Imagine a tourist diving into Egypt’s Red Sea, paying good money to witness the beauty of our coral reefs and marine life. In that moment, they watch a local guide casually throw plastic overboard, a fisherman deploy destructive nets that tear through the seafloor, or someone dump chemicals into waters that sustain entire ecosystems. That visitor leaves disappointed, shares the experience with others, and suddenly Egypt’s reputation suffers, all from thoughtless decisions made in seconds.
A Sacred Trust
This moment reveals something deeper that I have witnessed throughout my work as a Senior Environmental Specialist. We have been entrusted by Allah with a sacred balance, an environmental balance that connects our daily choices to our faith, our health, and our future. I have seen countless examples of how this balance is violated, not just in the sea, but in our everyday lives.
I remember standing on a street when a driver finished eating a piece of mango and threw the peel out of his window without thinking. A minute later, a small child running nearby stepped on it, lost his balance, and crashed hard to the ground. That child could have been seriously injured, or worse, all because of one careless decision the driver made and immediately forgot. He went home with no idea that his thoughtless act nearly cost a child’s life.
Every choice we make either honors or violates the trust Allah gave us
The Framework for Change
This is what I have learned through my studies of behavioral change for sustainable development: our actions have consequences far beyond what we immediately see. Real change requires us to understand what needs to change, where it needs to change, and when we make those critical decisions.
What needs to change? Our behaviors. We must stop breaking coral, abandon destructive fishing practices, never dump waste into our waters, and think before we discard anything. Where must it change? On our boats, in our communities, in every interaction with the sea, on every street, in every moment. When must it change? Right now, in every single decision we make.
A Call to Action
This is not about blaming marine workers or tourists alone. It is about all of us who interact with the sea and with our world. We must care for our steps, rethink our decisions, and be mindful of our footprints and emissions. Every activity, every choice, we must pause and ask ourselves: does this honor the trust Allah gave us? Could my careless moment harm someone else?
The treasures of our sea are not ours to destroy. They belong to future generations, to our health, to our economy, and to our faith. Real change happens when each of us commits to making the right choice in every single moment, thinking not just about the environment, but about the life and safety of others around us.
That is how we protect what matters most.
Shady Helal
Senior Environmental Specialist at HEPCA - Hurghada Environmental Protection & Conservation Association
