer associations address the indoor air fresheners: proving that they contain carcinogenic substances. On the other hand Greenpeace has increased reports alleging abuses and the failure of the draft REACH. A US federal agency, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) shows that 5% of adults living in the United States are in their urine, many toxic chemicals.

The result: The first draft was much more binding for the chemical industry, the text is presented as streamlined. The general principle alternative has been abandoned, and many thresholds lowered.

Kyoto and civil aviation: a clash underway

A new front has opened in the European Commission concerning the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol to the entire civil aviation sector. In view of the reactions almost benign transportation companies it seems that the latter has already won a big battle: the establishment of the quota system in place of a tax on fuel. But the war is not yet won, associations environmentalists have not said their last word. In addition, the requirement for international companies, including American, as a bow to the will of Brussels from 2012 might be difficult to apply. Indeed some countries do not be dictated their environmental policy by Europe and the field of confrontation could then migrate to a legal battle before the Court of Justice of the European Communities (ECJ) on the grounds of distortion of competition. By voting for the final directive games are open.

While some still doubt the magnitude or the existence of climate change, the chairman of the Great British insurance group Lloyd's just display its very strong concerns about new weather-related disasters. Preuve que le marché commence à prendre en compte la réalité de ce phénomène alors même que le lien de causalité entre réchauffement et action humaine fait encore l’objet de débats scientifiques.

A septic time on the reality of climate change, Peter Levene called on governments and businesses to act without delay to reduce the risks associated with climate change. It must be said that Hurricane Katrina has cost $ 6 billion to the British group. Thus he believes that "The insurance industry today is facing the risk of a mega-catastrophe $ 100 billion, twice more serious than Katrina"


Speaking directly to the American government, he added: "We can not afford to rebut disaster risks. Then, two years after Katrina and one year before the American presidential election, where is the national debate on this subject?". And to deliver his analysis "In the coming years, the warming of surface waters will increase the risk of hurricanes that strike land and devastating cyclones are likely," adding that the "hurricane season is getting longer and s 'spread to an area greater than before. "

But Lloyd'sn'est not an isolated case, a sign that the market gives integrates climate in its calculations, some major insurance companies such as American State Farm and Allstate have decided not to accept new fonts for several areas of the Atlantic coast because of fears of seeing the devastating cyclone.

Finally he concluded by adding that "Even if we were to stop all carbon dioxide (CO2) caused by human activities today, we should always face thirty years of warming before the effect is felt," it launched. But we must not use this excuse to do nothing. History and future generations will not forgive us if we do not. "

At the inter-ministerial committee on sustainable development of Nov. 13, 2006, the Prime Minister said considering the use of road pricing in the most congested cities. Petit overview of issues related to this measure future.

Cette taxe s’affirme d’abord comme l’extrapolation du concept de pollueur-payeur aux autres sphères de la gestion politique, vers le concept global d’utilisateur-payeur. Beyond the simple case of automobile access to French cities, such action would pose a change in the spirit of infrastructure funding by the state, which would be partially transferred to users. When a concession private channels?

In terms of land use, urban tax - granting new modern-is in vogue in environmental policies and land use in Europe. The principle is running in Rome and London, Stockholm trial. If London is based on a levy of € 11.7 per daily passage in the hyper downtown, for a drop in traffic of 16% on this sector. The benefits of this measure were not measured in terms of added value environmental, or journey times, but have been the unpopularity of the mayor of London, Gordon Brown.

If it is not sold as a technological feat (chord traditional french), the project is certainly because it has allowed English to develop technologies for recognition (and billing) automatic comparison with plates a database linking your plate with your bank account. (Future fines system applicable to stationary cameras?) So we should not see this project as a generator of traffic jams that would make your life in the image of your return from holiday in St Arnoult dam, but as a savoir faire french exportable by our flagship companies, whose prices will be a little freedom and money?

The policy announced but it is very clear, and seeks to limit the use of cars in urban areas to urban transport, although this measure to be accepted by elected Greens Paris who prefer an urban transport development by financing public, considering that the urban tax discriminatory.

Stockholm is testing a new version of this fee light, modulated according to the schedules and cheaper (2 € instead of € 11.7 London), clean vehicles being exempted. The Swedish position is a real incentive not confiscatory. Also promised is a referendum in six months from residents of the metropolitan area to determine the relevance of the long-term project.

Actress leading in this effort, France is a driving force with the "Paris Conference for global ecological governance", which will take place on 2 and 3 February 2007 in Paris, bringing together political leaders, scientists, entrepreneurs and NGOs in some sixty countries. The conference sought by J. Chirac develop constructive three axes; continue the awareness of the environmental emergency; prioritize actions needed at the global level; propose the creation of an Organization of the United Nations for the Environment (UNEO) to develop global governance ' Man, the economy and the environment.
France is not the only country where economic and environmental issues are beginning to be connected; in Canada, Mr. Dion (Liberal leader) voted in favour of research and development of enterprises in the environmental field as a future source of jobs and growth. La France appears to be as an actor with a very strong potential, and already leading through actresses companies on the markets of the environment and cleanliness, as Véolia, Suez, Géoxia (housing positive energy balance). These leaders represent French companies for future issues as important as information technology, and thus are prone to destabilization (see File site infoguerre on this subject)

Before developing a range of products and services "green", companies have to build a profit sues image firm "green respectful" as a source of differentiation, thereby rendering a service to the cause by imposing this as standard Apart from a firm which is punished by the financial markets and by consumers.

"All this evidence seems to reflect the move from intention to action and suggests that began a process of institutionalizing social, political, economic towards a prevention of disorders environmental and" preservation of the environment, "according to Denis Salles. The same author puts forward some criticism of political action in this action, independent bodies judgement stressing strict and brutal: the priorities for 1992 (commission environment, quality of life, growth ") are still priority .

Respect for the environment, but especially by business understanding of the added value of the environment perceived as creator of value, rather than as a constraint limiting the action are the keys to the future of our planet and our economy, because it is recognized that "the apparent convergence between the political intentions displayed and social aspirations of the peoples in favour of the environment, fails to structure effective modes of action from the viewpoint of the environmental objective."

In response to criticism from NGOs who denounced the toxicity of certain chemicals, manufacturers try to respond. Aware that the content ecological products can become a selling point, they are committed to change their production. In this context, the International Association for Soaps, Detergents and Maintenance Products in Europe (AISE) has set up a charter aimed at preserving the environment and promoting " safe use of products. Following these recommendations, the French association of industries Detergent, which has over 100 members, SMEs and multinationals introduced, Thursday, February 8, its charter "Sustainable-cleaning."

The detergents, cleaners, multi-purpose, dishwashing liquid or soil, along with the pesticides used in agriculture, large responsible for the destruction of nature. These chemicals are indeed made of molecules derived from oil that are not processed by sewage treatment plants and are discharged into rivers and lakes. These enzymes which digest stains, these surface-active then anchored dirt and disperse dyes and these musks (that seduce the eye and the nose of the buyer) pollute water and cause algae blooms that destroy the nauseating aquatic fauna.

It is now possible to buy products environmentally neutral. Although there is already the EU eco-label, shaped like a small flower, some industrialists want to go further. Serge Le Heurte, quality manager of the 270 stores Biocoop acknowledges that the "ecolabel is already well compared to conventional detergents" but that he "is not enough for us."

The theme of sustainable development is now inevitable in developed countries. Civil society, the scientific community, industry and the political world have taken ownership of this fundamental issue. But few glances brought on developing countries. How is it that these statements tomorrow to be the biggest polluters of the planet are not further identified in the environmental debate? Thierry Wolton, historian and essayist answers our questions concerning the Chinese emblematic case. Author of numerous books, it is currently finalising his latest book (1) devoted to China. "The great Chinese bluff" to be published in April next year, a book critical analysis and without compromising on the country according led some to become the next world power. The environment has emerged as a major socio-economic challenges for the empire of the environment.



What is the energy problem of china?

It is above all a problem that lies in the path of development. The contradictions energy derived industrial choices. The china is in an industrial development, the high activity of the secondary sector involves a very large consumption of raw materials. If he continues with this rate of growth, there will not be enough resources. They decided to liquefy coal to make gasoline. Out of this technique appears to be doubly clean: it takes energy to extract the essence that once consumed gas emits pollutants. From a purely energy, not to mention the problem of the environment, "Chinese industrial revolution" can not hold long-term, and even a medium-term elsewhere.



Was he not alternative policies?

First the wind farm will never be an absolute solution. We know that wind power can meet only 10 or 15% of energy. Rest when nuclear energy. Even if it's a solution, then arises the problem of waste. The danger in the totalitarian countries like China is the management of this waste. There is see that the example of the Soviet Union: in Russia today, countless sites, including Murmansk or rotting old nuclear submarines, are highly contaminated, not even talking about the case… Chernobyl. .
The democratic countries themselves, arriving to find balanced solutions. I doubt that China is capable.



When you stand the mismatch between development and energy?

This will arise very quickly, within ten years. Although China has embarked on a race for resources in Africa, Azerbaijan, or in Russia, competition with Japan and the USA is very present. The government is acutely aware of this vulnerability, hence the development of alternative techniques (hydroelectric dams of the three gorges, coal liquefaction, etc.).



The china can overcome this contradiction between a boom and the lack of resources?

No, not short-term. The only solution is nuclear power, but this is part of a long cycle. The time that the country buys substantially in nuclear, the contradiction has already taken place. At one point there will be a bottleneck. By ten years after me.



What are the major environmental challenges?

Water: 70% of the water is no longer usable, ie to even the most reprocess, either for consumption or for agriculture. Two million hectares are irrigated with wastewater.

Waste management: 130,000 hectares are used for waste storage

In the end all of this has an impact on public health, lack of drinking water, air pollution, and so on.

For the anecdote, former Premier Jiang Zemin, when he was appointed a Shanghai said that he had just lost five years of his life expectancy. And not even talking about Beijing, which is even more polluted. And on this point, the organization of the Olympic Games in the city in 2008 seems to be complete nonsense. The tests will be difficult…



What is the price of this pollution?

According to the World Bank, pollution currently costs between 8 and 12% of GDP. China spends 1.5% of its GDP to the problem of pollution while it is estimated that affect 3%.



What are the sources of urban pollution?

Mainly Chinese industry, I do not speak of the industry settles Western there. The china is well below environmental standards in the West. You should know that China's industries operate like those of developed countries within 50 years, they use coal and are totally outdated. And the industry is very fragmented, it goes back to the communist paranoia. Since the scheme was afraid of being attacked, it has spread its industries throughout the territory which is not conducive to the rationalization of production especially in terms of transportation.



How to understand the attacks against the USA on these issues while China and other developing countries also greatly pollute?

It would like to anti-Americanism, anti-liberalism and anti-capitalism. But the USA is a democratic country, or there is a civil society, and where the place of the individual in society is important. All of this does not exist in China because it is a totalitarian country in which the leaders in power do not even consider these questions. Although the USA are behind on environmental issues with regard to Europe, they will eventually get there, they have already begun elsewhere. The posture of systematic denunciation will have to be reconsidered because in ten years, the Chinese will be the first polluters in the world.

Interviewed was transcribed by Olivier A,


(1) The Chinese Grand Bluff by Thierry Wolton, forthcoming end of April 2007 published by Robert Laffont

As a result of climate change, the growing number of natural disasters that occur at intervals of increasingly close a heavy bills. Last dated example, the storm Kyrill who had struck in mid-January last northern Europe, will cost between 5 and 7 billion euros according to Munich Re, the world's second largest reinsurance.

Initially estimated at one billion euro, the Federation of German insurers recently doubled its estimate of the cost of damage across the Rhine by the passage of the storm "Kyrill, now estimated at around two billion euros. What make Germany the country worst hit by the weather.

The accelerated pace of natural disasters strike the budget insurance companies. Thus, the reinsurer Scor french estimated between 25 and 30 million euros the negative impact on its accounts before tax Kyrill of the storm. "The damage caused by Kyrill are characterized by a large number of small-scale disasters that have affected mainly by private insurance and commercial risks," according to the group. For its part, Munich Re provides that this storm will have a negative impact of 600 million euros before taxes to the maximum on its accounts.

Thus, it is not inconceivable that rates are rising in Germany and that the contract terms are reinforced, especially since the institute hazard modeling EQECAT, based in California believed that a storm of such violence Statistical represents a risk likely to be repeated every seven to ten years in Europe. Across the Atlantic, some major insurance companies such as American State Farm and Allstate have decided to no longer accept new fonts for several areas of the Atlantic coast because of fears of seeing the devastating cyclone.

This echoes the words of the chairman of great British insurance group Lloyd's, which last month posted its very strong concerns about new weather-related disasters. Peter Levene called on governments and businesses to act without delay to reduce the risks associated with climate change, since according to him, "The insurance industry today is facing the risk of a mega-disaster 100 billion, twice more serious than Katrina "It must be said that Hurricane Katrina s'été which hit New Orleans in August 2005 had cost six billion dollars to the British group

A service station, which opened this week in the State of Nebraska in the United States (centre), buys only in the United States and Canada for the distribution of petrol so-called "no terrorist" .


At Omaha, pumps gasoline service station distributing "without super terrorist", "unleaded without terrorist," multiplying placards and banners proudly proclaiming the coming of fuel.

In the adjoining store, messages explaining that the institution uses only gasoline from Canada and the United States and supports the war against terrorism.

"We know that when we go to the pump, we send our hard-earned dollars in a part of the world that wants to destroy us," said to AFP Joe Kaufman, owner of the station at the origin of the initiative known "Essence without terrorist" (Terror-Free Oil Initiative, TFO) to the oil companies and other gas stations.

"We have created this initiative to serve the major oil companies that buy crude oil in the Middle East that we Americans, we have enough to fund our own demise," said the activist.

The TFO logo combines the twin towers of the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and the words United 93, in reference to the attacks of September 11, 2001.

According to a report by the research firm Wood Mackenzie Scots, the planet holds 3600 billion barrels of hydrocarbon "unconventional", ie resources buried deep or in the form of heavy oil. The study stresses that the transition to non-conventional oils may become necessary faster than what usually experts in the oil industry. But the extraction and exploitation of this oil demand the use of highly polluting technologies. At a time when oil companies refine their image and proceed at the turn of the oil after this alternative is it economically viable?

If instead of these hydrocarbons is now marginal, the increase in the price per barrel leading oil companies to consider their position in the extraction or break-even is becoming interesting (ratio between the operating cost and selling price). To date, only 8% of non-conventional oil is exploited or in the process of being implemented. Excluding if the International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that these hydrocarbons represent only 2 million barrels per day (MBD) in 2025, representing 3% of the daily world consumption (85 MBD), Wood Mackenzie believe it could potentially meet 20% of world demand in 2020. The transition to non-conventional hydrocarbons may become necessary faster than what usually experts in the oil industry even after 2020, it is not clear that conventional oil will be able to meet the Increased demand, "says Wood Mackenzie.

Anyway, extraction and exploitation of hydrocarbons unconventional requires large quantities of water, natural gas and solvents: a more expensive, and polluting energy greedy for conventional oil. One thing is shared by the Chief Economist of the International Energy Agency, Fatih Birol, "The Earth contains a lot of non-conventional hydrocarbons (...) but it is not technically feasible and environmentally unhealthy to extract oil at a high rate ".

Since then the oil company can consider two options: to prepare for the post oil, or continue in this direction by exploiting these resources for a high price, environmentally and financially. In the absence of a major technological revolution, the path followed by companies determine their image. Some like BP have clearly shown their claims. Turning proudly the slogan "Beyond the petrol (after oil), the company apparently wants to stand out from this path. Similarly, Total, which has just announced its intention to engage in nuclear seems to have consumed the rupture.

The discussion about sustainable development and environemental issues is inevitable in developed countries. Society, the scientific community, and the business sector seriously consider the problems and solutions linked to it. Unfortunately, the attention in view of this issue is little towards developing countries. How comes that theses counties, which will be the biggest polluters on the globe tomorrow, are mentioned only few times in the environmental debate? Thierry Wolton, Historian and Essayist, answers our questions considering the case of China representative. He is the author of several books and about to finalize his latest one: "The great Chinese Bluff" ( "The Big Chinese Delusion") to come out in April 2007, includes a discerning analysis without any concession towards the country of whom some specialists believe to be the next global leader. The environment appears to be one of the biggest challenges for the ancient empire.


What is the Chinese energy problem all about?

First and foremost this is a problem related to the mode of development. The contradictions on the subject of energy are a consequence of the industrial choices made. China experiences an industrial development; the strong activity of this sector implies a huge consumption of commodities. If the country continues with the same economic growth, there will not be enough resources. They decided to liquefy coal to produce fuel. But this technique is polluting in a two ways: energy is needed to extract oil from the coal, and once burned, this fuel pollutes.
If we only look at the energy problem and leaving out the environmental one, the Chinese "industrial revolution" will not be able to survive in the long run, and even not in the intermediate one.


Are there any alternative politics?

Wind parks will never be the only solution. We know that wind energy can only cover 10 -15% of the needs. Another mode is nuclear energy. But even though it is a solution, there is the question of what to do with the nuclear waste. The danger in totalitarian countries just as China lies within the management of this waste. We only have to look at the example of the Soviet Union: today, many places in Russia are highly contaminated, just as Murmansk, where numerous nuclear-driven submarines go to seed. And let's not talk about Chernobyl……
Democratic countries succeed in finding conclusive solutions. I doubt that China is capable to do the same.


When will the discrepancy between the economic growth and the energy issue arise?

Pretty quickly, maybe in about ten years. Even though China hurries to find resources on the African continent, in Azerbaijan or in Russia, the competition with Japan and the USA is quite hard. The government is conscious about this weak point. This is why they put into action the development of technical alternatives (hydroelectric, coal…)


Which are the most important environmental challenges?

The water: 70% of the water is not usable anymore. This means that it is not exploitable; neither for consumption, nor for agriculture. Tow HA one million are irrigated with contaminated water.

The management of the waste: 130000 HA are used to stock it

Just as little story: When he was nominated in Shanghai, the former Prime Minister Jiang Zemin declared that he lost five yeas of his lifespan. And let's not even think about Peking, which is even more dirtied. Taking into account this point, the organisation of the Olympic Games in 2008 seem ridiculous to me. The competition will be difficult….


What is the price to pay for this pollution?

Giving to the World Bank, this pollution currently costs 8 to 12% of the growth domestic product. China scarifies 1.5% of its GDP to manage pollution, but estimates corresponding to 3% would be needed.


Which are the reasons for urban pollution?

Mainly the Chinese industry, I do not talk about western dislocated industries there.
China is way behind western regulations. One has to know that the Chinese Industry functions just like the Western industry in the 50s, it uses coal and is completely obsolete.
Furthermore it is very scattered, a heritage of the communist paranoia. As the regime was scared to be attacked, they dispersed their industries over the whole territory. This is not helpful for the production management, especially regarding the transport.


How to judge the attacks against the USA about the same issues, just when developing countries as China also seriously pollute?

This is due to an anti-US tendency, against liberalism and capitalism. But the USA are a democratic country, where there is a society in which the existence of the individual human being counts. All this does not exist in a totalitarian country like China: its leaders do not bother about these questions. Even though the USA are not up to date about environmental issues compared to Europe, they will be soon. The position of the systematic denunciation must be revised because in ten year China will be the first polluter on the globe.

As a consequence of climate changes the bill rises with the increasing number of natural disasters. This happens within intervals becoming shorter and shorter.The was the latest tempest "Kyrill" which hit the north of Europe during January. According to Munich Re, number two in the business of reassurance worldwide, it will cost between 5 and 7 billion €.

Initially estimated € 1 billion to the German Federation of Insurance doubled the evaluation of the damages caused by "Kyrill" in Germany. Now it is expected to be 2 million. This turns Germany to be the country having the highest damage caused by this tempest.

The acceleration of the rhythm of natural disasters burdens the financial budget of the insurance companies. The French insurance SCOR estimated the negative impact on the accounts (before taxes) between 25 and 30 million €. "The damages caused by Kyrill can be characterized by being generally of a small impact, which are mostly calling on the insurance of private clients and business risk," states the group.
Munich Re takes into account that this storm will have a negative impact of 600 million euro up on its accounts (before taxes).

Hence, the option is not excluded that insurance premiums will be raised and that the conditions for insurance contracts will be hardened in Germany. This is even more possible as the EQECAT, provider services for managing natural and manmade risks based in California, thinks that a storm of this degree is statistically likely to recur every seven to ten years in Europe.
In the USA some of the big American insurance companies just as State Farm and Allstate decided to refuse all new contracts for several areas on the Atlantic Cost; they are afraid that a hurricane will destroy the area.

This statement refers to the great fear expressed by the president of the British insurance group Lloyd's who stated his apprehension concerning the new natural disasters due to climate changes. Peter Levene urged the governments and the companies to act right away to alleviate these risks because "today the assurances are likely to have to handle a mega-cataclysm of 100 billion dollars, two times worse than Katrina" he says. It has to be added that Lloyd's had to pay 8 billion dollars for Katrina which impacted on in New Orleans. August 2005.

According to its own statistics, China has seen an increase of nearly 10% in 2005. A figure that, if correct, would raise the country to fourth place in the world's economies, ahead of Great Britain and France. While developed countries are trying to implement sustainable development, China is concerned as a priority to ensure its economic growth. But when the equation becomes insoluble environmental, China will have to draw on Western know-how. Conjugation between a country and a highly polluted creditworthy customer, the market in the Chinese environment represents a tremendous potential.


The first global polluter

The People's Republic exceed, in 2009, the United States as the biggest producer of carbon dioxide (CO2), ten years earlier than planned, according to a report by the International Energy Agency. For his part, the OECD, the club of industrialized countries, believes that China's efforts "are not enough (...) if they are to meet the challenges that rapid economic growth launches the environment. " The organization confirms that the trip to China is already world champion for the production of sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions, and that are allocated on the rise since 2002, spraying the maximum set by Beijing. Whether in the air, water or soil, "the Chinese policy ineffectiveness and there is an urgent need to strengthen" according Kiyo Akasaka, Deputy Secretary General of the OECD. Thus, 70% of the water is no longer usable, ie to even the most reprocess, either for consumption or for agriculture, while two million hectares are irrigated with wastewater. In addition, China has recorded an average temperature of 9.9 C in 2006, making 2006 the warmest year in China since 1951, according to the Chinese Meteorological Bureau. Since 1950, there has been a warming trend in most regions of China, either in terms of average annual temperature or winter weather, according to data released by the Bureau of Meteorology.

In the end all of this has an impact on public health. For the anecdote, former Premier Jiang Zemin, when he was appointed a Shanghai said that he had just lost five years of his life expectancy.


Prime Environmental Market

The purpose of power is to quadruple the GDP, and probably needs energy by 2020. But with a double-digit growth, Xie Fuzhan, director of the State Bureau of Statistics (BES) announced last month that his country will not achieve its goal of reducing the energy consumption for 2006. Country energy, the empire in the middle is undermined by its poor environmental efficiency. The relationship between the pollution emitted and production remains extremely ill. Clearly, the first polluter in the world is not the largest producer. According to the World Bank, pollution currently costs between 8 and 12% of GDP. China spends 1.5% of its GDP to the problem of pollution while it is estimated that affect 3%. The challenge for companies is huge. At this place on this market promises of lucrative contracts:

-- Energy: ensure energy supply in a sustainable manner ie without emissions of greenhouse gases. Yet China's economy is an engine, one that today 70% of its energy from coal. The solution lies in the construction of power plants with clean furnace filters and effective. Nuclear power and wind power are also solicited.

-- Water treatment: the majority of the population is still rural and agricultural. Treatment of water for irrigation and consumption is a vital issue.

-- Pollution: brownfields are innumerable. Waste management application specific expertise.

Ultimately, the whole issue and to know when the government will respond. The lack of response to environmental degradation can be indefinitely at the risk of seeing the country sliding into health and social crises. When the Chinese Communist Party deems that this state of affairs threatens its survival will take appropriate measures. The France through companies such as Areva, Suez, or other Véolia have many strengths. More broadly, the countries of the European Union in Brussels constrained by environmental rules the most stringent in the world are taking a serious advance in this area. Even if it costs dearly having today, the gains will eventually be of much higher. We have missed turning digital, do not miss the market of the environment.

A confidential report published by management and hydraulic engineering production (DPIH) and EDF unveiled by the magazine Capital, said that nearly half of 450 dams operated by EDF are in a dilapidated state. The group said today that it will release 500 million over the period 2007-2011 for maintenance of these structures. While most media have relayed this information, none draws a parallel with another report on the renewal of the hydropower. Off to the extent that the park is now older, financial conditions and scenarios relating to these concessions remain outstanding.

About four hundred and fifty dams operated in France by the group, two hundred are deemed obsolete and a hundred can be considered hazardous, with the risk of subsidence of land, destruction of roads and flooding villages. The problems are mostly concentrated in the Alps, but the dams of the Massif Central and the Pyrenees are also involved. What is happening instead of dams granted to other producers such as Suez? Are they better statements?

According to a November 2006 report on the renewal of the hydropower, it appears that EDF and Suez managed by all the dams with a power greater than 50 Mega Watts. But for the portion of the 4.5 to 50 MW, thirty books are managed by other producers.

Therefore, to what extent does the obsolescence of some dams could jeopardize the concessions? Similarly, it would be interesting to know the status of dams granted to private groups. Are they better or less well-maintained? The stakes are here….

n 16 November last year, Edgar Gartnër (1) published in L'Echo and La Libre Belgique a forum entitled "Towards an ecological totalitarianism." This article, which calls into question the scientific assumptions relating to global warming was surprised. Sharply criticized the Kyoto Protocol it calls to question the causes of climate change. Reprit by the German conservative daily Die Welt on 8 November he came to France on December 26 under the heading discussion of the newspaper Le Figaro and in Les Echos. The answer to this paved in the fed has not tardée, November 29, also in La Libre Belgique, several professors (2) of the University of Leuven have disputed the analysis of Mr Gartnër accusing him of making the misinformation. One of the main points raised is that of financing: the Think Tank of the author is funded by the American Exxon tanker. Does it if this man an ugly agent of influence has the balance of this company?


The remarks by Edgar Gartnër:


It does not deny the reality of climate change, but causation of this phenomenon, "he makes it clear that climate change is undeniable." Totalitarianism according to him is that the Kyoto protocol focuses on the causes human principally CO2 emissions. He mentioned the difficulty of proving this, addressing the same methods of scientific experiments conducted in the laboratory and by computer simulation. For Mr Gartnër other causes must be taken into account such as the evolution of solar activity. He condemned the Kyoto Protocol and the European policies that this international treaty applies with even greater severity than expected at the expense of the economy.

The answer:

The five academics attack from the outset with an argument, "Mr. Gärtner, is attached to the Centre for the New Europe. This center has been funded by donations from Exxon. ". They go on to state that "it is in fact the only well-known public financing of the Centre in question". "In addition the Royal Society - the Academy of Sciences of the United Kingdom - even wrote to Esso / Exxon informing him of her concern about the funding provided by the company to organizations disseminating views contrary to scientific knowledge about climate change. "

So they do not hesitate to say that it's a kind of "disinformation". At the scientific level, having denounced the argument Gartnër Edgar, the authors explain that "no serious argument is presented, and it was predictable."

Notes:

Both say right away, my point is not to defend that matter or determine the relevance of various scientific arguments (I do not have the capacity) exposed on both sides, but to challenge the delégitimation made against Mr Gartnër. Indeed dice the first lines of the answer is clear about: the author is in the pay of Exxon's analysis therefore is not relevant because interested. But who are there bad for a research center to receive private funding? While Mr Gartnër is Director of Environment Forum in this centre, and is an Exxon oil company. But this funding is not hidden. When the Union of Concerned Scientists, or the site ExxonSecrets reveal that the Centre has reached $ 170,000 between 2003 to 2005 there is nothing obscure or secret. The reports of contribution of oil are available online at its website (2003, 2004, 2005). In addition Mr Gartnër supports on the site of the institute Hayek, "since he works (an honorary title) for the Center for the New Europe" the center "does not receive any funds from the same Exxon" he acknowledged that "the CNE was partially funded by Exxon a few years ago" but that the company "does more such activities."

So money from Exxon will be dirty. What then of public funding? Mr Jean-Pascal van Ypersele, who signed the response to Edgar Gartnër, is a professor climatologist at the University of Leuven and a member of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Do there will not suspect that Mr funded by the taxpayer, to be paid by the European Union and Belgium that represents the IPCC? Its analyses Are not biased by its membership of this institution in a country in favour of the Kyoto Protocol and in the capital of the EU itself ahead of these issues? If we met often before the economic interests of the anti-Kyoto, can not there be no doubt as to the interests of the pro-Kyoto?

I do not judge person, I am unable to say whether Mr Gartnër was wrong in its scientific arguments or if it is the teachers who are right. Just think that economic interests are not just on one side or the other. The stakes are enormous, multiple and complex. So Gartnër Agent influence of Exxon? You are the sole judges.

A Olivier

(1) Biography CNE: Responsible for the Environment Forum of the CNE. Before joining the team at CNE, Edgar Gaertner wrote for Science & Vie, he was also the editor of the letter environment and the editor in chief of WWF Germany. He finally currently writing a book on PVC and a book on eco-nihilism.

(2) Jean-Pascal van Ypersele, Philippe Marbaix, Marie-France Loutre, Michel Crucifix and Wouter Lefebvre

The ideas that emerge from contemporary societal and environmental debates between competitiveness, sustainability of the economy and the need to respect the environment, should generate a new wave of macroeconomic theories including infrastructurantes new dimensions to the economic patterns of today and tomorrow, such as the environment and the knowledge economy (different from the Internet economy). Conducting this thinking does not undermine trust liberalism and capitalism that lead the world in generating wealth and social progress (despite its numerous flaws, the world on a global level has never been so rich that since globalization and success of capitalism, unfortunately at the expense of the environment), but throw on the table evidence of the need to change these models, the urgent need to respect the environment to ensure the survival of human beings and the durability of its economic development.


Today, and for some years, the theories linking economy and ecology are focused on a vision in which economic growth and ecology mutually exclusive. This dialectic is the result of the awareness that the planet's resources are finite or will be insufficient response to the needs (oil is not one example in the same way as drinking water), the reality is therefore opposed to the theories Macroeconomic classical and neoclassical that the resources of economic activity are endless by assumption.

Just consider these macroeconomic theories pollution and its impact on local and global potential for economic development, such as not having to be taken into account in economic logic. Taking into account pollution at the social level (associations), and policy (taxes) has changed this intellectual approach, but the macroeconomic theories being renovated this axis monopolized by social issues and macro social. This logically leads to a reflection evidence to compel individuals and organizations to arbitration, with a choice between ecology and economy, as the macroeconomic theories are not facts emerge linking the two models.

The theory of decay born of this vacuum is dangerous and unrealistic, because challenging the perfectibility of humans (progress shown by the strategies of companies and states, markets and actors), we sought to close the lines of thinking and solution by the progress, this facilitated by ideology and intellectual.

Other theories have emerged under the name of sustainable development, or sustainable development (more political concept) in the mid 1990's. The economic environment is the inclusion of the economy in a logic intellectual environmentalist. This concept comes from the "Brundtland Report" in 1987, revolutionary for his time is always a reference, proof that the apprehension of this issue has not changed since 1987, while the economy has profitée bonds of major technological and conceptual . The analyses proposed on the basis of this report, therefore, come to understand the Gulf War of 1991 with the logic of the trenches in 1914, and are totally outdated, although the rhetoric that we hear today.

It must be said that we have come far, so the macro economy has in its history an inability to think about the environment. One of the very first motion study of the economy were the physiocrats, (France, 18 ° Century), which saw the creation of wealth as had originally as agriculture, and thus harming the environment. Even today, when the oil tanker Erika that pours its tonnes of crude oil on the beaches and the odds of France, the cost of cleaning is added to the GDP of our country, despite the environmental devastation. By contrast, the development of standards and procedures to prevent such a disaster happens, does not create any value, and with a sadistic light can be seen as impeding create value by cleaning up pollution . These arguments are based on the short-term accounts, and not on maximizing value creation on an intergenerational time, the absurdity of this approach is proven and becomes unbearable. The delay of reflection on the evolution of the economy does not allow grid action, not guide or incentive "to the economy otherwise." Without this guide, companies can not arbitrate in an optimal way their priorities economic, social, human and environmental in order to maximize their profits, particularly long-term deal with disasters announced.

What axes build this new macroeconomic theory?
An existing line of thought, credible, develop in macroeconomics has been given by the Heads of States and Government in Lisbon in 2000. The Lisbon European Council, aimed at making Europe's economy the most competitive knowledge in 2010, is a sharp break in the apprehension of the link ecology environment, highlighting the economic opportunities to move from one mode Economic pollutant and archaic to a saving of intangibles, knowledge. The intellectual gap was created from a pessimistic approach to an approach based on optimism the perfectibility of the economy in the image of man, but the academic world failed to capture the message, in englué 'impossible approach social issues from north to south.

Morocco wants to reconcile tourism development and environmental requirements by promoting its historic and cultural heritage. France has she has taken lessons? An international workshop on sustainable tourism held in Agadir, highlighting the need to reconcile economic development of Morocco by tourism and the preservation of the fragile ecosystem areas reclaimed from the desert.

Morocco, a second area of the southern Mediterranean biodiversity is threatened by climatic growing. This constraint was understood very early in the kingdom, notably since 1996 and the Master Plan of protected areas, which has enabled the identification of 154 sites of biological and ecological interests (SIBE), covering an area of more than 600000 hectares .

The goal clearly expressed by the authorities (prefectural governors) is to reconcile tourism and the environment, in order to ensure development of Morocco in the long run, in which tourism is both a tool and the end of the process. The Morocco has signed various conventions in this direction in order to create a virtuous circle between tourism and enhancement (and conservation) sites of cultural or ecological, and falls in global example in this direction. The labels are developing ecotourism in the tourism services of Morocco

France is only trying to prove that biodiversity serves some purpose. To demonstrate the value of biodiversity for human societies, Nelly Ollin (Minister of Ecology) has recalled the "National Biodiversity Strategy" (4-fold increase since 2002 heavily protected areas; 7.65 per Overseas Wednesday, 100 for maritime spaces), highlighting the protection of species of butterflies.

Extending these areas so normative, or by the allocation of budgets is good, but this strategy (useful) is not attached to the domestic economy, such as tourism is an essential part. Develop then the link between sustainable development and tourism by the Moroccan example of ecotourism?

With regard to land use planning, the Paris City Hall is the structural work for a satisfactory result. Blending very clearly in a "deliberate policy to reduce pollution" (and noise), but spent the major routes open to traffic, subway lines, but also, but especially a new tram T3 ( inauguration in December 2006), which redraws… Paris.



"Doing the challenge of a city that breathes better, and that breaks new" seems to be the spearhead of the teams Denis Baupin, deputy mayor of Paris in charge of Transport:

Decrease of cars: in the past 5 years, the lanes have become less and less broad, what should or should, lead to limited traffic, quite the contrary. With the introduction of the tramway, a decline of 25% in car traffic is expected (according to a BVA survey 2003, 69% of Parisians are suitable for public transport).
Focusing modes of travel non-polluting: emergence of new buses, development of bike paths and creating space Wheel "free" on some sections of routes (7.9 km).
Greater safety of pedestrians: Doors all admissions in Paris are redesigned to secure and facilitate the movement of pedestrians, pedestrian crossings boulevards have improved and users will have more time to cross, sidewalks, expanded planted d 'trees and lightweight in terms of furniture are real space walks and rest, with benches on the outskirts of some stations to stop walkers.

But also, T3, which serves the boulevards of South Marshals between the Porte d'Ivry and Garigliano Bridge, passes at the border of 13th, 14th and 15th districts and is part of a draft urban design and landscaping.
Beyond inserting discrete (stations are signed by the architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte designer, light Clear Louis, Antoine Grumbach had been in charge of roads and facilities with the landscape architect Michel Desvignes), the design of the line has been integrated to a "cultural" project because it gives an important place, even in the urban space, contemporary art…. The tramway in Paris, innovation in itself, is even more through this artistic journey.

Initiated by the City of Paris and co-financed by the Ile-de-France and with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Communication (Delegation to the fine arts and National Center of Visual Arts), the artistic programme proposes to implement nine works of art along the route of the tramway. Christian Boltanski, Angela Bulloch, Sophie Calle, Frank O. Gehry, Didier Fiuza Faustino, Dan Graham, Peter Kogler, Bertrand Lavier and Claude Lévêque, thought their projects according to their vision of the city and the exact spot where they arcade.

Even more than the tram, they are also the lines that will be improved:

The RATP kicks off its modernization program in 2025 and started a small revolution saving 30% in maintenance costs and the same energy. The RATP opt for lines without a driver on some sections (such as on the line 14) to better regulate the traffic, and adapt in real time; this will be the case in full on the line 1 (160 million trips annually) d Until five years and are reams of rotations will take into account the increase of 60% in ten years of attendance after 20 hours.
Exploiting new generation of equipment also will include a system of electronic speed on all trains; named Hurricane, the device will be deployed primarily on the line 13 (Asnières and Saint-Denis-Chatillon), in order to "boost" its capacity by 21%, or 23,000 passengers per hour from 19,000 currently. Hurricane investment will amount to 130 million euros.
The security component will be combined with a reorganization of the facades of platforms, with glass walls 1.5 metres high insulation tracks. The idea is to limit as much as possible the intrusion of "travellers" on track. An initial test scale is currently being carried out on the same 13 (the most prone to irregularities of all kinds) to Saint-Lazare station (7 million entrants per year) and Disabled (3.5 million).

Global warming has given ideas to an online games site. It is now possible to bet on the rise in water level, on the extinction of polar bears or on the marketing of a car walking in the water.

In just three days, 3,000 bettors already have the money wagered on the site betus.com American, and sometimes on proposals as crazy as risky. Thus, against all odds, most of these online players predict that Manhattan will be submerged by the end of 2010, ie in less than four years ....

"Do not ask me why," acknowledged Reed Richards, a spokesman for the site BetUs.com.

Among the predictions that have been a resounding success, people bet 200 to 1 at the Cape Henry, Virginia, will be under water by 2015 and to 300 to 1 it will be the same for Cape Hatteras, in the Outer Banks, the string of islands located off the coast of North Carolina, on the same date.

Owner Group Head, Johan Eliasch focused on global warming after finding that the phenomenon threatens sales of skiing. The Anglo-Swedish millionaire therefore chose to contribute to the preservation of the rich Amazon forest. He bought a sawmill in October 2005, two parcels logging for a total of 160,000 acres in the heart of the forest in the state of Amazonas, Brazil. The goal: to preserve these parcels of intensive exploitation. The amount of this investment charity is estimated by the Sunday Times at 8 million pounds.

According Courrier International, which devotes a page in its supplement "rich", Johan Eliasch estimated that 400 million hectares of the Amazon forest could be acquired. It is campaigning for celebrities and politicians follow his example. It also plans to produce alternative medicines, essential oils and saving the rainforests.

But, is it acceptable to close a sawmill Brazilian to slow deforestation of the Amazon?

Mr. Eliasch has been accused of "green colonialism". Indeed, it has banned logging on its land, speeding the closure of a nearby sawmill and raised the ire of its neighbours and national politicians, including President Luiz Ignacio Lula da Silva. The idea that polluters bought a virginity preventing poor countries to exploit their natural resources repugnant to many, and not only in Brazil. Note, deforestation is responsible for 20% of the human contribution to the greenhouse effect, rather than the transport sector. To complicate matters, Mr. Eliasch founded a company, Cool Earth, to expand its area, and even plans to sell "green certificates" on the Stock Exchange of carbon in Chicago, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Many discussions revolve around the use of biofuels in France at the moment. According to the Directive 2003/30/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 8 May 2003 to promote the use of biofuels or other renewable fuels for transport, EU member states are required to replace conventional fuels by biofuels at the height of 2% of the total mass of fuel to December 31, 2005, 5.75% for December 31, 2010 and 20% for December 31, 2020. However, the french government seems to have made a choice among various possible solutions: Ethanol / E85, Biodiesel, and gas in many forms. (LPG → Liquefied Petroleum Gases, CNG → Natural Gas Vehicle).

There is only referring to the last official report on biofuels, the report of the working group to support the development of the sector E85 (abbreviated Prost "Report"), the government has clearly opted for the E85. It is a mixture of 85% ethanol, an alcohol made from beet or cereals, and 15% gasoline. The cars using this fuel have a flex-fuel engine. One of the arguments in favour of the E85 from the authors of the report is that, with this engine, the vehicle can operate with either pure ethanol, gasoline or any mixture of both. In addition they bring to the forefront the issue of reduced greenhouse gases and speak of an energy independence.

But experts have argued about opportunities to meet the needs of entire fuel for transport in France. Prost Thus, the report cites that "the only exports of cereals and sugar beet is equivalent to about 71% of needs in the car petrol '. After this there is the question of what happens with the rest of the French economy (truck companies, for example). Does production capacity sufficient? Other people like Peter Perbos, Administrator of Climate Action Network (CARs), France, in charge of the transport sector made it clear that "if you wanted to reduce by 10% the amount of oil used in the road transport sector (30 million PET diesel, 12 2004), by replacing biofuels would require 5.5 million hectares for the cultivation of rapeseed, 2.6 million for that of wheat, or 8.1 million , ie half of the arable land. " It should not be forgotten that the E85 has a power energy per litre less than 30% of petrol and 36% of that of diesel, which implies an increase in the consumption of vehicles. Different studies have shown varied results concerning the emission of greenhouse gases from E85 compared with other biofuels such as biodiesel or vegetable oil flow.

But the question arises whether the government has made the right choice by focusing on E85? There is certainly a solution among many others but it is not the sole, and especially not the best in the long run

Beautiful advertising, production and creativity in order. Envoutante music J.C. Blagovitch created specially for the occasion of this advertising. Again it seeks public opinion. No argument is developed, no product is put forward. Only a sense of well being in a beautiful world of progress under control. What is covered is the representation of Total, its image. It must be said that the sinking of the Erika and AZF are passed by.

Misuse of advertising TOTAL
Even technique as before: paraléllisme forms, music and achievement are the same. It falls into the symmetry opposed to the message of the original advertisement. If Total boasts one way idyllic reality, this video caricature and blackened. No argument at all, any given is cited. Only a hijacked resumption of the slogan and logo are presented in total at the end.
Target: Total

VEOLIA


As in the advertisement of Total, have found a beautiful young woman, inserted socially, and who benefits without knowing the activity of the group Véolia. The production is not so much put forward, it is not the consumer who is targeted. Same as in the previous cases.

Against advertising entitled Lie advertising



Unlike the others, this video is not a diversion of existing advertising, but a comparison of multiple campaigns. Created for the opportunity they target the gap between rhetoric and reality or denouncing the policies of some companies. Tour a tour tackles the 4x4 (Land Rover and Jeep), Peugeot, Total, Véolia, Areva, Leroy Merlin. It is as much business as consumer attitudes to certain areas since they are directly involved in production (car). Points spot, it looks to denounce communications strategies by counter examples.
With background music and melancholy well known (original version of the famous film "American Beauty" by Thomas Newman) the effect is guaranteed.


Conclusion:

For the moment, all these campaigns are experiencing a visibility restricted to a limited public awareness and initiated. But with the growing supply of multimedia, soon these distribution channels may find themselves in the television show. Already these campaigns are reprisent with the blessing of their authors (as they are not anonymous) by some official channels (Arte, Canal +) at special broadcasts. While there was already campaigns images, but the video gives extra weight to messages.
If the companies have entered the need to communicate on environmental issues, which ones have taken account of these phenomena of information warfare and counter cognitive war? When in the last video (lie advertising) have learned that in 2003 "Total has put into service just five windmills" such information, whether true or false, is terribly damaging to the company that combines its image for renewables. What does Total to respond? Maybe that 2003 2004?

Still, the image is affected. It is not enough, therefore, to communicate more on sustainable development in terms aesthetic or symbolic action is needed or not, because the declaration without actions can afford expensive.





Latest videos, very emblematic of the changing message from EDF. In the first advertisement of EDF which dates from 1970, the message still on the supply of homes in the second électricité.La that a few years mark the emergence of the theme of "sustainable development" at EDF, but without any commitment or argmentaire. Finally, in the last dating back to 2007, noted developments and news of the message. In conclusion, the ad slogan that "in 2007, EDF will continue to invest one million euros per day to develop the energy tomorrow." But does this mean? What did that "the energies of tomorrow"? Is it a budget specifically allocated to renewables? Nuclear power is it included? The setting is clearly ....

Branding is a valuable asset for businesses. A combination of a number of factors such as reputation, product reliability, visibility and competitiveness, that the consumer perception of a company acquired in the long term. The result of a long process of marketing and communication, the mental representation established in public opinion can be broken up overnight. An unfortunate case, a defect in production, or a social policy are cynical element that can ruin a picture and patiently built dearly. Today, environmental issues are at the heart of society. Pact Nicolas Hulot, ecological heritage, climate change, environmental sustainability, etc.… Large enterprises are fully take this reality and adapt to this new trend. Observe the communication policy of the major groups of energy. How are they doing to shape public opinion a positive image for themselves? Undoubtedly through communication and advertising, these companies are trying, rightly or wrongly, to agree some merits in the environment. However, the existence of a gap between rhetoric and reality (Greenwashing) might prove to be excessively injurious. Especially since now, thanks to the technology of information and communications, real undertakes campaigns against influence. Examples in pictures!


"Broadcast Yourself" (set yourself), is the slogan of the most visited and most popular Internet sites with video online: YouTube. Many other sites of its kind exist: Yahoo Video, Google Video, Daily Motion,… etc. All these platforms broadcasts offer a tremendous visibility to everyone. In practice this means that anyone with a computer and digital camera can freely distribute his film on the Internet in the eyes of the world. In October 2006, Google buy YouTube for the modest sum of 1.65 billion dollars. Why such a transaction? Why buy a site ultra deficit, attacked from all sides for his lack of copyright? Because this global video broadcasts every day nearly 100 million videos. The stakes are enormous, and Google has understood this.

For businesses, this means that they are now at the mercy of any attack information. Since then, the campaigns of activism against them can take an instant, global and professional. Free and total freedom, these sites to create links to their videos. Most of the time these videos are sent between office colleagues to show the latest stupidity in vogue.

But imagine a campaign or each member of an organization (religious, ecologist, professional, etc.). Send by mail to all the people he knows a video denouncing any type of practice. Such a chain reaction represent a fantastic résonance.Les fund companies are prepared for this new situation? Watching these videos we can doubt it.

Here are some recent advertising campaigns for large energy firms:

AREVA
A good advertising, the realization is clear and concise, the effect resulting in a disco hit (Lipps Inc. - Funkytown). The design borrowed from the famous video game Sim City suggests that everything is under control. The message is clear: we do with energy and moving so nice. Here is clearly focused on public opinion in its entirety. In fact few people are affected by the activity of the group Areva (nuclear distribution network). The target is not so much the final consumer. It addresses the mental.

Misuse of advertising AREVA
Even music, professional quality, and parallel notable images are derived directly from the video game SimCity as to show that the director is not fooled by the effect sought by the original advertising (we are in a virtual world and reassuring, no Game Over). The symmetry of the shape is so obvious that the author did not even bother to mention Areva at one time or another. Apart from that, no particular argument is developed. Target: nuclear power

TOTAL
Beautiful advertising, production and creativity in order. Envoutante music J.C. Blagovitch created specially for the occasion of this advertising. Again it seeks public opinion. No argument is developed, no product is put forward. Only a sense of well being in a beautiful world of progress under control. What is covered is the representation of Total, its image. It must be said that the sinking of the Erika and AZF are passed by.

Misuse of advertising TOTAL
Even technique as before: paraléllisme forms, music and achievement are the same. It falls into the symmetry opposed to the message of the original advertisement. If Total boasts one way idyllic reality, this video caricature and blackened. No argument at all, any given is cited. Only a hijacked resumption of the slogan and logo are presented in total at the end.

The Chinese government and the Shanghai Industrial Investment Co. Count build a city entirely on ecological Chongming Island near Shanghai by 2009. Its operation revolves around renewable energy and a healthy lifestyle:


* The electricity will be supplied by wind, the rain used to erect field crops and the waste is used as fuel for heating fuel.

* The roofs of houses, eight floors maximum, will be covered with grass, which provide energy savings of 70% together with the insulation of houses.

* Residents feed exclusively organic farming for local farmers.
40% of the surface of the island is devoted to buildings, the rest will retain their cultures and the bird reserve.

* The cars driven on the island will be prohibited petrol and diesel.


In order to achieve this ambitious project, we will have to invest $ 1.3 billion.
Regarding infrastructure, a tunnel and a bridge are planned for the trip from Shanghai to Chongming in 45 min. And all this will be in the country with 20 of the 30 most polluted cities on earth? Is that the great awareness?

Some minds are not in agreement with this project. For example Zhao Min, director of the Institute of Urban Planning of Tongji University in Shanghai, considers that the island has always been a natural ecological island. It does not include the choice of location for the government since not far from Shanghai there are other places with surfaces wide enough to develop such a project.

The approach suggests that manufacturers do not necessarily an environmental approach, but rather a passing fad.

De plus, d’autres problèmes émergent : Il est bien de concevoir l’agriculture écologique, mais elle sera érigée avec l’eau de pluie qui tombera à 45 min de route de Shanghai. Cette pluie sera forcement acide, du coup l’agriculture n’est plus vraiment écologique. Et certes, les voitures ne roulent que en mode « propre », mais l’air sera toujours pollué par l’industrie implantée dans les alentours de Shanghai.

A clean car: a current concern
On 20 September 2006, the state of California launched prosecutions against six American and Japanese for "public nuisance" on the climate, because of the CO2 emissions from their vehicles. While a symbol of the country 4x4, which still refuses to ratify the Kyoto Protocol and its target of reducing by 75% the emission of greenhouse gases in transport by 2050. Still, the major manufacturers already reflect the different ways to make their vehicles cleaner. Each with his own car, the head in a clean car.
The car made its own path ...
... But the road is still long

2 - hybrid engines: a pragmatic solution, but limited
Between 1997 and 2005, Toyota has passed half a million to its Prius hybrid engine, combining an electric motor with a traditional combustion engine. The brand has two horns to double-up by 2010. GM and Ford are trying to replicate in the American market. But if the technology is developed, it also generates substantial incremental costs that some manufacturers are hesitant. PSA, for its part, made the leap to hybrid diesel.
The hybrid divides manufacturers
In the United States, manufacturers seek a breakthrough in hybrid cars
Hybrid Engines: Germany hunt in pack
Renault and PSA asked to switch to hybrid
PSA bet that hybrid cars to diesel engine

3 - Biofuels: significant infrastructure needs
Made from plants, biofuels (bioethanol and biodiesel in particular) have the triple advantage of lowering the oil import bill for motorists and reduce CO2 emissions while offering opportunities to the agricultural sector. Among the preliminary development of green fuels: the development of engines adapted and the creation of distribution infrastructure. Brazil and Sweden - especially spurred by Saab - are ahead in this area. In France, the government announced the launch of green pumps throughout the territory.
The carmakers in pole position
Sweden begins its conversion to the Flexifuel
Ford will sell cars in France running on bioethanol
What energy policy for the United States?
The new age biorefineries
An environmental mixed for biofuels
The tests in the fields of énergiculture

4 - Hydrogen: pending fuel cell ...
Solution of medium and even long term, hydrogen is dependent on progress on the fuel cell. The engine, caused by the reaction of hydrogen produced by the cell and oxygen from the air, emits only water vapor. General Motors, very offensive on the niche, promises to produce one million vehicles a year by 2010. Ambitious ...
The outrageous gamble GM in the fuel cell
Towards a hydrogen cars French
Still much to do to ride on hydrogen
5 - LPG, CNG, electric battery: the alternatives
Despite its low success in France, LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) is the alternative fuel is more widely used across the world. He asked the adaptation of existing cars and a network of service stations. With the CNG (natural gas vehicle), full may also be made at home by installing a mini-station. Another alternative: all electric. In France, Serge Dassault and Vincent Bolloré capitalize on this technology, but the range of vehicles is still limited and prices of batteries deterrent.
LPG, CNG and electric
Electric cars again plugged
At 130 miles per hour, but silently
Bolloré puts its batteries by car
California bets on the very high-end sports