Christine Jean

Christine Jean (born 1957 in Nantes) is a French biologist and environmental activist. She was dubbed "Madame Loire" by the French press.

She was awarded the Goldman Environmental Prize in 1992 for her efforts on preserving the river Loire, the longest river in France, from dam constructions.

Education Christine Jean was trained in agronomy at École nationale supérieure d'agronomie et des industries alimentaires and holds a master's degree in ecology in the domain of hydrology from Paul Verlaine University – Metz.

SOS Loire Vivante Christine Jean coordinated a nationwide campaign to prevent the damming of the Loire. This was very important as the Loire is one of the last wild rivers with great ecological wealth. The dam project was supported by parts of the building industry who wanted to make a profit. Furthermore, it should have been used for using the water for cooling four reactors that were supposed to be built along the river.

Activism After her successful campaign against the dam project she continued her activism. She did for example fight against the enlargement of Nantes - St.- Nazaire port at the Loire rivers mouth that were supposed to accommodate a nuclear power plant.

Honours Goldman Environmental Prize in 1992 Named as one of the heroes of the planet by Time in 1999