France/Michèle Rubirola declares a state of climate emergency
On the occasion of the 5th anniversary of the signing of the Paris Climate Agreement, Michèle Rubirola, Mayor of Marseille, and her deputies went to meet the members of the association Septentrion environnement, which works to protect marine biodiversity.
The meeting is given on the Pointe Rouge harbour, aboard the boat Le Cromagnon of the association Septentrion environnement.
On this fifth anniversary of the signing of the Paris Climate Agreement, Marseille is keen to demonstrate its commitment by providing support to those working in the field. "Marseillesshines through you and also thanks to you", the Mayor told therepresentatives of theThe mayor told representatives of the association, which wishes to "highlight"theorganization she considers "not sufficiently known".
The deputies, Hervé Menchon in charge of marine biodiversity, Aurélie Biancarelli-Lopes deputy in charge of research, Christine Juste, deputy in charge of the environment and Sébastien Barles, deputy in charge of ecological transition were present during the visit during which the association and the City reaffirmed their partnership.
"Westarted from scratch 13 yearsago," explained Audrey, a member of Septentrion environnement, as she took visitors on a tour of the containers filled with diving equipment. Now, the team makes 300 dives each year. Six years ago, the association acquired the famous boat Le Cromagnon... on Le bon coin. The boat of Henry Cosquer, navigator and discoverer of the cave of the same name, is now the organization's number one working tool.
Septentrion environnement calls on coastal inhabitants to "contribute to theprotection, conversation and enhancement of the marine environment". Its action is based on knowledge, training and mediation. The association has set up a platform with the Lycée Professionnel Agricole des Calanques. The team of scientists from Marseilles trains students in marine professions, supported by the school principal Johann Berthaut, who was also present during the visit.
"Weallhave thesame goal: to integrate citizens" so that theybecome "the actors of tomorrow", adds Laura Barth, incharge ofthe Polaris participatory science programme.
Michele Rubirola announced the declaration of a "state ofclimateemergency" in Marseille. The red colour on the walls of the town hall symbolizes "emergency",according to her. "Theclimatecrisisis a threat but it is also an opportunity. It pushes us to prepare the city of tomorrow,"she writes.
The urgency is there. If we take only the example of the Calanques: the water is getting warmer, species are disappearing and others are appearing. "We can actlocally.That's what we are committed to doing,"says theenvironmentalist mayor, who feels that these issues have been neglected by her predecessors. She gives a triptych "prevention, awareness, training".
Global warming and especially pollution... The Mediterranean is the most polluted sea in the world, with 184 million tons of solid waste produced every year around it. According to a WWF report, "the concentration ofplastic is four times higher than inthe "plastic island"", also called the 7th continent. The people of Marseille are not the only ones responsible, but they can be actors of change. The City wants to "encouragecitizen involvement", continues the Deputy for the Sea, Hervé Menchon, who wants to strengthen partnerships with "several associations" in order to protectmarine biodiversity.
Source: www.lamarseillaise.fr
