One of the main problems with the proposals to limit carbon emissions via gov't mandate is that they disproportionately hurt the poor and middle class. That's why even Obama had to admit that his proposals to fight climate change would make electricity prices skyrocket.
What you are seeing in France is the reaction to that disproportionate impact being mandated by the political class without being able to demonstrate tangible benefits or getting buy-in from the people that are hurt the most by such policies.
You would have the same outrage here if cap and trade/excessive fuel or carbon taxes were ever imposed. The costs are just too high for those people, and the benefits are invisible (or non-existent in many cases). That's why this problem won't be solved via gov't mandates.
Yes, this is the other issue. We just aren't the main problem anymore. Other countries can sign all the promises they want, but we are already doing our part without these regressive solutions.
But that point is only relevant if there was evidence that implementing these proposed policies in countries like the US would have a significant impact in limiting climate change (there isn’t):
