INTERVIEW
"The party 'Les Verts' was created 40 years ago, and in 40 years, this party has become established," says Brice Lalonde, estimating that environmentalists are today picking the fruit of a work started a long time ago. four decades. Environmental activist and former Minister of the Environment (1991-1992), he was the guest of Europe 1 on Saturday evening. He was delighted to see a green wave sweep over France, but warns environmental mayors of the imperative to "be good mayors on the whole palette", particularly with regard to economic recovery.
"There is no good ecology if the economy is in a jug"
"The work of these green elected officials is not simply to defend the environment", declares Brice Lalonde, at the microphone of Europe 1. "They are there for tranquility, security, they will have to revive the economic machine, s 'occupy businesses, schools ... ", he lists. Among these elements, the revival of the economy is the key point, believes the politician and environmental activist. "There is no good ecology if the economy is in a jug," he says. "The economy must be strong for the ecology to be strong, and vice versa".
For this, Brice Lalonde is full of suggestions, taking the example of Pierre Hurmic, recently elected mayor of Bordeaux, who claims the climate emergency. A climate emergency which, according to Brice Lalonde, begins with transport. "Transport means electrifying the use of energy in homes, or for electric cars," he said. "Mayors must put charging stations everywhere, they must help motorists", he continues, believing that electrification is at the center of the fight against climate change.
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"It all starts with energy"
"It will be necessary that the mayors take part in the actions of the intermunicipality", adds Brice Lalonde, returning on the success of the ecologists within the Lyon metropolis. "The most important thing is the renaissance of the whole of France," he insists, drawing a parallel with the progressive construction of the European Union. "When we made Europe, we started (in 1952, editor's note) with the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC)", he says. "It all starts with energy".
Above all, and even more so given the current context of the crisis, "the economy has to work", repeats Brice Lalonde, referring to the resumption of work in all municipalities. "It is first to restart normal activities, discuss with businesses, especially artisans," he said, recalling that the ecological transition is the best ally of the economy. "This restart must become a green revival," he continues. "But, of course, there must be agreements with the central government," he concluded, directly designating the government and its new leader, Jean Castex.