Glorious weather we are enjoying, but the high pressure and absence of wind has led to excessive levels of air pollution in many parts of France. The pollution is caused by fine particles emitted by vehicles and industry and has decided several prefectures to announce speed restrictions. In Occitanie the department of Hautes Pyrenees has imposed a 20kph reduction in speed limits on the A64. Around Paris similar restrictions are in force.
Friday evening saw the latest manifestation of young people, mainly students, in various cities to protest at governments' lack of action to combat climate change. The movement has been inspired by a Swedish woman Greta Thunberg who has been picketing the Swedish parliament every Friday. Around one thousand young people attended the rally in Paris. Organisers claim their actions have been over-shadowed by other "social protests", but that global warming is the most important issue facing their generation.
