How did you come to be onboard the Esperanza?

Greenpeace invited Al Jazeera to send a journalist onto the Esperanza for a week. When my editor asked for people, I was enthusiastic to join because I knew of the work that Greenpeace did and was very supportive of it.

How has the trip changed your perception of Greenpeace?

Being on board has confirmed my idea of the nobility of Greenpeace's cause. It has brought me closer to the people who are Greenpeace, who implement the campaigns. It has especially brought me in touch with the concept of volunteering, which is undervalued in the Arab world. The idea of giving without expecting anything in return is important and worth focussing on.

This trip has filled the gaps in my knowledge of the threats to the Mediterranean and made me realise just how big the problems are. I see more clearly the problems that are facing the global environment and the role that Greenpeace is playing.

Can you elaborate on what you think of Greenpeace now?

If it were my decision, I would have done all in my capacity media-wise to inform the Arab world of Greenpeace and the ecological concerns you have. Unfortunately, there is little knowledge about the environmental movement in the Arab world. Amongst the Arab public there is little knowledge of NGOs such as Greenpeace and their activities. There is an interest amongst some of the elite.

Why is there this lack of knowledge of environmental problems? Do political issues overshadow environmental concerns, or is there some other reason?

There's no doubt that the Arab citizen has lots of problems to deal with. On the other hand, the link between these problems and fact that environmental issues could be a certain cause still needs to be elaborated and detailed for the public. It's not obvious. When they are linked to political situations, environmental issues are more taken into consideration. For example the Clemenceau story had a political link because it was previously military owned. The nuclear issue is finding public interest because of the Israeli nuclear program. Burning oil wells during the Gulf War raised environmental questions but it was a political issue.

In summary, the amount of problems that an Arab citizen faces every day and the incapacity to make the link between these problems and environmental issues, which can be a direct cause, is the reason why the environment is less high on the public agenda.

What is Egypt's role in facing the problems of overfishing tuna in the Mediterranean?

Egypt's role is twofold. First is the protection of the entire coastline of Egypt, including the Mediterranean. Second, as part of the international community, what can be done is to exert some pressure on all governments of the Mediterranean countries, especially those that are part of entities or legislative commissions which manage the Mediterranean. They must ensure that legislation guarantees protection of the Mediterranean and sustainability of life in the Mediterranean.

What can Greenpeace do to inform and give a voice to people of the Arab world in terms of issues of the environment and environmental justice?

Greenpeace like other NGO's as a first step has the responsibility to inform and give knowledge to the public. Next to incite people to act, to speak up, to demand changes. Third, they must also coordinate the people who know, help them organise themselves and be effective in demanding change.

Thanks to Basma for acting as our translator.