French protests reveal a clash: Healthy climate vs lower tax

The gas tax is part of a continuing effort started by France in 2014 to regularly raise the taxes on fossil fuels to fight global climate change. The Yellow Vest protests against the tax increase have become the biggest obstacle yet to such attempts to encourage conservation and alternative energy use.

France, France protests, Emmanuel Macron, Paris riots, Yellow vest protesters, France economy, France crisis, world news, indian express — The Yellow Vest protests against the tax increase have become the biggest obstacle yet to such attempts to encourage conservation and alternative energy use. (Reuters Photo)

Written by Alissa J. Rubin and Somini Sengupta

Vincent Picard describes himself as a “militant ecologist.” But when protesters took to the streets to express their rage over a planned increase in France’s fuel tax, Picard joined their ranks.

He acknowledges that the tax might encourage the conservation considered critical for a healthy planet. But with the nearest train station 35 minutes away, he has to drive to work every day.