Paris

358 CE - 2016 CE

“There are 40 to 50 species of birds nesting in Paris and more than 200 species regularly seen within the capital, not including the Bois de Boulogne and the Bois de Vincennes... Considering how small and densely occupied Paris is, this is enormous. There are kestrels nesting in Notre Dame cathedral, in the Eiffel Tower and in the Arc de Triomphe. There are swifts and house martens and black-birds nesting under many roofs and balconies... The fashion for window boxes attracts insects. Although there is pollution in Paris, there is not thick smoke like there used to be."

BIRDS: 10 species are extinct and 21 are endangered
FISH: 6 species are extinct
MAMMALS: 3 species are extinct and 5 are endangered
REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS: 8 species are endangered
PLANTS: 17 species are endangered
INVASIVE SPECIES: 20 invasive and non-native species

Climate Change Flooding

global climate change is expected to bring more unpredictable rain events to northern France, which will in turn lead to future flooding of the Paris metropolitan area.

Air Pollution

Excessive car exhaust plagues the city. In March in 2015 Paris pollution levels topped every other global city, 125 according to Plume Labs.

Suburban Sprawl

The sheer size of the city (12.4 million people) has led to the end of the area’s native landscape, agriculture and vineyards.

Urban Species Increase

Paris has long been home to animal species such as lice, rats and pigeons. The city’s growth has led to the extirpation of native species and been a boon for species that thrive in the built environment.

Limited Green Space

Paris is one of the most densely populated cities in all of Europe and only 9.4 percent of Paris’ surface area is dedicated to public green spaces.

How You Can Help

Young Ecologists of the Paris Region

The Young Ecologists of the Paris region are the local chapter of a national federation of local environmental advocacy groups which advocate for political action on behalf of the environment.

Les Amis de la Terre

Les Amis de la Terre is composed of volunteers who work for equitable sharing of natural resources and the right of everyone to live in a healthy environment.

négaWatt Association

The négaWatt Association’s core objective is to address questions and provide operational answers to facilitate a successful switch to a sustainable energy system in France.

Volunteer run Paris Sans Voitures

Volunteer run Paris Sans Voitures works alongside the City of Paris to organize the “Day Without Cars” to bring awareness to traffic congestion and air pollution and build an appreciation of public space.

Sources:

John Lichfield, “OUR MAN IN PARIS: PARISIAN WILDLIFE THRIVES ON BAGUETTES WHILE CHIRAC SHUNS HAGGIS FOR BOILED CALF’S HEAD,” The Independent [London], 12 July 2005.