France

Nicolas Sarkozy, France's president, has put environmental issues at the top of his newly elected agenda.

At a U.N. summit, Sarkozy urged developed countries to cut gases by 50 percent. Especially his new pal, George Bush.

some ideas:
-stickers on food packaging indicating how much carbon dioxide was emitted in making the product
-lowering speed limits on roads throughout France to encourage fuel efficiency
- charging households per pound of garbage they produce
-charging money to drive in big cities
- refitting historic mansions to make them more energy efficient

However, the AP reports France is more dependent on nuclear energy than any other nation and is behind in recycling and energy conservation.

Greenpeace has some issues with the proposed "ideas". As well as France's use of genetically modified food. Greenpeace feels that some of these actions are not enough. They think the use of genetically modified food should be completely banned, not just a "temporary freeze".

But the proposed year of change surprised me; 2050!

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