The Promenade des Anglais transformed into an aerial scene on Friday evening with the largest drone ballet ever organized in Europe. However, the event also sparked strong criticism from some within civil society, who see it as a gesture contrary to the environmental concerns of the summit.
On Friday, June 6th, as an opening for the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC), the city of Nice presented a unique light show. 2025 drones created marine shapes in the night sky: dolphins, turtles, rays, and ships appeared one after another for fifteen minutes. The Bordeaux-based company Dronisos was in charge.
Some 150,000 spectators gathered on the Quai des États-Unis. For the city hall, this aerial display was a record on a European scale.
But following the show, a traditional fireworks display was launched above the sea. This choice immediately drew reactions. David Nakache, president of the association Tous citoyens! and a member of the movement Viva!, criticized: “the city of Nice launched fireworks over the sea […] This choice constitutes an ecological absurdity and a major contradiction regarding the protection of marine biodiversity. […] Events before ecology, a very sad symbol.”
He was not alone in being troubled by these last five minutes of “show.” On social media, messages of astonishment quickly appeared. “The drone show was so beautiful, having fireworks over the sea makes no sense for the opening ceremony of a summit that is supposed to discuss ocean protection. It’s all incomprehensible,” could be read under a post by journalist Hugo Clément. “What is the point of having fireworks above a sea that needs protecting? Or how to continue doing everything exactly as before… It’s time for the new generation to take over to really try to change things […] The time now is for sobriety and redefinition of our lifestyles, the show included,” explained an internet user on the city’s social media.
Three Demands for a Preserved Ocean
The ViVA! gathering took advantage of the event to reiterate its expectations to the states gathered in Nice. Firstly, it advocates for the cessation of subsidies for industrial fishing, in favor of artisanal, sustainable, and scientifically managed fishing. Additionally, Viva! stresses the importance of the concrete implementation of the 30×30 objective, which is to protect at least 30% of oceans by 2030, with no industrial activities in these areas. Finally, the collective calls for an immediate global moratorium on deep-sea mining, in the name of the precautionary principle.
The citizens’ collective also highlights local contradictions. It accuses the municipality of promoting over-tourism and expanding the airport, without an ambitious sustainable transport policy.
As the Conference aims to be a key event for ocean protection, the citizen criticism seeks to influence the decisions.
