Down to Earth

While most of France suffered from last week's heatwave, a certain number of Montpellier residents were in total comfort in their apartments – without air conditioning.  From Middle Eastern-inspired latticework maximising ventilation to curved facades acting as giant sunshades, everything has been designed to keep the heat at bay.  And it works: indoor temperatures rarely rise above 25°C. In this...

Your ripped clothes deserve better than the bottom of your closet or – worse – the trash can. The French government is now paying people to get them repaired, in a bid to extend the life of clothing and avoid waste. Under the Repair Bonus scheme, consumers can get a discount worth up to €25 per item. Since its launch in 2023, more than 1 million repairs have been subsidised. Our Down to Earth team...

Many people assume that organic agriculture is expensive and hard to produce on a massive scale. But a group of 10 farmers in France's western Vendée region want to prove that chemical-free farming can feed a whole country. Their co-operative is 100 percent organic and local. Their vegetables are sold to schools, supermarkets and restaurants. The co-op's yields are on par with those of conventiona...

France is seeing a second consecutive heatwave in less than a month. Half the country is now under red alert as temperatures are expected to rise to 43°C in the southwestern city of Bordeaux and 39°C in the capital Paris. According to weather service Méteo-France, out of 51 heatwaves recorded nationwide since 1947, two-thirds have occurred since 2000 and about half of those episodes in the last 15...

The 2026 World Cup is bringing excitement to football fans around the world, but it will also come at a cost for the environment. The 2026 edition is officially projected to be the most polluting sporting event in history, with a total carbon footprint of 9 million tonnes of CO2, nearly double the average of the last four tournaments. FRANCE 24's Environment Editor Valerie Dekimpe tells us more. 

Residents in the town of Escourse, France, pay 30 percent less for their electricity bills than elsewhere in the country. Their secret? Renewable energy. Since 2011, the town has invested more than €1.2 million in solar panels. Homeowners, local businesses and associations now use solar-powered energy. Home to some 800 people, Escourse now produces 60 percent of its own energy, and aims to become...

June 8 marks World Oceans Day, a global event held every year to raise awareness of the impact of human actions on the ocean. Illegal fishing is one of them, threatening entire marine ecosystems. An investigation published by the non-profit Environmental Justice Foundation reveals widespread environmental destruction and human rights abuses across the global squid industry. Our Environment Editor...

Pesticides, microplastics and so-called forever chemicals: that’s the cocktail of substances millions of French people are exposed to simply from drinking tap water. According to France's National Association of Health professionals, representing private practice doctors, at least 30 percent of the population was exposed to contaminated water at least once in 2024. FRANCE 24's Environment Editor V...

Scientists need your help! French researchers are calling on car drivers to help them measure the decline of insect populations – thanks to an app dubbed "Bugs Matter". The citizen science project was launched in April by France's National Museum of Natural History. It will become the country's first ever comprehensive assessment of insect populations. Our Down to Earth team reports.

In France alone, nearly 4,000 tonnes of hair end up landfilled or incinerated every year. Yet human hair has unique properties: it is not only highly resistant, it can also absorb hydrocarbons and protect forests from hungry deer. French recycling company Capillum is seeking to give our wasted locks a second chance, collecting cuttings across several European countries and transforming them into a...

Rates of cancer, birth defects and cognitive disorders are on the rise among French children. The use of pesticides has been recognised as a major risk to mothers and their babies, including in utero. Since 2020, victims of pesticides can request compensation from a government fund for their illness. But families say authorities are not doing enough to protect the most vulnerable. Our Down to Eart...

Three people have died and three others are ill ⁠after a Netherlands-based cruise ship in the Atlantic was hit by a suspected outbreak of hantavirus. The virus is transmitted to humans through infected wild rodents, such as mice or rats, which shed the virus in their saliva, urine and droppings. In rare cases, it can also spread from human to human. FRANCE 24's Environment Editor Valerie Dekimpe t...

Some 60 countries are gathering in the coastal city of Santa Marta in Colombia to tackle an issue that has deadlocked UN climate talks: how to exist fossil fuels. It's the first global conference of its kind, bringing together nations that want to accelerate a fossil fuel phaseout, despite a decades-long stalemate at the UN-level COP summits. Our Environment Editor Valerie Dekimpe tells us more. 

Timmy, a humpback whale, first became stuck off Germany's Baltic coast in late March. The animal’s plight has since gripped the public and raised questions about whether humans should intervene to save wild animals. While a rescue mission funded by two German millionaires is underway, marine biologists warn the whale has no chance of survival and are urging the public to reflect on humanity's role...

An Italian fisherman has come up with an innovative way to protect the seabed from industrial fishing. He has created an underwater museum featuring 49 marble sculptures, designed to deter illegal trawling vessels. As a result, fish are returning to the area, and marine biodiversity is beginning to thrive once again.

What do beavers have to do with preventing flooding? The aquatic rodents have become a source of inspiration for engineers looking to flood–proof rural areas. Beaver dams are one of the nature-based solutions being considered by the European Union in a €15 million project. The Lèze valley in the south of France is putting them to the test.

Periods of intense heat followed by extreme rainfall could cause structural damage to 12 million homes across France, or one in two detached houses, according to the French environment ministry. As homes deteriorate, some owners can lean on insurance for expensive repairs, but many are left with hefty bills. Our France 2 colleagues report.

The amount of heat trapped by the Earth has reached record levels. According to the UN's annual State of the Climate report, published this Monday, the last 11 years have been the warmest ever recorded. For the first time, the World Meteorological Organization is warning of a growing "energy imbalance", driven by rising greenhouse gas emissions. Scientists also fear that a natural warming phase ca...

Cities around the world are clearing their billboards of ads for flights, cruise ships and petrol cars in an effort to reduce planet-warming gases. Amsterdam is the latest city to join the movement, becoming the first capital in the world to approve a legal ban on fossil fuel advertising. Dutch activists are now calling for restrictions to be enforced on a national level. Our Down to Earth team re...

An Antarctic mission is shining a light into the depths of the waters of the South Pole. Conservation group Under the Pole have been conducting marine research and raising awareness for almost 20 years. They've recently made some stunning discoveries by diving deep under the ice. Our France 2 colleagues report.

Huge fires broke out in Tehran after Israeli strikes targeted Iranian oil infrastructure. Residents reported the smell of burning lingering in the air, with many saying the sky remained dark even as the sun rose and rain fell over the city. FRANCE 24's Valérie Dekimpe tells us more about the strikes and their consequences for the population.

Qatar's state-run energy firm says it has halted Liquefied Natural Gas production following Iranian attacks on facilities at two of its main gas processing bases. This is only the latest consequence of the Middle East conflict on global markets. FRANCE 24's Environment Editor Valerie Dekimpe looks at the ripple effects of a war that's igniting fears of a major energy crisis. 

Can mushrooms replace leather and plastic? Thanks to mycelium derived from fungi, companies can now make 100 percent biodegradable products such as shoes and furniture that look exactly like leather. Major brands are already trying to make the shift. Our France 2 colleagues report. 

According to recent research, three-quarters of children spend less time outdoors than prison inmates. Around the world, forest schools are gaining popularity, offering an alternative to traditional classrooms within four walls. Down to Earth visited one such school in Switzerland, where children learn through outdoor play and exploration.