“A Country Anguishing at the Demise of its Forests”
Lauverjat, Alexandre
“A Country Anguishing at the Demise of its Forests” - 2024.
28
This paper examines the emergence of the political, scientific, and environmental controversy surrounding forest dieback attributed to acid rain at the start of the 1980s. This article first looks at the conditions surrounding the birth of this controversy, tracing it back to its source, with a detailed analysis of the discourse across the Rhine concerning Waldsterben (forest dieback), or the hypothesis that the forests were dying as a result of cross-border acid pollution. The article then draws parallels between the reactions to forest dieback on the French and German sides and explores the ramifications of this controversy within the administration during François Mitterrand’s first seven years in office, focusing on the differences of opinion against a backdrop of institutional competition. These low-profile differences contrast with the open conflict that reupted between the Secretary of State for Forests and the unions of the National Forestry Office (Office nationale des forêts), as the two administrations were unable to agree on the diagnosis to be made or the solutions to be adopted. Finally, the article shows how President Mitterrand sought to overcome these divisions by proposing an international conference dedicated to safeguarding and protecting forests, known as the SILVA conference. This diplomatic show of strength was the high point of the publicity surrounding acid rain in the 1980s, before a decline in the face of the emergence of other environmental threats.
“A Country Anguishing at the Demise of its Forests” - 2024.
28
This paper examines the emergence of the political, scientific, and environmental controversy surrounding forest dieback attributed to acid rain at the start of the 1980s. This article first looks at the conditions surrounding the birth of this controversy, tracing it back to its source, with a detailed analysis of the discourse across the Rhine concerning Waldsterben (forest dieback), or the hypothesis that the forests were dying as a result of cross-border acid pollution. The article then draws parallels between the reactions to forest dieback on the French and German sides and explores the ramifications of this controversy within the administration during François Mitterrand’s first seven years in office, focusing on the differences of opinion against a backdrop of institutional competition. These low-profile differences contrast with the open conflict that reupted between the Secretary of State for Forests and the unions of the National Forestry Office (Office nationale des forêts), as the two administrations were unable to agree on the diagnosis to be made or the solutions to be adopted. Finally, the article shows how President Mitterrand sought to overcome these divisions by proposing an international conference dedicated to safeguarding and protecting forests, known as the SILVA conference. This diplomatic show of strength was the high point of the publicity surrounding acid rain in the 1980s, before a decline in the face of the emergence of other environmental threats.
Réseaux sociaux