What We NEED TO DO About Rising Sea Levels 🌊 | FRENCH CONVERSATION🎙️

Nathan: Hello everyone. Welcome, I'm very happy to see you again for a new episode, it's the fifty-ninth, I think, not easy to say. And I find Violaine here, in front of me, ready as usual and like every fortnight, finally.

Violaine: Hi everyone and hi Nathan! N: What's new? V: Well listen, nothing special, everything is going pretty well, and I don't want to talk about the weather again, but it's the arrival of spring and that puts a smile on my heart, as they say.

N: Yeah, that makes you happy. We are slowly getting closer to spring. Well, to be very honest, things could be better eh: I just came back from a funeral which took place at the beginning of the week in Toulouse, in the south-west of France.

And as we often say, to try to accept the news, to get better and to mourn: we say that. . .

Well, that's life, in fact, and that it's in the order of things, since obviously, Violaine, the person was of a certain age. So she was my grandmother's sister, my great aunt. There you go, we're going to say that, as I told you, that's life.

V: It's life, but it's true that all the same, a funeral in our culture is something heavy, uh unlike perhaps other cultures to which our listeners sometimes belong. Um, I know in some countries it's sometimes more joyful. Well, maybe we can do an episode about it one day, why not?

On how things are happening here in France. N: Yeah, it wouldn't be bad to talk about it. Another day, I'll suggest that to you.

V: Yeah, come on, another day, uh even if I'm not sure if today's theme is happy, or very happy to cheer you up. . .

Sorry. But I think it's very interesting, both fascinating and disturbing, so we're going to discuss it. Um why did we choose this subject?

Uh well already, quite simply because exactly 15 years ago, give or take a few days, we were hit in France by a storm which is the worst natural disaster that France has experienced in the 21st century. It was really powerful, it was a storm that actually affected the west of the country, towards La Rochelle, Nathan, where you were born. It was a storm that caused a lot of damage.

In short, we'll talk about the details right after, we'll come back to them. But it was a real shock and also, in my opinion, a real shock for the country. N: The famous storm Xyntia, as we call it, that's it.

In fact, there was a before and after Xyntia. That is to say that since 2010, for 15 years, things have happened, a lot of things, and we are going to see how France manages or tries to manage today the famous rising water levels which, I am sure, many people who listen to us are unfortunately aware of in their respective countries, at least in any case. And in addition, are more or less, in fact, Violaine, directly affected by all of this.

Quickly, I think this episode will be interesting to see more specific vocabulary also in French, sometimes even a little, I think, scientific. And then, regarding grammar as well, I think it's worth staying with us. I imagine that we will necessarily, it is obligatory, practice the tenses of the past, that is to say the imperfect, the past perfect, the pluperfect, but also the future, we will see that.

V: Yeah, so a little bit of everything, the subjunctive also, certainly. In any case, it is likely if we give our opinion on what to do in the future. There you have it, suggestions, advice, desires.

And knowing us, it's possible that we do. N: Well there you go, “let’s do it”. You see, the subjunctive already fell after three minutes.

It's very fast anyway, after three minutes in this episode. Just before, Violaine, do you still agree that we ask our students a quick question? V: With pleasure.

I wrote one down, if it's the one you talked about earlier, just before the recording? N: That's the one yeah, that's the one, there are even two of them, two questions. V: It's true, it's true.

Quite simply, with Nathan, we would like to know two things: uh, have you ever experienced a natural disaster in your country of this type, so storm, flood, earthquake, earthquake, tsunami? Maybe I'm forgetting some. And the second question is : how does your government, your country manage these kinds of risks for the future?

N: Great questions and I look forward to hearing from you in the comments. I believe, Violaine, that we have covered everything, that we have not forgotten anything for the presentation. So we can go there.

We can start with the facts. That famous night of February 27 to 28, 2010. That was exactly 15 years ago.

And I, personally, remember it like it was yesterday. It was. .

. In any case, it's still very, very fresh in my memory. I don't know, if you have the same memory as me?

V: So honestly, me, nah, on my side. So I'm younger than you. What did I have?

I was 16 at that time. N: That’s it. V: I was still in high school near Lyon, near Lyon.

And it’s true that we really weren’t affected by this storm. Not at all, I think, even. So it’s true that we’ve always looked at it from a somewhat distant perspective.

N: You're right, you're right. You were on the opposite side, actually, of the zone of this storm. And I was 19 years old.

And above all, that's it, in fact. The key is that I was in the area, I was in the zone, almost in the heart, you know, in the heart of the storm. Even though I had moved to Bordeaux at that time, I had followed this, these events, quite quietly because I was a little further south.

But at the time, it's true that I was mainly told about all these events. I also remember my mother, my grandmother who spoke to me a lot about it at the time. And these details, you see, all these little details.

Because they, in fact, lived there, eh. And they had experienced everything, seen everything and heard everything. We can also say it, it made a lot of noise.

V: Yeah, but it's true that they were in the foreground because it was a storm which hit mainly in France the region of La Rochelle, the department of Charente-Maritime. To give you some context, we are in the west of France, near the Atlantic Ocean. And then, a little further north, the coast was hit hard too, huh.

So, it's really that area, near your house. Um, can you tell us what happened that night, February 27-28, 2010? N: Well, a violent storm.

I wouldn't say extremely violent, but. . .

Because I'm trying to compare with what also exists in the world. But it was an obviously violent storm. Very strong winds which blew across the entire coast, which swept the coast.

. . Near La Rochelle, in fact, on a very small, very well-known and touristic island in France called the Île de Ré.

I think I've already talked about it. It's just opposite La Rochelle. Well listen, there were winds at 160 km/hour.

So, it's not crazy. . .

Well, it's huge, 160. But it's not a record either, I don't think. But actually what happened at that time, 15 years ago, was that there was a strong tide at the same time, a large tidal coefficient.

So in fact, all that combined: that is to say the wind, the tide, it obviously raised the sea level, you realize, by around 1 meter 50. Which is enormous, eh. We go from, let's say, level zero to 1 meter 50.

And inevitably, well the water ended up overflowing. And I remember all these images of the port of La Rochelle that I showed you afterwards, quite recently, but there you go. With all these streets, you see, around the port which were totally flooded.

We no longer saw the difference in fact between the streets and the rest. Everything had overflowed. There was water everywhere.

V: Yes, yes, everything was flooded. And I saw a report while preparing the episode and it showed good that. So you were talking about where you were born and raised, which was hit hard by all of this.

But it happened, in fact, on the entire Atlantic coast as I was saying earlier, when we go back towards the northwest. . .

I saw that it went up to Brittany, where we had to evacuate people who were stuck in their homes, even if the consequences were visibly less serious, I think. N: Yeah. And I remember that I went back to see my loved ones the following weekend, 2-3 days after the storm, after Xynthia, so as we call it.

Um and so from Bordeaux to La Rochelle, by train, I took the train and arriving at only what? A few kilometers from La Rochelle, I would say 5 or 10 kilometers. Each time, you see, in this part, the train runs along the coast, as they say.

We are maybe 200 meters from the sea, I'm not even sure, maybe 100 meters, no more. We are very, very close to the ocean. Each time we have to cross the villages which are at the water's edge.

And I remember a village in particular called Châtelaillon, Châtelaillon-Plage. It's a fairly well-known seaside resort, we'll say, for the French. Well that weekend, this village, this small town was with its feet in the water, you see, as they say, its feet really in the water.

There was still a meter of easy water, you see, in the gardens, in the streets, in the fields, the fields were flooded. It was impressive because it’s unique, it’s extremely rare in this area. V: No, but above all, the temperature of the water must have been super cold since it was February, so borderline freezing at that time, since it was winter.

Uh, how many deaths? We didn't say it, we didn't specify it. N: That’s true.

V: So in France, we counted 47, but a lot of victims, as they say, so people who lost everything with their flooded houses, all the furniture, the equipment which is ruined, which is therefore destroyed. Um, I saw a report where we see very damaged roads, with a lot of damage. In some places, you even had completely destroyed sidewalks.

And obviously, as is often the case because of the wind, the first thing to go is the roofs. N: Of course, the roofs flying off, and that affected a lot of people on that point, yeah. V: Plus all the falling trees.

N: The trees. And you know, on the Île de Ré, once again, so in this region where I was born, where I grew up, there are a lot of oyster farms. I say the island of Ré, but there is also the island of Oléron, for example.

And so the oyster farms, just in two seconds, are these places where oysters are produced, because, there you go, this area is very famous in France for eating oysters. They are really delicious. Don’t you like oysters, Violaine?

V: I hate it. N: Yeah. I've been loving it for a very short time, but when I was young, I was born there, but I didn't eat it, so you see.

And so I think that many people who listen to us, who come from Europe, know Oléron oysters. They are very famous, very well known. Well obviously, these oysters are grown partly in the sea, a little in the earth, but also a lot in the sea, obviously.

Well, a good part of all these parks, as they are called, was destroyed. A good part because, obviously, of this storm. So on this point, on the economy, it was dramatic.

V: So basically, a lot of damage. Um and this is something that hasn't happened for a long time in France. It's true that the people who listen to us, all the same, can say to themselves that 47 deaths, certainly, it's far too many and we would like to have none.

. . But you see, it's not huge either for a disaster, uh compared to others that happen in the world almost every day.

But you still have to understand that it had an impact on the French and that it was a real trauma for people. I think we can use this word. Uh actually, At that moment, I think we really became aware of the danger of living on the coast and the danger that could come from the ocean, quite simply.

N: Yeah, before Cynthia, before this storm, there was little awareness, no awareness. We were not aware, in fact, of the risks of submersion. Basically, what was it?

We bought our house on an island a few meters from the sea if we wanted to, if we had the means too, obviously, because it can be expensive. But there you go, if it made us happy, if we wanted to live in a certain place, whether it was in a flood zone, as they say, or not, we didn't really ask ourselves any questions, in fact. It wasn't a criterion.

We didn't care a little, we didn't even care at all sometimes. So, I'm obviously talking about a trend huh. I know that on an individual basis, I know people, in La Rochelle in particular, who even before Xynthia were talking about its risks and in fact for a very long time, my grandmother had been talking about it for a very, very long time in this area.

V: Yeah, but it's true that the general trend for the majority of people was still a non-debate. And in the decisions taken at the political level too, it was a non-debate. Because at the time, we didn't realize the danger, as I said, or at least, we were much less aware of it.

But you know, it's often like that, we believe that this kind of thing only happens elsewhere, that it only happens to others. N: Completely. V: But on the other hand, it's true that there was a turning point after that famous February night.

And I believe that there was a real awareness in people's heads because it had an impact, it was shocking, as I said. And even politically, in France, that’s super interesting. But in terms of laws, in terms of town planning, there are a lot of things that have changed.

N: Yeah, and which were therefore taken into account. It's true, we can't say the opposite about that. France, I find, has put things in place.

It's true that we can make the connection or not. It's not obligatory. France has put things in place.

And that's what we're going to see now, I think, that's what's interesting. And I think of something, I have an image in mind because I know that it still happens today, that it concerns people, particularly from my region. But imagine, Violaine, you live in a house by the sea, there, you see.

V: My dream. N: There you have it, your dream, too. You bought it, you built it yourself or you had it built, obviously.

And there, you're suddenly told, well, that it's over, that it's going to be destroyed and that you have to leave immediately. Like that, overnight. I want to ask you a question: how would you feel?

V: Well, no surprise, that would depress me and I would obviously be super sad. I can't deny it. And it’s true that it’s heartbreaking.

So, I, we, we never experienced it, but I saw a lady talking about it on TV and she was crying, she was in tears. Even if it is necessary and it can avoid new tragedies, well you realize, in a single village, very small, less than 2000 inhabitants, I think, they razed 600 houses. So they destroyed them, in fact, quite simply.

N: Razer, which means destroy, yeah. Demolish too. 600 houses were destroyed in a single village.

V: So basically a third of the people left. Um, well, so, at the same time, it was the village most affected by this storm. There had been a lot of deaths.

Not sure that people wanted to stay after this tragedy. Um, but there are plenty of people who didn't have a choice. We told them: “we will buy your house from you, we will give you the price it is worth, the market price, but you must leave”.

And that, moreover, has a name, it’s called an expropriation. A little difficult to pronounce. N: Expropriation.

V: When we are forced to leave for one reason or another, we are expropriated. Uh, but Well, it's true that when you've lived there since your childhood, when you were born there, well it's hard. N: It’s hard, but you are expropriated because the area is floodable.

And you know that now, Violaine, we can no longer build since this storm, this famous storm. We can no longer build in certain areas of France. We created, I know, areas with, you know, little colors.

So, the first zones, I don't know what the color is anymore, if it's green or yellow, but I know that there are red zones, black zones where it is absolutely forbidden to build, you see. So if you want to build your own house, you have to go elsewhere. You have to go somewhere else.

V: And you know I saw the map of these areas. Um in France, there are around 10% of housing which is in flood zones. So we can no longer build.

But 10% of these housing units are still there because they were built well before. N: That seems huge to me. Now you really have to be careful, be careful with all that.

And besides, Violaine, we can perhaps tell this anecdote. I don't know what you think about it. We were both driving last weekend in the south of France.

It was towards Montpellier. And yes, a bit of our new region. We were listening to the radio.

We were listening to the news. It was France Info. We often put France Info.

We tune into this radio in the car. And for the commemoration, therefore, and the 15th anniversary of this storm, there was the mayor of this famous town that you just spoke about earlier, who was invited, do you remember? Who was interviewed, uh the mayor of this famous village.

I kind of forgot his name, who was the most affected by the storm. Do you remember? V: Yeah, it’s La Faute-sur-Mer.

And to put you in perspective, it’s not very far from Nantes. N: Yeah, La Faute-sur-Mer, eh, that’s it. But a name that is now known, even though it is very small and was obviously unknown more than 15 years ago.

Well, you see, this mayor, I don't know if you remember, but he really understood that we could destroy houses. Obviously, to prevent it from happening again. It makes sense.

But this mayor also put forward another argument that I find quite interesting: it is the famous right of property. He said that living somewhere is also a human right. It is an essential right.

You know, the right to housing, the right to live. And that we also had to be careful with that, well. It's a human right, it's true.

V: Completely, completely. But it's a very interesting thought. And also, we can understand that for him too, it is terrible, you see, to see a third of his population leave.

They will go elsewhere to live. Well, seeing a very small village empty, I find it sad. But do we have a choice?

Can we do otherwise? Um because you know that the rules of town planning have changed. We saw this while preparing this subject and we have also known it for several years.

You know that from now on, if you live in certain places in France, well you have to provide a room in your home, a place where you can shelter, where you can take refuge in case there is a flood. N: Well yeah, like a shelter that will protect you. V: Totally.

And sometimes you even have to have a floor. So, it makes sense. You have to be high up, so with one floor.

And in France, you have a lot of houses in these areas, in particular, which are on the ground floor. So, should we build a floor? Is there any help?

Well, that's the big problem. N: That’s true. Who will pay?

Who will pay for this? But in any case, it is true that it remains an intelligent measure, perhaps necessary, which can also avoid tragedies. It's just, in fact, I think, difficult to imagine that and also difficult to put into place.

You have to build a floor if you want to stay at home. Basically, that's it. So you have no choice.

And it's not easy, after all, to have to raise your own house every time. V: That’s it. Where are we going to stop?

And among the measures that have been adopted over the last 15 years, there is something else that you can observe, moreover, when you walk on the coast, on the coast in France, it is the presence of dikes. N: That’s it, dikes. And there are quite a few, in fact, towards La Rochelle.

I went there not long ago. There are more and more of them. V: So, we call them that dikes.

N: What is it? V: So, to explain, it's a kind of natural protection between the land and the ocean. Basically, it's like a small wall that we build to protect everything we find on the coast, so houses, etc.

And we want to protect them from strong tides, waves, etc. once again. N: Yeah, and it's quite high, obviously, the dikes.

V: Yeah, I think it's between 4 and 5 meters each time. N: That’s it. And just in the department of Charente-Maritime, it's the department of La Rochelle, we have built dikes on almost the entire coast, I would say 45 or 50 km long.

And finally, we were able to protect villages which were in an ultra-vulnerable situation, which were in danger. And I know that in a town that I know well, right next to La Rochelle, they come right there. .

. It was a month or two ago, they just built, not one dike, but two. So it's like a double dike, to reinforce the coast a little, to reinforce this protection.

The issue is, you see Violaine, if the water passes over the first, the first dike, well it will obviously be stopped, stopped by the second. V: Yeah, so it really shows the danger in which La Rochelle and the whole area find themselves. N: Exactly.

V: Well afterwards, at least like that, you're at peace for a while, since all the same, it's still a reprieve, as they say, it remains temporary. This is short and medium term protection, in my opinion. And I'll tell you why later, but I still want to say something, which is that at least this Xymtia storm helped revolutionize the warning system in France.

N: Yeah, public alert, that’s true. It's a real revolution, we can't hide it, it's undeniable, right? V: Well imagine, tell yourself that at the time, in 2010, the town halls had been warned of the arrival of the storm only a few hours before, by receiving something that no longer really exists today: a fax.

N: Yeah, they received this at the town hall. Whereas in 2010, it seems pretty crazy to me, but we still had, Violaine, already telephones, we had the Internet, etc. We weren't in the Stone Age, we weren't in the 19th century in 2010, well I don't think so.

V: No, no, you're right, it's amazing, because a fax is good. . .

A piece of paper. So there you have it, to summarize. Not easy of course, imagine, for the information to then reach the ears of the residents, it takes a long time.

Since then, the positive point is that we have put in place something much more serious and solid, it is a real protocol to alert people directly. N: And I imagine that to alert, everything is done via networks, I imagine? V: Yeah, via networks, obviously, but not only that, text messages, SMS messages, by telephone too.

N: Can we call you? V: We can call you. So it’s a more complete, direct system, without an intermediary.

Um you receive the alert in one second and you are warned. N: Well, all of that actually makes me think, I don’t know about you… But the floods in Spain. You know, the very recent floods that occurred, that occurred in the Valencia region, Valence in French.

It was a few months ago eh… At the end of the year 2024, where precisely, you see, this device existed. But the problem was that he hadn't been responsive enough. And I can talk about it, eh.

We can talk about it because we were there. And me, I remember receiving alerts on my phone in Spain much too late. Yes, this device existed, but it took time to work.

And in fact, we received all these messages on the phone, these alerts only when the disaster was already there. Do you remember? See, she had already passed.

In short, it's not the subject of what happened in Spain, but to come back to what exists in France, I think it's good, provided, obviously, that it works on time. But it's true that, obviously, it's super useful and that it's the minimum, in fact, this type of short-term device, again. V: Yeah.

Yeah, no, but obviously that's the minimum because as for the rest, we can't hide it. Um, we've been saying it from the start, but still, this whole coast is super fragile. She is in danger in the future.

Whatever happens and whatever we do, unfortunately, we cannot go back. N: And you're talking about this coast, but not just this Atlantic coast. It's true that we've been talking about it a lot in the last twenty minutes or so, but we can generalize, we can really try to summarize everything that is at sea level and that will perhaps speak more to the people who are listening to us.

But in France, in fact, it's the same problem, it's the same concern on the Côte d'Azur, on the Mediterranean, for example. But we can also talk about the north of France, the Channel, etc. V: Well yeah, because where there is water, there will be a rise in water levels.

The water will continue to rise. Sea levels are going to be higher and higher, obviously because of global warming. I saw a figure concrete enough for us to realize it, perhaps.

Um, by 2100, we could have much higher sea levels. And in fact, we are talking about 50 to 80 cm more. And this is obviously serious scientists who say this.

N: Who says it? V: It’s the IPCC which brings together lots of countries. N: Yeah, the IPCC, obviously, it's very serious.

I even believe that it depends on the United Nations. So obviously, plus 80 cm in 2100, with well obviously, logically, it's logical, it goes without saying, more and more Xynthia-style storms. It is certain that this type of event will happen again in the future.

So will building dikes or levels in houses be enough? We can ask ourselves the question. Not sure.

. V: Yeah, probably not. N: Good.

You know that I have also seen maps on. . .

Well, what will all this look like? You see, the islands next to La Rochelle. Well I'm thinking of the Île de Ré, the Île d'Oléron, like in 2100.

I saw the maps, 'end of the forecasts. Well in fact, a large part will be underwater. When you see the map, when you analyze it carefully, you see water almost everywhere.

And there will be entire neighborhoods that, in fact, exist today, maybe neighborhoods where my relatives live, you see. And who, well, who will be gone in 70 years, but maybe even sooner. So, it's pretty terrible.

V: Yeah, because in fact, we are going to say that strengthening infrastructure is good and it is essential. But in fact, faced with nature which is much stronger, uh well that won't be enough. And we know it, we often say that nature is taking back its rights over us.

So, in my opinion, we must accept, in fact, to rethink the territory, but really completely. And I read an interesting idea from a mayor of a small town not very far from Nantes, once again, called. .

. Uh wait, I found it again because I didn't know. Um, yes, Saint-Vincent-sur-Jard.

It must be really small. N: I don’t know. V: And he clearly says that we must, in fact, stop wanting to protect homes at all costs.

For what ? Well, because in fact, for him, it means concrete everywhere. N: Yeah concrete.

Besides, it’s an interesting verb that I use quite a bit. It's a verb that can also be used for the coast in Valencia. V: Of course.

N: In Spain. Concreting is when you simply put concrete. We build with lots and lots of concrete.

Um so, we build things that are solid eh, but the problem is that it's not necessarily viable in the long term. It was very fashionable a few years ago, but it's true that if you put concrete everywhere, it might be effective in the short term. V: Yeah, now it seems totally crazy to us, and especially in Spain.

And instead of concrete, this mayor wants to let nature take back its rights, as I said. So, basically, we stop construction and create natural spaces instead in these areas… Not bad. Those who are most at risk and at the water's edge.

N: Okay, so it's really for the. . .

Yeah for the waterfront, obviously. It’s true that we say it especially when we’re on the coast; What. It's a problem sometimes to put concrete everywhere along the water.

V: Yeah… Unfortunately, we also say it for cities since cities are being concreted over and there is less and less nature in cities, but that's another subject. But basically, for him, we just need fauna and flora and therefore no more habitation, therefore just animals and plants. N: Yes, natural spaces, as you said, natural parks in all their forms, ultimately.

And that, it’s true that it would be a real, real transformation of the territory… Relocating, moving, it’s hard. But if we don't really have a choice, ultimately, it might be a good idea. On the other hand, for that, I think you need political courage, you see.

From elected officials, from mayors at the local level, but also at the national level. Obviously, you have to be courageous. V: And when you see the current instability in France with governments changing all the time, every five minutes, it's not easy to find solutions, unfortunately.

N: It’s clear, it’s clear. And then, it's also not easy, I think, Violaine, to simply get it accepted by the people who are there. You see, there is the political side, there is the courage it takes, but there is also making people accept it, making people swallow the pill, eh, as they say.

Unless maybe we can convince them. . .

All these people that it's too risky for them to stay. It's true that the problem is also that there is, I think, Violaine, I don't know what you think about it, we say it for lots of things, but it's that there is a lack of culture. So, we were talking about vacuum culture some time ago, nothing to do with it.

But there, in France, even in these areas, there is a lack of risk culture. In fact, quite simply, I think that over time, we inevitably forget the risks. And besides, we have an expression that we use very often in French, that we say very often, it is: we have a short memory.

And now it's been 15 years. And inevitably, well, this memory can crumble, or even disappear. V: Yeah, and on that, I totally agree.

Just look at how attractive the coast is in France. I think we can say it, it has never been as attractive as it is now. And we see it in our daily lives.

N: Yeah, and this coast is more attractive than ever. Everyone wants to settle in France, to live next to the sea. Today, obviously, for many people, it is the most important thing there is.

And even more, I think, obviously, maybe it's a custard pie, what I'm saying, which is to say something that you just put out like that without thinking too much. But these are also facts, eh: this is even more the case since the pandemic, since Covid. V: Well, undeniably, I can talk about Brittany , which I know well, and in particular Saint-Malo, for example, where I have spent holidays since I was little, at least near Saint-Malo and where real estate prices have simply exploded.

Even though it's on the water's edge. N: Yeah. In Saint-Malo, it's crazy.

In La Rochelle, which I know much better, uh, it’s the same. Everyone wants to live there, everyone wants to settle there. Many Parisians, moreover, settle there.

Or buy a second home, it's pretty classic. It's fashion. To either spend the weekend or also the holidays, it's true that it's not very far.

I say Parisians but not only that… La Rochelle is super fashionable everywhere. And I know that it's the same in Biarritz, another city which is on the coast. We're further south but Biarritz is crazy.

So in Brittany, you said it, but we can also talk about the Côte d'Azur, obviously which is still as attractive as ever. . .

As before, and that was already the case before the Covid pandemic. So in fact, there it is, everywhere on the coast, whatever the risks, whatever the memories, whatever the storms, everyone wants to be there. V: Yeah… Then we can even mention Marseille which is attracting more and more people.

Everyone wants to live in Marseille at the moment. And in reality, the rising water levels, the risk of storms, floods, as you said, people forget all that over time and if you ask me, I would even say that there is a form of denial. Or to say to yourself: “well, I saw the forecasts, it's in 2100 so I'm calm, it will especially affect the following generations, I want to enjoy, I want to treat myself, buy my little house by the water and spend my retirement in the sun!

”. N: Yeah and I know a couple, Violaine, who bought, you know, last year. .

. It was a house on the Ile de Ré, with, you see, a view of the sea. No floors in fact.

. . We were talking about floors earlier.

. . And who had this state of mind, which you just mentioned.

You see, it's a couple who are relatively old. . .

I would say 70 years old, maybe a little bit older eh. . .

Just on the limit. And who knows that well you see, in 2100, it's very far away, they won't be there anymore, normally. .

. Even if I wish them to still be alive but 2100, that's still far away! And there you go, and afterwards, you see that they, this couple I'm talking to you about, they're from here, they're from the area so I can also understand on the one hand that they made this choice, you see.

Let them also think about themselves, let them think about their happiness! V: Yeah, well we can't take it away from them, anyway. Um, but all that to say that the culture of risk exists a little, at least a little more than 15 years ago, but it's not there yet, there's progress to be made.

And then the other argument, or the other obstacle, and what makes strong actions difficult, well it is the economic factor. There you have it, the economy, money, it’s still the crux of the matter. I don't think we've talked about it yet , but it's true that it's difficult to make ecology and economy, ecology and tourism, coexist.

It's possible, it exists, but it's not easy. N: No, it’s not easy. Here again, we come back to political courage, and to the fact, well you see Violaine, of having to find intelligent solutions to satisfy, eh, a little bit of everyone, on both sides.

Or, in any case, not to disappoint too much, eh, the economy and ecology. But yeah, it's true that if tomorrow you say: “in Biarritz, in Nice, well you suddenly stop building hotels, restaurants, or even launching, doing a tourist project, carrying it out”, well that's going to make people cringe , right? It's going to really make you cringe, that's it, as they say.

An expression to say what? Well, that will simply create anger. It’s sure and certain.

V: For sure. But it's not easy to know what to do, but there is one thing that everyone agrees on in France, a large majority of people, I believe: that we must act against global warming. After the question, how is it still?

And what to do? N: And on that, we don't always all agree, obviously. I think about it, it's true that we, Violaine, focused on France, on what we know, but I would be very curious, you see, to know how things are going elsewhere, where all our students live, if there is, like an awareness perhaps, and above all what type, you see what type of measures we can take among them, what?

That would be interesting to know, right? V: That would be very interesting… We haven't talked about it but I had seen a report on Venice, in Italy of course… Which experiences flooding quite regularly… And which I believe has also installed a dike system, at sea…. Or rather a kind of barrier that rises when there are strong tides.

I advise you to see the images, it's quite impressive to see that. And what's more, it seems to be effective. N: Great.

Well listen, I'm going to go see that, I'll go see that in any case a little later. But there you have it, you understand: for 15 years France has been taking more or less effective measures, Violaine, to… Well, to prepare for and to deal with climate change. Is this enough?

That's the question. Well we have expressions in French we say if we see the glass half full, we can say that it's positive, that it's better than before. .

. But if we also see the glass half empty, you see, it's really a view of the mind. We can say that this is obviously insufficient and that there is still a lot of progress to be made.

It depends on what position we put ourselves in. V: Well, I admit that today, I want to see the glass half full, and to be a little positive. N: You’re right, you have to!

You're right. V: And you who is listening to us then? Is your country affected by rising water levels?

And what solutions exist for you? Tell us in the comments, below the episode, we really want to know and we read everyone. .

. And what's more, I find it a fascinating subject. .

. N: And it would be great to compare, I don't know what you think about it Violaine, but to actually compare our respective situations. To simply compare our countries.

There you have it, and the corners and areas where we all live. V: As usual, it's always super interesting. Don't forget to subscribe if you haven't yet.

Once again, we thank you for your loyalty. And we'll see you next time. N: Hello!