My son and I are traveling through Morocco and I wanted to share some reflections that might resonate with our beloved La Jolla community.

Growing up in La Jolla, I spent countless summer days on its pristine beaches, which are among the most beautiful in the USA. We take immense pride in maintaining their natural beauty. However, my experiences here in Morocco have made me realize that, in some respects, we lag behind nations often categorized as “developing” or “lower-income.”

In Morocco, where the average monthly salary is just $400, people live simply, prioritizing family life and consuming food that is fresh and unprocessed. In the coastal city of Essaouira, we’ve been enjoying fresh fish grilled right on the docks, accompanied by simple, wholesome salads made with tomatoes, onions and cucumbers.

Essaouira, located on the Atlantic coast, is famous for its kitesurfing, attracting enthusiasts from around the world. The beaches are alive with kitesurfers, as well as horses and camels that calmly traverse the sands, even amid strong winds that send hats, towels and kites flying.

One aspect that has truly impressed me is the city’s commitment to cleanliness and environmental education. Despite its modest means, Essaouira’s beaches are remarkably free of trash. Every 400-500 feet, there are sets of four color-coded recycling and trash bins for plastic, glass, paper and landfill waste.

The public is also well-informed about climate change and the importance of preventing plastic from entering the ocean. Striking public service announcements, including a powerful image of a fish half made of plastic, drive home the message that what ends up in the ocean can find its way onto our plates.

Essaouira is doing more to educate and equip its citizens to care for the environment than we currently do in La Jolla. As a community that values its natural beauty and resources, isn’t it time that we start taking similar steps?

We could greatly benefit from implementing more robust recycling programs, enhancing public education on climate change and ensuring that our beaches remain as pristine as we’ve always known them to be.

I believe La Jolla, our jewel, can learn a great deal from Essaouira. Let’s consider what we can do to ensure that our beaches are not only beautiful but also sustainable for future generations.

Nile Regina El Wardani is a lecturer at the Global Health Institute at UC San Diego in La Jolla. ♦