Tunisia Faces Critical Environmental Crisis, with Alarming Global Pollution Index and Subpar Air Quality
Tunisia is grappling with a severe environmental crisis, marked by a disturbing global pollution index and air quality that falls far short of public health standards. In an interview on the radio, environmental expert Mehdi El Abdelli sounded the alarm: the current situation is the result of decades of neglect, affecting the air, coastline, biodiversity, and waste management. International indicators confirm the gravity of the situation.
With a pollution index exceeding 70 points, Tunisia ranks 37th globally. The situation is particularly dire regarding air quality. El Abdelli revealed that the average concentration of fine particles in Tunisia is approximately 24 micrograms per cubic meter ($\mu g/m^3$). This reality is starkly at odds with the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommendations, which suggest a maximum annual limit of just 5 $\mu g/m^3$.
Beyond urban cleanliness, the entire waste management system is structurally outdated. El Abdelli noted that Tunisia still relies almost exclusively on traditional landfilling, despite several public landfills having already reached their maximum capacity. "Continuing to rely on classical landfills is no longer a sustainable solution," he emphasized. "Tunisia must urgently transition to a modern system based on source separation, valorization, and treatment."
As the Eid al-Adha holiday approaches, El Abdelli stressed the need to change our behavior regarding the remains of sacrifices. He strongly warned against the open-air incineration of sheep skins, a practice that exacerbates air pollution and directly threatens public health. However, these residues represent an untapped goldmine for the green economy. The skins can be injected into the leather industry and craftsmanship, while organic waste can be transformed into compost. This valorization would not only reduce imports but also create seasonal jobs.
For this transition to succeed, the establishment of an effective selective sorting infrastructure and the strengthening of public-private partnerships (PPPs) are essential. In conclusion, El Abdelli reminded that environmental protection is a shared responsibility between the state and citizens, highlighting that the right to a healthy environment is both constitutional and human. He called for massive support for youth initiatives and startups specializing in green economy and intelligent waste management to transform this ecological burden into a source of wealth and energy.
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