The former negotiator of the Paris Agreements for the UN, Christiana Figueres, returned to Europe 1 on Tuesday on the climate emergency, calling on everyone to take their responsibilities.

She also said that the health crisis should inspire states to lead major changes in favor of the climate on a planetary scale.

The examination of the Climate and Resilience bill resulting from the Citizens' Convention started Monday in the National Assembly, the day after marches across France to demand a "real law" in terms of ecology.

A desire shared by Christiana Figueres, author of

Inventons notre futur

and ex-negotiator of the Paris Agreements as executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Invited from Europe 1 on Tuesday, she called on everyone to take up the issue and act at their own level for the climate. 

>> Find the Tête-à-tête every day at 7.40 am on Europe 1 as well as in replay and podcast here

"We must rise to the challenge"

In her book, she recommends ten actions ranging from a specific digital to tree planting, in order to develop a reflection on the climate emergency.

With a watchword: optimism.

"I don't think we can afford to be hopeless. I am one of those who suffer to see our planet destroyed. But we cannot stand paralyzed and do nothing. We have to stand up, rise to the challenge and do everything in our power to find solutions, "said Christiana Figueres. 

And according to the co-founder of the NGO "Global Optimism", everyone has power and influence at different levels.

"Those who are the heads of states and large companies have a high level of responsibility. But that doesn't mean that those who are just the head of a family, or we individuals, have no responsibility. Each of us must contribute, ”she said. 

>> READ ALSO

- "Lack of ambition" or "punitive ecology": the climate bill already splits the Assembly

As an example, she explains that we personally have a carbon footprint and that we can act on it.

Everyone can also choose what they eat in order to limit their contribution to global warming.

"All of these are acts that we can all do on a daily basis and none of them is overwhelming," said the former negotiator of the Paris Agreements at the UN, who also considers that this agreement was successful, and passed the test of politics.

Covid-19, an example of changes on a planetary scale

But for her, the question is above all to know at what scale and at what speed the States will succeed in implementing this agreement.

"Today, we are not going as fast as we should. Scientists have been very clear: to reach the target, we must be at 50% of our current emissions by 2030. That's what must target in the short term all States, companies and all individuals ".

>> READ ALSO

- Climate: five after, what remains of the Paris agreements?

Christiana Figueres also judged that the health crisis linked to Covid-19 is a very good example of how we are capable of big changes on a planetary scale.

But one important thing is different, according to her: "The difference between the virus and global warming is that it appeared to us as an imminent threat. While the climate seemed to us to be a longer term threat. And it is why we don't change our habits as deeply as we should ".