Environmental Justice

Pollution never affected all communities equally. Industrial facilities concentrated in working-class areas where land was cheap and political resistance minimal. When rivers ran foul, wealthy neighborhoods had alternatives—bottled water, distant vacations. Poor communities, often with high immigrant populations, suffered most.

In Saint-Denis, where the Seine meets industrial canals, community organizer Aïcha Benazzi documents this history: "They built the dirtiest factories here because we were powerless—immigrants, workers, people without voice. Our children couldn't swim, our fathers couldn't fish. Environmental racism has deep roots in France."

Today's environmental justice movement connects river health to social equity. Groups like "Eau Pour Tous" (Water for All) argue that river cleanup must prioritize communities most affected by pollution. They demand not just cleaner water but also green jobs for local residents, accessible waterfront spaces, and meaningful participation in planning.