"We are moving too quickly," stated Jean-Pierre Door, a conservative legislator representing many frustrated constituents. The town of Montargis was at the heart of the Yellow Vest movement three years ago, which protested against rising gasoline taxes and highlighted a broader sense of alienation felt by those in France's rural areas. The movement revealed a class divide between working-class individuals threatened by the shift to clean energy and metropolitan elites who could afford electric cars. As global climate talks take place in Glasgow, the economic and political divisions that fueled the unrest in France remain just beneath the surface. While some in the periphery understand the need for clean energy, financial concerns take precedence over environmental action. Household gas prices have increased by 12.6% in the past month, partly due to shortages related to the coronavirus. Electric cars, once promoted as a cost-effective alternative to fuel-efficient diesel vehicles, now seem excessively expensive. A wind turbine that could lower property values is not desired by a retired couple living nearby. Magali Cannault, a resident near Montargis, suggested that if Parisians are fond of wind turbines, they should be placed in the Bois de Vincennes park instead. President Emmanuel Macron, who is facing an election in April, is navigating the sensitive topic of transitioning to clean energy. He presents himself as an environmentally conscious fighter, although he is practical and understands that rejoining the Yellow Vests protests would harm his chances in the election. Every morning, Cannault looks out at a tall mast near her farm that was erected to measure wind levels for potential turbines. She expressed frustration at not being consulted about it. The only sounds in the background as she spoke on a misty morning were the geese honking and roosters crowing. The mayor of the nearby village of Griselles, Claude Madec-Cleï, agreed, saying, "We are not taken into consideration." President Macron is trying to gain the support of the Green party. As the election approaches, Macron is trying to appeal to a wide range of groups and is particularly concerned about preventing another uprising like the Yellow Vests. The government has halted the increase of household gas prices and will be sending out an "energy check" worth $115 to 6 million people considered most in need. Additionally, an "inflation indemnity" of the same amount will be sent to around 38 million people who earn less than $2,310 per month. The increase in gasoline prices has been a major factor in the implementation of these measures. Sophie Tissier, the organizer of a Yellow Vest protest in Paris in 2019, expressed difficulty in restarting the movement due to a strong police response, despite what she described as a serious social crisis and widespread anger. She highlighted the extreme inequalities in France that hinder their ability to make an ecological transition. The president is promoting the realism of his energy proposals, which involve a combination of new small-reactor nuclear power and the integration of wind power and other renewables. The Green movement advocates for phasing out nuclear power, which currently fulfills 67.1% of France's electricity needs, a move criticized by conservatives as regressing to the "candlelight era." On the other hand, Marine Le Pen calls for the dismantling of the country's more than 9,000 wind turbines, which contribute 7.9% of France's electricity production. In the midst of these conflicting perspectives, many French citizens struggle to balance their concerns for the planet with their immediate needs. For example, Christine Gobet commutes about 90 miles a day in her small diesel car from Montargis to her job at an Amazon warehouse in Orléans, where she earns approximately $1,600 per month. She sat in her car outside the garage, where she had just spent around $3,000 to replace her diesel engine. Despite the suggestion of switching to an electric car, she scoffed at the idea, saying it was not feasible for her. She expressed frustration about rising costs, including the possibility of more expensive baguettes. She mentioned how they were previously encouraged to use diesel for being less polluting, but now the narrative has changed. She participated in protests in Montargis at the beginning of the Yellow Vest movement. She was motivated not only by financial pressure but also by a feeling of being ignored by elites who make decisions that affect them. She left the movement when it turned violent. In Montargis, at a traffic circle called the “peanut roundabout,” traffic was blocked for two months and stores ran out of supplies. She believes little has changed since then. In Paris, she noticed that they have everything, while the mayor, Anne Hidalgo, is focused on reducing cars in the city and disregards people from the provinces who come to work there. Calls in Glasgow to stop using fossil fuels and close nuclear power stations seem disconnected from the daily lives of working-class individuals like Gobet. At the age of 58, she exemplifies a divide between generations. The younger generation, led by Greta Thunberg, is adamant that saving the planet is the most urgent priority. On the other hand, older individuals are hesitant to support environmental measures that may increase energy prices and decrease the value of their investments. The Montargis area is popular among retirees looking for affordable proximity to Paris and immigrants residing on the outskirts. Taxi driver Gilles Fauvin, who drives a diesel Peugeot, mentioned that a majority of his clients require medical transportation to hospitals in Orléans and Paris, just like Gobet. The prospect of banning diesel cars in the capital by 2024 and the push to switch to costly electric cars could have a negative impact on him, according to Yoann Fauvin, the owner of the garage and cousin of the taxi driver. He expressed his preference for diesel cars, despite the fact that they produce harmful pollutants. Fauvin questions whether electric cars are truly a better alternative, considering the environmental impact of mining metals for batteries in countries like China or Chile, the carbon emissions from transporting them, and the need to recycle the batteries. A classic green 1977 Citroen 2CV was being restored in front of him, while a diesel Citroen DS4 was undergoing repairs. He mentioned that the business relies heavily on diesel, and in the area, the idea of energy transformation is not taken seriously. Wealthy individuals are the ones who switch to electric cars, not understanding the local situation. Magalie Pasquet, a homemaker who leads a group called Aire 45 against wind power, explained that her opposition to 75 new turbines in the area is not a disregard for environmental issues, as she practices recycling. She is cautious when it comes to traveling, composts her waste, opts to wear two sweaters instead of turning up the heat, and admires the environmental idealism of the youth. However, she thinks that the world has priorities misplaced. "Why are we destroying a beautiful landscape that brings people to this area when the real issue is excessive consumption?" she inquired. "Local residents are not being consulted, and even mayors have no power to prevent the installation of these unsightly turbines." A friend, Philippe Jacob, a professor of management and marketing who is also involved in the anti-turbine movement, noted that the Yellow Vest movement arose from various grievances such as high gas prices, declining purchasing power, deteriorating public services, and widespread dissatisfaction with top-down decision-making. "The same issues persist today, and the situation is very concerning," he stated. "People have invested their life savings in this area, and their concerns about planned turbines and biogas plants ruining the region are falling on deaf ears."