AS WE WANDERED ABOUT on New Years Eve, preparing to ring in the new year in a remarkably beautiful city, we couldn’t help but notice the change in atmosphere there.  For a culture who coined the term, ‘joie de vivre’ to encapsulate a zest for all aspects of life, the tone was quite subdued that night.  It seems as though the whole city was on best behavior.  People were polite, and took there time as the meandered up and down the Champs–Elysées singing — “Aux Champs Elysees” of course!  Families with baby carriages, girls with skimpy outfits– everyone was there.

So, it was most fitting that this city, which hosted the COP 21 talks this year, should end 2016 reminding us that we share only one world of diminishing resources.  Prominently displayed in several locations along the Champs were large screen televisions playing videos with messages about the environment and children.  I captured one of the monitors in the picture above.

While it makes sense that the French would celebrate the successes of the past year with an eye to the future, I couldn’t help but feel that this particular choice was a good one.

More later…