Experiments have shown that women are the most affected by climate change, but they are also the most aware of its risks and the most proactive in seeking solutions to environmental crises affecting their communities.
Tunisian youth, Meissa Essandali (32 years old), is one of the women who have chosen not to stand idly by and instead contribute to raising environmental awareness.
She has created the first environmental media platform called “blue tn,” which advocates for the environment and strives to find practical solutions to the pressing issues facing our planet in a simple and humorous manner.
Meissa, primarily an environmental activist, advocates for the right of Tunisians to be informed about the environmental risks surrounding them and how to deal with them.
Tunisia has been grappling with escalating environmental crises from the north to the south, affecting its citizens and all living beings, such as pollution and water scarcity.
Meissa, who hails from the northern Tunisian region of the Cap Bon, tells Sputnik that the lack of environmental awareness among the majority of Tunisians prompted her to establish this media platform.
She notes that people often perceive environmental issues as secondary matters when, in fact, they have a direct impact on all aspects of their lives.
Meissa believes that every citizen, regardless of their educational background, has the right to understand environmental issues, especially as they are the ones directly affected by climate change and other environmental phenomena.
She continues, “The idea behind this platform is to simplify environmental information and make it understandable to the general public. That’s why we use colloquial language, local proverbs, Tunisian songs, as well as a humorous and satirical style in our posts.”
Regarding the platform’s name, “Blue tn,” which translates to “Blue” in Arabic, Meissa explains that it has a close connection to our planet, which is predominantly characterized by the color blue due to its vast oceans, representing two-thirds of its surface.
The idea of this platform did not come out of thin air. Meissa has a deep connection with nature, having grown up among fields and animals on her grandmother’s farm, where her bond with the environment was nurtured.
Meissa shares, “My love for nature grew with me, and I later became involved in various environmental associations and organizations advocating for the right of citizens to live in a healthy environment.”
Her passion for nature led her to embark on bicycle tours across various regions of Tunisia, even though it was not a popular activity at the time.
She adds, “Initially, the goal of these tours was to promote eco-tourism, encourage young girls to travel by bicycle, introduce them to Tunisian craftsmen, and promote the consumption of local and natural products.”
Little did Meissa know that these tours would change the course of her thinking. During her visits to different areas, she encountered environmental issues affecting soil and the livelihoods of local residents. She realized that “nature was sick.”
This realization compelled Meissa to launch the first media platform for spreading awareness about environmental issues and finding solutions to confront or adapt to them. She draws inspiration from experts and specialists working within the platform.
Women make up 90% of the team at “Blue tn,” making it resemble a female beehive. Meissa says that this composition is not a mere coincidence, as women are the most aware of environmental risks and are the most committed to addressing them.
She adds, “This female awareness has its explanation. Women are among the groups most affected by environmental risks, as they are often the poorest and most dependent on threatened natural resources due to climate change. This makes them more proactive in seeking solutions.”
Meissa believes that environmental protection is not exclusive to a particular group but is the responsibility of every citizen. She emphasizes, “We urge people to protect nature, so we must be the first to commit to that.”
The young environmental activist emphasizes that “Blue tn” receives extensive interaction from Tunisians who engage with their posts and engage in discussions.
People express their desire to contribute to spreading environmental awareness and actively participate in protecting nature by reducing its suffocating pressures.
“Blue tn” is making a difference by simplifying environmental information and mobilizing people to act collectively to protect the environment and reduce its overwhelming challenges. Meissa sums it up, saying, “We have become like an extended family.”
The platform receives messages from farmers, fishermen, specialists, and even ordinary citizens who express their eagerness to contribute to raising environmental awareness and becoming active agents in nature protection.
