The Geography of Environmental Struggle

France's environmental movements cannot be understood without examining their regional specificities. From the industrial north to the agricultural south, from Atlantic coasts to Alpine valleys, from metropolitan centers to overseas territories, each region faces distinct environmental challenges shaped by geography, history, economy, and culture. This chapter presents detailed case studies that illuminate how national environmental issues play out in specific places, revealing both the diversity of French environmentalism and common threads that unite disparate struggles.

These regional stories matter because environmental problems are always experienced locally, even when their causes and solutions require broader action. By examining how different communities respond to environmental challenges, we see the creative adaptations, unlikely alliances, and persistent conflicts that characterize grassroots environmentalism. We also observe how regional identities and cultures shape environmental consciousness, sometimes providing resources for protection while other times generating resistance to necessary changes.