The widespread Yellow Vests protests, which initially involved hundreds of thousands of protestors in November, are wrongly being interpreted as a movement against carbon taxes and climate action, rather than a revolt against social inequities.

The Yellow Vests protests that swept across France beginning in mid-November, initially numbering as many as 280,000 protestors, were "the most widespread and violent protest in France since the 2005 suburban riots, and perhaps even 1968," write and
In a New York Times op-ed on Dec. 27, Justin Gillis, a former New York Times environmental reporter, points to the Yellow Vests and the failure of another ballot measure last November, the Washington state carbon fee initiative, to show that "any proposal to raise energy prices is going to run into a buzz saw of opposition, including from working-class people who already feel like they are being mistreated."
A Missouri ballot measure that would have hiked gas taxes by 10-cents per gallon also was defeated last November – yet the state has the nation's second lowest gas tax. Hiking gas taxes is a political challenge, which explains why 12 states have not raised them in two decades or more, but it's not a reason to not try.
Related:
-
President Macron Acquiesces to Yellow Vests' Demands on Fuel Tax Hike, December 5, 2018
-
France Drops Road Tolling Plans Amid Fuel Tax Protests, November 30, 2018
-
Fuel Tax Hike Revolt Threatens French President Macron's Leadership, November 26, 2018
Hat tip to Ed Mainland.
FULL STORY: The Yellow Vests Movement Isn’t Anti-Climate Action; It’s Pro-Social Justice

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Study: Anti-Homelessness Laws Don’t Work
Research shows that punitive measures that criminalized unhoused people don’t help reduce homelessness.

The French Solution to Congested Tunnels: Make Them Car-Free
Bay Area transportation officials keep expanding car capacity. Lyon’s Croix Rousse Tunnel offers a different way.

Missouri Governor Reverses Anti-Discrimination Housing Policies
A new state law bars cities from prohibiting source-of-income discrimination against tenants using Section 8 housing vouchers.

USDOT Launches Unfunded 'SAFE ROADS' Program
The program targets “distractions” and “political messages or artwork,” and paves the way for autonomous vehicles.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie