Voices from the Margins

Traditional environmental histories often focus on policy elites, prominent intellectuals, and mainstream organizations. While these actors certainly play important roles, this book deliberately seeks out voices from the margins of French environmental discourse. We will hear from:

- Residents of the banlieues (suburbs) who face disproportionate exposure to pollution and limited access to green spaces - Indigenous communities in French Guiana protecting rainforest ecosystems - Muslim environmental activists connecting faith traditions with ecological action - Working-class communities navigating the transition away from carbon-intensive industries - Recent immigrants bringing environmental perspectives from their countries of origin

These diverse voices challenge us to think beyond conventional narratives and recognize that environmentalism in France, as elsewhere, is inseparable from questions of social justice, cultural identity, and economic opportunity.