Toxic waste dumping in the Global South as a form of environmental racism: Evidence from the Gulf of Guinea

Toxic waste is chemical compounds that, when ingested or inhaled, can cause physiological impairment and, in extreme cases, death. It is also known for its detrimental effect on the environment when disposed of in an unsafe manner. Yet, countries in the Gulf of Guinea continue to be targeted by West...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:African studies (Johannesburg) Vol. 79; no. 3; pp. 285 - 304
Main Authors: Okafor-Yarwood, Ifesinachi, Adewumi, Ibukun Jacob
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Abingdon Routledge 02.07.2020
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Subjects:
Africa
Anatomical systems
Bamako Convention
Basel Convention
Change agents
Conventions
Developed countries
Dumping
e-waste
Electronic waste
Environmental cleanup
Environmental impact
Environmental justice
Hazardous wastes
Health services
Human rights
Metals
Racism
Recycling
Unsafe
Violations
Youth
Gulf of Guinea
ISSN:0002-0184, 1469-2872
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Toxic waste is chemical compounds that, when ingested or inhaled, can cause physiological impairment and, in extreme cases, death. It is also known for its detrimental effect on the environment when disposed of in an unsafe manner. Yet, countries in the Gulf of Guinea continue to be targeted by Western waste-brokers notwithstanding the existence of laws prohibiting the transboundary disposal of such materials. There is also a rise in the export of electronic waste (e-waste) from developed countries to countries in the region, purportedly as reusable electronics, much of which ends up in landfills. The primitive recycling techniques of this e-waste undermines the health of the local populations and their environment due to inadequate care of the heavy metal and toxin content. Drawing on examples from Côte d'Ivoire, Nigeria and Ghana, this paper argues that toxic waste dumping in the Gulf of Guinea amounts to environmental racism. The article makes recommendations relating to the challenges of toxic waste dumping in the Gulf of Guinea, including the need for countries to implement the provisions of the Basel and Bamako conventions in their entirety, recognise acts of environmental racism as violations of human rights, and for young people to rise to the occasion as 'agents of change'.
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ISSN:0002-0184
1469-2872
DOI:10.1080/00020184.2020.1827947