“We are moving too quickly,” remarked conservative legislator Jean-Pierre Door, who represents a constituency filled with frustrated citizens. The town of Montargis experienced a surge of unrest three years ago during the Yellow Vest movement, sparked by a rise in gasoline taxes but fueled by a broader sense of disillusionment felt by those living on the outskirts of France. This uprising highlighted a class division, pitting working-class individuals threatened by the shift to clean energy against affluent urbanites, particularly in Paris, who have the means to adopt eco-friendly practices. While global discussions on climate change take place in Glasgow, the economic and political disconnect that led to turmoil in France still lingers beneath the surface. Although many in rural areas acknowledge the necessity of transitioning to clean energy, financial struggles remain a pressing concern. While COP26 focuses on the urgency of saving the planet, the immediate worry here is making ends meet before the month's end. In just the past month alone, household gas prices have increased by 12.6%, partly due to shortages caused by the coronavirus. People who were once encouraged to buy fuel-efficient diesel cars now find electric cars to be unaffordably expensive. Retired couples living near a wind turbine are concerned about the impact on property values. A resident near Montargis suggested that Parisians should consider installing wind turbines in the Bois de Vincennes park instead. President Emmanuel Macron is facing a delicate issue as he navigates the transition to clean energy ahead of the upcoming election in April. He has presented himself as an environmentally conscious fighter, although practical, but is aware that any involvement in the Yellow Vests protests would harm his chances in the election. Every morning, Cannault looks out from her farmhouse near town at a newly constructed 390-foot mast used to measure wind levels for potential turbines. She expressed frustration that they were not consulted about this project. The only noises in the background as she spoke on a misty morning were the honking of geese and roosters crowing. The mayor of the neighboring village of Griselles, Claude Madec-Cleï, agreed, stating, "We are being ignored." President Macron is trying to win over the Green party. As the election approaches, Macron is reaching out to various groups and is eager to prevent a resurgence of the Yellow Vests. The government has decided to halt the increase in household gas prices. Additionally, around 6 million individuals deemed most vulnerable will receive a $115 "energy check" next month. Another 38 million people earning less than $2,310 per month will also receive an "inflation indemnity" of the same amount. These measures are primarily in response to rising gasoline prices. Sophie Tissier, the organizer of a Yellow Vest protest in Paris in 2019, expressed difficulty in reigniting the movement due to a heavy police response, despite the presence of a significant social crisis and widespread anger. She highlighted the extreme inequalities in France that hinder progress towards an ecological transition. While the president promotes the realism of his energy proposals, which include a mix of small-reactor nuclear power and renewable sources like wind power, there are differing opinions from the Green movement, who want nuclear power phased out, and Marine Le Pen, who advocates for the dismantling of wind turbines. In the midst of these debates, many French people, like Christine Gobet, find themselves caught between concerns for the planet and their immediate needs as they navigate daily challenges. Sitting in her car outside a garage after spending $3,000 to replace her diesel engine, she scoffed at the idea of switching to an electric vehicle. She believed that electric cars were not a feasible option for people like her, especially with rising costs in other areas like food. She mentioned feeling misled about the environmental impact of diesel cars, and expressed her frustration by participating in Yellow Vest protests in Montargis. She was motivated not only by financial pressures, but also by a feeling of being ignored by the elites who make decisions that impact her life. She left the movement when it turned violent. In Montargis, a traffic circle known as the "peanut roundabout" was blocked for two months, causing shortages in stores. She believes little has changed since then. In Paris, she feels that the city has 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. Working-class individuals like Gobet, who was featured in a series in Le Monde, find calls in places like Glasgow to transition away from fossil fuels and nuclear power stations to be disconnected from their everyday reality. At 58 years old, she represents a divide between generations. The younger generation, led by Greta Thunberg, believes that saving the planet is the most urgent priority. On the other side are older individuals who are concerned about environmental measures affecting their quality of life in their later years. In the area near Montargis, there is a mix of retirees looking for affordability and immigrants living on the outskirts. Gilles Fauvin, a taxi driver, mentioned that a majority of his clients require transportation for medical purposes to hospitals in Orléans and Paris. The potential impact of banning diesel cars from the capital by 2024 and the push to transition to costly electric cars could have negative consequences for him. He expressed that diesel cars are effective for him, despite their emissions. Yoann Fauvin, the garage owner and taxi driver's relative, is unsure if electric cars are truly a better alternative due to the environmental costs associated with mining metals for batteries in countries like China and Chile, transportation emissions, and battery recycling. In his presence, a vintage green 1977 Citroen 2CV was being restored and a diesel Citroen DS4 was being fixed. He mentioned that diesel is essential for his business, as the community tends to mock energy transformation. He observed that only affluent individuals opt for electric cars, showing a lack of understanding of the local situation. Magalie Pasquet, a housewife leading a group opposed to wind power in the region, clarified that her resistance to the 75 planned turbines is not a rejection of environmental issues, as she actively recycles. She is cautious when it comes to traveling. She recycles organic waste. She opts to wear two sweaters instead of increasing the heat. She is encouraged by the environmental enthusiasm of the youth. However, she feels that the world has prioritized things incorrectly. "Why are we destroying a beautiful landscape that attracts people to this area when the real issue is overconsumption?" she inquired. "Local residents are not being consulted, and even mayors are powerless to prevent the construction of these unattractive wind turbines." A colleague, Philippe Jacob, who is a professor of management and marketing and is also involved in the anti-turbine movement, noted that the Yellow Vest movement arose due to increasing gas prices, declining purchasing power, deteriorating public services, and widespread dissatisfaction with centralized decision-making. "The same issues persist today, and the situation is becoming increasingly risky," he stated. "Residents have invested their life savings here, and their concerns about the planned turbines and biogas plants are being ignored, which could lead to the destruction of the region."