Americanexpatinfrance's Blog

This is a hot and sensitive issue in France at the moment and is related to a wider unease with immigrant populations in France. BBC posted a quality article on this, with a Q&A guide as well. Perhaps most striking is dissent within Sarkozy’s own cabinet and criticism of what many think is a low political move in an effort to gain conservative support amidst low approval ratings:

“…Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner – a former Socialist who made his name at the international charity Medecins Sans Frontieres – admitted this week that he was “shocked” by the focus on people of foreign origin….

…Further criticism came from the Defence Minister Herve Morin, head of the small New Centre party, who in a speech attacked “the policy of hate, of fear, of the scapegoat” and said any programme based purely on police repression was doomed to fail.

And on Tuesday, the Towns Minister Fadela Amara – herself of Algerian origin and an avowed left-winger – said she could “never agree” to a policy that placed foreign-born French citizens in a special judicial category….”

France has historically been less successful than the United States, the “melting pot” (itself a debatable idea) at integrating its immigrants into its society. Obviously successful immigration and assimilation requires two main elements: the will to become a respectful, law-abiding citizen on the immigrant’s side, and a welcoming environment on the country’s side. The U.S. has its own problems with illegal immigration and a backlash against Mexicans, among others, so France is certainly not alone in its troubles. But I know that from personal experience the French generally don’t take the first step at meeting newcomers -it’s up to the foreigner to take the initiative. Whereas in the U.S. you wouldn’t be surprised to have a neighbor bring over a housewarming gift or fresh pie for a new neighbor. This is a debate for another day… But I do know that many French people support the expulsions. It’s a difficult balance: many of the pick-pocketers in the Parisian metro and elsewhere are “gypsies” (Roma), but there are many others who just want to earn a living. We will see how this plays out.

For further reading:

The Economist
Le Figaro
Radio France International (RFI)
Le Parisien

This New York Times article from Aug. 31 talks about how the rich Champagne industry in France is innovating in new bottle designs to reduce the product’s notorious carbon footprint.

You can see a slideshow as well.

Excerpts below:

A Greener Champagne Bottle

REIMS, France — Deep below a lush landscape of ripening Champagne grapes, Thierry Gasco, the master vintner for Pommery, ran his finger over the shoulders of a dark green bottle that looked just like the thousands of others reposing in his chilly subterranean cellars.

But to the practiced hand and eye, there is a subtle, if potentially significant, difference.

“This is how we’re remaking the future of Champagne,” he said, pointing to the area just below the neck. “We’re slimming the shoulders to make the bottle lighter, so our carbon footprint will be reduced to help keep Champagne here for future generations.”

The Champagne industry has embarked on a drive to cut the 200,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide it emits every year transporting billions of tiny bubbles around the world. Producing and shipping accounts for nearly a third of Champagne’s carbon emissions, with the hefty bottle the biggest offender.

Yet while many other industries might plaster their marketing with eco-friendly claims, changes to Champagne, as with so much else in France, are being made discreetly. Producers in this secretive business are tight-lipped about the costs and occasionally enigmatic about how much their carbon emissions will really be cut……

….The current retooling, which uses 65 fewer grams (2.3 ounces) of glass, is in response to a 2003 study of Champagne’s carbon footprint, which the industry wants to cut 25 percent by 2020, and 75 percent by 2050.

The move comes as efforts to reduce carbon output and improve vineyard ecology are accelerating worldwide, as wine houses reduce packaging, pesticides, water use and transportation. In California, for example, winegrowers are promoting what their trade group, the Wine Institute, says are nearly 230 “green practices,” including methods to cut carbon emissions….