Friday April 3, 2009, President Chirac defended sustainable development while visiting the Sustainable Planet exhibition (see pictures below). He emphasized the fact that during an economic crisis, it “was possible” and “even particularly necessary because sustainable development by definition is frugal, in terms of both energy and means”.

The exhibition’s organizers explained that Sustainable Planet’s goal was to show that “there is no excuse today for not adopting organic products and be green consumers from morning to night”. Indeed, Jacques Chirac discovered many solutions from the Green Kitchen to the wooden house, the electric car, as well organic products, and initiatives to render energy more profitable…

With Tristan Lecomte, president of Alter Eco and an administrator of the Fondation Chirac, the former President of the French Republic underlined the importance of fair trade. Alter Eco’s success these past few years proves the general public is interested in fair trade; a practice the Fondation Chirac also widely supports.

Jacques Chirac’s presence at Sustainable Planet reaffirms his profound belief that sustainable development and growth are the future of our societies. He stated that far from being an obstacle, “the crisis can give {them} a boost, for which I dearly hope.”