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| A French Town’s Green Policies Aim to Win Over the Working Class | |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| GRANDE-SYNTHE, France — Colorful condominiums with low-energy fixtures have replaced dreary old buildings. Community gardens have sprouted at the foot of public housing projects. And a flashy new fleet of buses runs on natural gas — the fare free. | GRANDE-SYNTHE, France — Colorful condominiums with low-energy fixtures have replaced dreary old buildings. Community gardens have sprouted at the foot of public housing projects. And a flashy new fleet of buses runs on natural gas — the fare free. |
| It is not, perhaps, what one would expect of a bleak coastal town in a crumbling industrial area of France. But Grande-Synthe, near the northern city of Dunkirk, stands out as an unlikely laboratory for working-class environmentalism. | It is not, perhaps, what one would expect of a bleak coastal town in a crumbling industrial area of France. But Grande-Synthe, near the northern city of Dunkirk, stands out as an unlikely laboratory for working-class environmentalism. |
| That, at least, was the vision of Damien Carême, the town’s Green party mayor since 2001, who was elected in May to the European Parliament, which he intends to use as a larger stage to extend his idea of “social environmentalism.” | That, at least, was the vision of Damien Carême, the town’s Green party mayor since 2001, who was elected in May to the European Parliament, which he intends to use as a larger stage to extend his idea of “social environmentalism.” |
| Formerly with the Socialist Party, Mr. Carême joined the Greens in 2014 and was carried to Brussels on the swelling tide of support for the party that has swept across much of Europe. The Greens garnered 9.8 percent in the Europe-wide voting in May. In France, the Greens finished third with 13.5 percent of the vote. | Formerly with the Socialist Party, Mr. Carême joined the Greens in 2014 and was carried to Brussels on the swelling tide of support for the party that has swept across much of Europe. The Greens garnered 9.8 percent in the Europe-wide voting in May. In France, the Greens finished third with 13.5 percent of the vote. |
| The party now faces the challenge of convincing an even greater share of voters that concern for a changing climate and the environment is not an elitist cause, but one for everyone. | The party now faces the challenge of convincing an even greater share of voters that concern for a changing climate and the environment is not an elitist cause, but one for everyone. |
| To do that, in his corner at least, Mr. Carême introduced a range of changes that made Grande-Synthe an incubator of innovation as he sought to demonstrate that green policies could directly improve people’s lives. | To do that, in his corner at least, Mr. Carême introduced a range of changes that made Grande-Synthe an incubator of innovation as he sought to demonstrate that green policies could directly improve people’s lives. |
| “People have to understand that green policies are the best response to social and economic issues,” Mr. Carême said on a recent afternoon in his City Hall office before his move to Brussels. | “People have to understand that green policies are the best response to social and economic issues,” Mr. Carême said on a recent afternoon in his City Hall office before his move to Brussels. |
| It was, and remains, an uphill battle in a town of around 23,600 people that is one of the poorest in France despite his improvements. As mayor, Mr. Carême, 58, had to tackle a distilled version of some of the most pressing issues facing the country. | It was, and remains, an uphill battle in a town of around 23,600 people that is one of the poorest in France despite his improvements. As mayor, Mr. Carême, 58, had to tackle a distilled version of some of the most pressing issues facing the country. |
| Grande-Synthe, like many of the towns around it, has suffered from the shuttering of outmoded factories, leaving it today with a record unemployment rate of 28 percent, well above France’s average rate of 8.7 percent. More than 30 percent of households live below the poverty line. | Grande-Synthe, like many of the towns around it, has suffered from the shuttering of outmoded factories, leaving it today with a record unemployment rate of 28 percent, well above France’s average rate of 8.7 percent. More than 30 percent of households live below the poverty line. |
| Just 25 miles from the port of Calais, it has also become a way station for hundreds of migrants hoping to cross the nearby English Channel. | Just 25 miles from the port of Calais, it has also become a way station for hundreds of migrants hoping to cross the nearby English Channel. |
| Despite Mr. Carême’s election as mayor, support for Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally, formerly known as the National Front, remains strong. | Despite Mr. Carême’s election as mayor, support for Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally, formerly known as the National Front, remains strong. |
| In the European election in May, Ms. Le Pen’s party came first in Grande-Synthe — as it did nationwide — but it was down six percentage points in the town from the previous elections five years ago. Meanwhile, the Greens’ score surged from 6 to 22 percent in Grande-Synthe. | In the European election in May, Ms. Le Pen’s party came first in Grande-Synthe — as it did nationwide — but it was down six percentage points in the town from the previous elections five years ago. Meanwhile, the Greens’ score surged from 6 to 22 percent in Grande-Synthe. |
| Mr. Carême was said he was not surprised by the result. “We got to the root of problems. We made concrete changes,’’ he said. ‘‘That is the only way to cut the National Rally’s score.” | Mr. Carême was said he was not surprised by the result. “We got to the root of problems. We made concrete changes,’’ he said. ‘‘That is the only way to cut the National Rally’s score.” |
| Mr. Carême, who has distinctive round glasses and a bowl haircut, spent most of the campaign presenting his policies as proof that environmentalism could be practical. | Mr. Carême, who has distinctive round glasses and a bowl haircut, spent most of the campaign presenting his policies as proof that environmentalism could be practical. |
| This year, Grande-Synthe expects to save nearly half a million euros, or about $560,000, on street lighting thanks to the installation of low-energy consumption LED bulbs. The savings will be applied to a new income supplement for people living below the poverty line. | This year, Grande-Synthe expects to save nearly half a million euros, or about $560,000, on street lighting thanks to the installation of low-energy consumption LED bulbs. The savings will be applied to a new income supplement for people living below the poverty line. |
| Such grass-roots achievements stand out in a state-dominated France, where many policies are centralized and mayors have few financial levers. | Such grass-roots achievements stand out in a state-dominated France, where many policies are centralized and mayors have few financial levers. |
| “Damien Carême has succeeded in removing a contradiction that is deeply rooted in France between social and environmental issues,” said Daniel Boy, a political scientist at the prestigious Sciences Po university in Paris. | “Damien Carême has succeeded in removing a contradiction that is deeply rooted in France between social and environmental issues,” said Daniel Boy, a political scientist at the prestigious Sciences Po university in Paris. |
| “His policies showed that environmentalism is not only for the rich,” Mr. Boy said. “Mr. Carême proved that it is as important to restore social housings as it is to build bike lanes.” | “His policies showed that environmentalism is not only for the rich,” Mr. Boy said. “Mr. Carême proved that it is as important to restore social housings as it is to build bike lanes.” |
| “It is only through this pragmatic approach that the Greens will win in the polls,” Mr. Boy added. | “It is only through this pragmatic approach that the Greens will win in the polls,” Mr. Boy added. |
| It was much the same contradiction that President Emmanuel Macron failed to address last year, when his government allowed a gasoline tax increase that hit rural, low-income workers hardest, setting off the Yellow Vest protests. | It was much the same contradiction that President Emmanuel Macron failed to address last year, when his government allowed a gasoline tax increase that hit rural, low-income workers hardest, setting off the Yellow Vest protests. |
| A fierce opponent to Mr. Macron’s policies, Mr. Carême likes to say that Green policies have to tackle the end of the world as much as the end of the month. “Environmentalism is all about social justice,” he said. | A fierce opponent to Mr. Macron’s policies, Mr. Carême likes to say that Green policies have to tackle the end of the world as much as the end of the month. “Environmentalism is all about social justice,” he said. |
| At times, that attitude has put Mr. Carême in conflict with the French government. Mr. Carême recently sued the French state for “climate inaction,” riding a wave of climate activism that erupted in France early this year. | At times, that attitude has put Mr. Carême in conflict with the French government. Mr. Carême recently sued the French state for “climate inaction,” riding a wave of climate activism that erupted in France early this year. |
| He first came to prominence when the French state refused to help Grande-Synthe house around 2,800 migrants who were living in precarious conditions at the height of the 2015 migrant crisis. | He first came to prominence when the French state refused to help Grande-Synthe house around 2,800 migrants who were living in precarious conditions at the height of the 2015 migrant crisis. |
| With the help of Doctors Without Borders, Mr. Carême decided to build a camp with proper sanitary conditions for nearly 1,500 people, making him one of the rare mayors in France to take in migrants. | With the help of Doctors Without Borders, Mr. Carême decided to build a camp with proper sanitary conditions for nearly 1,500 people, making him one of the rare mayors in France to take in migrants. |
| When it comes to a lasting impact for his environmental policies, the verdict is still out. Some are skeptical. | When it comes to a lasting impact for his environmental policies, the verdict is still out. Some are skeptical. |
| “One cannot say if, on the long term, his policies will result in job creations,” said Iratxe Calvo-Mendieta, an economics professor at the University of the Littoral Opal Coast in Dunkirk. | “One cannot say if, on the long term, his policies will result in job creations,” said Iratxe Calvo-Mendieta, an economics professor at the University of the Littoral Opal Coast in Dunkirk. |
| “The city alone cannot create many jobs,’’ Ms. Calvo-Mendieta said. ‘‘And in an area still labeled very industrial, Grande-Synthe struggles to attract entrepreneurs and start-ups.” | “The city alone cannot create many jobs,’’ Ms. Calvo-Mendieta said. ‘‘And in an area still labeled very industrial, Grande-Synthe struggles to attract entrepreneurs and start-ups.” |
| For Yannick Lefranc, 39, who went to school in Grande-Synthe, Mr. Carême’s green policies are merely fine words. | For Yannick Lefranc, 39, who went to school in Grande-Synthe, Mr. Carême’s green policies are merely fine words. |
| “He is trying to make reality more beautiful, but the truth is that the city only survives,” he said, standing in front of a cement factory where he works. | “He is trying to make reality more beautiful, but the truth is that the city only survives,” he said, standing in front of a cement factory where he works. |
| Behind Mr. Lefranc stood massive ocher warehouses that are part of a sprawling industrial park stretching for miles along the coastline. It includes France’s oldest nuclear plant and dozens of factories that spit out dense, white fumes around the clock. | Behind Mr. Lefranc stood massive ocher warehouses that are part of a sprawling industrial park stretching for miles along the coastline. It includes France’s oldest nuclear plant and dozens of factories that spit out dense, white fumes around the clock. |
| “We grew up with these factories,’’ Mr. Lefranc said. ‘‘That is what feeds our families here.” | “We grew up with these factories,’’ Mr. Lefranc said. ‘‘That is what feeds our families here.” |
| The paradox is that Grande-Synthe’s green policies depend on a declining industry from which the town draws most of its financial resources, especially in business taxes. | The paradox is that Grande-Synthe’s green policies depend on a declining industry from which the town draws most of its financial resources, especially in business taxes. |
| It’s a point that Mr. Carême concedes, even as he tried to build a new business ecosystem less dependent on old industry. | It’s a point that Mr. Carême concedes, even as he tried to build a new business ecosystem less dependent on old industry. |
| Recently, the town leased a 200-acre plot of land, the “Urban Farm,” to farmers at the lowest market price. | Recently, the town leased a 200-acre plot of land, the “Urban Farm,” to farmers at the lowest market price. |
| “Without it, I would never have embarked on this project,” said Gérald Maison, a 41-year-old farmer. His vegetables now supply Grande-Synthe’s school cafeterias. | “Without it, I would never have embarked on this project,” said Gérald Maison, a 41-year-old farmer. His vegetables now supply Grande-Synthe’s school cafeterias. |
| Just how far such small steps can take the Greens remains to be seen at a moment when populist forces are pushing hard against them. Mr. Carême professes to be undaunted. | Just how far such small steps can take the Greens remains to be seen at a moment when populist forces are pushing hard against them. Mr. Carême professes to be undaunted. |
| On election night in May, Sylvie Desjonquères, a friend of his who runs the Emmaüs center in Grande-Synthe, sent him a text saying, “You have much to do now.” | On election night in May, Sylvie Desjonquères, a friend of his who runs the Emmaüs center in Grande-Synthe, sent him a text saying, “You have much to do now.” |
| “Not even scared,” he texted back. | “Not even scared,” he texted back. |