On the occasion of the European Day of Action for Capping Air Traffic this Wednesday, March 13, several associations gathered to protest in front of the #ILoveNice structure.
The Ecological and Social Alliance 06 is determined to make its voice heard. With signs in hand and airplane noise in the background, the atmosphere is somewhat hectic under this bright spring sun.
At the center of this peaceful protest stands “Madame la France.” A woman with her face painted in gray and blue. Colors intended to reflect the current state of France. She carries a sign indicating the country is sick due to air traffic. Numerous demonstrators surround her. In their hands, they hold posters, banners, and cardboard planes, indicating their demands. Two specialists in health and scientific research joined to support the movement.
Minimizing the Damage
Through this protest, the collective has only one wish: to cap air traffic. In other words, to prevent the increase in air activity. With the Nice airport expansion project, air pollution risks increasing significantly. Its goal is to welcome more than 21 million passengers by 2030, which is 7 million more than currently.
“We are not against the airport and aviation. All we are asking for is to maintain the pre-covid level of 14 million passengers, in order to stop the emissions causing greenhouse effects. Figures that we have almost reached in 2023. The greenhouse gases emitted by the airport represent one million tons of CO2 per year. That is enormous! So, wanting to increase its activity means increasing those CO2 volumes. This is not acceptable in this region, which risks experiencing a temperature increase of 4 degrees in the coming years,” declared Airy Chrétien, co-founder of the Citoyens 06 collective.
Considering Alternatives
Indeed, air traffic represents a major source of pollution in a context severely impacted by climate change. Noise pollution, air pollution, and large-scale CO2 emissions all have consequences on public health.
Thomas Ghestem, a member of ASFU 06, explains that “when kerosene is burned, it emits fine particles that have repercussions on people’s health. The finer it is, the deeper it penetrates the body. There are dangers like cardiovascular diseases, strokes, and even learning disorders in children.” According to him, it is necessary to “promote alternative means like trains. Make them cheaper and more accessible. Air traffic is increasing because there is an attractive low-price offer, and people taking the train are less advantaged.”
National Mobilization Underway
Other protests took place simultaneously in 19 other cities across France, including Lille, Marseille, Cannes, and Beauvais. This protest is only the first act in the fight led by the Ecological and Social Alliance 06. This Friday, March 15, local representatives of the collective will travel to Paris to present their demands to the Minister of Transport, Patrice Vergriete.
