- Top Texas court stays execution of autistic man in 'shaken baby' case
- China posts slowest growth in over a year as property woes drag
- Asian markets swing as China economic growth slows
- Pogba's shadow looms over Juve as revitalised Lazio come to town
- 'Unbelievable' Raphinha leading Barca into tricky triple-header
- In-form Marmoush and Frankfurt hope to tackle history at wounded Leverkusen
- Britain's Lammy in China to 'challenge' Beijing on Russia support
- Manila's car counters help address 'world's worst traffic'
- British racing attendances falling behind, says Qatar Racing's manager
- Rain forces cancellation of opening practice for Australian MotoGP
- Dupont 'beyond surprise' for Toulouse's Kinghorn
- Drought forces Big Tech to rethink thirsty LatAm data centers
- Countries under pressure to fork out for nature at UN conference
- Biden, allies in Berlin to renew Gaza truce call after Hamas leader killed
- Guardians rally to fry Yankees in 10 innings in MLB playoff thriller
- World Bank president focused on job creation ahead of annual meetings
- World Bank chief says lender's climate goals likely safe under Trump
- Japan's core inflation rate slows in September
- Israel PM says killing of Hamas chief 'beginning of the end' of Gaza war
- King Charles set to arrive in Australia for landmark tour
- Nadal defeated by 'animal' Alcaraz in Saudi Arabia as career nears end
- US Supreme Court denies stay of execution to Texas man in 'shaken baby' case
- US charges Indian agent over alleged plot to kill Sikh separatist
- Musk stumps for Trump in key US swing state
- TikTok, Facebook approve ads with US election disinformation, study says
- Purdy and 49ers face Chiefs in Super Bowl rematch
- Kenya deputy president ousted in historic impeachment
- Israel military says Sinwar killed in firefight while tracked by drone
- One Direction members 'devastated' by Liam Payne's death
- Norris shrugs off Red Bull 'trick' of the trade at US Grand Prix
- Global stocks climb as ECB cuts rates and tech rebounds
- Chelsea, Lyon ease to wins in Women's Champions League
- China expected to post slowing growth as economic woes drag
- Yamasaki brings keirin world title home as Japan takes two track golds
- Netflix adds millions of subscribers but growth slows
- 'Deeply misguided' to wall US off with tariffs: Yellen
- Biden farewell visit to Berlin focused on Ukraine, Mideast wars
- EU leaders urge new laws to speed up migrant returns
- Sinwar killing a blow to Hamas but impact on war uncertain
- Mitzi Gaynor, star of 'South Pacific,' dies aged 93
- Trump says Zelensky 'should never have let' Ukraine war start
- Harris woos undecided voters as Trump riles critics over Ukraine
- Hayes turns focus to US women's World Cup goal
- Zelensky seeks EU, NATO backing for 'victory plan'
- Bosch stuns Australia as South Africa reach Women's T20 World Cup final
- What we know about One Direction star Liam Payne's death
- Nicotine pouches rise in popularity as US youth tobacco use hits 25-year-low
- Mendis clinches Sri Lanka series win over West Indies
- Israel says killed Hamas chief Sinwar in Gaza
- Panel urges Secret Service shake-up after Trump assassination bid
SCS | 0.53% | 13.21 | $ | |
RELX | 0.91% | 48.59 | $ | |
BCC | -3.38% | 142.2 | $ | |
AZN | -0.37% | 78.02 | $ | |
GSK | -0.64% | 38.96 | $ | |
BTI | -1.22% | 35.37 | $ | |
RIO | -1.32% | 65.09 | $ | |
RBGPF | 0.69% | 60.92 | $ | |
NGG | -1.41% | 67.19 | $ | |
CMSC | -0.52% | 24.79 | $ | |
CMSD | -0.52% | 25.02 | $ | |
BCE | 0.03% | 33.49 | $ | |
JRI | -0.15% | 13.15 | $ | |
RYCEF | 0.68% | 7.4 | $ | |
VOD | -1.23% | 9.73 | $ | |
BP | 1.25% | 31.32 | $ |
French climate activists target store lights in Paris night raids
Paris climate activists have found a new way to get across their message against energy waste in the City of Light -- switching off store signs and advertising screens that are kept on all night even though the government has urged people to cut back electricity use.
At 9:00 pm on a recent evening, around 20 Extinction Rebellion members gathered for a tactical briefing before spreading out on another night-time raid.
If the police spot them "we absolutely don't run", says "Joad," a 32-year-old veteran of the movement, detailing out the legal risks and advice for those who might be arrested.
"There are 12 million people going cold in France because they can't heat their homes, and on the other hand we're wasting this energy on advertising signs that are completely useless consumption," he tells AFP.
After distributing posters and equipment, including telescopic poles to reach switches for outdoor lights, Joad's team heads for the lively Marais district, a magnet for both Parisians and tourists, where dozens of retailers have outlets.
Click, and off goes a Levi's sign. On other storefronts, the group tapes up posters saying "This isn't Versailles!" -- the scolding heard by generations of French children when they leave lights on needlessly.
The team targets opticians, jewellers, perfume boutiques and mattress stores as well as the numerous luminous billboards, prising open the frames to switch them off and replace ads with their own posters.
- 'Political courage' -
The government, under pressure as Russia crimps gas exports to Europe, has urged people to show energy "restraint" as winter approaches, notably by lowering home heating thermostats to 19 degrees Celsius (66 degrees Fahrenheit).
It has also issued a decree that illuminated signs and publicity must be turned off from 1:00 am to 6:00 am, starting in June 2023.
The city authorities in Paris have gone further, ordering lights out for signs and advertising from 11:45 pm to 6:00 am from December.
For the climate activists, that's not soon enough.
"We know this is very symbolic because electricity used by illuminated signs is only a tiny fraction of the energy the country uses," said "Pikou," a 36-year-old who also used a pseudonym.
The bigger problem, for Pikou, is the government's "double-speak".
"What makes me angry, and that's why I'm here tonight, is that the government asks ordinary people for restraint, with little gestures like turning their heating down or turning off Wi-Fi, but it doesn't have the political courage to ask for the same restraint from businesses," he said.
As the activists progress along the winding Marais streets, their actions often garner applause from passers-by.
"I completely agree with them," says Federica, a tourist from Milan. Anna, who also stops to watch, call the illuminated signs "a disgrace".
One store in particular draws the activists' ire. It is a clothing boutique vaunting its environmental credentials with the slogan "Because there is no Planet B" -- alongside three large advertising screens.
The screens are quickly covered with posters.
"This is phase one. It's about raising awareness and prevention," says Joad, adding that some store owners respond with messages of support and promises to turn the lights off.
"For those who keep the lights on and continue this wastage, we'll advance to phase two, which will be a bit bolder, starting in December."
M.Ouellet--BTB