Country Comments

Based on its consumption per person, France has twice as many citizens than its country can sustain. It has maintained a below replacement fertility rate the past four decades of just under two children per mother. Immigration has made up approximately 25% of its population growth each year. The country’s population has been increasing roughly 160,000 a year the past five years. .

The European Environment Agency indicates environmental contamination, destruction of natural areas, proliferation of invasive species and over-exploitation of resources all contribute to the decline in biodiversity in France.

The UN states that many national and territorial action plans are being implemented to reduce emissions of pollutants (pesticides, nitrates, etc.) into the water. In 2012, organic farming accounted for 3.8% of the total agricultural area. In addition, wastewater treatment plants are being upgraded. France and its citizens have devoted much attention to the singular symptom of global climate change and less so on all symptoms caused by too many people consuming too many resources and generating too much waste.