Latest news with #SemiaLabidiGharbi
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Activist exposes international scandal after calling attention to seemingly innocent shipments: 'We ... have the right'
Tunisian environmental activist Semia Labidi Gharbi has spent several years exposing a major waste scandal in which wealthy nations were caught dumping hazardous materials in her country, and recently won a global award for her efforts. As NBC Right Now reported, Gharbi has devoted the past 25 years to environmental advocacy; however, since 2020, most of her time has been spent on a single important task: halting shipments of toxic waste from Italy and other countries. That year, customs officials discovered more than 280 containers at a local port that supposedly held recyclable plastic scrap, but upon further inspection, they were found to contain banned hazardous waste materials. Gharbi was one of the first to call attention to the attempted scandal. In late April, she was one of seven activists awarded the Goldman Environmental Prize, also known as the "Green Nobel," for her help in preventing a potential ecological and health disaster. Gharbi's undercover work ultimately led to Italy being forced to return its waste in 2022 and prompted the launch of a campaign to challenge waste trafficking between Italy and Tunisia. The Goldman committee informed the news outlet that Italy had to reclaim over 6,600 tons of illegal household waste due to Gharbi's grassroots activism. "It's true, we are developing countries," Gharbi said in an interview with AFP, per NBC. "But we are not a dumping ground." The scandal had a nationwide impact in Tunisia, leading to the arrest of high-ranking officials. Mustapha Aroui, the former environmental minister, was fired and sentenced to three years in prison. In total, 26 people, including customs officials, were charged with crimes. Overall, the ordeal spurred positive changes in Gharbi's home country and abroad. The Goldman committee stated that the incident prompted the European Union to strengthen regulations for waste shipments overseas, which will lead to improved health for people and the environment. Gharbi said she hopes the award will encourage more Tunisian citizens to get involved with activism and raise awareness about the importance of environmental health. She regularly collaborates with environmental groups across Africa, who view the achievement as a win for them as well. The more people speak out against environmental crimes, the greater the chances authorities have of stopping them and protecting our shared planet. Sadly, poor and developing nations often bear the brunt of the world's plastic use and waste generation. According to an analysis by the International Pollutants Elimination Network, plastic waste exports from wealthy nations in the EU, as well as Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, to low-income countries were significantly underestimated by nearly two million tons annually. And that's just plastic; e-waste, chemical waste, and industrial waste also add to the injustices of "waste colonialism," as some experts have called it. Do you worry about air pollution in and around your home? Yes — always Yes — often Yes — sometimes No — never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. However, some efforts are underway to curb this practice. As the Hill reported, an amendment to the Basel Convention — an international treaty designed to regulate the global movement of hazardous waste and its disposal — prevents wealthier nations from sending hard-to-recycle or contaminated plastics to developing countries overseas. Additionally, the United Nations is moving forward with the global plastics treaty announced in 2022. Once the treaty is finalized, it will have far-reaching impacts on the environment and public health. However, in the meantime, it's crucial to implement more effective waste management strategies so that developing nations don't have to suffer the consequences of inaction. "What is toxic for developed countries is toxic for us too," Gharbi said. "We also have the right to live in a healthy environment." Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Arab News
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
‘No dumping ground': Tunisia activist wins award over waste scandal
TUNIS: Tunisian environmentalist Semia Labidi Gharbi, awarded a global prize for her role exposing a major waste scandal, has a message for wealthy nations: developing countries are 'no dumping ground.' Gharbi was among the first to speak out when Italy shipped more than 280 containers of waste to the North African country in 2020. The cargo was initially labelled as recyclable plastic scrap, but customs officials found hazardous household waste — banned under Tunisian law. 'It's true, we are developing countries,' Gharbi said in an interview with AFP. 'But we are not a dumping ground.' The 57-year-old was among seven environmentalists from different countries handed this year's Goldman Environmental Prize — commonly known as the 'Green Nobel' — in California last week. "The environment knows no boundaries or political borders." Semia Gharbi, 2025 #GoldmanPrize winner from Tunisia, shares a powerful message at the Goldman Environmental Prize ceremony. Learn more about her work as an environmental leader: — The Goldman Environmental Prize (@goldmanprize) April 30, 2025 The Goldman committee said her grassroots activism helped force Italy to take the waste back in February 2022. Gharbi 'helped spearhead a campaign that challenged a corrupt waste trafficking scheme between Italy and Tunisia,' the Goldman committee said. And her endeavours ultimately led to the return of 6,000 tons of 'illegally exported household waste back to Italy,' the US-based organization added. The scandal took on national proportions in Tunisia and saw the sacking of then environment minister Mustapha Aroui, who was sentenced to three years in prison. A total of 26 people, including customs officials, were prosecuted. Yet the waste remained at the port of Sousse for more than two years, with Tunisian rights groups criticizing the authorities' inaction as Italy failed to meet deadlines to take it back. Global waste trade often sees industrialized nations offload rubbish in poorer countries with limited means to handle it. 'What is toxic for developed countries is toxic for us too,' said Gharbi. 'We also have the right to live in a healthy environment.' She added that while richer countries can manage their own waste, developing ones like Tunisia have 'limited capacity.' The Goldman committee said Gharbi's campaigning helped drive reforms in the European Union. 'Her efforts spurred policy shifts within the EU, which has now tightened its procedures and regulations for waste shipments abroad,' it said. Gharbi, who has spent 25 years campaigning on environmental threats to health, said she never set out to turn the scandal into a symbol. 'But now that it has become one, so much the better,' she said with a smile. She hopes the award will raise the profile of Tunisian civil society, and said groups she works with across Africa see the recognition as their own. 'The prize is theirs too,' she said, adding it would help amplify advocacy and 'convey messages.'
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
'No dumping ground': Tunisia activist wins award over waste scandal
Tunisian environmentalist Semia Labidi Gharbi, awarded a global prize for her role exposing a major waste scandal, has a message for wealthy nations: developing countries are "no dumping ground". Gharbi was among the first to speak out when Italy shipped more than 280 containers of waste to the North African country in 2020. The cargo was initially labelled as recyclable plastic scrap, but customs officials found hazardous household waste -- banned under Tunisian law. "It's true, we are developing countries," Gharbi said in an interview with AFP. "But we are not a dumping ground." The 57-year-old was among seven environmentalists from different countries handed this year's Goldman Environmental Prize -- commonly known as the "Green Nobel" -- in California last week. The Goldman committee said her grassroots activism helped force Italy to take the waste back in February 2022. Gharbi "helped spearhead a campaign that challenged a corrupt waste trafficking scheme between Italy and Tunisia," the Goldman committee said. And her endeavours ultimately led to the return of 6,000 tonnes of "illegally exported household waste back to Italy", the US-based organisation added. The scandal took on national proportions in Tunisia and saw the sacking of then environment minister Mustapha Aroui, who was sentenced to three years in prison. A total of 26 people, including customs officials, were prosecuted. Yet the waste remained at the port of Sousse for more than two years, with Tunisian rights groups criticising the authorities' inaction as Italy failed to meet deadlines to take it back. - Limited capacity - Global waste trade often sees industrialised nations offload rubbish in poorer countries with limited means to handle it. "What is toxic for developed countries is toxic for us too," said Gharbi. "We also have the right to live in a healthy environment." She added that while richer countries can manage their own waste, developing ones like Tunisia have "limited capacity". The Goldman committee said Gharbi's campaigning helped drive reforms in the European Union. "Her efforts spurred policy shifts within the EU, which has now tightened its procedures and regulations for waste shipments abroad," it said. Gharbi, who has spent 25 years campaigning on environmental threats to health, said she never set out to turn the scandal into a symbol. "But now that it has become one, so much the better," she said with a smile. She hopes the award will raise the profile of Tunisian civil society, and said groups she works with across Africa see the recognition as their own. "The prize is theirs too," she said, adding it would help amplify advocacy and "convey messages". iba/dv
Int'l Business Times
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Int'l Business Times
'No Dumping Ground': Tunisia Activist Wins Award Over Waste Scandal
Tunisian environmentalist Semia Labidi Gharbi, awarded a global prize for her role exposing a major waste scandal, has a message for wealthy nations: developing countries are "no dumping ground". Gharbi was among the first to speak out when Italy shipped more than 280 containers of waste to the North African country in 2020. The cargo was initially labelled as recyclable plastic scrap, but customs officials found hazardous household waste -- banned under Tunisian law. "It's true, we are developing countries," Gharbi said in an interview with AFP. "But we are not a dumping ground." The 57-year-old was among seven environmentalists from different countries handed this year's Goldman Environmental Prize -- commonly known as the "Green Nobel" -- in California last week. The Goldman committee said her grassroots activism helped force Italy to take the waste back in February 2022. Gharbi "helped spearhead a campaign that challenged a corrupt waste trafficking scheme between Italy and Tunisia," the Goldman committee said. And her endeavours ultimately led to the return of 6,000 tonnes of "illegally exported household waste back to Italy", the US-based organisation added. The scandal took on national proportions in Tunisia and saw the sacking of then environment minister Mustapha Aroui, who was sentenced to three years in prison. A total of 26 people, including customs officials, were prosecuted. Yet the waste remained at the port of Sousse for more than two years, with Tunisian rights groups criticising the authorities' inaction as Italy failed to meet deadlines to take it back. Global waste trade often sees industrialised nations offload rubbish in poorer countries with limited means to handle it. "What is toxic for developed countries is toxic for us too," said Gharbi. "We also have the right to live in a healthy environment." She added that while richer countries can manage their own waste, developing ones like Tunisia have "limited capacity". The Goldman committee said Gharbi's campaigning helped drive reforms in the European Union. "Her efforts spurred policy shifts within the EU, which has now tightened its procedures and regulations for waste shipments abroad," it said. Gharbi, who has spent 25 years campaigning on environmental threats to health, said she never set out to turn the scandal into a symbol. "But now that it has become one, so much the better," she said with a smile. She hopes the award will raise the profile of Tunisian civil society, and said groups she works with across Africa see the recognition as their own. "The prize is theirs too," she said, adding it would help amplify advocacy and "convey messages".
